Waikato Business News November/December 2016

58 WAIKATO BUSINESS NEWS November/December 2016
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New Holden Trailblazer:
Specification up, price down
Details of the new Holden Trailblazer
have been released, with fans of the large
seven-seat Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV)
receiving two pieces of fantastic news.
Not only has specification
been increased significantly,
but the price of
the new model has been reduced.
“This is a win-win situation
for our customers, one which has
resulted in increased specification
but a decrease in price,” said
the managing director of Holden
New Zealand, Kristian Aquilina.
“This will help position the
new Trailblazer as not only the
newest large SUV in the market,
but also one of the most attainable.”
The price of the new Holden
Trailblazer LTZ is $62,990
(+ORC), which represents a
$4000 reduction compared with
the outgoing model.
However, when extra specification
is considered, the overall
value equation increases to a net
gain for enthusiasts of more than
$7000.
Trailblazer debuts with
a sophisticated new look,
advanced vehicle and connectivity
technology, the use of premium
materials and a fresh design
throughout.
“Trailblazer will be sure to
challenge the 4x4 SUV market,
thanks to its significant engineering,
feature and design upgrades,
combined with competitive pricing,”
said Mr Aquilina.
Awarded a five star ANCAP
safety rating, Trailblazer offers
an array of active and passive
safety features including additional
driver’s knee airbag,
Hill Start Assist, Trailer Sway
Control and Hill Descent
Control.
The addition of Side Blind
Zone Alert and Rear Cross
Traffic Alert to the LTZ model
contribute considerably to the
overall safety story.
The exterior of the vehicle
has received a revised bonnet
and now features headlamps
with LED daylight running
lights, a new front fascia and
upper grille, but the biggest
changes are on the inside.
The interior has been afforded
a full rejuvenation and is
now more car-like in appearance
and features a new MyLink system,
while an 8-inch screen with
integrated sat-nav completes the
look of the LTZ.
Developed in collaboration
between Holden and GM Brazil
and alongside the acclaimed
2017 Holden Colorado,
Trailblazer blends 4x4 capability
with refined and confident
on-road performance.
Holden Australia’s Lead
Dynamics Engineer, Rob
Trubiani, said customers’ lifestyles
were central to the engineering
objectives for the new
Trailblazer.
“Trailblazer is such a versatile
SUV, used for anything
from weekday grocery runs to
weekend 4x4 driving adventures
so we had to ensure it performed
in a variety of situations and terrains,”
Mr Trubiani said.
The extensive engineering
improvements include a revised
steering calibration, co-developed
between Holden and
Brazilian engineers providing a
more precise steering feel thanks
to a faster steering rack ratio and
less turns lock-to-lock.
Other key developments in
Trailblazer’s chassis include a
revised set of engine, transmission
and body mounts to provide
a more refined and composed
ride which will improve drive
quality, particularly while towing.
Driver confidence is furthered
with the variable steering
efforts in Trailblazer’s Electric
Power Steering system, allowing
it to handle more nimbly and
drive like a car.
When all changes are considered,
the launch of the new
model sees the introduction
of a clear naming distinction
between the Colorado truck and
Trailblazer SUV siblings.
“The new model is a significant
enhancement compared
with the predecessor, so the
opportunity was taken to initiate
a name change to differentiate
the two bodystyles,” said Mr
Aquilina.
“The Trailblazer shares similar
improvements to ride and
handling as its Colorado stablemate
but we wanted to emphasise
the significant enhancements
it’s undergone, so a standalone
name was appropriate.”
The Trailblazer LTZ features
a 2.8-litre Duramax diesel
engine, delivering 147kW of
power combined with 500Nm of
torque in the automatic model.
It features a 6-speed automatic
transmission with Shift-on-the-
Fly 4WD and is capable of towing
a braked weight of 3,000kg.
The Trailblazer proved itself
a competent offroader when it
was used as a support vehicle
on the recent Colorado launch
in the Lees Valley, which included
a river crossing and off-road
component.
“The new Trailblazer has all
the bases covered and delivers
an unbeaten combination of outstanding
features and attributes,”
said Mr Aquilina.
“We anticipate it will have
huge appeal for families who
desire the ability to get out and
about to enjoy an outdoors orientated
Kiwi lifestyle.”
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