Chevrolet TrailBlazer (SUV)
| Chevrolet TrailBlazer | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | General Motors |
| Production | 2002–present |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | Midsize SUV |
| Body style | 4-door 2-row wagon 4-door 3-row wagon (EXT) |
| Platform | FR/4WD GMT360 |
| Related | Buick Rainier GMC Envoy Isuzu Ascender Oldsmobile Bravada Saab 9-7X |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | 4.2 L Vortec I6 5.3 L Vortec V8 (EXT) |
The Chevrolet TrailBlazer is a midsize SUV from General Motors. Introduced in 2002, the TrailBlazer won the North American Truck of the Year award. The TrailBlazer replaced the Blazer as the company's midsize SUV, though production of the 2-door Blazer overlapped with the new 4-door TrailBlazer for some years.
The TrailBlazer is an interesting vehicle in that it retains many traits people would consider "car-like", such as a tight turning radius, relatively easy ride (as compared to a Chevrolet Avalanche), and lots of amenities like cupholders and rear-seat climate controls. While retaining all these traits, it is also a capable truck, with all models having four wheel drive as an option with both automatic engagement and the more traditional "4 High" and "4 Low" gearings. Combined with adequate ground clearance, the four wheel drive makes it a capable off-road vehicle. Its main disadvantage is its increased width (as compared to a Suzuki Samurai or a Jeep Wrangler) and lack of suspension travel, causing it to high side when it encounters high-camber-variance terrain or large rocks. Additionally, it lacks either locking hubs or a limited slip differential, though the latter is available as an option.
Engines:
EXT
One unique element of the TrailBlazer line was the availability of a 3-row 7-passenger TrailBlazer EXT version. This vehicle is 16 in (406 mm) longer and has a higher roofline to allow easier access to the third row of seats. This roof is disguised by standard roof racks.
Production of the EXT model was handled by the Oklahoma City Assembly plant in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. The last TrailBlazer EXT rolled off the assembly line on February 20, 2006, because GM had reportedly closed that plant, making 2006 the final year for the TrailBlazer EXT.
SS
An SS model was introduced for 2006 with the Chevrolet Corvette's LS2 V8. This new Trailblazer is equipped with a 6.0 L LS2 V8 with 391 hp and 395 ft·lbf of torque. It can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 5.8 sec (est), and can do the quarter mile in about 14.0 sec. at 100.0 mph(est).
Future
The next-generation Trailblazer will be built on an upgraded version of the current GMT360 platform called the GMT361. It was scheduled to be launched in Spring 2007, but in December 2005, General Motors pushed off that date to 2008 at the earliest.
Responding to criticism of rebadging, GM will only build the Trailblazer and GMC Envoy SUVs off of this upgraded platform. Buick will instead get a GM Lambda platform-based crossover SUV, while Saab will replace the 9-7X with the Epsilon-based 9-4X.