It was just more than a year ago when GM Defense, a subsidiary of General Motors, grabbed a $214.3 million contract to develop and build the new Infantry Squad Vehicle (ISV) for the United States. After successfully delivering initial batches of the 2020 Chevrolet Colorado ZR2-based ISV, GM Defense has won a contract with the U.S. Department of State to build purpose-built Heavy-Duty (HD) Suburbans.
Developing An HD Suburban For Diplomatic Security Service
The complete contract valued at $36.4 million pertains to the development and validation of next-generation Large Support Utility Commercial Vehicles to support the State Department's Diplomatic Security Service (DSS). The HD Suburban will be a result of this contract, which sees production of around 10 examples over the next two years.
The HD Suburban will be underpinned by GM's commercial vehicle architecture designed for full-sized pickups and large SUVs, and will mostly be made from commercial-off-the-shelf parts such as body, exterior, propulsion, interior and brakes. However, the HD Suburban will employ a new body-on-frame chassis and suspension designed to comply with government vehicle performance requirements.
Chevrolet Suburban Is The Right SUV For The Job
Mobility supports for DSS functions usually have large interior room. The Chevrolet Suburban would be the right SUV for the job, as the iconic longest-running nameplate is known for delivering maximum space. In fact, the 2021 Suburban – with a length of 225.7 inches and wheelbase of 134.1 inches, offers ample legroom for second and third row passengers at 42 and 36.7 inches, respectively. It also offers a max cargo room of 144.7 cu. ft. GM Defense targets the HD Suburban to be heavier while carrying more payload.
The engine for the new HD Suburban is still unknown, although the 2021 Chevy Suburban comes powered by any of the three available mills. These include a 5.3-liter V8 engine delivering 355 hp, a 6.2-liter V8 mill rated at 420 hp and an optional Duramax 3.0-liter inline-six turbo-diesel offering 277 hp. The Suburban is the only full-size SUV to offer a diesel engine.
A Two-Phase Delivery Deal Lasting 11 Years
According to GM Defense, it will employ a fixtureless assembly and flexible fabrication to ensure efficient and quality low-volume production of the new chassis and frame for the HD Suburban. This should help reduce overall program costs while offering greater flexibility and responsiveness.
Delivery of the HD Suburban will be done in two phases. The first delivery will commence Spring 2022, with development expected to be completed in May 2023. Then a contract to produce around 200 units of the HD Suburban annually for nine years will follow.
Source: GM Defense