Last year, rumors of a new Chevy Blazer SS model spread across the Internet. Unfortunately, those rumors turned out to be false, as we covered previously. Nevertheless, the essential idea of a high-performance Chevrolet Blazer model is a good one, so we decided to break out the ‘ole digital crayons and have a go at rendering one up for ourselves.
Just to reiterate, our Chevy Blazer SS rendering is not a prelude to a production model. Rather, we simply wanted to draw it up for fun, just to see what such a thing might look like.
So with that covered, let’s take a deeper look.
Chevy Blazer SS
The first thing to grab ‘ya might be the crossover’s larger and wider wheel-and-tire package. Paired with a lower suspension, our hypothetical Chevy Blazer SS has a properly aggressive stance to help it look the part of a performer.
We also added in a new front grille treatment, which includes a black finish for the intake mesh and the upper crossbar. The central Bow Tie badge is also finished in black, while the dark coloring is extended down into the lower bumper to a prominent lower chin spoiler.
Chevy Blazer SS rendering
Chevrolet Blazer RS
In the outward edges of the bumper, we replaced the primary headlamps with air intakes. As such, the primary lamps need to be moved to the thin lighting signatures where the DLRs reside on the standard model, which is probably less than ideal with regard to forward-facing lighting, but still looks good from an aesthetics point of view.
Additional details include a set of hood vents, and a unique styling line for the profile.
Chevy Blazer SS
The rear end also gets a few new touches, such as quad exhaust tips. Finally, a number of SS badges can be found around the body.
As for motivation, we think a twin-turbocharged 3.0L V6 engine would fit the bill, with either the LGW or LGY on deck. As a reminder, the twin-turbo 3.0L V6 LGW was equipped in the Cadillac CT6, where it produces 404 horsepower and 400 pound-feet of torque, while twin-turbo 3.0L V6 LGY is equipped in the Cadillac CT5, where it produces 335 horsepower and 400 pound-feet of torque.
Chevy Blazer SS
Chevrolet Blazer Premier
Naturally, we’d love to see some rip-snorting supercharged V8 under the hood of our rendering, but given the Blazer’s C1 platform can’t take anything larger than the V6 family already mentioned, we’re sticking with the ‘six.
Finally, we’re imagining a high-performance AWD system with dynamic torque vectoring to put the power to the pavement.
What are your thoughts on our hypothetical Chevy Blazer SS rendering? Does it have what it takes to wear the SS badge? Let us know in the comments, and make sure to subscribe to GM Authority for more Chevrolet Blazer news, Chevrolet news, and around-the-clock GM news coverage.
Comments
I always thought how cool it was that, back then, nearly every model had a SS version. Now all we get is an RS badge and black bow ties lol
A while back the SS emblem became meaningless on a fwd Malibu too with no real performance gains.
The RS protects the SS equity for when they do chose to use it.
That was one thing GM did that is right.
A fwd can be an SS but it needs to be like the Cobalt Turbo where it would go, stop and turn at a high level.
Just build the SS like the picture and use the caddy interior. Better dash and softer seats.
Chevy needs to make a twin turbo V6, AWD version of this thing. It is the sexiest of all their CUV’s.
GM has no imagination. Bland is their favorite trim level.
Not just yes, but hell yes!!
Let me render a bit of hypothetical Ideas here as to if this could or should happen.
1 Now much power can this fwd based platform take?
2 How much would it cost to add an AWD system that would have to be standard.
3. Cost of this would drive the price up to the area the Explorer ST goes at over $60,000. So we have many now complaining the Blazer is too expensive so would they move enough of them to make money on such a move?
Here is the problem. The Explorer ST I was in was $62,000 and while it looked nice and held 400 ho it was still the same crappy level of plastic inside and out as a cheaper Explorer for much less. As a result if you look around the ST is a rare sight on the roads. So is there any money to be made here.
The mistake is not having a TT on this over at Cadillac where they are selling you an over priced Cadillac that should have more power for the price.
The AWD is a must. My Acadia now is horrible in FWD if you step on the gas hard as it just wants to spin the sides even before the traction control kicked in.
The other issue is will the 9 speed tale more torque as well as how much for a transaxle AWD duel clutch system. Will it take the extra 90 hp to make this worth while and at what price?
I would love a vehicle like this but I have to consider the whole package. If you build a package like this and it sells less than 10% of production is it going to pay development cost.
Many of the largest MFGs build very limited models that are exciting. The reason there is little money to be made anymore.
The Explorer ST is not a rare sight on the road, I’ve seen quite a few in my area.
