Joe Gibbs 2005 Chevy Tahoe - Gen III Tuner Truck

Joe Gibbs is used to winning performance. As a three-time Super Bowl-winning NFL coach, and a NASCAR team owner with two Winston Cup championships under his belt, Joe is very familiar with such terms as integrity, quality, and teamwork. Merging his two lanes of life - a passion for racing and a keen business sense - Joe Gibbs created Joe Gibbs Performance, a Huntersville, North Carolina-based operation that turns out some impressive SUVs and trucks. Take the Tahoe featured on these pages as an example - it's a stealthy and sleek SUV that doesn't skimp on performance or design cues. And after spending two weeks on the road with this vehicle, we were definitely impressed with the nuances that Joe Gibbs has packed into the vehicle.

Starting with a stock '05 Chevy Tahoe, Joe Gibbs Performance takes the vehicle to another level with a variety of performance improvements, exterior upgrades, interior refinement, and several options for the more discriminating customer. On the performance side, the Joe Gibbs Tahoe can be outfitted with a supercharger and intercooler, yielding a dramatic effect on performance. The supercharged and intercooled Vortec Gen III V-8 puts out 395 hp and a dramatic 425 lb-ft of torque, which equates to a 6.72-second 0-60 time, and a quarter-mile trap time of 15.2 seconds. With that much go power, stopping power is also dramatically increased with the addition of high-performance 14-inch brakes with drilled and slotted rotors. This also helps to slow down the upgraded rolling stock, consisting of a set of Gibbs-designed 20x8.5-inch hyper-silver wheels wrapped in Goodyear Eagle LS rubber of the P275/55R20 variety. For better exhaling abilities, and a few additional ponies, a Gibbs/Corsa-designed stainless-steel after-cat exhaust system is bolted into place that exits with dual tips. A special Gibbs-tuned suspension keeps that power evenly mated to the highway.

Exterior features abound and include a Gibbs-designed front fascia with foglamps, a monochrome upper and lower grille assembly, and monochrome D-pillar covers. However, the design cues don't stop there, as there are also Gibbs-designed rocker panels with wheel flares, a monochrome rear-bumper cover, a shaved roof rack, and Joe Gibbs Performance badges on the doors, front fascia, and tailgate.

Step into the interior of the Joe Gibbs Tahoe and there's more to impress. First, there's the Joe Gibbs Performance logo-embroidered seats and floor mats, an impressive Gibbs-designed custom gauge cluster, and a limited-production dash badge. There's also a Gibbs-specified infotainment system featuring unique DVD/CD/MP3 source unit, LCD widescreen TV screen, and Rockford Fosgate 400-watt nine-channel amp with eight speakers and a subwoofer. There's also plenty of options available, such as the Gibbs-designed sport leather/suede seating, a pair of 7-inch LCD headrest screens, wireless headphones, game inputs, and power inverter. A GPS navigation system is also available.

We had plenty of seat time in the Joe Gibbs Tahoe and were definitely impressed with the vehicle's many performance cues, styling nuances, and versatility. The vehicle is both low-key and a real standout on the road, and the engine's performance could definitely be felt when the Go pedal tickled the carpet. The big black Tahoe gets the job done in many categories, and it's been a while since we've seen a limited-edition Tahoe of this quality with so many options available. Like Joe's football teams, the Tahoe can really drive it through the uprights.