Chevrolet Trailblazer began producing in September 2001 at the Moraine plant in Ohio. The car is considered the successor of the popular Chevrolet Blazer, but the main attribute of continuity can be considered, perhaps, a partial generality in the name. Trail Blazer is an absolutely independent model made on a completely new platform. Compared to the Blazer, the mid-size SUV Chevrolet TrailBlazer looks much more solid. In his appearance, the features of the “elder brother” - Tahoe are clearly readable: “two-story” headlights, a horizontal false radiator grille, bulging wings with wide wheel arches.
Despite the fact that TrailBlazer debuted a long time ago, its design is quite relevant today. The balanced proportions of the body - a classic off-road genre. Courageous appearance with a moderate share of aggression and pressure. This beautiful, stylish SUV is unlikely to get lost in the car traffic (help here and impressive size).
Impressive striking crossed lighting in front and beautiful bumper. The manufacturer adapted TrailBlazer to the tastes of the old world car enthusiasts. For example, the driver of the Chevrolet will not have to get used to the stalk "poker" of the selector of the automatic transmission - it is located in the usual place next to the "handbrake". The interior of the Chevrolet TrailBlazer is designed to meet the most modern requirements for ergonomics and safety.
The center console clearly separates the driver's workplace from the passenger area. Huge seats without pronounced lateral support can be trimmed with both high-grade fabric and leather, and are equipped with various electric drives. Drivers of any height will be able to quickly find a comfortable fit, since the range of movement of the seats is quite large. The TrailBlazer comes standard with an innovative 4-speed automatic transmission with an “adaptive logic” system, which not only ensures smooth and smooth shifting in all engine operating modes, but also adjusts moments and gear changes to your driving style.
Front and side airbags, a fully hydroformed frame and steel bars in the doors are responsible for safety. Thanks to the largest wheelbase in its class, five passengers can easily accommodate in the cabin, and at the same time they have a large luggage compartment at their disposal. The rear is quite convenient: to the backs of the front seats far, the ceiling is high. Chevrolet passengers have an individual tuner with two headphone sockets and a ventilation control unit with adjustable flow directions and fan speed. When folding the rear seat there is no need to detach the head restraints, which automatically recline and take a vertical position behind the backrests of the front seats.
In the luggage compartment floor there is a volume hatch for storing a first-aid kit, a fire extinguisher and various items. Around the cabin dispersed mass of shelves, drawers and cupholders. Chevrolet's patented Autotrac 4x4 system is a computer-controlled transfer case. Autotrac 4x4 allows you to simply turn the selector knob, located on the center console, to choose one of four transmission modes - 4HI, A4WD, 4LO.
Thanks to this system you are always ready to change road conditions. The default mode is rear-wheel drive. It is better to use it during city driving. If the driving conditions are slightly difficult, you can move the selector to the A4WD position - in this case, if the rear wheels slip, the front axle will automatically be connected by an electronics command. 4HI mode is the distribution of torque along the axes in a 50/50 ratio. Already in this form, TrailBlazer seems to be a great “rogue”.
Low gear (4LO) allows you to attack even more serious off-road. The pioneer, the one who paves the way - something like this translates into the Russian word TrailBlazer. American SUV adequately justifies its name.
The powerful 4.2-liter 6-cylinder 24-valve engine with an aluminum alloy cylinder block is distinguished by smooth operation and impressive torque. Four valves per cylinder and variable valve timing provide the TrailBlazer engine with excellent performance: 273 hp maximum power. at 5750 rpm and maximum torque at 3500 rpm. The acceleration time of the TrailBlazer from 0 to 100 km / h is only 9 seconds, and the maximum speed limited by electronics is 192 km / h. The engine allows the driver to start the TrailBlazer effectively with a traffic light and confidently pulls at high speeds. The mass of the trailer that can tow a TrailBlazer is 2.3 tons.
The characteristic appearance of the front of the TrailBlazer with a horizontal false radiator grille allows you to unmistakably recognize in it the representative of the family of Chevrolet SUVs. At first glance, the TrailBlazer attracts attention by deliberate contrast: while the rounded body contours give the car a smooth and elegant look, wide wheel arches, bulging wings, five-spoke wheels and an underlined body width form the exterior of a purebred SUV. Visibility is not bad. In addition, the manufacturer offers such a useful option as an electrically adjustable pedal assembly - a great help for undersized drivers.