A little too low and I rather have the 5.3 as the motivation.
Rule #1: An automobile manufacturer needs to have car enthusiasts as a portion of their top brass.
With this being said (and for whatever reason), GM has no interest in the performance market. Almost every other manufacturer has performance variants of their standard models: BMW=M Series, Benz=AMG, Audi=RS, Ford=ST, FCA=SRT, etc., etc., etc.. There is a market for these types. Sure, you won’t sell a ton of these, but people will buy them. I can say as a fact that when my wife is done with her ’19 Terrain Denali (and if GM made this SS)…one would be parked in my garage. As it is now, all we get are $2,500 RS packages that are comprised of stickers and black wheels.
Get with it. It’s embarrassing.
#1 rule is there had to be enough demand to buy enough performance vehicles to make money.
MFG leaders no matter if they are gear heads have to make money.
Right now performance is a soft market. I work in the racing and performance after market and the new car performance segment is as soft as it ever has been.
Kids either can’t afford it or just have little interest. Most of the segmet now is 50 and older outside the dot com Kids who buy a Mclaren.
To do a package right can cost a lot of money the last Z/28 was a good example. If you do it cheap you end up wit a Grand Prix GXP that is retuned to keep from killing the transmission on a 5.3 that has 5 hp less than a Standard 3.6 V6.
I too am tired of the RS packages but I know enough of the automotive side that these segments are no longer profit centers. Even the RWD Dodges were not enough to save FCA from seeking a partner to survive.
Now with the virus you will really see the companies that are struggling. FCA is in a rush to finalize the PCA partnership, Ford is hurting badly, Mazda and Subaru are going to the government in a Japan for financial help. Others are even worse off.
GM, Toyota, VW and Honda are weathering much better as they invested in the products that make money and sell in great volumes for even better ROI. They also have gotten their cost and expenses better inline.
The segment that is going wild is truck and Jeeps. That is were we are now seeing the greatest growth and spending in the aftermarket. Suspensions and bolt on parts are All the rage. Even in states like California there is no issue with CARB.
I get why GM is not making a lot of SS product as there is little money.
But there is no excuse for not doing truck and suv performance or off road models.
GMC has been begging for a Jeep fighter and has the plans. Now there was no excuse for not doing that. Ford is going to show with the Bronco just how strong this segment is.
The Jeep is a steaming pile of crap. If you can build a better jeep which Ford appears to have done there will be money there.
The Colorado is up for a replacement. Shorten the wheel base and put a SUV body with a open top on it and you will make a ton of money. They have the ZR2 to supply the suspension and they can make some major ROI.
I would also see strong business growth with more vehicles like this.
The truth is enthusiast like us are getting older and dying off. The performance segment is not what it once is going to go back to how it was when you had to build your own performance vehicles. In the old days nothing was performance so guy swapped engines and made their own cams and intakes.
Let’s hope GM gets more active in the truck segment as none of the FWD based vehicles are great starting points for performance vehicles.
My own HHR SS had 300 hp at 23 pounds of boost. It handled and stopped great but it could not put the power to the ground. I could run 13’s if the tires would hook up. But that was difficult to do.
I had the traction control kick in one time at over 50 mph.
I get it. And like I said, the market for these vehicles is a lot smaller than a base Trax, Equinox, Traverse (or any other coma-inducing boredom machine Chevrolet is currently pumping out in their CUV segment). You are NOT going to sell a lot of these and rightfully so. They are going to be more expensive and not everyone is looking for a performance SUV, but there are plenty of enthusiasts that would buy them. None of the companies in my aforementioned comment are expecting to make a big profit off of these specialty models. It’s just not there. They do it for their performance-minded fan base and they still sell them all. Keep people interested in your brand and they will keep coming back.
I am not old and ready for the boneyard. I am 39 and have a highly modified ’11 Camaro SS convertible (bought new) and a bolt-on ’17 Grand Sport (bought new). Both sit in my garage and get used ~5-6 months out of the year. It is what I like and many of my friends are just the same (albeit not all are GM guys). There are still young people out there that busted their balls in school, landed good jobs and placed themselves in a position to have fun toys (while not putting themselves into debt). We are out there and we want performance. A Blazer SS and a TRUE Raptor fighter (ZRX) would be truly welcomed.
Hey I am disappointed too but you and I just are not enough disappointment to justify losing money on a model.
Today the rule is not just to not lose money or just make money it is to get the highest return on investments possible. That is why the cars are going away. They were making money but the CUV models that replace them bring much higher ROI.
