Aug
25
2002 Chevrolet TrailBlazer - General Motors Corp. to introduce new sport-utility vehicles - Brief Article - Statistical Data Included
Filed Under Chevy Cars
To GM’S credit, the new 860s sailed through the south-of-the border launch unruffled. Stiffer frames and more sophisticated suspension systems took the hard knocks out of the bad roads. Bumps serious enough to use up the ample wheel travel were absorbed by the Bilstein gas-pressure dampers and well-tuned urethane jounce bumpers. Rear air springs — standard in the Bravada, optional in the Envoy — were noticeably effective at diminishing back seat din. The one chassis shortcoming is a lack of steering feel.
The new 4.2L dohc 6-cylinder powerplant, engineered specifically for this application, is smooth and practically silent, but two factors undermine its performance: wide ratios and occasionally rough shifts provided by the 4L60-E automatic transmission and a curb weight pushing 5,000 pounds. It will be interesting to see if this engine’s 270 peak-hp keeps up with the new Ford Explorer, which is lighter by nearly 200 pounds and available with a 240 hp V-8.