Thanks to the perfect chassis design, the TrailBlazer is not inferior to the sedan in handling. The wheels of the front axle have an independent suspension with two A-arms and a MacPherson stance. Chevrolet specialists use a continuous beam with 4 trailing arms, Panhard bar and springs in the design of the rear suspension. In the spring of 2002, Chevrolet expanded the Trailblazer line with an EXT model. This version is so spacious that it can accommodate seven people with luggage. Whereas, the standard Trailblazer is available in three finishes: LS, LT or LTZ.
Trailblazer EXT is available strictly with LT-trim. It is offered in both rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive versions. The luggage compartment volume is 0.62 cubic meters, and when folding the 2nd and 3rd row of seats - 2.84 m³ - more than the main competitors of the Trailblazer. In 2005, GM unveiled the TrailBlazer SS in New York. The “SS” nameplate on Chevrolet models has always meant amazing dynamics and excellent driving performance.
Chevrolet TrailBlazer - the first SUV under the letter SS. The car is equipped with an 8-cylinder engine from Corvette with a capacity of 391 hp. As a result, the SUV accelerates to 100 km / h in just 5.7 seconds. Suspension finishing was carried out not only on various race tracks in the USA, but also at the Nurburgring in Germany. Externally, the TrailBlazer SS can be distinguished by 20-inch cast wheels and a lower body position over the road. Inside, special sports seats were installed, and the colors of the cabin underline the dynamic potential of the car. It is also noteworthy that customers will be offered both all-wheel drive and rear-wheel drive version of the model.
In the summer of 2006, General Motors announced that it would cease production of the Chevrolet TrailBlazer. The model returned to the conveyor after seven years. In 2013, General Motors introduced a completely new generation of this SUV. At the heart, as befits a real all-terrain vehicle, is the frame structure of the body. Also in the fight against bad roads help a continuous rear axle and a decent ground clearance of 220 mm.
Exterior noticeably lost in brutality. An important role was played in this by the departure from classical, “two-story” optics. The car has a sophisticated look, looks sporty and maneuverable.
Muscular sides, streamlined body, stylish optics are formed in an attractive appearance with notes of aggression. The car received projection headlights and LED taillights. The interior of the car is greatly modernized. A large audio display with music control buttons is installed on the center console, an on-board computer screen with two large dials is located on the dashboard.
All elements are located conveniently and naturally. Armchairs lost their former "divinity" and received lateral support. Salon, by the way, seven-seater. The second row seats are adjustable backrest in six positions.
For access to the third row of seats, the second row is easily moved forward with just one lever. On the third row, not too tall adult passengers can sit comfortably enough - there is plenty of room for your knees, and there is plenty of space above your head. All seats are equipped with coasters, pockets for small items, individual air ducts and other elements of comfort. Trailblazer 2013 is equipped with a 4-cylinder Duramax 2.8 liter turbodiesel (180 horsepower) with a variable geometric turbine, as well as a 3.6 liter gasoline engine (239 horsepower). The engines are supplied together with a 5-speed manual gearbox or a 6-speed Hydramax automatic transmission (only for diesel engines).
Up to 100 km / h, the Trailblazer with a gasoline engine accelerates in 9.7 s (in diesel with an automatic transmission - 11.8 s). There is also a 2.5-liter diesel engine in the power units, but it will not be delivered to Russia. On a good road, the rear-wheel drive car, however, if necessary, you can connect the front axle, and if there is no road at all, the center coupling is blocked and the submarine is switched on. Trailblazer 2013 can easily cope with water obstacles, the depth of which does not exceed 0.8 m. The maximum mass of the towed cargo is 3 tons.
The car is equipped with a whole set of passive and active safety systems, including hydraulic brake pedal amplification, traction control, electronic braking gain distribution, a system of preventing slippage, ESC, ABS, a slope assist system, driver and passenger airbags. Production of the 2013 model year Trailblazer SUV was launched at the General Motors plant in Rayong, Thailand. In Russia, the Chevrolet Trailblazer began to be assembled in March 2013 at the GM plant in St.