The Chevrolet TrailBlazer is a mid-size sport utility vehicle produced by the Chevrolet division of American automaker General Motors.
On November 10, 2011, General Motors officially revealed a second generation of the vehicle to be sold worldwide. It is unknown if it will be sold in North America.
| Chevrolet TrailBlazer | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | General Motors Corporation |
| Production | 2000–2008 (North America) 2012–present (Asia) |
| Model years | 2002–2009 USA 2012–present Thailand and Brazil |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | Mid-size SUV |
| Body style | 5-door SUV |
| Layout | Front engine, rear-wheel drive / four-wheel drive |
| Chronology | |
| Predecessor | Chevrolet Blazer (4-Door) |
| Successor | Chevrolet Traverse |
Blazer trim line (1999–2001)[edit]
The TrailBlazer nameplate was introduced in 1999 as an upscale trim line of the Blazer. In 2002, the TrailBlazer turned into a separate model. Production of the Blazer overlapped with the TrailBlazer until 2005, when the 2-door was sold at dealers while the 4-door was fleet only (until the 2004 model year).
First generation (2002–2009)[edit]
| First generation | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Overview | |
| Production | USA: 2000–2008 |
| Model years | 2002–2009 (US only) |
| Assembly | Moraine, Ohio, United States Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, United States Kaliningrad, Kaliningrad Oblast, Russia[1]/[2]/[3] Valencia, Venezuela[4] |
| Body and chassis | |
| Body style | 5-door SUV |
| Platform | GMT360 GMT370 (EXT) |
| Related | Buick Rainier GMC Envoy Isuzu Ascender Oldsmobile Bravada Saab 9-7X Chevrolet Colorado (2013 version) |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | 4.2 L LL8 I6 5.3 L V8 6.0 L LS2 V8 |
| Transmission | 4-speed automatic 4L60-E and 4L70-E(only with LS2 6.0 liter engine)[5] |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | SWB: 113.0 in (2,870 mm) EXT: 129.0 in (3,277 mm) |
| Length | SWB: 191.8 in (4,872 mm) EXT: 207.8 in (5,278 mm) |
| Width | 74.7 in (1,897 mm) |
| Height | 2002–03 SWB: 74.5 in (1,892 mm) 2004–09 SWB: 72.5 in (1,842 mm) 2002–03 EXT: 77.1 in (1,958 mm) 2004–06 EXT: 75.5 in (1,918 mm) 2007–09 2WD: 67.8 in (1,722 mm) |
| Chronology | |
| Successor | Chevrolet Traverse |
The first-generation TrailBlazer is based on a truck platform called GMT360, with all models having four-wheel drive as an option with both automatic engagement and the more traditional "4 High" and "4 Low" gearings, except the SS model which features an All wheel drive system. The TrailBlazer features an independent front suspension, and a five-link rear suspension. A G80 locking rear differential is available as an option on all models except for the SS which has a G86 LSD standard. An 'LT' version, has upgraded interior features, better sound system, alloy wheels, 4-wheel disc brakes, and a towing package.
The TrailBlazer was facelifted for late 2005/early 2006. A new front fascia and interior trim were included with the refresh, but only apply to the upper-level LT models. The LS trim still has a similar front and rear fascia to the 02-05 models. The SS gets trim-specific front and rear fascias plus colormatched side skirts.
Engines[edit]
The TrailBlazer comes with a 291 hp (217 kW) 277 lb·ft (376 N·m) all-aluminum 4.2 L "Atlas" LL8 inline-six engine standard and an optional 302 hp (225 kW) 330 lb·ft (447 N·m) aluminum small-block 5.3 L V8 with Active Fuel Management. The inline-six makes the TrailBlazer the most powerful six-cylinder SUV in its class. The Active Fuel Management system on the V8 engine shuts off 4 of the 8 cylinders during highway travel and idle to save fuel. The 6-cylinder versions of the TrailBlazer get up to 20 miles per US gallon (12 L/100 km; 24 mpg-imp) highway, according to refreshed United States Environmental Protection Agency estimates.
The TrailBlazer won the North American Truck of the Year award in 2002. The 4.2 L I6 Atlas LL8 appeared on the Ward's 10 Best Engines list from 2002–2005 with innovative features such as DOHC, Variable Valve Timing (VVT) on the exhaust camshaft, and GM's patented Lost-foam casting process.
EXT[edit]
One unique element of the TrailBlazer line was the availability of a 3-row, 7-passenger EXT version. This vehicle was 16 in (406 mm) longer and had a higher roofline to allow easier access to the third row of seats. This roof was 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.
The EXT could be identified by its much straighter rear doors (which were not in-line with the rear wheel arches), as well as by the circular, metal cap on each of the quarter windows where the opening mechanism attaches.