The ZR2 was held to get at least 10% of production to be viable. It has surpassed that as the truck market is hot. But The Camaro I expect to die soon as just being sentimental is not paying the bills. When it came back it was expected to sell 100k units a year and it and the Mustang both combine struggle to meet that number.
In today’s market one bad move where you are not being profitable enough could do great damage to an automaker. Cost are so high they have to make every dollar count making billions is not enough when a single failed program could cost multi billions.
I expect performance will return with 5he Ezv products as in time they will be cheaper to build. Once the development cost are covered and more technology is found for the batteries it will make it cheap and easy to make vehicle for targeted small groups.
I am not a big EV guy but that is where it is all going. Regulations globally are going to force this with most model as well the economics of it.
The only thing an EV lacks is the sound and rowing your own gears. One of those is pretty hard to come by these days. Range is only an issue for people who aren’t able to charge at home or work or have to spontaneously drive hundreds of miles in a day. I’ve never had to wait on my Bolt to charge on a day where it wasn’t planned in over two years and 44k miles. If GM were to slightly increase the battery and put a Bolt motor in front and back of something the size of a Trailblazer, I would have already traded my Bolt in.
Oh it lacks much, noise, vibration, smell etc.
Range is not a problem any more but until you can charge a better yin the Same time it takes to fill a tank gas there is going to be an issue. Even a half hour is too long.
The Trailbkazer idea is not going to fly, GM is going the right way with specific chassis for the EV products and they will cover all models.
For right now it will be more high end to cover the development cost but is should spread down to more affordable models as time goes on.
The problem with charging is so many people now will only pop 10 of gas in at a time because they don’t want to wait. Charging would be the dpsame thing unless they are consistent BAP,ughing in at night at home.
Yet GM sells more SUVs then anybody you just mentioned, unless it’s Ferrari fast don’t equal cash. With that statement I look forward to the factory S/C T1s and performance E/V CUVs.
@Guestt Jeep outsells GM by ~550,000 SUV’s per year and Ford outsells GM by ~ 475,000 SUV’s per year. Reread my comment. I stated that specialty SS models (non-Camaro) are not going to be a huge seller. With that being said, of course they are not going to bring in a lot of equity. Performance SUV’s & trucks are a niche market.
Sorry bud.
So GM just stop selling SUVs?, That’s the only way your statement is correct.
GM 2019 USA CUV: 1,165,769
GM 2019 USA full-sized SUV: 735,909
Ford USA total SUV/CUV sales 2019: 830,471
To my point the market don’t really care about performance SUVs but it’s nice to have some for sale.
My statistics were worldwide sales, yours are only for the USA. The US is not the only country on planet Earth. My numbers are correct. GM is outsold far and away by Jeep and Ford on a global scale.
I do not see where I said that GM should stop selling SUV’s. I find it to be peculiar that anybody could even twist and spin my comment in order to come to that conclusion. It is a popular segment and cars are going by the wayside. Just because you’re not winning (the sales race in this instance), that does not mean that you give up. Having a mentality such as this is for the feeble and weak-minded.
No, complaining about a company not having a certain type of niche vehicle and think that’s the reason that they must be failing from an emotional standpoint rather than a presented fact makes an weak argument, especially with undermining pot-shots to a person that call out the weak points of the argument. Also you do know Ford have a comprehensive car lineup outside of N/A.
2019 GM sales worldwide 7.71 million
2019 Ford sales worldwide 5.38 million
For a counter please show if a company doesn’t have a hot-rod SUV somehow keeps GM out of BK because GM went BK with plenty of fun trucks and SUVs.
To my original point, I look forward to the factory S/C SUVs and performance EV CUVs from GM.
Pot shots? Where? GM is failing? Where did I say that? You have a severe problem with reading comprehension. Jeep and Ford outsell GM in the SUV market on a global scale. The stats are available with a few keystrokes. It’s quite easy.
Look, you love to argue from the safety of your couch. If that is what trips your trigger, enjoy. All I said was that there is a market (albeit smaller than the market for standard models) for performance SUV’s and trucks and I would like to see GM make one or two. Sorry for ruffling your feathers. Please go and argue with someone else. I’m not interested, as it is quite juvenile. Also, thank you for signing in and out a handful of times to down vote my comments (again, very juvenile). It lets me know who I am dealing with.
Enjoy the rest of your weekend. Peace.
Getting excited and mad over lost points don’t win arguments either, especially against someone you think is “juvenile” make you look more discreditable.
