Production 2013 Chevrolet TrailBlazer debuts, "no plans" for U.S. version

From AB
*****
The TrailBlazer will hit dealers in Thailand in June, with much of the
rest of the world – minus the U.S. – to follow.

BANGKOK – The Trailblazer, Chevrolet's tough new "haul-anything,
go-anywhere" SUV, made its world debut today at a special event
ahead of The 33rd Bangkok International Motor Show in Thailand.

First previewed in concept form at last year's Dubai International
Motor Show in the Middle East, the Trailblazer will go on sale around
the world, beginning with Thailand in June.

Based on General Motors' new global body-on-frame midsize truck
architecture, the Trailblazer was designed to feature premium ride
comfort and handling dynamics for urban and highway driving, matched
by superior off-road capabilities.

Inside, the all-new Trailblazer features leading interior space and
intuitive three-row tumble and fold-flat seating, representing
Chevrolet's most significant play in the competitive body-on-frame
midsize SUV segment.

Available in two- and four-wheel-drive configurations, the Trailblazer
is powered by GM's new four-cylinder Duramax turbo-diesel engines that
offer class-leading power and torque matched with efficiency and
refinement.

Martin Apfel, president, GM Southeast Asia and Chevrolet Sales
Thailand, said the introduction of the new Trailblazer, which will be
built at GM Thailand's manufacturing facility in Rayong, will boost
Chevrolet's presence in the world's fast-growing SUV markets.

"True to its name, the Trailblazer will blaze the trail for new
Chevrolet vehicles coming into the market. It has been built tough to
offer Chevrolet customers everything they need from a heavy-duty
SUV," he said.

Designed for family transport and urban commuting, the Trailblazer is
equally at home negotiating off-road terrain as it is with urban
traffic and highway cruising," Apfel added. "It will hit the
sweet spot, not just for consumers in Thailand and throughout
Southeast Asia, but in every place around the world where it will be
sold."

The Trailblazer was developed in tandem with the all-new Chevrolet
Colorado midsize pickup truck by a highly skilled team of GM
engineers, who used their expertise to add passenger vehicle
attributes to the midsize truck architecture.

Team members lived in Thailand during the development of both
vehicles, immersing themselves in the highly competitive truck and SUV
market and observing how Thais use their vehicles and the driving
conditions they experience. The insights gathered led to the
development of Trailblazer models covering two specification levels:
the mid-level LT and the range-topping LTZ.


Powertrain and Transmission

The Trailblazer will be powered by GM's all-new family of Duramax
four-cylinder turbo-diesel engines, featuring 2.5L and 2.8L
displacements. The engines incorporate a host of technologies aimed at
delivering an optimal balance of power, performance and fuel economy.

The range-topping 2.8L variant features a variable-geometry
turbocharger for optimal power and efficiency across the engine's
revolution band, and a balancer-shaft for greater smoothness. Both
engines feature components designed to last for 240,000 kilometers,
enhancing durability and reliability while contributing to lower cost
of ownership.

A choice of two drivetrains will be offered – a five-speed manual
transmission and a six-speed automatic featuring electronic
shift-control with clutch-to-clutch capability and an
electro-hydraulic control module.

The 2.8-liter engine is rated at 180 horsepower (132 kW) and 346
lb.-ft. of torque (470 Nm) with an available six-speed automatic
transmission (324 lb.-ft. / 440 Nm with a five-speed manual). The
2.5-liter engine is rated at 150 horsepower (110 kW) and 258 lb.-ft.
of torque (350 Nm).

Additional powertrains for specific markets will be announced later.

Ride and Handling

The Trailblazer's foundation for both its on- and off-road
capabilities is its robust body-on-frame architecture. With the
support of an independent five-link rear suspension, a feature found
in more upmarket, premium SUVs, the Trailblazer displays none of the
typical characteristics of conventional body-on-frame SUVs. In fact,
it enjoys a combination of best-in-class luxurious ride and
responsiveness. The use of coil springs throughout also provides the
Trailblazer with better suspension articulation, a useful trait in
off-road conditions, in addition to providing passenger car-like
handling dynamics on the road.

