While brief, Chevrolet marketing chief Rick Perry quickly touched base on an upcoming global mid-sized SUV based on the new architecture featured in the all-new Colorado global mid-sized truck. The new SUV will resurrect the Trailblazer name and is expected to launch in emerging markets such as India, Brazil, and possibly “Columbily” (what Perry meant to refer to as Columbia during the press conference). The truck will be officially unveiled November 10 at the Dubai Motor Show.
No word on whether or not it will come to America, but seeing as the Bowtie’s domestic portfolio already features the Equinox and Traverse, the Trailblazer may just overcrowd things. Though in doing so they would fail to offer a rugged Jeep rival.
Comments
Would be nice if the Trailblazer took the on the Jeep Grand Cherokee, which is one capable yet sweet ride. The Equinox or Traverse can’t really compete there. Interesting!
Though the new TrailBlazer might be seen as behind the curve in comparison to the new Jeep Grand Cherokee & Dodge Durango. They both have a rear independent suspension. Where are the new ‘Blazer has a solid rear axle.
I know it’s a cost savings to utilize as much from the truck platform, but…………….
doesn’t 4-runner take on GC?
It does. But the 4Runner is such a piece of you-know-what, that it kind of defeats its own purpose. Compared to the Cherokee, that is.
To me, I think they should bring it along with a mini crossover that compares the CR-V and make the Equinox a competitor to Venza, Edge, etc.
This is certainly an interesting development, one about which I haven’t thought of in great detail yet. Here’s the way I’d position the line-up:
Crossovers:
– Compact to compete with Kia Sportage, Hyundai Tucson, Toyota RAV, Nissan Rogue, Honda CR-V, and Mitsubishi Outlander Sport. Aboug 180 inches in length, 2 rows of seats, four-cylinder engine lineup. Starting price slightly under $20,000. We know this one is coming.
– Compact+/Midsize to compete with Venza, Edge, Murano, Highlander, Pilot, Sorento. 2 rows of seating, 3rd row optional. About 190 inches in length, give or take.
– Fullsize: to compete with the Mazda CX-9, Ford Explorer, Dodge Durango, Hyundai Veracruz. About 195 inches in length or more, 3 rows standard, seats 3 rows of people (not just kids) comfortably.
SUVs:
– Midsize (that’s this model that was announced) to compete with the Jeep Grand Cherokee and Toyota 4Runner. The focus here is capability (towing) and off road aptitude. About 190 inches in length. May offer a third row as an option. Boosted fours and boosted or naturally-aspirated six (3.6 LFX); maybe a diesel (the 2.8 from Colorado).
– Fullsize: GMT-900s – Tahoe, Suburban, etc. We all know about these, so no need to discuss in great detail. 200+ inches in length. Competes with Expedition/EL, Toyota Sequoia, etc. Boosted sixes, pushrod V8s.
How’s that?
I think we’re both thinking the same thing.
Most likely. And that teaser pic looks sexy!
I think there’s a spy video of it also
I agree
Amen!
Good news abounds this wednesday, this is great cant wait to see these on the road.
The Venza is interesting to me, because they are just now selling strong and yet they have been on the market for a while now, that is commendable on toyotas part for believing in a product that really has no direct competition other than maybe the HHR.
The Venza to me is a great niche vehicle, does it offer AWD.
I think they do but the direct competition that venza has might also be the Crosstour
Yeah, the Venza is like a wagon meets an SUV and then the wagon takes over. What I find most interesting is that the Highlander and Venza ride on the exact same platform. It’s literally the same. The tophat is what changes. Everything else is equal. Pretty cool, huh?
I think they used the Camry platform.
Yupp, that’s right. The Lexus ES350 is there as well, although I think it will have its own wheelbase for the next generation.
Along with RX
RX is a tad different. They’re all similar, but the RX is the first of the bunch to get a different wheelbase and floor pan.
I expect the next-gen ES to be share this different wheelbase and layout with the RX as well. We’ll see!
i’ve wonder if this would be the wrong picture for the trailblazer because on spy shots it looks more boxy than this.
I think that’s just the camo in the spy shots that makes it look this way. Although I can’t imagine something named “Trailblazer” with many feminine design cues…
Because in spy shots it does have few edges than curves
@yabadabadoo Another Venza competitor is the Murano and possibly the Edge, although the Edge is much more SUV than car-like.
Vic- good point…
Neither the Equinox or Traverse will ever compare to the Trailblazer. My 2007 Trailblazer (my 3rd one) has 140,000 miles on it and while it probably has another 150,000 miles or so left on it, I could very easily be talked into a new one. Am not interested in either the Equinox or Traverse.
That’s exactly the reason for the rebirth of this vehicle, Karl. Different strokes for different folks 🙂
Karl, Here is my question to you, have you driven either the Nox or Verse.
I have a 99 blazer with 240,000 miles and I still love it, bought it with 24,000 miles and will be very interested in the new trailblazer, I to have considered getting a trailblazer until I saw the gas mileage. I was in a Nox recently and was blown away, I would definately consider a Nox now.
I have friends with both. The nox is fuel efficient but not a “truck”. The Traverse is not a “truck” either and is not as fuel efficient. While gas mileage is important, it is not the deciding factor in my purchase. Other issues are more important to me.
You know, this may come to America, but not as a Chevy. The shape of the tail lights remind me of the Buick Enclave, and this is a Mid-Size, so it would perfectly slot under the Enclave as the Encore(Rendezvous?).
