Chevrolet: Designed and built for the toughest conditions

THIS PICKUP is ready for the worst.

Text and photos by Charles E. Buban

As Tropical Storm “Kabayan” (international name: Mujigae) bore down on Central Luzon last week, Chevrolet Philippines’ event in Sun Valley Estates, Antipolo, could not have come at a more perfect time.

The “Born ready ride and drive” event not only featured Chevrolet Philippines’ toughest models—the Tracker and the Tracker Pro editions of the Colorado pickup, and the LTX and LTZ variants of the Trailblazer SUV—but also short lectures on how to prepare for a disaster or an emergency. A lecture on how to free a vehicle from a ditch using a winch was even included.

To really appreciate the vehicles’ offroad prowess, the team of George Ramirez carved a challenging course that would highlight each of the Colorado’s and Trailblazer’s offroading features: Traction Control System that helps these four variants navigate with ease even if only three and even two wheels are in contact with the ground (the advanced system detects traction variances through road and driving conditions, automatically triggering brake force, reducing engine torque, or a combination of both to prevent loss of traction); Hill Assist and Descent controls that help these four variants safely navigate steep drops and inclines; and an up to 0.8 meter (0.88 for the Colorado) wading capability that allows the four variants to safely drive through leg-deep flood waters and shallow streams.

“While these variants of the Colorado and Trailblazer are more than capable of taking themselves out of a rut, they are also equipped with features that would enable them to offer a helping hand: luxurious seven seats for the Trailblazer that could be configured to accommodate different sorts of gears; 1-ton payload capacity plus a 3.5-ton towing capacity, a snorkel, and a 6,000-pound tow hitch with electrical receiver for the Colorado.

“We even equipped our Colorado Tracker Pro with a 12,000-pound integrated power winch plus a winch recovery kit. Like our special edition Trailblazers, the Tracker Pro also has a tire monitoring system and a dash camera with 32-GB memory, making it a very suitable road companion during emergency situations,” said

Atty. Alberto Arcilla, president and managing director of Chevrolet Philippines, during the whole-day event.

Overcoming obstacles

Arcilla added that with over a century of expertise in the automotive industry, Chevrolet’s diverse product line of topnotch automobiles are built to overcome obstacles both on- and offroad. “The Colorado Tracker and Trailblazer continue to win over new customers because of their commendable safety features, versatility and capability. We are proud to offer these models with segment-leading capabilities to the Filipino market.”

Chevrolet Philippines SVP for marketing Lyn Buena said both the special editions of the Trailblazer and the Colorado are equipped with the second-generation Duramax (variable geometry) turbodiesel engine. “They are powered by a 200-horsepower, 2.8-liter engine that generates up to 500 Newton-meters of torque. The signature diesel engine not only underscores an industry leap in acceleration, straight-line performance and offroad capabilities, it also balances its output with improved fuel efficiency.”

Buena added that both the Tracker and the Tracker Pro editions for the Colorado and the Trailblazer LTX and LTZ variants fit the requirements of a growing number of buyers who now love the outdoor lifestyle. The vehicles also are fit for worsened road conditions caused by sudden inclement weather. “Out on the road where conditions can be unpredictable and anything can happen, those who come prepared always have a clear advantage. With the harsh, and oftentimes unforgiving situations faced by today’s motorists, our roads demand a new breed of drivers and vehicles.”

DEMONSTRATING the proper use of an integrated power winch in case another vehicle needs rescuing

The Colorado Tracker editions take offroading a notch higher with an added 2-inch lift that affords increased ground clearance, offering a best-in-class 0.88-meter water wading limit while the built-in snorkel intake reduces risk of water intrusion into the engine.

LYN BUENA

The event’s guest speaker and safety expert Martin Aguda explained that a winch provides recovery support in getting a stuck vehicle out of mud or a ditch. “The type of winch installed in the Colorado Tracker Pro has a synthetic line (which is better than the usual steel cable) that is spooled out and latched on to a mounting location—like a tree, or a boulder—to provide leverage in pulling itself or another vehicle out of a jam. A winch could also be used in successfully fording muddy waters.”

Extra feature

Another extra feature of the Pro (also found in the LTX and LTZ versions of the Trailblazer) is the tire pressure-monitoring system, which is capable of warning drivers if any of the vehicle’s tires are underinflated.

An all-new dash camera has likewise been installed on the Tracker Pro’s rear-view mirror, allowing continuous recording of the vehicle’s offroad adventures.

Chevrolet Philippines said its 23 dealer partners had put forth dream deals for easier ownership. Starting Oct. 2, ownership packages for a dream purchase is now within reach through “all-in, low-down payment promos on Chevrolet’s pick-ups: the Colorado 4×2 MT for as low as P119,000; and the Trailblazer 4×2 LTX variant at P168,000 and 4×4 LTZ variant at P188,000.

A special warranty is also offered to cover units for three years plus a two-year extended warranty for the vehicle’s powertrain or 100,000 kilometers (whichever comes first). Chevrolet also provides its new buyers with free three-year 24/7 roadside assistance (328-CHEV).