I did my research that’s why your points don’t hold water and people downvote you about GM not having performance SUVs somehow equals major lost sales but GM is still in the forefront of truck/SUV/CUV sales. Also for this the 3 time I mentioned GM will have performance utility vehicles soon.
Anyways you enjoy your weekend also.
I like this! It’s time GM seriously consider a performance crossover and this hypothetical Blazer SS fits the bill. This Blazer SS could use the 3.6L TT V6 from the now discontinued XTS V Sport making 410hp/369lb.ft. since that engine was already configured for FWD/AWD. I think GM would not use the currently active 3.0L TT V6 in a Chevrolet, even though they didnt mind using the 2.7L Turbo I4 for the CT-4.
Give this Blazer SS the FE3 suspension upgrade, bigger disc brakes, and some weight loss and its a go!
As the former owner of a 2007 Trailblazer SS, I think an SS version of this blazer would be fun. But as others have mentioned, how much power can the FWD based platform take?
Been saying this for a minute. A blazer is currently in the garage. It’s a nice handling and good looking SUV. I see at least one other blazer out every time I drive. I wish it had more pull than the 3.6. I’ve had a version of the 3.6 in my past 6 vehicles and it feels dull.
SS means only one thing in Chevy-speak and that is the 650 hp LT4 or 750 hp LT5 supercharged 6.2L V8 engines; install a LT4 or LT5 into any Chevrolet vehicle and you have an instant icon, a vehicle that car magazines will do stories about as the Blazer SS would be compared with sports cars besides other CUVs.
Just make 100 SS V6
I’ve had my eye on purchasing a Blazer since it’s release and hoping GM would make this version but it’s not looking good. The 3 reasons I haven’t pulled the trigger yet, 1- the Blazer is made in Mexico, an American car should be built by America works, 2- far to expensive for what it is, you can buy a competitors SUV, Jaguar , Range Rover, Mercedes for close to the same price as an RS or Premier. 3- there have been many issues with the Blazers quality, electrical and mechanical to the point of owners trading them back to the dealers. Thought this is a new model it’s not new technology, proven motor and electronics used in other vehicles. This should never happen. GM needs to reconsider who’s running the show. Still don’t know if I’ll buy one.
GM should produce a SUV from the Colorado/ Canyon frame, and call it the Blazer. K5, and S10 Blazers sold very well for years, stick with what works. It looks like Ford got the message, The Bronco is sold out before it even hits the street. The current Blazer is nothing more than evolved Pontiac Aztec(Which I have owned)
And Everyone poked fun at them… If all of the manufacturers are abandoning sedans for CUV’s then all we will get is taller sedans/wagons. 😥
I’d gladly trade my Jeep GC SRT for this… FCA has a stranglehold on the performance C/SUV game in America. A little competition would be nice.
Sound like a bunch of old ladies …
Nothing blazing about it…
Play nice…
I love the idea of more power but not the low ground clearance. The front end is going backwards toward the awful current front ends of the Acadia and others that are just a big chunk of plastic with zero style and no aggression. Keep up with the Blazer RS in styling and just add more horse power! The biggest issue with the current RS is it looks tough but every single other car in its class out horse powers it and that’s shameful.
Gm needs to make a K5 Blazer 1/2 ton , not colorodo , or c1 chassis.
Ls engine 6.2
It should be a Real Blazer again.
Im NOT SORRY im never letting my 2009 tbss awd 3SS go 😤 i put the new blazer to shame everyday I drive that thing. I was close to trading it and you simply cannot compare the two. Im glad I didn’t trade it for the new blazer its 11yrs old and still turns heads no major issues. This new blazer owner pulled along side of me the other day and he was speechless I have all the amenities except a backup cam and wi fi with 120,000mi you can’t belive its still shines and smells new.
I not letting this truck go its a VETTESUV a second of its kind dna from the SYCLONE and TYPHOON.THE TBSSS IS LEGENDARY HISTORY and im making sure its not forgotten on these streets.
Proud bowtie tbss owner
Couldn’t agree with you more, I had a Typhoon then the TBSS but then GM just gave up on anything performance wise for a SUV. Every American and most foreign competitors give its customers the option of a performance SUV model while GM give you the anemic 3.6L slug with badges. I would love to have an all GM garage but I’m not paying top dollar for the same engine I can get in the base model.
hell mo raise tje ls3 to 475.hp. and watch sales go through the roof.end of story.
I have an 08 tbss. 85k miles. Base package. I have no intention on selling it. If something comparable was made I may contemplate. But otherwise she going nowhere. I’ve had many people offer to buy it. Not for sale!!!
