(March 21, 2012) BANGKOK — The Trailblazer names lives on. Last seen in the U.S. several years ago, a tough new “haul-anything, go-anywhere” body-on-frame Chevrolet Trailblazer 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.

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.

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

The range-topping 2.8-liter variant features a variable-geometry turbocharger for optimal power and efficiency across the engine’s revolution band, and a balancer-shaft for greater smoothness.

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 and 346 pound-feet of torque with an available six-speed automatic transmission (324 lb.-ft. with a five-speed manual). The 2.5-liter engine is rated at 150 horsepower and 258 lb.-ft. of torque.

Additional powertrains for specific markets will be announced later.