Chevy Blazer SS Rumors: Don’t Get Your Hopes Up
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Some outlets are reporting that a Chevy Blazer SS is on its way. In fact, reports are beginning to swirl that, according to “sources”, the Blazer SS will be revealed at the upcoming 2019 New York International Auto Show, complete with an introduction date of April 17th.
But wait, that’s not all: these reports, which have even been picked up by some GM dealers, include powertrain details. Reportedly, the alleged high-performance midsize crossover will be powered GM’s Twin-Turbo 3.0L V6, which currently makes 404 horsepower and 400 pound-feet of torque in the Cadillac CT6. The boosted six will supposedly be mated to a 10-speed automatic transmission sending power to the ground via an AWD system. There will, reportedly, also be “sporty” modifications to the body, 21-inch wheels, “sporty” suspension tuning for “better handling”, and upgraded brakes. The alleged Blazer SS will finally give Chevy an answer to the Ford Edge ST. Sounds pretty great, right? Right. But there is only one problem.
None of that is true.
In fact, everything you read above is so far off the mark, that it’s almost as bad as saying that the earth is flat.
Now, we know how and where this rumor started, but we’ll take the high road and avoid pointing fingers… though a simple web search should return search results that will give you an idea of how this insane gossip began.
So, let’s get some real news. First, there have been no spy shots of an alleged Chevy Blazer SS. Second, GM has not submitted any trademark filings for the Blazer SS name.
Third, the bit about this alleged Blazer SS using a 10-speed automatic transmission adds Swiss Cheese-like holes to the entire Blazer SS scuttlebutt. The reality is that the 2019 Blazer cannot accommodate the new GM 10-speed, regardless of model, trim level, configuration, or engine. That’s because the GM 10LXX 10-speed is engineered for vehicles based on rear-drive GM platforms with a longitudinal engine orientation. Meanwhile, the new Blazer rides on GM’s C1 platform – a front-drive platform with a transversely situated powertrain. As such, it simply can’t fit the 10-speed, instead sticking to the automaker’s new 9-speed transaxle.
And when it comes to the inside line, we have not heard of any plans to increase production of the Twin-Turbo 3.0L V-6 LGW engine at the GM Romulus plant where the boosted six is currently made. We also have not heard about any plans for a high-performance variant of the new C1 platform.
So unless the rumored Blazer SS is GM’s best-kept secret, something we sincerely doubt given that the automaker has a really hard time keeping almost anything secret about the mid-engine Corvette C8 along with almost all upcoming models, we can say with full confidence that a Chevy Blazer SS is a figment of someone’s wild imagination that will not translate to reality… at least not for this generation of the all-new Blazer.
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The idea is something that GM should absolutely do – so of course, they won’t.
From a PT standpoint, it’s definitely proven itself wrong as that’s clearly used in a transverse setup.
Now…the 3.6L TT out of the XTS-V and the 9AT, however – those would absolutely work. The XTS is built on the Epsilon platform – which the C1XX is an evolution of, afterall.
If it aint made in the ysa who cares
Well here is the problem. How many post do we have now complaining about price? Many. what would the engine and added features do increase the price.
At the elevated price just how many will buy them? Will the development money be made back?
In a Cadillac you can justify the price but not as easily in a Chevy that is not a Camaro or Corvette.
Ford now has an Explorer that is over $65K TT V6 and it is just not worth the money.
Yes some companies make these models but few make money and the draw to the show room is mixed anymore.
Note I would love one of these Models but I just do not see it happening. If it did it would either cost too much and if it did not cost too much it would be under appointed and be disappointing.
To do this right that engine needs to first be in a XT5 and 6 or a Camaro. Their price points would bring us a properly produced package.
Note all the stories I saw on this were April 1.
I don’t really agree on the price. I’d rather spend the money on a Chevrolet than a Cadillac. Not that I don’t like Cadillac’s, I do. I’m glad they exist for those who want them. I’d rather have a high end Chevrolet though and I’m not alone… Chevrolet has historically just done more for me personally. Bel Air’s, Corvette’s, Chevelle’s, Camaro’s, CK truck’s, even a loaded Tahoe stirs my soul personally vs. an Escalade. It’s heritage stems from the full size Blazer I loved. There’s just nothing in Cadillac’s history that does anything for me when compared to Chevrolet. I’ll take the loaded up Chevrolet every time. It’s the same with GMC, I’ll take a high end Chevrolet over a GMC every time if only they offered them. GMC/Buick like Cadillac simply never did anything for me. It’s a shame Chevrolet has the glass ceiling over it’s head to protect them.