Interesting… I didn’t think of that.
I just hope that’s not the case — I really wouldn’t know what Buick is/has turned into. This thing is truck-based — therefore will ride, drive, and behave like a truck… which is kind of a far cry from the direction Buick has been headed.
The lights do seem to have a bit of a Traverse-esque design too, wouldn’t you say?
PS: for some reason, the Encore is expected to be a “Compact” CUV. Not sure where that came from originally, but we’ve received several private tips about it.
Yeah, they are similar to the Traverse, and an only good reason for it to be a Buick is because it would have been good in quality to compete with the Jeep Grand Cherokee.
All I want is a Chevy that competes against the Compass! Man have I been craving one of those myself lately 🙂
Me too! I hope it isn’t like the old Chevrolet/Geo Tracker
Interesting factor here guys — this is a new global midsize architecture developed by GM Brazil. I wonder how related it is to the Colorado…
Alex this truck is related totally with the new colorado when it comes to the drive line and frame, this will have a great towing capability and be rounded like the nox but not like the buick, the ones you have seen in camo are the gmc versions that are boxier like the terrain, these will come to the US but date has not been confirmed internally, there is discussion that this may take away from the traverse products and that is why it is going through further delay. this can be fastracked to production as one of the new Mid size vehicles talked about during negotiations with the uaw. The truck will make it to the us and most likely with a mild hybrid and a diesel version to expand the reach of chevy. you will like it when you see it, also you will get a competitor from gm for the compass but it will be good looking.
Thank god we have Jd to clear things up, I was frightened by an article this morning on another site stating this vehicle will not come to the US. Jd are you saying it will come later.
That’s the official word. I’ve picked up on that as well. But I did mention that they also weren’t planning on bringing the Colorado to the US at one point. I am very interested in the idea of a GMC-only version of this. I don’t see it robbing the Traverse, they seem like two completely different vehicles, and with the right marketing, consumers will feel the same way.
I am driving an ’06 Trailblazer now which is still performing well – but would look to purchase this new version next year if available. It is clearly different than the Equinox and Traverse in my opinion – and would drive a demand of its own.
Didnt you guys say that the next-gen Acadia might downsize? Is there a possilble connection between the TrailBlazer and the next-gen Acadia?
Good thinkin, Freddy. It was reported that the next-gen Acadia would move to the Theta Premium shared with the SRX:
http://gmauthority.com/blog/2011/02/next-gen-gmc-acadia-to-ditch-lambda-move-to-premium-theta/
This doesn’t, however, mean that it would get shorter (or longer) — since these are modern platforms capable of being stretched and shrunk based on the needs of the vehicle.
As we all know, Theta Premium is not truck-based, so the next-gen Acadia and this GMC-badged TrailBlazer are two separate vehicles. Interesting…
I didn’t think that is a right move for Acadia not unless GM wants the Acadia go head to head with the Explorer with (If they do) a newly developed 4WD system and go very technological with the chasis and etc.
The Acadia (and Traverse) are already direct competitors to the Explorer. They lack the fancy-pants AWD systems, but that’s to be expected given the Explorer is brand new and the Lambdas are soon to be replaced.
Hey Alex! You should see how the European Camaro looks like.
http://www.netcarshow.com/chevrolet/2012-camaro_eu_version/800×600/wallpaper_01.htm
http://www.netcarshow.com/chevrolet/2012-camaro_convertible_eu_version/800×600/wallpaper_01.htm
I’ll do you one better, Freddy:
http://gmauthority.com/blog/gallery/2012-chevrolet-camaro-european-model/
But then isn’t the Explorer based on the Taurus platform?
It is… but what do you mean by that?
It could be a possibility that the TrailBlazer might be based on the next-gen Impala. JUST a possibility.
The TB is based on the new Colorado, thanks to the prominence of the solid rear axle on both vehicles. Additionally, GM has been referring to the TB is an “SUV” rather than a “crossover” — suggesting its truck/body-on-frame roots.
If anything, it would be the next-gen Traverse that’s based on the Super Epsilon, which wouldn’t be that bad of a move.
Ya I dont see this interfering with the Traverse at all, but why present this at all at a meeting in NA, only to say the next day its not for NA, that is crazy… Present it at the Dubai show clarify it is for certain markets and leave it at that. Let us voice our opinions then. GM needs a cool 4X4 that provides a cross between maybe a Wrangler and what the H3 was, decent ground clearance strong 4 X 4 capabilities and fun to drive, where can I get that right now in a GM, you cant…
It is sad to me that the previous gen trailblazer met its end, having a followup vehicle would have been ideal; clearly the bankruptsey had a huge impact on that vehicle.
It was a weird time when the TB went away. Body on frame SUVs were on their way out, replaced by crossovers. So there seemed to be no place for those kinds of vehicles.
What I find interesting, thought, is that Chevy calls it their “Global midsize SUV”. Last time i checked, global means “worldwide.” The report that it’s not coming stateside seems like a lot of bullfiddle to me.
didn’t Chevy also said the Colorado is a World truck before they made the announcement of coming to the US?
I believe they did. And look at what ended up happening — the Colorado is a true “global” vehicle! I think ti’s safe to assume the same will occur with the Trailblazer.
That’s what GM always do, they said it won’t come to the U.S. and then after that they change their mind.
This is a sigh of relief. For now.