SS[edit]
An SS model was introduced for the 2006 model year. This was the first time a production SUV wore the Super Sport badge.[6] But this wasn't just a styling package: this Trailblazer came standard with a 6.0 L LS2 V8 that was the same engine that came standard in the 2005-2007 C6 Corvette, with different exhaust (more restrictive) and a taller intake that better utilized the torque characteristics of the engine in this heavier vehicle. The suspension was stiffened up and lowered from the factory, it had an added air-leveling system in the rear, and it rode on 20" wheels and fatter tires---all which contributed to much improved handling. All Trailblazer SS's also came from the factory with 4.10 differentials, improving off-the-line acceleration. They were available in both 2WD and AWD configurations. About 7% of total Trailblazer production had the B4U SS-package.
Safety[edit]
IIHS tests give early Trailblazers a Marginal overall rating in the frontal offset test while 2005–2009 models get an Acceptable rating. For 2008 models side curtain airbags became standard but the Trailblazer gets a Marginal overall side impact rating regardless of airbag configuration. Torso type side airbags were unavailable.[7]
2007 National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Crash Test Ratings:
- Frontal Driver:
- Frontal Passenger:
- Side Driver:
- Side Rear Passenger:
- Rollover 2wd:
- Rollover 4wd:
Yearly American sales[edit]
| Calendar Year | Total American sales |
|---|---|
| 2001[9] | 115,103 |
| 2002 | 249,568 |
| 2003 | 261,334 |
| 2004[10] | 283,484 |
| 2005 | 244,150 |
| 2006[11] | 174,797 |
| 2007 | 134,626 |
| 2008[12] | 74,878 |
| 2009[13] | 8,829 |
Discontinuation[edit]
Buick instead got the Enclave, a GM Lambda platform-based crossover SUV to replace the Rainier (along with the Rendezvous and the Terraza minivan), while GMC got the GM Lambda platform-based crossover SUV Acadia to replace the Envoy. Also, Saab will replace the 9-7X with the 9-4X.The next generation TrailBlazer was to 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 January 2006, GM decided to just refresh the current platform and call the vehicle a GMT360NG. However, in June 2006, GM announced that the GMT360NG program was also canceled due to the large investment. GM decided to keep the current TrailBlazer until the 2009 model year (2008 in Mexico).
The Trailblazer, along with the Chevrolet Uplander minivan, were replaced by the Chevrolet Traverse. GM had closed the Moraine plant on December 23, 2008, ending production of all GMT360 products.[14] The last Chevrolet TrailBlazer rolled off the Moraine line on December 16, 2008, a week before the plant's closure. The closing of the last factory that manufactured the trucks was the subject of a 2009 HBO documentary “The Last Truck: Closing of a G.M. Plant”.[15]
Recall[edit]
General Motors and Isuzu are recalling more than 258,000 SUVs in the U.S. and Canada to fix short-circuits in power window and door lock switches that can cause fires. The recall covers Chevrolet TrailBlazer, GMC Envoy, Buick Rainier, Isuzu Ascender and Saab 9-7XSUVs from the 2006 and 2007 model years. The SUVs were sold or registered in 20 U.S. states, Washington, D.C., and Canada, where salt and other chemicals are used to clear roads in the winter.[16]
Second generation (2012)[edit]
The second-generation TrailBlazer was unveiled as a concept at the 2011 Dubai Motor Show, and as a production model at the Bangkok Motor Show on March 21, 2012.[17] . The TrailBlazer returns to the roots of General Motors' classic body-on-frame SUV's that the first-generation TrailBlazer abandoned. As is the case with the original Chevrolet Blazer (1969-1994), Tahoe (1995-present), Suburban (1935–present), S10-based Blazer (1983-2005), the TrailBlazer will be based on a pickup truck chassis, in this case the 2012 Chevrolet Colorado.
This TrailBlazer is built in Thailand and in Brazil as well.[18] A report in Edmunds noted while the Trailblazer is not currently planned in the North American market, plans are being made for the truck to debut in 2014 when the US-market Colorado is unveiled, with the vehicles both being built in Wentzville, Missouri. Both the Colorado and TrailBlazer will feature a different front end design based on Chevrolet Silverado, to give the North American market trucks a closer feel to their larger truck counterparts. [19]
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The Trailblazer is currently being sold in some of the Southeast Asian countries, South Africa, Saudi Arabia and is sold in Australia as the Holden Colorado 7 from 2013. The 2013 Isuzu MU-7 also resembles the second generation Chevrolet Trailblazer.[20]
Engines[edit]
The 2012 Trailblazer comes with two engine options, both diesel, one featuring a Duramax 2.5 L, 150 hp (110 kW) 350 Nm (258 lb-ft) standard, and an optional Duramax 2.8 L, 180 hp (132 kW) 470 Nm (346 lb-ft). For the Brazilian market, a 3.6 V6 petrol engine producing 239 hp (179 kW) 360 Nm (265 lb-ft) is also available.
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