Chevrolet TrailBlazer Concept (2011)

Chevrolet TrailBlazer Concept

Chevrolet's toughest, most refined midsize sport utility vehicle, the Chevy TrailBlazer, made its global debut at the opening of the 2011 Dubai International Motor Show in the Middle East.

The robust seven-seat show vehicle previews Chevrolet's latest SUV offering, which will be sold around the world, beginning with Thailand in early 2012.

The new-generation Chevrolet TrailBlazer combines the hauling and towing capability of a body-on-frame SUV with the ride comfort and efficiency of a crossover. Developed in tandem with the all-new Chevrolet Colorado pickup by GM do Brasil, it shares the same architecture as its truck sibling, with a chassis tuned to combine heavy-duty off-road capability with refined city driving.

The show vehicle features an all-wheel-drive system and is powered by GM's new 2.8-liter Duramax turbo-diesel engine, which features a variable-geometry turbocharger for an optimal combination of performance and fuel economy.

"It is a reflection of the importance of the Middle East market for General Motors that a vehicle as important as TrailBlazer is making its global debut at this show," said GM Middle East Operations President and Managing Director John Stadwick. "Without question, the new TrailBlazer will be one of the biggest and toughest members of the Chevrolet family - the perfect vehicle to take on the Middle East's competitive midsize SUV segment."

He added, "Although this is a show vehicle, the overall design is faithful to the production version that will arrive in Chevrolet showrooms in 2012. Chevrolet TrailBlazer will be the ideal fit, not only for consumers in the Middle East, but in every place around the world where it will be sold."

According to Brad Merkel, GM's Global Vehicle Line Executive for Midsize Trucks and SUVs, Chevrolet TrailBlazer offers the strength, design, capability and refinement needed to compete with the world's best off-road vehicles.

"The growing markets of the world want flexibility. That means power and capability combined with comfort and efficiency," Merkel said. "TrailBlazer does it all. You can tow anything, go anywhere, comfortably seat seven people, and do so with the fuel efficiency associated with a smaller, less capable vehicle. It's the complete package."

Exterior Design - Sophisticated Muscle

Chevrolet 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.

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 gives the Chevy TrailBlazer a strong, purposeful appearance. 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. Tri-coat pearlescent white exterior paint and integrated LED front and rear fog lamps provide a premium appearance.

Additional exterior details include:

• Highly detailed sheet metal work in the hood, door panels and rear quarters that blend layers of natural light for a rich, uncluttered, natural surface appearance;
• Front and rear LED Chevrolet signature lighting housed within sculpted aluminum decorative bezels;
• Custom dual-finish, painted and polished 20-inch aluminum wheels fitted with 20-inch Cooper Zeon LTZ tires;
• Exterior mirror-mounted LED turn signals.