I wish Chevy would make an honest 4WD smaller SUV!! I have a 2005 Chevy trailblazer with honest to goodness 4 hi and 4 lo. There is currently nothing on the market aside from possibly some jeeps that even closely compares to my beloved trailblazer. Going to be a sad day when it finally bites the dust!
Build it,and they will come,it most definitely will have to have a turbo v6 with 400plus hp and 450lb.ft torque, it looks mean,aggressive, 9 speed paddle shift automatic awd!
Are you listening Mary Barra? Read this thread, many good ideas. Here’s your check list,
1 Twin turbo V6 with over 400 hp.
2 AWD Automatic paddle shifter transmission that can handle that power
3 Performance suspension with wide performance tires
4 Current interior design but bring it up to Cadillac standards
5 And most importantly, reasonably priced. Current version way over priced for what it is.
BUILD THIS VEHICLE, and right here in the United States, not Mexico!
TA WS6 is on the right wave length! People want some power and performance! A turbo V6 or small V8 could be tuned to wake people up if the vehicle weight is controlled. Customers go to showrooms to look at the “shinny” But buy the transportation vehicle at a reduced price.! Performance will sell if packaged and designed right.
And, I agree, Chevrolets should be built in USA not Mexico OR China!
Who came up with the Black BOWTIE? Mine must be Gold Colored or nothing!
GM 3.6L TT V6 465hp, AWD, DCT, brembo brakes, Recaro seats (heated and cooled), alcantara interior, 1LE magnetic ride type suspension, true dual exhaust w/ active valves, aggressive exterior, ZR1 sized wheel package, call it a day
Good thought but the problem is that this vehicle is based on a front-wheel drive platform.
GM never intended to make anything more than average performance CUVs.
True, but let’s think about this. When the 3.6L Twin turbo V6 came out, it came out in a FWD version in the cadillac XTS V-Sport making 410hp. Let’s just say they bump that power to 445hp/420tq, it’s not impossible for a FWD based chassis to handle that kind of power as Ford just finished making a Focus RS with 350hp/350tq and aftermarket tuners have pushed that way higher. So you have that with a 9-speed DCT unit and a high performance rear biased AWD system (like what the new Acura TLX Type S is going to use) along with a double-wishbone front and rear suspension, magnetic ride, a lowered stance, a 285/30R20 front and 305/30R20 rear tires size just like the Camaro SS 1LE wrapped around ZL1 wheels, ZL1 Brembo brakes (I Know i said ZR1 above), a slightly more aggressive exterior with a larger, aggressive rear spoiler, rear diffuser with quad tips, side skirts, underbody pannels, front lip, redesigned front fascia with lower vents where the foglamps are, a blacked out grill, a vented hood, smoked black housing LED taillamps, Recaro seats, Alcantara steering wheel, high powered stereo system, dual mode exhaust system and things like that and the Blazer SS will be awesome. Not to mention if GMPP went back to doing stage kits like they did with the Cobalt SS with intakes, PCMS, injectors, exhaust systems, intercoolers, charge pipes, blow off valves, upgraded axles, wheel options, graphics options, interior options like what they do with the Camaro and other things like that. This Blazer is more like the old Blazer S10 Xtreme used to be so GM needs to do stuff like that with this thing.
Just to add to my statement above, making the Blazer SS a vehicle similar to what Ford did with the Focus RS but on a larger scale would truly make for an awesome vehicle. But there is also another train of thought that just dawned on me. The blazer comes with the option of a 4 cylinder or a 6 cylinder which means it has enough room for a V8. Some of us are old enough to remember when GM had V8 powered front wheel drive vehicles (Monte Carlo SS, Impala SS, Grand Prix GXP and that Buick thing) all with the LS4 5.3L V8. With 303hp they aren’t fast by today’s standards, but I’m pretty sure that taking a 5.3L V8 (which currently makes 355hp/383tq in the Tahoe), toss a blower on the top and high performance exhaust manifolds set up for a FWD based vehicle, beefed up that 9-speed FWD/AWD transmission and drivetrain and even for the sheer heck of it throw in a 6-speed manual, give it about 450hp or so (which would drop the 3.6L TT back down to maybe 425hp to give the V8 enough room to be valid), Chevy could really have a FWD based V8 AWD Blazer SS and a worthwhile Blazer RS or give birth to the SS-Turbo and SS-327 (I like those names better) and let the RS continue on with the N/A 3.6L and 2.0T while the base gets the 2.5L N/A.
or have the 3.6TT become the Z34 and the 5.3L would be the SS-327