Tinashe Makichi Motoring Reporter
The latest machine from Chevrolet portfolio, released in March this year, is still making waves and has most customers salivating in the motoring industry in Zimbabwe, having managed to assert its dominance for more than six months now.
The Chevrolet Trailblazer 2014 is a car to have, especially for the executive class because of its versatility as both a lifestyle and an off-road driving vehicle.
Chevrolet Trailblazer SUV went under the knife in 2014, with all five existing models receiving substantial specification enhancements.
The writer could not afford to avoid featuring this new machine on this column after being attracted by the fantasy that the vehicle has.
Alloy wheels and colour coding for all models ensure the exterior remains classy, with LTZ models still featuring uprated LED tail light clusters and chrome detailing.
“The Trailblazer continues to make in-roads into the large SUV segment in South Africa, where a well-informed market knows what it wants from a vehicle of this calibre,” said Tim Hendon, Chevrolet Brand Manager at General Motors South Africa.
For the 2014 model year, all Trailblazer models feature enhanced specifications, which add value and class.
All models also benefit from changes on the inside, with a new dark ash grey interior colour scheme available along with front side airbags mounted in the seats. The updated model features a new, multi-information central LCD display panel, which features the usual trip computer readouts as well as two new menus for additional vehicle particulars.
Chevrolet Trailblazer displays critical information such as battery voltage, an adjustable speed warning, transmission fluid temperature (particularly important for off-roading), engine hours and an oil life indicator. The additional economy gauges include an instantaneous throttle position indicator, which indicates when economical driving is being achieved, as well as a historical fuel economy graph, which shows fuel consumption history for the last 50km.
Both these features are geared to encourage more economical driving habits. Chevrolet’s My Link technology has been designed to be compatible across the board, both in terms of phone integration and playable media formats, which means the most common music, picture and video formats can be streamed or played via most smart phones, additional full-size USB and auxiliary ports ensuring that other sources of music, videos or photos can also be easily integrated.
Up to 35 pre-set and 15 auto-stored AM or FM radio stations can be programmed as well, rounding off the complete entertainment solution that is Chevrolet MyLink. With four of the five Trailblazer derivatives featuring powerful turbo-charged diesel engines, the 2014 line-up now benefit from uprated outputs from both the 2,5 litre and 2,8 litre Duramax diesel motors.
The 2,5D LT model now makes use of 120kW, up by 9 percent and 380Nm, up by 8,5 percent. The 2,8D LTZ models, available in either 4×2 or 4×4 guise, also see hikes in power from the proven Duramax turbo-charged diesel engine, which now produces 144 kW, up 9 percent.
Fuel economy from the updated engines also improves, the 2,5D LT derivative returning an average fuel consumption figure of 8,0 litres per 100km, with the updated 2,8D LTZ models returning as low as 8,5-litres per 100km.
The two Duramax engines are ranked amongst the most powerful and fuel efficient diesel engines available in their respective displacement classes.
Both feature double overhead camshafts and an aluminium cylinder head designed to optimise combustion for enhanced power and efficiency with a reduced tendency for engine knock to occur. Both engines make use of high-pressure common-rail fuel injection systems (2,0 bar) with turbocharged and inter-cooled induction systems.
The clean-burn design of the induction and combustion process, aside from the power and efficiency benefits, also provides for low emissions. Both engines are Euro 2 compliant.
Mr James Chirwa, who recently purchased his Trailblazer said, “The tried-and-trusted 3,6-litre petrol V6 engine fitted to the range-topping Trailblazer 3,6 LTZ AT model remains unchanged and it remains a vehicle of choice.
“It is such a reliable vehicle that keeps leaving customers tongues wagging.”
The changes for 2014 allow the new Trailblazer to stay at the front of the line, with high specifications and safety equipment.
The Trailblazer name first debuted in 2002 when the Chevrolet brand gave birth to a large SUV with a balance between comfort and off-road ability being pinpointed as its most prominent aspects.