I’d also rather have a high end Ford over a Lincoln. Same thing there, Lincoln never did anything for me. It never touched my soul like Ford did. No trucks (real ones’ not rebadged F-150’s), No Thunderbird, No Mustang, No GT. I just think of Town Car’s when I think of Lincoln which I never cared about. I’ll take the loaded up Ford every time. You say the Explorer isn’t worth the money, I completely disagree. At least Ford fans have the option to buy things like this. Ford doesn’t put a glass ceiling over Ford like GM does with Chevrolet.
The problem is non Chevy fans think differently. Same over at Ford.
Ford tried the high end deal on their models with the Titanium trim and it goes no where outside the trucks. It was to replace Lincoln but it failed to do so hence Lincoln still being around as a repackaged Ford.
Most companies have these limits. VW has fought the entry level bias for years. Just look how the Volkswagen Phaeton died an painful expensive death.
Well will just see how many $65K Explorers get sold. I wager it will be less than 5% of production if that.
I could care a less about the Blazer as I would never buy one and think it is an unnecessary vehicle being too close in size to the Equinox and priced similar to a Traverse. Would so much rather be reading about a 2020 special edition Impala SS with the 3.6 TT V6 hitched up to the 9 speed and paddle shifters. That would be a true dream come true with the black midnight edition trim and would make a great send off SS version. If only
Have learned not to get my hopes up for anything performance related from Chevrolet that is under 45k.
What’s funny is that I don’t see any of these on the road. At all. But I do see plenty of new equinox’s.
It looks great in the front, but one you pass the side view mirrors, it all goes downhill.
I just wanted to post here before that one guy (and his alters) complain about the photo of the red Blazer being posted.
Yeah I know exactly the guy and his many alters you’re referring to. What a complete nut job… I think GMA finally booted him for good, which is great.
Unfortunately a Blazer SS isn’t a real thing. But where is the comment from “omegatalon” asking to stuff the 6.2L LT1 into this thing with the byline “dare to dream”?
They would rather sell a RS with black out trim and pretend it competes with the ST. GM doesn’t have the spine to do anything exciting outside a Camaro or Corvette. They would rather stick their head in the sand and pretend they know what their customers want. All the while their market share drops and prices go up to make up for it. Sounds like a great strategy, how long until that house of cards collapses?
GM fan here, they still make a couple nice vehicles but the majority is overpriced average meh.
“They would rather stick their head in the sand and pretend they know what their customers want.”
So in other words, GM is running their business just like Toyota, who also buries their head in the sand and pretends they know what their customers want.
Don’t much care for Toyota but they have a better grasp at the current moment. They let their vehicles go stale but over the last 5 or so years have been putting out some decent stuff. Sure the trucks are old, but at least they’re packaged and optioned to maximize whatever they have to offer. GM chooses to have the best engineering teams but shoot their own feet with idiot simple mistakes.
I’m surprised the Blazer is not setup to compete with the new Honda Passport or Jeep Grand Cherokee. There is clearly a market for off-road capable crossovers. Even if they don’t go off road, they sell well. Blazer ZR2?
In what way is the Blazer “not set up” to compete with the Passport? Not only does it compete, the Blazer walks all over the lousy and awkward Passport, which has been universally panned as the rush job to fill a glaring gap in the Honda lineup rather than a well-developed vehicle like the Blazer.
I agree. Honda’s VTM4 systems is very sensitive to overheating, prone to clutch wear, and it’s a very maintenance intensive system. If you drive in the snow or off-road frequently, Honda recommends fluid changes every 7500. Less frequently and Honda still says every 15,000 miles. Each time it’s $100-150 to have it done and if you don’t use Honda’s fluid, odds are the system will develop shudder and chattering issues.
Why would GM do anything cool nowadays?
They’re just an appliance manufacturer.
They should change their name to Maytag or Whirlpool.
This is another example for why General Motors CEO Mary Barra needs to be shown the door.. the competition are building high performance sports CUV; Lamborghini announced their 641 hp Urus as a Chevy Blazer SS with a LT4 650 hp supercharged 6.2L V8 would offer perfect competition.
Reuss is the performance product guy, he is more to blame than the CEO. The only reason he even has the job is because his daddy was president.
All i want is Corvette SUV. Take my money.
They didn’t need another small suv. They should have built a full size two door blazer with a 6.2
“They didn’t need another small suv.”
That’s what the market wants… in huge, large quantities. But the Blazer isn’t “small”… it’s mid-size, which happens to be the same size as a best-selling midsize crossover – the Jeep Grand Cherokee.
“They should have built a full size two door blazer with a 6.2” … a cool idea, but one that would have enjoyed as much demand as the Chevy SS Sedan.
People always mouth off saying GM should build a Blazer SS, which would find only a few takers.
