The American brand Chevrolet presented the second generation of the Trailblazer SUV to Russian motorists at its stand within the framework of MIAS-2012 ... But Russians are not the first to see a new embodiment of the legendary frame SUV.
This car began its journey across countries and continents from Bangkok - where the world premiere of the Chevrolet Trayblazer took place in March 2012 (and almost immediately its sales started in Thailand and China) ... and only by the end of the "holiday season" the SUV reached Russia.
By the way, the Chevrolet Colorado pickup truck is called upon to help in conquering the Russian expanses of the 2nd generation Trailblazer - from a technical and constructive point of view, these are "twin brothers".
The American classic SUV received a corporate "face" characteristic of all Chevrolet cars of recent years: with a two-level false radiator grille and a large company logo on the border of the levels.
The front of the TrailBlazer has high almond-shaped headlights, a neat bumper with stylish chrome inserts and fog lights. For better geometric cross-country ability of the body, the bumper is heavily cut from below and bears powerful protection from unpainted plastic on its lower plane. The bonnet, with its two striking ribs, rises above the fender steps, which in turn form the sculpted front wheel arches.
In profile, a Thai-made American SUV demonstrates the classic shape of a large station wagon raised high above the road surface. The main body elements that catch the eye are the courageously inflated wheel arches with a characteristic stamping plane along the edge perimeter.
The installed tires 245/70 R16 on alloy wheels of the 16th radius are simply lost in the vast expanses of wheel arches, such a large reserve allows the wheels to make vertical movements off-road, thereby providing Trailblazer with excellent cross-country ability. For those who like to make an effect on those around them with the appearance of their American jeep, as well as for cases of movement mainly on paved roads, it is possible to install wheels of a larger radius - up to 265 / 60R18.
Ease of landing in the cabin is provided by a standard wide footrest. When viewed from the side, I also want to highlight the calm sidewalls of large doors, a high sill line, a flat roof with roof rails to accommodate the trunk and a stylish solution in the design of the rear side of the body.
The glass, which starts just behind the edge of the tailgate, continues until it merges with the glass surface of the fifth door. We can observe such a design decision on the Mercedes-Benz ML (but the Mers has a rear roof pillar, and an additional glass of a more compact size). The hero of our review has much larger additional glazing and a visually weightless roof rack. Looks fresh and adds light to the interior.
The rear of the SUV has a large rectangular tailgate, large "chandeliers" of the taillights and a modest size bumper with additional light elements.
External dimensions of the body of the 2nd generation Chevrolet TrailBlazer are: length - 4878 mm, width - 1902 mm, height - 1831 mm (with rails 15-25 mm larger, depending on the shape of the latter), wheelbase - 2845 mm, ground clearance - convincing 220 mm.
There are seven body paint options available: Summit White, Switchblade Silver, Metallic Silver, Blue Mountain, Royal Gray, Sizzle Red, Black Sapphire and Auburn Brown Brown).
The interior of the Chevrolet Trailblazer SUV, designed for seven seats, is large in the American way: there are seats in the first and second rows in all directions and with an enviable margin. Passengers in the third row are given a little less space; not only children, but also adult crew members will be able to accommodate in the gallery.
The interior design, from the architecture of the dashboard and flat seat cushions, to the materials of decoration and build quality of the cabin, however, is also American, not the best quality by European standards. Hard plastics, uneven gaps, slippery skin, lame ergonomics of the controls - a complete set. Stylish and original solutions in the form of deep wells in the dashboard and a round climate control unit refresh the gray plastic interior.
We will sit in the driver's seat, an electrically adjustable seat will allow you to get comfortable, the steering wheel - with buttons for controlling the radio tape recorder, telephone, on-board computers and cruise control. On the center console - regular music CD MP3 USB Bluetooth and climate control, simple and bland, as for a modern car. The second row is spacious, the seat back is lowered at an angle of 6 °, the rear row of seats can be removed with a single hand movement.
Having folded the sofas of the second and third rows, we get a huge cargo compartment with a flat platform - up to 1830 liters.
Already in the "basic" configuration for the Russian market, the Chevrolet TrailBlazer has: a leather interior, climate control, a radio with 8 speakers, rear parking sensors, a stabilization system and at least two airbags.
The second generation Chevrolet Trailblazer for Russia is equipped with two engine options:
- 2.8-liter turbodiesel (180 hp), paired with 5 manual transmissions (440 Nm at 1600 rpm) or 6 automatic transmissions (470 Nm), this engine provides a heavy SUV with acceleration to 100 km / h in 12 , 5 seconds, but thanks to the high torque, the car feels great off-road and has a traction force of 3.5 tons, which allows you to tow a trailer with 1 ton of load.
- The petrol six-cylinder 3.6-liter (239 hp, 329 Nm at 2800 rpm) with 6 automatic transmissions is more suitable for motorists who do not often leave the asphalt surface and prefer a dynamic driving style (the petrol engine allows the new Trailblazer to “gain a hundred” in just 8 , 8 seconds).
The suspension is fully independent on double wishbones at the front and multi-link at the rear, all-wheel disc brakes with ABC, Brake Assist, Dynamic Rear Brake Proportioning (helps distribute the braking torque between the rear wheels) and an electronic brake force distribution system. There is also a stabilization system, assistants when starting off uphill and downhill, plug-in four-wheel drive - a two-stage electronically controlled transfer case.
With independent multi-link suspension, stiff springs and variable damping damping characteristics, the Chevrolet Trailblazer SUV has a comfortable suspension and stable behavior at high speeds.
The high-torque diesel engine along with the powerful gasoline engine are backed up by a reliable all-wheel drive control system, which allows you to feel confident behind the wheel of an "American" (made in Thailand) with confidence on the road.
In 2014, on the Russian market, "Trailblazer-2" is offered in two trim levels: LT and LTZ (but only "diesel" is offered in the LT trim).
- So the most affordable all-wheel drive Trailblazer 2.8 5MT ~ 1 million 289 thousand rubles. For this money, the car will be equipped with: front airbags, ABS system, power windows "around the perimeter", electric mirrors (without heating), air conditioning, an audio system with 6 speakers, alloy 16 "wheels and a full-size" spare wheel ".
- Chevrolet Trailblazer LT 2.8 6AT is offered at a price of 1 million 355 thousand rubles, but in addition to the "automatic" for this price, the buyer will receive a rich set of assistance systems in motion (electronic stabilization system, traction control system, assistance system during descent / ascent, system stabilization of the trailer).
- The car in the LTZ configuration is equipped much richer - in addition to what is "in the base", here: heated mirrors, leather interior, climate control, power seats (6 directions), cruise control, an audio system with 8 speakers, parking sensors, "Multifunction", 18 "wheels," fog "," chrome trim "and 4 airbags. For the LTZ equipment, only "automatic" is possible as a gearbox.
- The diesel version of the Trailblazer LTZ is offered at a price of 1 million 495 thousand rubles.
- The cost of "gasoline LTZ" - from 1 million 622 thousand rubles.
