This Chevy blazes in the sun

Certainly a car to look forward to!

If you're an irredeemably beardy purist, it's possible that the idea of replacing Chevrolet Captiva with a hot rod machine might have you convulsing with horror, and even some company insiders tacitly admit the idea took some getting used to.

Well honestly, the SUV market is expected to generate 20 million sales worldwide by 2020, so resistance is no longer just futile, it's economic suicide. Toyota, Mitsubishi and Ford have all planned to revise their hotcake SUVs, and the Trailblazer’s early appearance here is just a calculated spoiler.

As a unique model, the Chevrolet TrailBlazer debuted for 2002, though the name "TrailBlazer" was actually in use previously as an upscale trim level for the regular four-door Blazer SUV. After the TrailBlazer's debut, Chevy slowly phased out the Blazer and let the TrailBlazer become its main truck-based midsize SUV in the world market.

Qualities like a smooth ride, a roomy cabin, plentiful features and an inexpensive price made it a hit with consumers early in the model cycle.

From powerful V8 and more, the vehicle has metamorphosed much before it reach the Indian soil. Chevrolet India launched its full size SUV, the Trailblazer, in India and it has been priced at Rs 26.4 lakh, ex-showroom Delhi.

The new SUV is much different and powered by a massive 2.8-litre, 4-cylinder, diesel engine that promises 197bhp at 3600rpm and 500Nm of maximum torque from as low as 2000rpm. Its fuel-efficiency is rated at 11.45 km/l.

Furthermore, Chevrolet Trailblazer is being offered with only a 6-speed automatic gearbox. The American carmaker has endowed it a rear-wheel drive (RWD) setup, and will bring the car to India as a CBU since the Halol plant will cease operations. To extend the life of the engine and the variable geometry turbocharger, Chevrolet has added water cooling to its turbocharger and turbine housing, reducing operational heat - especially at high speeds.

The carmaker also announced that the Chevrolet Trailblazer will be available for bookings exclusively on Amazon India at a reservation deposit of 25,000. The service on Amazon India will also offer the option of refund of the booking amount in case a customer changes his/her mind.

About the Chevrolet Trailblazer's design - the front of the SUV sees Chevy's traditional two-part grille that we have also seen on the Sail hatchback/sedan, the Beat, and the Spark.

The front is flanked by sharp looking projector head-lamps, though they seem to have become common to almost every new or refreshed car launched in the recent past.

The Chevrolet Trailblazer's side profile sports a tad 'soft' design and does not get too much cladding - unlike most SUVs these days. It looks simple and not very aggressive. Inside, the Trailblazer gets 3 rows of seating and a 7-inch MyLink touchscreen infotainment system with a smartphone app link, but misses a navigation system.

In terms of exterior colour options, the Chevrolet Trailblazer gets three choices, namely, Summit White, Black Sapphire, and Switchblade Silver.

But how is the drive in the real world scenario? “It surely impresses on many counts. The Chevy’s enthusiastic engine, nicely appointed interiors, decent off-road performance, handsome looks and sheer size do make a point, and a rather big one. For now, in the face of its current competition, we think it holds its own quite strongly, given its aggressive pricing. Though GM India has kept things pretty simple with one engine, one transmission and one trim, a little variety, and more importantly, the inclusion of a 4×4 option should certainly help the large American’s cause in the sensitive Indian market,” according to Motoroids.

Chevrolet Trailblazer Dimensions:

Length: 4,878mm

Width: 1,902mm

Height: 1,834mm

Wheelbase: 2,870mm

Ground Clearance: 253mm

Chevrolet Trailblazer Specs:

Engine: 2.8-litre Duramax

Power: 197bhp@3600rpm

Torque: 500Nm@2000rpm

Transmission: 6-Speed Automatic

Chevrolet Trailblazer Safety Features:

Electronic Stability Control (ESC)

Electronic Brake-Force Distribution (EBD)

Braking System (ABS)

Hill start Assist (HSA)

Hill Descent Control (HDC)

Panic Brake Assist (PBA)

Traction Control System (TCS)

Dual SRS Airbags