Admittedly a show vehicle, the overall design is close the production version that will arrive in Chevrolet showrooms next year.
Chevrolet’s mid-size sport utility vehicle, TrailBlazer, made its global debut today at the opening of the Dubai International Motor Show. The seven-seat show vehicle previews Chevrolet’s latest SUV offering, which will be sold around the world, beginning with Thailand in early 2012. In the U.S. the TrailBlazer was discontinued after 2009, and replaced by the unit body Chevrolet Traverse, Buick Enclave, GMC Acadia and Saturn Outlook.
Launch and engineering costs are issues facing GM as it tries to improve earnings and decrease debt, and 2012 will be no exception as a complete revision of its full-size pickup trucks and the SUVs derived from them will debut along with a continuing rollout of slightly smaller mid-size trucks. (See GM Q3 Earnings of $1.7 Billion, Most from North America)
An overhead console integrates the HVAC system with onboard “infotainment.”
The next generation TrailBlazer combines the hauling and towing capability of a body-on-frame SUV with what’s claimed to be the ride comfort and efficiency of a crossover. In other words, it’s a traditional American truck although it was developed along with the all-new Chevrolet Colorado pickup by GM do Brasil. While GM has announced the return of the Colorado to the U.S., but has not confirmed the TrailBlazer will join it, which seems an easy, though potentially cannibalizing, addition to the showrooms.
Flat floor storage is possible from the front row rearward when all seats are folded.
The first version of the Chevrolet Colorado truck launched last month in Thailand. This will be followed by South and North American intros. Product details, timing, pricing and the production location will be announced later, according to the official GM statement. The current-generation Colorado will be produced in Shreveport, Louisiana through the 2012 model year. (See Midsize Chevrolet Colorado Pickup Will Be Built in U.S.)
The Trailblazer show vehicle features an all-wheel-drive system and is powered by GM’s new 2.8-liter Duramax turbo-diesel engine, which features a variable-geometry turbocharger to improve fuel economy and decrease turbo lag.
“It is a reflection of the importance of the Middle East market for General Motors that a vehicle as important as TrailBlazer is making its global debut at this show,” said GM Middle East Operations President and Managing Director John Stadwick.
TrailBlazer’s exterior styling was created by the GM South America Design Center in São Caetano do Sul, Brazil. Not surprisingly, TrailBlazer shares a number of design cues with its sister vehicle, the Chevrolet Colorado.
Exterior highlights include a “body in-wheels out” design that delivers high approach and departure angles, which are good things for traversing off road. Higher-mounted dual projector headlamps are positioned beneath the hood.
Also evident is the Chevy dual-port grille – so prominent that it approaches a parody of the ever increasing in size small truck grille – at Ford and Dodge Ram, too – that emulates those of class 8 tractors, where the large air intake is actually needed for cooling.
Inside, the seven-passenger interior offers three-row tumble and/or fold-flat seats and what’s said to be best-in-class spaciousness in the third row.
“There’s no need to pull out the owner’s manual to figure out how to configure the seats,” said Matt Noone, director of design for GM do Brasil in a Chevy press release.
Additional interior details include:
- An overhead console that integrates the HVAC system with onboard “infotainment”
- Second row 60/40 split seats with single latch forward gravity tumble, fold-flat design, and six-degree seat-back reclining, along with integrated folding armrests with cup holders
- Third row 50/50 split seats with center console storage and fold-flat capability;
- Flat floor storage from the front row rearward when all seats are folded flat
- Auxiliary power plug with USB and Bluetooth connectivity.
See also:
- New Ford Ranger Debuts in Bangkok – U.S. Bound?
- Chevrolet Colorado Show Truck Unveiled in Bangkok
- New Chevrolet Colorado Concept Begs the Fuel Economy Question: Where oh where is Ford’s Small U.S. Pickup?
- UAW has Deal at Ford Pending Local Approvals. 5750 Jobs Added or Retained During Contract. Shared Prosperity Claimed