If you want a Supercharged 6.2L V8 powered SUV, you would more have a chance with a Tahoe SS.
ArticDog hit the nail on the head! I couldn’t have said it any better.
Now, I love American Muscle and the thought of a pushrod V8 in anything makes me happy, but lets look at this opportunity for what it really could be. I’ve seen the renderings for the Blazer SS and to be honest, it’s not bad. There are some things that I would tweak on it, but it’s actually not bad. That being said, the old 6.0L Trailblazer SS put down 395hp and 400lb-ft of torque. Great numbers for it’s day but I’m quite Certain for this platform, a 3.0L Twin Turbo V6 would be a better option. It most cases, the 3.0L TT puts out 400hp/400tq and I’m sure GM has left room on the table for improvement. Tweaked, I’m sure 420hp/420tq wouldn’t be out of the question and with a 9-speed auto, a high performance AWD system with E-LSD differentials, Magnetic ride suspension derived from the 1LE Camaro, Brembo brakes, 20″ wheels, performance tires, SS Body work, dual mode high flow true dual exhaust system tuned to actually sound good and not raspy and ratty, Recaro upholstery, alcantara steering wheel, a performance (non-BOSE) stereo system, etc. An SS Blazer wouldnt be a bad idea.
Where GM could/should focus their V8 performance is on the Colorado and possibly a colorado based SUV. Being that the Colorado is set up for a longitudinal drivetrain, this would be a great spot for an SS Pickup truck. A 5.3L V8 engine with a ZL1 supercharger, Z/28 exhaust manifolds a high flow true dual exhaust system with dual mode mufflers, quad tips exiting in front of the rear wheels, short bed/crew cab, lowered, magnetic ride, big brembo brakes 22×10″ wheels, a high performance all-wheel drive setup ZR2 style hood, a more silverado 1500 style front end, blacked out grille, hard bed cover with an integrated spoiler, smoked LED taillamps, black housing headlamps, a Chevrolet tailgate decal with the red outlined bowtie, Recaro seats, a more silverado like dash layout, Alcantara steering wheel, a better console shifter (for this truck I would do something cool and have something that looked like a ratchet shifter with a T-handle and a polished stalk. Actually I would have it be a ratchet shifter that the driver could operate in sport mode) a performance (non-Bose) stereo system, etc. That would be the way to go.
Jeep has the Grand Cherokee Trackhawk, with a potential “Redeye” equivalent version rumored. Dodge has all but unvelied its Ram Rebel TRX with Hellcat drivetrain, and the Durango SRT also with Hellcat drivetrain.
Ford is strongy rumored to be putting a 720hp version of the imminent GT500’s SC 5.0L moster in both an F150 and an Explorer.
BMW has unveiled its next-gen X5M and X6M Competition models, sure to have the 625hp TT V8 from the M5 Competition. Audi is introducing a Q8 with the same essential TT 4.0L V8 650 PS drivetrain as the Lambo Urus, the latter getting an upgraded perfomance version.
Mercedes-AMG is upgrading their spectrum of 577hp TT V8 GLE and GLS offerings, sure to have 600hp+ outputs. Bentley has the 600hp and 626hp Bentayga and Bentayga Speed models. Porsche’s Cayenne has both a new Coupe and EHybird pair with 650 PS and 680PS. Rolls-Royce’s Cullinan has 570 PS. Aston Martin’s upcoming DBX with have big power. Ferrari’s near-term Purosangue is sure to eclipse all of the Euro offering’s outputs.
And meanwhile, the European smaller versions of the above are at or above the 500hp level (Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio, BMW X3M & X4M Competition, Mercedes-AMG GLC63S & Coupe, etc.)
GM is the lone holdout so far for any real high output SUVs and crossovers, while abandoning the entire market to both domestic and European products.
At the least, we need Caddy, GMC, and Chevy full-size SUVs and trucks with the LT5 and 10sp auto; and preferably the same corresponding products in mid-size models to give us the current reincarnation of the Trailblazer SS and the Syclone/Typoon twins. Just like we need the LT5 in the Camaro ZL1 & 1LE, a Cadillac sedan, and a Chevrolet sedan to be on par with Ford and Dodge’s offerings. But GM isn’t even close to doing that.
And we lose the front-engined Corvette, when the mid-engined car could be a halo model above the retained historical configuration as either a Chevrolet or a Cadillac, or both. There could be a traditional C8 Corvette AND a Z1 “Zora” mid-engined car. Plus, we need a new and true Chevelle SS and a few other SS car models.
GM has lost its way as a performance leader in multiple segments. Ford and Dodge are leading all those segments, with no answer from GM on the horizon beyond existing products (that are great in their own right, no doubt).
Do something, GM. Preferably, do everything.