Holden Trailblazer Z71 Special Edition

WHILE strong-selling dual cabs are receiving styling kits aplenty, their SUV twins have been left largely out in the cold – until now.

The Colorado-based Trailblazer goes on sale in June with the black-themed Z71 treatment, with the initial run of 400 Special Editions being offered at a $1000 premium. Like the Colorado, the Z71 Trailblazer uses the LTZ specification as a base to add the extra styling enhancements.

“The Trailblazer Z71 Special Edition adds stand-out styling to our adventure-ready, family-friendly 4x4 SUV, showing customers they really can have it all,” Holden’s Director of Communications, Sean Poppitt, said.

The exterior design changes include painted 18-inch alloys from the Z71 Colorado and black side mouldings, belt-line mouldings, mirrors, door handles and B-pillar appliques in gloss black. Z71 nomenclature is displayed with bonnet decals, headrest embroidery and floor mats.

Heated (front) leather seats, a rear-view camera and an infotainment system with support for Apple CarPlay/Android Auto remain as some of the interior highlights.

Mechanically the Z71 Trailblazer is unchanged, with the 2.8-litre 147kW/500Nm turbo diesel, the three-tonne towing capacity and shift-on-the-fly AWD system remaining.

“With its impressive performance on and off roads, as well as its connectivity and active safety technology, Trailblazer has already proved itself a well-equipped performer and now with new black wheels and black styling features it can do it all with an even greater presence on the roads,” Poppitt said.

The Z71 is available in four colours: Summit White, Absolute Red, Satin Steel Grey and Mineral Black, with the latter two attract a $550 premium for prestige paint.