Chevrolet TrailBlazer

Chevrolet TrailBlazer
Manufacturer	Chevrolet
Parent company	General Motors
Production	2002-present
Assembly	Moraine, Ohio Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Predecessor	Chevrolet Blazer
Class	Mid-size Full-size SUV
Body style(s)	4-door SUV
Layout	Front engine, rear-wheel drive / four-wheel drive
Platform	GM GMT360 platform GM GMT370 platform (EXT)
Engine(s)	4.2 L LL8 I6 5.3 L LM4 V8 (EXT) 5.3 L LH6 V8
Transmission(s)	4-speed automatic
Wheelbase	SWB: 113.0 in (2870 mm) EXT: 129.0 in (3277 mm)
Length	SWB(2002-2007): 191.8 in (4872 mm) SWB(2008-):195.9 in (4976 mm) EXT: 207.8 in (5278 mm)
Width	74.7 in (1897 mm) 2002-03 SWB: 74.6 in (1895 mm)
Height	2002-03 SWB: 74.5 in (1892 mm) 2004-present SWB: 72.5 in (1842 mm) 2002-03 EXT: 77.1 in (1958 mm) 2004-06 EXT: 75.5 in (1918 mm)
Related	GMC Envoy Oldsmobile Bravada Buick Rainier Isuzu Ascender Saab 9-7X Chevrolet SSR

The Chevrolet TrailBlazer is a mid-size SUV produced by the Chevrolet division of American automaker General Motors. It was introduced in 1999 as an upscale trim line of the Blazer. In 2002, the TrailBlazer was upgraded to a new platform (GMT360 for 5 passenger models, GMT370 for 7 passenger, and GMT305 for the Envoy XUV). Production of the Blazer overlapped with the TrailBlazer until 2005, when the 2-door was sold at dealers while the 4-door was fleet only (until the 2004 model year).

The TrailBlazer won the North American Truck of the Year award in 2002. The 4.2L I6 Atlas LL8 won Ward's Best Engine from 2002-2004 with innovative features such as DOHC, Variable Valve Timing (VVT) on the exhaust camshaft, and GM's Patented "Lost-Foam" casting process.

The TrailBlazer is based on a truck platform, with all models having four-wheel drive as an option with both automatic engagement and the more traditional "4 High" and "4 Low" gearings. Its main disadvantage is its increased width (as compared to a Jeep Wrangler) and lack of suspension travel, causing it to high side when it encounters high-camber-variance terrain or large rocks. Additionally, it lacks either locking hubs or a limited slip differential. Instead a G80 locking rear differential is available as an option on all models except for the SS which has a G86 LSD standard.

2006-2009 Chevrolet TrailBlazer

The TrailBlazer was facelifted for 2006. A new front fascia and interior trim were included with the refresh, but only apply to the upper-level LT models. The LS trim still has the 02-05 front and rear fascias. The SS gets trim-specific front and rear fascias plus colormatched side skirts.

The TrailBlazer comes with a 291 hp (217 kW)/277 ft·lbf all-aluminum 4.2 L "Atlas" LL8 inline-six engine standard and an optional 302 hp (225 kW)/330 ft·lbf aluminum small-block 5.3 L V8 with Active Fuel Management. The inline-six makes the TrailBlazer the most powerful six-cylinder SUV in its class. The Active Fuel Management system on the V8 engine shuts off 4 of the 8 cylinders during highway travel and idle to save fuel. The 6-cylinder versions of the TrailBlazer get up to 20 miles per gallon highway, according to refreshed EPA estimates.

Engines

• 2002-present LL8 4.2 L I6
• 2003-2004 LM4 5.3 L V8
• 2005-present LH6 5.3 L V8
• 2006-present LS2 6.0 L V8

EXT

2003-2005 Chevrolet TrailBlazer EXT

Note the height difference between the standard-length TrailBlazer (right) and EXT (left)

One unique element of the TrailBlazer line was the availability of a 3-row, 7-passenger EXT version. This vehicle was 16 in (406 mm) longer and had a higher roofline to allow easier access to the third row of seats. This roof was disguised by standard roof racks.

Production of the EXT model was handled by the Oklahoma City Assembly plant in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. The last TrailBlazer EXT rolled off the assembly line on February 20, 2006, because GM had reportedly closed that plant, making 2006 the final year for the TrailBlazer EXT.

SS

An SS model was introduced for the 2006 model year. This was the first time a production SUV wore the Super Sport badge. This new TrailBlazer comes standard with a 6.0 L LS2 V8 based on the same engine that comes standard in the Chevrolet Corvette. The LS2 is rated at 395 hp (295 kW) with 400 lb·ft (540 N·m) of torque and can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in an estimated 5.8 seconds with quarter mile times around 13.5 seconds at 100.0 mph (160.9 km/h). Other differences entail the use of a heavy-duty 4-speed automatic transmission, a cold air intake package, a 4.10 ratio limited slip rear differential, a ZQ8 sport suspension, specially designed front brakes with brake pads similar to those found on the Corvette, and optional all-wheel drive (via a Torsen T-3 center differential).

Future

The next generation TrailBlazer was to be built on an upgraded version of the current GMT360 platform called the GMT361. It was scheduled to be launched in spring 2007, but in January 2006, GM decided to just refresh the current platform and call the vehicle a GMT360NG. However, in June 2006, GM announced that the GMT360NG program was also canceled due to the large investment. It is unknown if the TrailBlazer will continue after the 2009 model year. Buick will instead get the Enclave, a GM Lambda platform-based crossover SUV to replace the Rainier, while GMC will get the Theta-based Terrain to replace the Envoy. Also, Saab will replace the 9-7X with the 9-4X (also related to the Terrain). Chevrolet will introduce the Chevrolet Traverse crossover in fall 2008, which will replace Chevrolet Uplander minivan and possibly the TrailBlazer. However, GM will keep the TrailBlazer in production for the 2009 model year according to the GM Fleet website, as GM will phase out all its GMT360 products after the 2009 model year.