2005 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER: EVEN MORE EFFICIENCY AND VERSATILITY

Chevy TrailBlazer and TrailBlazer EXT have quickly established themselves as among the most popular midsize SUVs on the market, combining Chevy Truck toughness with style and versatility.

For 2005, these dependable trucks offer even higher levels of passenger comfort and efficiency, including a new Vortec 5300 V-8 engine equipped with GM’s innovative Displacement on Demand (DOD) technology, available on TrailBlazer EXT.

GM’s Displacement on Demand technology enables fuel economy gains of up to 8 percent in certain light-load driving conditions by reducing the number of cylinders engaged in the combustion process. A sophisticated, next-generation engine controller determines when to deactivate cylinders, allowing the engine to maintain vehicle speed in lighter-load conditions such as highway cruising. When the cylinders are deactivated, the engine effectively operates as a V-4, with every other cylinder in the firing order disabled. The engine returns to V-8 mode the instant the controller determines the vehicle speed or load requires additional power. The process is seamless and virtually imperceptible

Rated at 300 horsepower (224 kw) and 330 lb.-ft. of torque (447 Nm), the Gen IV Vortec 5300 5.3L all-aluminum V-8 supports TrailBlazer EXT's superior towing capacities of up to 7,000 pounds (3,175 kg) when properly equipped. All 5.3L V-8s are equipped with DOD.

Standard on all TrailBlazer and TrailBlazer EXT models, whether two- or four-wheel drive or in LS or uplevel LT trim, is GM’s advanced Vortec 4200 4.2L inline six-cylinder engine. Rated at 275 horsepower (205 kw) and 275 lb.-ft. of torque (373 Nm), this durable powerplant provides the smooth performance and capability of many V-8 engines, along with the fuel economy of a six-cylinder.

Both engines are complemented by the rugged Hydra-Matic 4L60-E electronically controlled four-speed transmission.

Safety, security and OnStar

TrailBlazer and TrailBlazer EXT receive a comprehensive array of new standard and available occupant safety features for 2005. Available on TrailBlazers are head curtain side air bags that act like a protective curtain when deployed, unfolding from the roof rail between the A-pillar and side window header. When the bag deploys in a moderate to severe side impact, it is angled somewhat toward the window to help provide protection for front- and rear-seat outboard passengers. The new system replaces the previous seat-mounted system, which was for the driver and front passenger only.

The TrailBlazer has GM’s Passenger Sensing System (PSS). PSS uses the latest sensing technology to turn the front passenger air bag on or off. If the sensor system detects an unoccupied front passenger seat or the presence of a smaller occupant, the front passenger air bag is designed to automatically turn off so it would not deploy in the event of a frontal collision. A status indicator on the instrument panel alerts occupants that the passenger air bag is on or off. Even with this system, GM strongly recommends to restrain child passengers in an appropriate child seat placed in the second or third row of the vehicle. Never install a rear-facing infant seat in front of an active air bag. GM also recommends that all children 12 and under ride in the rear seat when possible.

TrailBlazers also have standard pretensioners in the outboard front safety belt system that deploy at the same time as the frontal air bags to take up slack in the safety belt webbing. Pretensioners also help reduce the amount of occupant movement in the event of a crash to help reduce the risk of injury.

Available head curtain side air bags act like a protective curtain when deployed, unfolding from the roof rail between the A-pillar and side window header. When the bag deploys in a moderate to severe side impact, it is angled somewhat toward the window to help provide protection for front- and second-row outboard passengers. In vehicles equipped with head curtain side air bags, a new rollover protection sensing system helps protect occupants in a rollover event by triggering both the side curtain air bags and safety belt pretensioners. The rollover-sensing module, located on the center tunnel under the rear seat, uses a complex algorithm based on lateral and vertical accelerations, roll rate and vehicle speed to determine whether to deploy the safety systems.

TrailBlazers are equipped with LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for CHildren) system anchors for child safety seats in all second-row seats. The LATCH system provides two lower anchors and a top tether anchor to be used to secure a child seat to the vehicle seat structure. These anchorages are designed to make it easier to properly install compatible child safety seats.

An enhanced front passenger safety belt reminder system also is standard.

The OnStar safety and security system with a one-year subscription to its Safe & Sound plan is standard on the TrailBlazer and TrailBlazer EXT. TrailBlazers feature OnStar’s new sixth-generation hardware with digital and analog coverage. The Gen 6 hardware also includes upgraded hands-free voice recognition capabilities including more intuitive continuous digit dialing and improved voice recognition accuracy. OnStar is the leading provider of in-vehicle safety, security and information services in the United States and Canada. Using the GPS satellite network and wireless technology, OnStar features core safety services and OnStar Personal Calling that allows drivers to make and receive hands-free, voice-activated phone calls using a powerful three-watt digital/analog system and external antenna for greater reception.

The OnStar service on the 2005 TrailBlazer includes the new General Motors Advanced Automatic Crash Notification (AACN) system, making crash data available to 911 centers to potentially dispatch the appropriate life-saving personnel and equipment to crash scenes faster.

Revised interior appointments

Appearance changes for 2005 include revised badging on the exterior and steering wheel; a new seat design for improved comfort and craftsmanship; new door panel, floor mat and console trim designs for LT models; and additional chrome interior accents throughout on both LS and LT versions.

Other changes include the availability of an MP3 player as part of an optional stereo package for LS models and improved touch-screen functions for the available navigation radio system.

New exterior colors include Superior Blue Metallic, Emerald Jewel Metallic and Graystone Metallic. Interior color choices now include Ebony, an Ebony/Light Cashmere two-tone combination and a Light/Dark Gray combination.

Tough but refined

TrailBlazer and TrailBlazer EXT are designed to deliver an optimum blend of refined ride and handling, generous passenger and cargo room, and long-lasting dependability. With its spacious third-row seat, TrailBlazer EXT can carry up to seven passengers, along with more than 23 cubic feet (663L) of stowage behind the third seat. The second and third rows can be folded flat, opening up 107 cubic feet (3,030L) of cargo space.

TrailBlazer and TrailBlazer EXT use hydroformed steel frame side rails, which form a strong foundation for the trucks’ overall strength and solid feel, even on unpaved surfaces. A five-link rear suspension and independent, double-A-arms up front work with a system of 12 specially tuned body mounts using hydraulics and rubber pads to dramatically reduce vibration and harshness on any kind of road or trail. Four-wheel ventilated anti-lock disc brakes are standard. An Autotrac four-wheel-drive system is standard on 4WD models, while traction control is available as an option for 2WD models.

Available options on TrailBlazer and TrailBlazer EXT include adjustable brake and accelerator pedals, sun visors with lighted vanity mirrors, inside rearview mirror with temperature gauge and compass, RainSense wipers, leather seating surfaces with eight-way-power driver and passenger seats, sunroof, and both factory- and dealer-installed running boards.

Available entertainment and information features include XM Satellite Radio and Navigation Radio. XM (continental U.S. only) provides more than 120 coast-to-coast, digital-quality channels of original commercial-free music and premier news, sports and talk as well as advanced traffic and weather information for select major metropolitan areas nationwide. Consumers can subscribe to the basic service for $9.99 a month. In addition, GM customers with GMAC financing can choose to include the XM subscription in their car payments. Navigation Radio incorporates a dash-mounted GPS system and display with the vehicle’s sound system.