Chevy’s Four by Force

USING A 2.8-liter Duramax turbocharged engine that features a variable geometry and an intercooler giving a maximum of 180 horsepower and 470 Newton-meters of torque, a challenge like this is easy to master for the Chevrolet trucks. Photos by Alvin Uy

Chevrolet recently has sported its new theme “Find New Roads” and it seems that they took it quite literally.

Last week, some members of the Inquirer Motoring team took both the 4×4 Trailblazer SUV and Colorado pickup truck to the backroads of Tanay, Rizal, to test out these vehicles. These vehicles proved to be a tough, no-compromise workhorse and a good-looking personal transport unit, in equal measure, as one of Inquirer’s writers, Jason Ang, puts it.

THE CHEVROLET 4×4 Trailblazer SUV and Colorado tackling the rough backroad trails in Tanay

“The work part of the Colorado is easy to spot.  The pickup is big, its 5,347 mm x 1,882 mm footprint nearly as large as its full-size American counterpart. It’s actually longer than the Silverado but, sensibly, narrower, clocking at 91 percent of the full-size Chevy’s footprint. The truck is in the one-ton pickup class, its 1,138 kilograms surpassing that requirement. Towing capacity is a hefty 3,500 kg. Such a big load capacity puts powerful strain on the chassis, and the Colorado is prepared with an eight-point crossmember frame supporting the body. The high torsional rigidity gives the truck the capability to deal with such cargo and towing loads,”   Ang added.

THE VEHICLES pack a towing capacity of over 3,500 kg.

Plus, both the Colorado and Trailblazer can wade through 800 mm of water.  These two share a similar powerplant, using a 2.8-liter Duramax turbocharged engine that features a variable geometry and an intercooler giving a maximum of 180 horsepower and 470 Newton-meters of torque.  This can able give these two vehicles a towing capacity of over 3,500 kg.  Mated to a six-speed automatic with tiptronic-type override, the additional gear ratios help to make quick work of hauling heavy cargo, while still being fuel-efficient, especially on the highway. Its flexible and easy-to-use four-wheel drive system can be switched from rear-wheel drive to four-wheel drive high or four-wheel drive low via a convenient console-mounted switch.

THE COLORADO can haul quite a bit of cargo, or else haul its tail quickly to the mall or bike trail, when all work is done.

According to Ang: “Chevrolet gave the Colorado enough personality to fit two roles: that of the powerful everyday workhorse seemingly capable of taking abuse like a heavy-duty truck, and that of a comfortable passenger conveyance with a civilized ride and well-suppressed noise. Its ace is the powerful 2.8-liter engine, with which the truck can haul quite a bit of cargo, or else haul its tail quickly to the mall or bike trail, when all work is done.”

For the Trailblazer, aside from the added seating capacity, it  offers a more refined commute and gives the owner more flexibility in terms of choosing between hauling cargo or passengers.  From demanding off-road or long-haul out-of-town commute to stop-and-go traffic, the Trailblazer gives it passenger full comfort with its electronic climate control and on board electronic entertainment.

But do not let its refined demeanor fool you; it is just as able as the Colorado when it comes to off-road duty call.  Both vehicles ably negotiated in the muddy backroad trails and waded through swallow streams without much effort.

For more information about the Colorado and Trailblazer, visit chevy.com.ph or your nearest Chevrolet dealer.