Chevy TrailBlazer Named north American Truck of the Year
Detroit-A panel of 43 automotive journalists from newspapers, magazines and Web sites elected the Chevrolet TrailBlazer 2002 North American Truck of the Year. The announcement came at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit mid-January.
Chevrolet's midsized SUV recently won the approval of a panel of automotive journalists.
The TrailBlazer was selected over nine other trucks, including the Chevrolet Avalanche, Dodge Ram, Ford Explorer, Honda CR-V, Jeep Liberty, Land Rover Freelander, Saturn VUE, and Toyota Highlander. The TrailBlazer received the nod over the Avalanche and Liberty, which were singled out as finalists.
The North American Truck of the Year jury seemed impressed primarily with the new powertrain in the TrailBlazer, along with GM's new hydroform frame technology, originally developed for Corvette and later applied to trucks.
Ron Sessions, former editor of Open Road magazine, put it this way: "The TrailBlazer's standard 275hp 4.2L inline six is just one example of the harmony to be found in GM's newest line of midsize SUVs. A rigid, hydroformed frame, tight body, responsive brakes and steering, and well-developed coil-spring suspension raise the bar for truck-based SUVs."
In a related vote, the same panel of jurors named the Nissan Altima North American Car of the Year for 2002.
Isuzu S-10
It's been clear for some that the GM S-series compact truck is nearing the end of its lifespan. What's been less clear is what its replacement might look like. This image should clarify things. It's the Isuzu concept truck seen at the Tokyo Motor Show several months ago. Corporate spokesmen suggest that this is the new S-10 truck, and is scheduled to debut as such next year. The way it would work is that this would be the S-10 here in the U.S., but would be sold as an Isuzu in other markets. We shall see.
A Ram SUV? Maybe
Caught in traffic: This heavily disguised prototype of what appears to be a fullsize SUV based on the new Dodge Ram pickup. A Chrysler spokesman, however, said this: "We don't comment on future product. But I would not guess that it's a Ram-based SUV. Maybe something smaller." Which seems to suggest, without putting words in anyone's mouth, that what we see here could be a replacement for the Dakota-based Durango. If so, it also suggests a hint of what the new Dakota might look like.
2004 Mitsubishi Montero Sport
It's clear that Mitsubishi's very capable Montero Sport is about due for replacement. The picture you see here is what we believe to be an accurate rendering of that replacement, which we suspect will be introduced as an '04 model. This new model will, we believe, be built on the upcoming Mitsubishi Galant automotive platform (along with Chrysler's 2005 Sebring and Stratus), and will be manufactured in Normal, Illinois. If so, that's great news, because it means more jobs here at home.
Two-Second News
Rubicon Education Project
The famous Rubicon Trail is now under heavy scrutiny by the environmentalist community. In order to help insure continued public access to the trail, the U.S. Forest Service is implementing a new check point and information booth at the Loon Lake trailhead. The booth will be staffed Saturdays and Sundays from Memorial Day through Labor Day. For more information contact CA4WDC at 800/4x4-funn (494-3886).