The old gripe about sport-utility vehicles has always been that there is precious little ''sport'' in them, and while recent models are bowing more in the direction of performance it's still a pretty fair commentary on the breed.
So anyone who's serious about wanting some oomph in their SUV should be interested to see the arrival of the Chevrolet TrailBlazer SS model at dealerships across Canada this fall.
Chevrolet's claim for the TrailBlazer SS is that it will deliver ''sportscar performance with midsize SUV capability.'' A final decision on that demands some time at the wheel, of course, but on paper the model certainly looks as promising as the vehicle looks imposing.
First off, the LS2 6-litre V-8 delivers 381 hp at 5,400 rpm and 395 lb-ft of torque at 4,400 rpm to the rear wheels through a new four-speed automatic transmission, which is said to be good enough to propel the 2,064-kg vehicle from 0 to 100 kmh in a little under six seconds.
Secondly, a performance suspension with lowered ride height (25 mm in the front and 45 mm in the back) has been made part of the TrailBlazer SS package, after tuning by GM's Performance Division at several racetracks, including Germany's legendary and forbidding Nurburgring. The theory was that if the TrailBlazer SS could handle the head-spinning turns and drastic elevation changes of that 18.2-km roller coaster, it could overpower the most challenging roads of North America with ease.
If that weren't good enough, as kitted out for its debut at the New York auto show this week, the TrailBlazer SS even looks like a wolf in wolf's clothing.
It has specific interior appointments and unique exterior styling, including whoa-baby 20-inch flangeless wheels on 255/50R20 V-rated performance tires, ''aggressive'' monochromatic exterior styling, including blacked-out mesh grille, specific front and rear fascias, and a bright exhaust outlet.
Since owners can't see the TrailBlazer SS while they're driving it, Chevrolet created an interior that reminds them of the exterior shape. So there's a monochromatic ebony and elegant flat satin color scheme, performance-oriented gauges with prominent tachometer, front buckets with pronounced side bolsters, optional leather seating, SS embroidery on the seat backs, a T-shape shifter with aluminum insert, and chrome accents throughout.
Brent Dewar, the Canadian who helped create the TrailBlazer SS while he was general manager of Chevrolet before becoming the vice-president of marketing and advertising for GM North America, agrees that ''The TrailBlazer SS definitely emphasizes the sport in an SUV.''
Not only that, Dewar notes, but because it's a Chevrolet, ''it brings attainable performance to anyone who wants it.'' Well, maybe not ANYONE who wants it, but certainly to people who are unable or unwilling to pop for a Cadillac Escalade or a Land Rover Sport or big-ticket vehicles like that.
As the first truck developed by GM's Performance Division, TrailBlazer SS's performance look and feel is complemented by strong SUV functionality. The towing capacity is up to 3,030 kg with the two-wheel drive model and up to 2,948 kg with the optional all-wheel drive model. Cargo volume is 1161 liters behind the rear seat, and 2265 liters with the rear seat folded. So there's a pretty good case for the utility part of SUV as well.
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| (photo: General Motors) |
Chevrolet's claim for the TrailBlazer SS is that it will deliver ''sportscar performance with midsize SUV capability.'' A final decision on that demands some time at the wheel, of course, but on paper the model certainly looks as promising as the vehicle looks imposing.
First off, the LS2 6-litre V-8 delivers 381 hp at 5,400 rpm and 395 lb-ft of torque at 4,400 rpm to the rear wheels through a new four-speed automatic transmission, which is said to be good enough to propel the 2,064-kg vehicle from 0 to 100 kmh in a little under six seconds.
Secondly, a performance suspension with lowered ride height (25 mm in the front and 45 mm in the back) has been made part of the TrailBlazer SS package, after tuning by GM's Performance Division at several racetracks, including Germany's legendary and forbidding Nurburgring. The theory was that if the TrailBlazer SS could handle the head-spinning turns and drastic elevation changes of that 18.2-km roller coaster, it could overpower the most challenging roads of North America with ease.
 |
| (photo: General Motors) |
It has specific interior appointments and unique exterior styling, including whoa-baby 20-inch flangeless wheels on 255/50R20 V-rated performance tires, ''aggressive'' monochromatic exterior styling, including blacked-out mesh grille, specific front and rear fascias, and a bright exhaust outlet.
Since owners can't see the TrailBlazer SS while they're driving it, Chevrolet created an interior that reminds them of the exterior shape. So there's a monochromatic ebony and elegant flat satin color scheme, performance-oriented gauges with prominent tachometer, front buckets with pronounced side bolsters, optional leather seating, SS embroidery on the seat backs, a T-shape shifter with aluminum insert, and chrome accents throughout.
Brent Dewar, the Canadian who helped create the TrailBlazer SS while he was general manager of Chevrolet before becoming the vice-president of marketing and advertising for GM North America, agrees that ''The TrailBlazer SS definitely emphasizes the sport in an SUV.''
Not only that, Dewar notes, but because it's a Chevrolet, ''it brings attainable performance to anyone who wants it.'' Well, maybe not ANYONE who wants it, but certainly to people who are unable or unwilling to pop for a Cadillac Escalade or a Land Rover Sport or big-ticket vehicles like that.
 |
| (photo: General Motors) |