Instagrammer’s Modern Chevy K5 Blazer Illustrates What Might Have Been
Chevy revived two Blazer nameplates for car based crossovers. But what if they actually brought back a Ford Bronco competitor?
Automakers are constantly trying to build the vehicles demanded by their customers. Sometimes they get it right. Other times, the manufacturers miss out on a new trend. Then there’s some companies that miss the mark entirely by never introducing a car or truck that would most likely be a hit. Chevy could introduce a body-on-frame Blazer if they wanted to.
Is General Motors genuinely missing a huge opportunity? Currently, there are no plans for a K5 Blazer revival. Instead, two car-based crossovers took names that could have been used on at least one off-road oriented SUV. Chevy has the platform and the engines necessary to make it happen. And “C_ZR1” and Oscar V recently illustrated some pretty convincing versions of what a modern body-on-frame Blazer would look like.
Theoretical Blazers
Inspired by the Z71 Silverado, these two digital artists created surprisingly similar Blazer designs. Both versions graft the front end of the Silverado onto a truck body with overall proportions that mirror the K5 Blazers of yesteryear. Overall, the two-tone grey Blazer looks a bit more realistic because the artist shortened the length into a more convincing profile. The doors and windows are also more cleanly integrated. Sadly, neither artist rendered a look as to what the rear of the Blazer would look like. But these pictures do more than enough to set our imaginations ablaze.
Making a Blazer Dream a Reality
Even if an actual body-on-frame Blazer isn’t in the cards right now, General Motors has pretty much all the major ingredients it needs to make it happen. Chevy could use the platform that underpins the Colorado and GMC Canyon. The base engine would be the 3.6 liter V6, which is good for 308 horsepower and 275 Ib-ft of torque. And of course the 2.8 liter Duramax diesel could supplement the lineup with a torque heavy powerplant that would work well on the trails.
The Colorado ZR2 Bison provides a great template for what a K5’s off-road capability would look like. The AEV-enhanced truck boasts boron steel skid-plates, Multimatic shocks, and front and rear locking differentials. It’s been an extremely popular package that’s received praise from many outlets.
All is Not Lost
At best, we’re years away from a true Bronco or Wrangler competitor. But General Motors has other compelling vehicles on the way. Chief among them is the upcoming GMC Hummer EV. With an apparent debut for Fall 2021, the new Hummers seem promising. There will be a pickup and an SUV variant. Each will have up to 1,000 horsepower and a 0-60 mph time of less than 3 seconds. General Motors seems focused on making them capable off-roaders too, as they’ll have adjustable air suspensions with multiple heights.
And if that’s not enough, an off-road oriented Silverado appears to be in the works too. That truck would take on the F-150 Raptor in the full-size segment. And of course the Colorado is already ready to take on its rivals in the mid-size segment. Sure, a true K5 successor would be nice, but for now GM’s got some pretty compelling stuff on sale right now. And the future looks extremely promising.
Photos: Instagram; Chevrolet; GMC