The Chinese version of Chevrolet Blazer has come out of the shadow at last. Just as we predicted, it received a spacious seven-seat interior and only one engine with 230 hp / 172 kW at the crank.
The U.S. variant of the Blazer debuted last summer as a five-seat crossover SUV. It came based on the same C1XX platform as the Chevrolet Traverse and Cadillac XT5, and derived its name from the classical body-on-frame SUV model the company used to prduce from 1969 until 2011. In the fall of 2018, a long-wheel base modification was introduced. The LWB version then made it to China as the FNR-CarryAll Concept – and ultimately made it into production.
Compared in terms of looks, the Chinese Blazer is actually identical to its U.S. sibling, except for the larger side glass. Two special editions – RS and Redline – will become available later, the former sporting a honeycomb grille, black Chevy logos and special edition badges and the latter limited to red body accents.
No interior shots are available to date, and the manufacturer seems reluctant to reveal the specs. That said, carmakers in China are legally obligated to submit the main specs to the Ministry of Industry and IT database, which is open to the public, so the details are already there for anyone interested.
Specifically, the seven-seat LWB Blazer is only 137 millimeters (5.3 inches) longer than its standard counterpart and has the same wheelbase (2,863 mm, or 9.4 feet). It comes powered by a two-liter, four-cylinder turbo engine rated at 230 hp (172 kW), which works in tandem with a nine-speed auto transmission. Whether AWD will be available remains unknown.
The U.S.-sold Blazer additionally ships with two naturally aspirated engines and offers a choice between FWD and AWD.
Chevrolet will be launching the Blazer in China in the first half of 2020. The company does not say whether it is planning to make the seven-seater available on other markets as well.