Chevy is currently in the process of launching the all-new Chevy TrailBlazer in South Africa. As expected, the midsize SUV will cradle the familiar pair of 2.5 and 2.8 liter four-cylinder turbo-diesel Duramax engines, but it will also offer a six-cylinder 3.6 liter gasoline engine.
According to Chevrolet, the 3.6 liter produces a maximum of 176 kW (236 hp) and a peak torque of 329 Nm (242 lb.-ft.).  Of the vehicle’s engine range (including the two Duramax diesel units), the V6 makes the most horsepower but the least amount of torque. The six-banger features sequential fuel injection and is exclusively mated to an electronically-controlled 6-speed automatic transmission with DSC (Driver Shift Control) putting down power through all four wheels.
The all-new TrailBlazer rides on an all-new vehicle architecture known as GMT355 shared with the Chevy Colorado midsize pickup truck.
| 2.5L DURAMAX DIESEL | 2.8L DURAMAX DIESEL | 3.6L PETROL | |
|---|---|---|---|
| POWER kW | 110 | 132 | 176 |
| POWER HP | 147 | 177 | 236 |
| TORQUE Nm | 350 | 470 (AUTO)/440 (MANUAL) | 329 |
| TORQUE LB.-FT. | 258 | 346 (AUTO)/324 (MANUAL) | 242 |
The GM Authority Take
The engine doesn’t seem to be any of the recent direct-injected V6 engines such as GM’s LLT or LFX units. Instead, it appears to be the LY7 unit that was last seen in the last-generation Chevy Malibu. GM Authority reached out to GM South Africa for clarification, but did not receive a reply in time for publication. We will update this article if we hear back.
Postscript: we have confirmed with GM’s Media team in South Africa that the engine is, in fact, the LY7.
Since the 3.6 liter V6 in the TrailBlazer is indeed the old-school LY7, we wonder why GM chose to use the powerplant instead of the much more powerful and modern LFX unit. Even so, GM’s choice not to use the LFX in the all-new TrailBlazer in South Africa does not necessarily indicate that other TrailBlazer markets won’t see the automaker’s most modern V6 mill (LFX).
As of this writing, the TrailBlazer has not been announced for North American availability, but here are five reasons we think it should be.
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Comments
well at least they offer a V6 LOL
Why is chevy making all of their SUV’s/small pickups look like a malibu? Can’t they come up with anything better?
A common design language? I’m a huge fan of it.
So we’ll probably see a 3.6 in the Colorado? Personally, I love that engine.
We most likely will. But which 3.6? The old school LY7 seen here, or the LFX?
Any 3.6 should be better then current Colorado 5 cyl. Mine is DI, I think it’s LLT.
GM probably used the LY7 because it has SFI and is less likely to be damaged by lesser grade fuel than a DI version.
My guess might be torque. Granted, the LY7 has less of it than the LFX, but it comes in a much lower RPM (3200 RPM vs around 5k RPM for the DI engine).
Jonh — that’s true. The LY7 makes 236 in the low 3,000s, while the LFX makes its max (~260-270) at around 5,000, depending on the application:
http://gmauthority.com/blog/guides/engines
Good point 🙂
What are the fuel consumption values (l/100km) of the 2,5 and 2,8 diesel options. city and highway. Also the pices in SA?
Urban (l/100km): 2.5 — 10.2, 2.8 — 12.6
Extra-Urban (l/100km): 2.5 — 6.8, 2.8 — 8.4
Combined (l/100km): 2.5 — 8, 2.8 – 10