You Can Now Buy A Chevy Tahoe Or Suburban With 1000bhp

If you’re part of a big family and you’re a little bored with the regulation nine-seater SUV options, Specialty Vehicle Engineering has some good news.

The specialist General Motors-based tuner, which is normally found fettling Camaros and Corvettes, can now put the same 1000bhp kit that’s available for the sports cars onto the Tahoe and Suburban instead. Leave common sense at the door, for this one.

It’s true any day of the week that you don’t need 1000bhp in a vehicle designed to move a group of people safely and comfortably from A to B. But, then again… why not? Specialty Vehicle Engineering (SVE) has confirmed two options: a stage one 810bhp conversion and the full-fat stage two daddy with 1000bhp.

While both options essentially change most of the engine, the 810bhp choice is available on both the 5.3-litre and 6.2-litre car, and with two- or four-wheel drive. The stage two setup can only be applied to 5.3-litre, rear-wheel drive versions.

The engine is increased to 6.8 litres in capacity. The LT1 block is blueprinted, the crankshaft and pistons are forged steel and the cylinder head is ported. The end result is an extremely meaty torque curve whose 750lb ft peaks sooner for more mid-range pull, leading into a vastly more exciting top-end rush. Possibly too exciting, if you forget about the in-laws in the seats behind you.

If you want the full four-figure monster the stage two kit adds more potent fuel pumps and injectors, high-flow cylinder heads and general strengthening. There’s a new supercharger packing 25 per cent more boost, a larger throttle body, custom headers and a stronger automatic transmission. Your 1000bhp comes with 875lb ft behind it.

Amusingly, neither of these modified SUVs are road legal in California. They emit too much carbon, which doesn’t take too much believing. Still, that leaves 47 mainland states to enjoy; 48 if you fancy a trip to Alaska.