"Our objective when developing the Trailblazer was to achieve
ride and handling dynamics that match, and in many cases exceed, those
of similar-size crossover vehicles," said Brad Merkel, GM's
Global Vehicle Line Executive for Midsize Trucks and SUVs. "The
Trailblazer will cater to a wide range of driving styles and
requirements. It is car-like responsive and premium in its ride
quality while offering the off-road capability that our customers
demand. That makes it the complete SUV package."

Safety

The Trailblazer range boasts an impressive array of active and passive
safety features, including:
• Electronic Stability Control
• Anti-lock Braking System
• Hydraulic Brake Assist
• Traction Control
• Dynamic Rear Brake Proportioning (first use of Rear Drive Brake in
the market)
• Electronic Brake-force Distribution
• Panic Brake Assist
• Engine Drag Control
• Hill Descent Control
• Driver and Occupant Air Bag Protection

Exterior Design – Sophisticated Muscle

The Trailblazer's bold road presence was created by the GM South
America Design Center in São Caetano do Sul, Brazil, and shares a
number of design cues with its sister vehicle, the Chevrolet Colorado,
in line with Chevrolet's global design DNA.

Exterior highlights include a "body in-wheels out" design
that delivers high approach and departure angles. A dramatic power
dome in the hood combined with a raised cowl designed to give the
Trailblazer a strong, purposeful appearance, while higher-mounted dual
projector headlamps are positioned beneath the power dome, emphasizing
the visual strength in the face of the vehicle.

Also prominent is the contemporary dual-port grille – an unmistakable
Chevrolet cue – that carries a three-dimensional grille mesh. It is
complemented by polished aluminum decor trims in the fascias, rockers,
belt line, tailgate and roof rack.

"The Trailblazer delivers a great combination of capabilities,
from negotiating off-road trails to daily city driving, that we wanted
to convey visually," said Matt Noone, director of Design for GM
do Brasil. "There's an obvious sense of muscle in the design, but
at the same time a very sophisticated appearance in line with the
world's premium SUVs. From every angle, the Trailblazer looks agile
and athletic, with a refined finish that makes it a vehicle our
customers will aspire to own."

The Trailblazer will be available in seven exterior colors: Summit
White, Black Sapphire, Sizzle Red, Auburn Brown, Blue Mountain, Royal
Gray and Switchblade Silver.

Interior – Spacious, Refined and Flexible

Signature Chevrolet cues continue inside, conveying spaciousness,
flexibility and an upscale appearance in all control interfaces. With
a flowing instrument panel, integrated center stack and signature
Chevrolet dual cockpit design, the interior of the all-new Trailblazer
combines car-like characteristics with the boldness expected of a true
SUV. The seven-passenger interior offers intuitive three-row tumble
and/or fold-flat seat versatility and best-in-class spaciousness in
the third row.

"We made the seating both flexible and intuitive. There's no need
to pull out the owner's manual to figure out how to configure the
seats," Noone said. "The third row in the all-new
Trailblazer isn't an afterthought. It's an authentic third row where
people can sit comfortably for long trips. Combine that with luxurious
interior appointments and it is easy to see why the Trailblazer really
is an all-purpose vehicle."

Additional interior details include:
• Second row 60/40 split seats with single latch forward gravity
tumble, fold-flat capability, and six-degree seat-back reclining with
integrated folding armrests, incorporated 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 to provide extreme load capability;
• Auxiliary power plug with USB and Bluetooth connectivity.

Contrasting trim used with the light-colored leather seating and
dual-grained surfaces on the instrument panel provide a premium feel.
A number of storage compartments are located throughout the interior,
including a covered center bin for the concealment of valuable items,
and a large dual glovebox.
 
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