Take out the Chevy Trailblazer Premiere study’s 22-inch wheels and its fancy interior upholstery and décor, and what you’re left with is the facelifted version of the Colorado-based SUV that will be introduced within the next year.
The Premiere had its world debut alongside the Colorado Xtreme study – itself previewing the mid-cycle update for the international edition of Chevy’s Colorado pickup truck, at the 2016 Bangkok International Motor Show on Tuesday.
Chevy says it wanted to give the Trailblazer Premiere a more upmarket design and premium appointments, all while maintaining the durable body-on-frame SUV’s rugged off-road abilities.
“The brief was simple,” GM International Vice President of Design Michael Simcoe explained. “We wanted to dial up the refinement to make sure the vehicle would be as luxurious as it would be capable. Like every Chevrolet, the vehicle has head-turning good looks with striking Chevy DNA and global appeal. This show car is a result of strong collaboration to ensure we understood the demands of each market. Our research told us that our customers, particularly in the Thai market, appreciate luxury, upmarket finishes and sophisticated detail. Therefore, our focus was on ensuring we enriched the driver and passenger experience.”
Compared to the existing Trailblazer, which is also sold as the Holden Colorado 7, the Premiere study introduces an edgier face, with new headlamp, bumper and hood designs, additional chrome trimmings on the sides, and a revised set of real light fixtures, which may not sound much at first, but together with the large wheels, manage to freshen up the Chevy SUV’s looks.
Inside, the Trailblazer Premier shares the same redesigned dashboard with the Colorado Xtreme, sans the auxiliary gauges above the center console, but with a more premium selection of materials for the seats, door panels and trimmings.