Trailblazer grabs attention as off-road / SUV combo

The new Chevrolet Trailblazer, introduced to southern Africa earlier this year, is fast becoming a popular local model for families who require a spacious powerful SUV with off-road capability. The Trailblazer is distributed and sold by Auas Motors.
“The new Chevrolet Trailblazer represents a significant step forward for Chevrolet in southern Africa as this iconic global brand continues to expand its footprint in the local market,” said Malcolm Gauld, General Motors South Africa’s Vice President Sales and Marketing.
“The past 24 months have seen an exciting revitalisation of the Chevrolet brand with the introduction of seven new models across the range.
The Chevrolet Trailblazer is an all-new nameplate within the global Chevrolet product range.
 In keeping with this it offers an exciting new approach to the brand’s representation in the popular D-segment of the SUV market as a design based on the latest Chevrolet body-on-frame architecture.
General Motors charged its Brazilian subsidiary, GM do Brasil, with the task of developing its new vehicle architecture for this application.
As a true global product offering destined for markets in Africa, the Pacific Rim, the Middle East, South America, and Eastern Europe, the Trailblazer was developed in consultation with global group of designers, stylists and engineers.
This group was tasked with bringing together varying market requirements in a consummate package that offers style, function, performance, image and refinement.

Rugged but sophisticated
“Rugged and sophisticated were the key words in the design brief for the Trailblazer,” said Dagoberto Tribia, Design Director for GM do Brasil.
“The Trailblazer had to be upscale in its style, function, and dynamics.
“The Trailblazer had to appear agile and athletic. It had to be powerful but nimble in an urban environment but also superbly capable in an off-road rock-climbing role.
This had to be backed up by a high level of refinement, comfort and safety for the occupants.”
The Trailblazer has an overall length of 4878mm, a width of 1902mm and a height of 1848mm, dimensions that provide the framework for a spacious interior with seating for seven adults.
The wheelbase of 2845mm and a track width of just over 1500mm provide excellent handling and sure-footed stability on- or off-road.
Ground clearance is 267mm with 18” wheels.
The seven passenger seating configuration, with all seats suitable for adults even on long journeys, offers intuitive three-row tumble and / or fold flat versatility with best-in-class third row seat space.
The second row of seats has a 60/40 split with a single latch, forward tumble, fold-flat mechanism.
Back rests can be reclined by up to six degrees for added passenger comfort.
An integrated folding armrest with dual cup-holders is provided for the second row of seats.
Depending on regional market requirements the Chevrolet Trailblazer is offered with a choice of 2,5 litre or 2,8 litre Duramax diesel engines or a 3,6 litre V6 petrol 24-valve engine with dual overhead camshafts and full four-cam phasing (variable valve-timing) for optimised engine performance and economy.