Holden Trailblazer locked in

GM HOLDEN has officially announced that it will adopt the global Trailblazer moniker for the replacement for its Colorado 7 full-size SUV when it rolls into showrooms later this year.

The announcement confirms GoAuto's report from last month that the facelifted version of the seven-seat SUV would drop the Colorado 7 name in favour of the Trailblazer badge, to more effectively differentiate it from the pick-up on which it is based.

Due in Australia in the third quarter – about the same time as the updated Colorado ute – the Trailblazer has retained all of the styling elements from the Chevrolet Trailblazer Premier show car, that was designed by GM Australia Design's studios in Port Melbourne and revealed at last month's Bangkok motor show.

The production version, uncovered by Chevrolet's Brazilian arm late last week, features a new global design language shared with the pick-up, which was also revealed in Brazil last month.

While pricing and specification of the facelifted four-wheel drive are yet to be revealed, Holden looks set to take the Trailblazer further upmarket from the Colorado 7, that currently retails from $47,990 excluding on-road costs for the base LT and tops out at 51,490 for the LTZ.

The car-maker said in a releases that the model has a “more sophisticated design, increased content and refined ride comfort” and that the Trailblazer “will be a significantly different vehicle to its Colorado 7 predecessor, catering for different customers and needs”.

It features signature LED daytime running lights, chrome accents and a “sophisticated” colour palette.

GM Holden executive director of marketing Geraldine Davys said the company listened to customer feedback when developing the Trailblazer and in determining its name.

“With the redesigned 2017 Trailblazer, we have dialled up the luxury and ride comfort to offer a more premium SUV that’s comfortable and confident in urban areas, but remains just as capable for weekend adventures,” she said.

“The move to adopt the Trailblazer name emphasises the vehicle’s new direction into a more luxurious and premium space.”

Holden says there will be premium materials and contrasting stitching throughout the cabin, lending a more high-end feel than its predecessor.

It will also gain a new dash and instrument cluster design, mirroring the pick-up, as well as more connectivity tech including an 8.0-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

The high-riding wagon will retain its off-road ability, but it will also be more refined, thanks to a focus on reducing noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) levels and ride isolation for a more comfortable cabin, according to Holden.

It is unclear if the range-topping variant will carry interior cues and materials used in the Trailblazer Premier show car, such as dual-tone upholstery and contrasting materials on the dash and door inserts.

The Brazilian version carries over the same 147kW/500Nm 2.8-litre turbo-diesel engine that is fitted to Thai-built Australian-spec models, but the South American market also gets a 208kW V6 petrol engine. It is unclear if this will make it Down Under.

Holden is yet to confirm if the Trailblazer will get the same active safety features – lane-departure warning, blind-spot warning – as the Brazilian version.

In Australia, direct rivals for the Trailblazer will be the same as the Colorado 7, such as the mechanically related Isuzu MU-X, the Mitsubishi Pajero Sport, Toyota's Fortuner and the Australian-designed and developed Ford Everest that is priced at a premium over the others.

Sales of the Colorado 7 in Australia are up by 31.3 per cent so far this year to 968 units. Holden currently has an end of financial year offer on Colorado, with prices cut to $43,990 (LT) or $46,990 (LTZ) driveaway.