A New SUV Powered by E-turbo Engine
GM Korea will launch the new SUV Trailblazer, which offers high performance and high efficiency at the same time. Unlike other models from the company that are imported to Korea, the Trailblazer is rolled out at a plant in Korea and is thus expected to help normalize GM Korea’s management.
GM Korea will release the Trailblazer on Jan. 16.
The Trailblazer is highly likely to have two powertrains -- a 1.35-liter turbo engine and a 1.2-liter turbo engine, according to information recently released at the 2019 Los Angeles Auto Show. These engines are “E-turbo engines,” a new engine developed by General Motors. “E” stands for efficiency, electrification and environment-friendly technology.
The E-turbo is referred to as a rightsizing engine, more than a just downsizing engine that simply means reduced engine displacement. The E-turbo is designed to satisfy consumers in terms of both power and fuel economy with turbo technology by finding their optimal displacement. The new engine minimizes the use of fuel in everyday driving through direct injection technology and adequate displacement, but when rapid acceleration is needed, its turbocharger can immediately maximize output and use power.
The superior efficiency and power of the E-turbo engine is not just due to the power of the turbocharger. Electrified and electronic parts reduce the burden on the engine.
This advanced engine technology helped the Malibu sedan, which is powered by the E-turbo engine, obtain a third-class low-emission vehicle certificate from the Korean government and receive various benefits as an eco-friendly vehicle. In Seoul, it can enjoy various benefits such as a 50 percent discount of fees for public parking lots, an 80 percent discount at subway transfer parking lots, a 50 percent discount of fees for the use of the first and third Namsan tunnels and a 20-50 percent discount at airport parking lots. The Trailblazer, which is known to have the same engine as the Malibu, is also expected to receive the same benefits as the Malibu.
In the meantime, the Trailblazer from GM Korea will be produced at its Bupyeong plant in Incheon, Korea. It is classified as a mid-sized SUV which is larger than the compact SUV Trax produced at the Bupyeong plant. By making the Trailblazer, GM Korea will produce a new model at its Korean plant for the first time in seven years since the Trax in 2013.