Beats there a heart that doesn't accelerate a tad at the idea of an SS version of the Chevrolet TrailBlazer, aside from those that belong to the legions of women who realize a souped-up version of an SUV is maybe not the most sensible thing in the world?
For those more sensible folks (I like to think there are at least a few men who are as sensible as every woman on this point), for 2006 Chevrolet is offering a five-passenger TrailBlazer with GM's Displacement On Demand
(DOD) 5.3-litre Vortex V-8. This model strikes a nice balance between performance and improved fuel economy, which looks more appealing with gasoline teeter-tottering on the $1 a litre mark across the country.
There's also a big step forward on the safety front, since every single TrailBlazer unit now gets stability control, which makes it harder for the vehicle to go out of control. That's good on any vehicle, since a crash is never good, but on vehicles with a higher centre of gravity (like an SUV) it's even better because losing control often leads to situations where rollovers can result.
These are the stars of the Chevrolet TrailBlazer for 2006, but there is also a nice little cast of cosmetic tweaks, new colors, a better aerial, revised brakes, and more ways to negate noise issues inside the cabin.
Safety and quiet and better color choices are okay, but let's get to the part with the big V-8. That would of course be the TrailBlazer SS, which uses a "Corvette-derived" LS2 6-litre V-8 that cranks out 395 hp and 400
ft-lb of torque, which will get even this much weight moving in a hurry. Specifically, this car (in front- or all-wheel-drive) is reputed to make that famous 0 to 100 kmh sprint in less than six seconds, which outpaces a lot of cars that are more expensive and famous for being only fast. The ability to carry five and a bunch of cargo is a bonus.
And just so that everyone knows you're driving a super-studly SUV, there are unique styling touches, highlighted by "prominent" 20-inch flangeless wheels.
On anything more than a straight line, TrailBlazer SS had its suspension tuned by the hyper-freaks from GM's Performance Division at several racetracks, including Germany's legendary Nurburgring, a torturous and
unforgiving 20 km of countless curves and elevation changes that challenge the strictest sportscar, let alone a vehicle whose primary function is mall assault with the kids.
For anyone not planning to drive to northwest Germany in the near future but who are looking for more motive force, the Vortec 5300 5.3-litre V-8 with that DOD technology that previously was available only in the seven-passenger EXT model is now available.
This engine is good for 300 hp and 330 lb-ft of torque, while the DOD technology switches it between four- and eight-cylinder power to produce up to eight percent improved fuel economy in certain light-load driving conditions.
As before, the base engine in TrailBlazer and TrailBlazer EXT is the Vortec 4200 inline-six with 291 hp and 277 lb-ft of torque.
All engines use a four-speed automatic transmission, thought he SS model gets an upgraded one.
For those more sensible folks (I like to think there are at least a few men who are as sensible as every woman on this point), for 2006 Chevrolet is offering a five-passenger TrailBlazer with GM's Displacement On Demand
 |
| 2006 Chevrolet TrailBlazer (Photo: General Motors) |
There's also a big step forward on the safety front, since every single TrailBlazer unit now gets stability control, which makes it harder for the vehicle to go out of control. That's good on any vehicle, since a crash is never good, but on vehicles with a higher centre of gravity (like an SUV) it's even better because losing control often leads to situations where rollovers can result.
These are the stars of the Chevrolet TrailBlazer for 2006, but there is also a nice little cast of cosmetic tweaks, new colors, a better aerial, revised brakes, and more ways to negate noise issues inside the cabin.
Safety and quiet and better color choices are okay, but let's get to the part with the big V-8. That would of course be the TrailBlazer SS, which uses a "Corvette-derived" LS2 6-litre V-8 that cranks out 395 hp and 400
 |
| LS2 6-litre V-8 (Photo: General Motors) |
And just so that everyone knows you're driving a super-studly SUV, there are unique styling touches, highlighted by "prominent" 20-inch flangeless wheels.
On anything more than a straight line, TrailBlazer SS had its suspension tuned by the hyper-freaks from GM's Performance Division at several racetracks, including Germany's legendary Nurburgring, a torturous and
 |
| 2006 Chevrolet TrailBlazer SS (Photo: General Motors) |
For anyone not planning to drive to northwest Germany in the near future but who are looking for more motive force, the Vortec 5300 5.3-litre V-8 with that DOD technology that previously was available only in the seven-passenger EXT model is now available.
This engine is good for 300 hp and 330 lb-ft of torque, while the DOD technology switches it between four- and eight-cylinder power to produce up to eight percent improved fuel economy in certain light-load driving conditions.
As before, the base engine in TrailBlazer and TrailBlazer EXT is the Vortec 4200 inline-six with 291 hp and 277 lb-ft of torque.
All engines use a four-speed automatic transmission, thought he SS model gets an upgraded one.