General Motors has lifted the wraps of the production-ready version of its eagerly awaited Trailblazer SUV ahead of the car’s official debut at the Bangkok Motor Show in Thailand.
The Trailblazer will be Chevrolet’s riposte to the likes of the Toyota Fortuner, Ford Everest and Mitsubishi Pajero Sport offering a combination of road-going refinement with a good helping of off-road and towing ability. It features a body-on-frame set-up that utilizes the same underpinnings as Isuzu’s upcoming KB pick-up.
Styling-wise, the production-spec Trailblazer has remained true to the handsome concept which first emerged at the Dubai Motor show late last year. Some of the fancy head- and taillamp accents have gone by the wayside, along with some of the brightwork, but the car remains essentially unchanged. The same can be said of the cabin – gone is the concept’s trick lighting, but the remainder with its dual-cockpit facia design, two-tone trim and metallic accents looks classy. There’s seating for seven courtesy of a folding third row of seats while both rows of rear pews can be tumbled to form a flat load bed.
Chevrolet has now divulged some details regarding the Duramax powerplants earmarked for the Trailblazer. First up is a four-cylinder 2,5-litre turbodiesel developing 110 kW and 350 N.m of torque. A 2,8-litre turbodiesel is also offered and develops 132 kW and an impressive 470 N.m of torque. Both units can be mated with a choice of five-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmissions and a shift-on-the-fly four-wheel drive module is optional.
In terms of safety equipment, the Trailblazer will feature the following
• Electronic Stability Control;
• Anti-lock Braking System;
• Hydraulic Brake Assist;
• Traction Control;
• Dynamic Rear Brake Proportioning (first use of Rear Drive Brake in the market);
• Electronic Brake-force Distribution;
• Panic Brake Assist;
• Engine Drag Control;
• Hill Descent Control;
• Driver and Occupant Air Bag Protection.
More details regarding specifications and the like will be released when the car makes its official debut at the Bangkok Motor Show on March 28. Sales will commence in Thailand from June and will spread across a number of global markets with South Africa receiving its quotient of Trailblazers before the end of 2012.
