New Chevrolet Blazer could become a Holden

GM Holden has left the door open to releasing the all-new Chevrolet Blazer in Australia.

Reviving a GM nameplate not sold since 2005, when the previous Chevy Blazer was last produced as a ladder-frame off-road SUV, president of GM North America, head of Global Chevrolet and former Holden chief Alan Batey revealed the new Blazer late last week in Atlanta.

To be positioned above the Equinox mid-size SUV in Chevrolet’s US line-up, the larger new high-tech five-seat SUV looks like a four-door Camaro wagon on stilts and will be built alongside the Equinox at GM’s Ramos Arizpe plant in Mexico from the fourth quarter of this year.

It is based on the same GM C1XX crossover platform as the Cadillac XT5, GMC Acadia – the seven-seat petrol-only large SUV that Holden will release in Australia later than expected at the end of 2019 – and, in long-wheelbase form, the Chevrolet Traverse and Buick Enclave.

Asked if Holden is considering slotting the new Blazer into its growing SUV range between the Equinox and Acadia if it became available to it, the company’s senior manager of product and brand communications Mark Flintoft didn’t rule it out.

“The Chevrolet Blazer is a stunning looking SUV, however, we have nothing to announce at this time,” he said.

“Holden will concentrate its mid-size SUV offering on the recently launched, high-tech new Equinox, which continues to gain traction in Australia.

“Holden’s SUV line-up will be bolstered further with the launch of the all-new Acadia large-size SUV at the end of this year.”

Launched here last December and recently made available with a diesel engine, the Equinox has so far failed to make an impact in the mid-size SUV class — Australia’s largest SUV segment — finding just over 2000 customers to May this year.

That puts it outside the list of top 10 most popular medium SUVs and is much less than class leaders like the Mazda CX-5 (10,711 sales), Toyota RAV4 (9080), Nissan X-TRAIL (8373), Hyundai Tucson (8280) and Honda CR-V (6810).

So there’s no doubt the Blazer — if it’s produced in right-hand drive — would be a welcome addition to Holden’s local SUV line-up, which currently comprises the Trax, Equinox, Trailblazer and the aged Captiva, which will soon be replaced by Acadia.

In the US, the Chevrolet Blazer will be a direct competitor for Ford’s new Edge, which will be sold in Australia in five-seat diesel form as the Endura from this December.

“Chevrolet has been at the forefront of each of the major automotive industry trends by anticipating consumer demand and delivering innovative products like Bolt EV, Colorado and Trax,” said Batey.

“The introduction of the all-new Blazer builds on that momentum and further strengthens the most comprehensive lineup of crossovers and SUVs on the market today.

“As this market continues to grow and evolve we will strengthen our commitment to offer a model for every customer and for every lifestyle.”

Incorporating just five seats but offering of to 1818 litres of cargo capacity with the sliding middle row folded — and a Chevy-first cargo management system with rail system and cargo fence — the US Blazer range will comprise sport RS and top-shelf Premier variants.

When it goes on sale early next year, North America’s 2019 Blazer will be available with 143kW/255Nm 2.5-litre four-cylinder and 227kW/365Nm 3.6-litre V6 petrol engines – both matched to a nine-speed automatic transmission and the option of a twin-clutch all-wheel drive system.

The Chevy Blazer V6 will tow up to 2040kg and features towing-friendly tech like Hitch Guidance and Hitch View.

Other options will include adaptive cruise control, hands-free power tailgate, panoramic dual-pane power sunroof, wheel sizes up to 21-inch, automatic heated steering wheel and heated/ventilated front seats.

All models come with narrow HID headlights, LED daytime running lights, LED-illuminated Chevy-signature dual-element tail-lights, dual exhaust outlets, an integrated tailgate spoiler, 8.0-inch colour touch-screen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a Chevy-first electronic-locking glovebox.