Trailblazer Launch... Will It Be the Savior for Korea GM? (Comprehensive)

On the 16th, the new car was unveiled at the 'Chevrolet Trailblazer Media Showcase' held at Paradise City Chroma in Jung-gu, Incheon. The Trailblazer is a sport utility vehicle (SUV) made by Chevrolet, equipped with a 1.2ℓ gasoline E-Turbo Prime engine and a 1.35ℓ gasoline E-Turbo engine. Photo by Hyunmin Kim, Yeongjongdo kimhyun81@

[Asia Economy Reporter Kiho Sung] Korea GM has unveiled the sports utility vehicle (SUV) ‘Trailblazer’ and started pre-orders. The Trailblazer is a model positioned between Chevrolet’s compact SUV Trax and mid-size SUV Equinox, with all units produced at the Bupyeong plant and exported worldwide. Korea GM regards the Trailblazer as a core model for business normalization, drawing significant attention to its success.

Kaher Kazem, President of Korea GM, stated at a media showcase held on the 16th at Paradise City Hotel in Incheon, "The Trailblazer is Chevrolet’s global SUV led entirely by Korea from development to production, and a next-generation core model that will lead the future of the Chevrolet brand. It offers a body size beyond its class, best-in-class fuel efficiency, and outstanding driving performance realized by the perfect combination of the class-first 9-speed automatic transmission and E-Turbo engine. It also provides an unprecedented level of satisfaction with top-tier advanced safety and convenience features."

On the 16th, at the Chevrolet Trailblazer Media Showcase held at Paradise City Chroma in Jung-gu, Incheon, Kaher Kazem, President of GM Korea, introduced the new vehicle. The Trailblazer is a sports utility vehicle (SUV) made by Chevrolet, equipped with a 1.2ℓ gasoline E-Turbo Prime engine and a 1.35ℓ gasoline E-Turbo engine. Photo by Hyunmin Kim, Yeongjongdo kimhyun81@

Previously, Korea GM announced plans to launch 15 new models, including facelifts, by 2023. The Trailblazer is the seventh model among them. Caesar Toledo, Vice President, said, "We will strengthen the RV line and enhance the domestic portfolio with SUVs and RVs accounting for 60%."

The newly introduced Trailblazer features three youthful and stylish designs. The front adopts Chevrolet’s bold signature dual-port grille, with character lines emphasized by straight lines and a floating roof design that appears detached from the body, extending to the rear with muscular body lines that highlight the SUV’s dynamic nature. Chevrolet offers three differentiated designs, including the base model, ‘RS,’ and ‘ACTIV’ models.

The body is the largest in its class, boasting a maximum length of 4425mm, a maximum height of 1660mm, and a width of 1810mm. The wheelbase reaches 2640mm. The trunk capacity is 460 liters, expandable up to 1470 liters by folding the second row. A two-level luggage floor allows adjustment of the trunk floor height in two steps.

On the 16th, at the Chevrolet Trailblazer Media Showcase held at Paradise City Chroma in Jung-gu, Incheon, Executive Director Kang Shin-nam is introducing the new car. The Trailblazer is a sport utility vehicle (SUV) made by Chevrolet, equipped with a 1.2ℓ gasoline E-Turbo Prime engine and a 1.35ℓ gasoline E-Turbo engine. Photo by Kim Hyun-min, Yeongjongdo kimhyun81@

The Trailblazer houses two engines: a 1.2-liter gasoline E-Turbo Prime engine and a 1.35-liter gasoline E-Turbo engine. Shin-nam Kang, Executive Director of GM Technical Center Korea, introduced them as "a new engine line that integrates power, efficiency, electrification, and eco-friendly technology," adding, "They deliver performance comparable to a 2.0-liter naturally aspirated engine."

Both engines are GM’s global next-generation turbo engines featuring Rightsizing technology. They reduce weight using lightweight aluminum materials and minimize unnecessary fuel consumption through turbochargers and ultra-precise variable valve timing technology, achieving optimal displacement for the best performance and fuel efficiency.

On the 16th, at the 'Chevrolet Trailblazer Media Showcase' held at Paradise City Chroma in Jung-gu, Incheon, attendees including Kaher Kazem, President of GM Korea, and Kim Seong-gap, Chairman of the GM Korea Labor Union, posed for photos. The Trailblazer is a sports utility vehicle (SUV) made by Chevrolet, equipped with a 1.2ℓ gasoline E-Turbo Prime engine and a 1.35ℓ gasoline E-Turbo engine. Photo by Kim Hyun-min, Yeongjongdo kimhyun81@

The E-Turbo Prime engine and E-Turbo engine deliver maximum outputs of 139 horsepower and 156 horsepower, respectively. Their combined fuel efficiencies are 13 km/l and 13.2 km/l, respectively. Both engine models have received third-class low-emission vehicle certification, allowing owners to enjoy tax benefits due to low displacement as well as various perks for eco-friendly vehicles, such as discounts on public parking.

The Trailblazer is also equipped with numerous convenience features, including a head-up display, adaptive cruise control, active noise cancellation system, and aero shutters that close the radiator grille to reduce air resistance depending on the situation.

The prices are ▲LS 19.95 million KRW ▲LT 22.25 million KRW ▲Premier 24.9 million KRW ▲ACTIV 25.7 million KRW ▲RS 26.2 million KRW.