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Chev’s Trailblazer grabs attention

In the 15 months since the new Chevrolet Trailblazer has been launched, it has become very popular, setting the benchmark for power, comfort and ability, in the very competitive family SUV segment.

In the 15 months since the new Chevrolet Trailblazer has been launched, it has become very popular, setting the benchmark for power, comfort and ability, in the very competitive family SUV segment.

“We are amongst the first countries outside of Thailand, where the vehicle is manufactured, to bring the all new Chevrolet Trailblazer to market. This exciting SUV opens up an entirely new market segment for Chevrolet in southern Africa and will complement the Chevrolet Captiva – one of the most popular vehicles in its class – in the GMSA SUV line-up said Malcolm Gauld, General Motors South Africa’s (GMSA) Vice President Sales and Marketing, when the new Trailblazer was launched in October 2012.
“With the Trailblazer we are now able to offer a comprehensive range of SUVs that cater for both the casual and serious off-roader while at the same time offering a two wheel drive option for those that want the rugged looks and powerful towing performance of the Trailblazer but don’t have the need for an all-wheel drive capability.
“The new Trailblazer is designed to offer performance and a level of specification that is either at the very top, or close to the top, of its competitive market set of vehicles. One important area of performance in which the Trailblazer dominates is in towing performance. The maximum towing capacity of the Trailblazer 2.8 litre Diesel, with either manual or automatic transmission, is a massive 2950 kg, 30% more than its major competitor. The 3,6 litre petrol models have a 2500 kg maximum towing capacity as does the 2,5 litre 4X2 diesel model” said Gauld.
“As in other parts of the world the demand for body-on-frame SUVs, like the Trailblazer, is very strong in southern Africa. It is into this market that we introduced the Trailblazer as a five-model range. Within that range there is a choice of either Chevrolet’s ‘LT’ or ‘LTZ’ specification levels, 2- or 4-wheel drive, 2,5 litre or 2,8 litre diesel engines or 3,6 litre V6 petrol engine and a choice of manual or automatic transmission on the 2,8 litre diesel and 3,6 litre V6 models.
Chevrolet, the creator of the SUV with the introduction of the Suburban back in 1935, has drawn on its huge store of knowledge, experience and heritage in the global SUV market in its creation of the new Trailblazer. True to the ground-breaking concept of that very first Suburban of 77 years ago, the Chevrolet Trailblazer is an innovative, value-for-money family SUV that offers dynamic styling, enhanced driving and ride refinement and a high level of on-and off-road competency together with a latest generation powerful and efficient drive train options. 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.
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.
For the Trailblazer Chevrolet has opted for a reinforced, fully boxed frame with inherent stiffness derived from the use of nine cross members. This nine cross-member configuration provides for a high level of torsional rigidity and is tougher and more durable than the more common chassis design using fewer cross members.

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