2013 Chevrolet Trailblazer revealed

The all-new 2013 Chevrolet Trailblazer, based on the Isuzu D-Max pickup platform, has been revealed ahead of the upcoming 2012 Bangkok International Motor Show. First previewed in concept form at the Dubai International Motor Show last year, the new Trailblazer will go on sale in the South-East Asian markets by middle of this year, as it will also be built in Thailand.

Available in both two-wheel-drive and four-wheel-drive formats, it is basically a wagon version of the Chevy Colorado pickup truck, which itself is a rebadged Isuzu D-Max. The new Trailblazer will be offered with two four-cylinder diesel engines likely sourced from Isuzu – a 2.5-litre turbocharged diesel engine putting out 150 hp and 350 Nm of torque, and a 2.8-litre turbocharged diesel engine rated at 180 hp and upto 470 Nm of torque, both mated to a 5-speed manual transmission or a 6-speed automatic transmission. They say the engine components are supposed to last for 240,000 km before breaking down, apparently a big deal for a Chevrolet. Though touted as a “global” vehicle, there is no word on whether GM plans to offer the Trailblazer with petrol engines.

The new mid-size Trailblazer, built on the body-on-frame architecture, is said to have been designed for offering a “luxurious” ride while handling like a passenger car – though we’re not sure which era. Other features include third-row seats, ABS and EBD, brake assist, traction control, hill-descent control, and a couple of airbags.

There is no information on the pricing and trims of the new Trailblazer. And whether or not the “global” Trailblazer will truly go global and be offered in the UAE, Saudi Arabia and rest of GCC with a petrol engine, is another question altogether.

Update: The production model debuted in October 2012 here.