Chevrolet Blazer (crossover)
- See also Chevrolet Blazer (disambiguation)
| Chevrolet Blazer | |
|---|---|
.jpg) | |
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | Chevrolet (General Motors) |
| Production | Mid-late 2018 (to commence) |
| Model years | 2019 |
| Assembly | Mexico: Ramos Arizpe, Coahuila (Ramos Arizpe Assembly) |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | Mid-size crossover SUV |
| Body style | 5-door SUV |
| Layout | |
| Platform | C1XX |
| Related |
|
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | |
| Power output |
|
| Transmission | 9-speed 9T50 automatic |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 112.5 in (2,857 mm) |
| Length | 193.6 in (4,917 mm) |
| Width | 75.4 in (1,915 mm) |
| Height | 68.7 in (1,745 mm) |
| Chronology | |
| Predecessor |
|
The Chevrolet Blazer is an upcoming 5-seat mid-size crossover SUV produced by General Motors brand Chevrolet, scheduled to debut in January 2019 as a 2019 model.
Overview
The Blazer nameplate, whose history dates back to 1969 when it was introduced as a three door large SUV,[1] was introduced to the public in Atlanta on June 21, 2018 as a midsize CUV that will be slotted in between the compact Equinox and the full-size Traverse. It will serve as a counterpart to the GMC Acadia in the midsize CUV segment and will be built on the same platform as the Acadia. The vehicle’s design will detail a sporty-style look that takes its cues from the Camaro but will have a CUV feel.[2][3]
Powertrain
The Blazer will be powered by a standard 2.5L I-4 engine rated at 193 hp (143 kW) and 188 lb-ft of torque (255 Nm). A 3.6L V-6 will also be available, offering up 305 hp (227 kW) and 269 lb-ft of torque (365 Nm).[4]
Transmission
The Blazer will make use of GM's 9-speed 9T50 automatic transmission.[5][6] The same transmission is also used in the company's Cruze, Malibu, and Equinox models.[7]
Trim levels and pricing
The Blazer will feature both FWD and AWD, with a choice of L, Blazer (1LT, 2LT, and 3LT), RS, and Premier trim levels. It will have a starting MSRP of $29,995 (USD), including destination charge, for the base L model when it officially goes on sale in January 2019.[8]
Production and assembly
Intended to be built in Spring Hill, Tennessee, or possibly Lordstown, Ohio, GM announced that the Blazer will be built at its Ramos Arizpe Assembly in Mexico due to its capabilities to assemble midsize vehicles and to allow the Spring Hill facilities to focus more on producing the Acadia and Cadillac XT5 because of shift hour issues.[9]
Reception
The use of the Blazer nameplate on a midsize CUV has sparked mixed reviews, mostly from fans of the K5 Blazer and S-10 Blazer SUVs, as well as the TrailBlazer faithful, who were disappointed in Chevrolet applying it to a CUV instead of importing the international TrailBlazer to North America, building it as an SUV on the same platform as the Suburban/Tahoe, or putting it on an SUV platform based on the Colorado, hopefully as an answer to Ford’s planned revival of the Bronco, citing the Blazer’s history as an adventurous off-road vehicle.[10][11][12]
The decision to build the Blazer in Mexico was criticized by the United Auto Workers, who wanted the vehicle built in the United States and is disappointed by GM’s reason behind the announcement to begin production outside the country, citing GM’s decision to cut back on its second shift workforce at the Lordstown Assembly and moving production to Mexico.[13][14] While GM had already decided on Ramon Arizpe prior to the development of the Blazer, the union, as well as the automotive industry in general, is concerned that the possibility of President Donald Trump’s statement about raising tariffs on vehicles built outside the United States and threats to force automakers to bring jobs back to the country (based on his Twitter message made on June 22, 2018) could make things complicated, but GM has dismissed those theories and is confident about the Blazer’s prospects.[15]
References
- ↑ “History of the Chevy Blazer” from CNET (June 20, 2018)
- ↑ “The 2019 Chevy Blazer looks like the Camaro of crossovers” from Autoblog (June 21, 2018)
- ↑ “2019 CHEVROLET BLAZER FIRST LOOK: REINVENTING THE SUV FOR A CUV WORLD” from Motor Trend (June 21, 2018)
- ↑ “BOLD DESIGN DEFINES 2019 CHEVROLET BLAZER” from Chevrolet (June 21, 2018)
- ↑ Mircea Panait (2018-06-22). "2019 Chevrolet Blazer Gets Detailed on Camera". autoevolution. Retrieved 2018-07-11.
- ↑ Safet Satara (2018-07-08). "5 Ways The Blazer Competes Outside Its Class". TopSpeed. Retrieved 2018-07-11.
- ↑ Mircea Panait (2016-12-06). "GM Hydra-Matic 9T50 Transmission Confirmed for Chevrolet Cruze, Malibu, Equinox". autoevolution. Retrieved 2018-07-11.
- ↑ "2019 Blazer Price Starting at $29,995" from GM Authority (September 25, 2018)
- ↑ “2019 Blazer To Be Built In Mexico” from GM Authority (June 21, 2018)
- ↑ “First Look: Chevrolet confirms the return of the Blazer, but it’s a crossover and not a Bronco-busting SUV”from New York Daily News (June 21, 2018)
- ↑ “2019 Blazer: Why Chevy, Why!?” from Gear Junkies (June 21, 2018)
- ↑ “2019 Chevrolet Blazer: This Is Not the Blazer We're Looking For” from The Drive (June 21, 2018)
- ↑ “UAW Unhappy Over Decision To Build 2019 Blazer In Mexico” from GM Authority (June 22, 2018)
- ↑ "GM CEO Mary Barra Still Won’t Commit To Lordstown Plant’s Future" from GM Authority (September 27, 2018)
- ↑ “GM Building Chevy Blazer in Mexico Risks Provoking Trump's Ire” from Bloomberg (June 22, 2018)
External links
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