DrivingToday Editor-in-Chief Jack Nerad recently sat down with Brett Dick, lead lead development engineer from GM on the new 2024 Blazer EV SUV. Here is a transcript of their discussion.
Jack
Welcome back to America on the Road. This is Jack Nerad with you and I’m really excited to talk to our next guest. Brett Dick is the lead development engineer on an exciting new vehicle, the Chevrolet Blazer EV. Brett, thanks for being with us. We appreciate you being with us on American the Road.
Brett
I appreciate you taking the time and thanks for having me.
Jack
This has got to be a really exciting project for you. I mean, this is a mainstream vehicle this is important vehicle for Chevrolet and for General Motors, just for the whole EV thing going forward. Tell us a bit about the program itself.
Brett
Obviously we’ve had some success in the past with the Blazer, but the only thing common with the current internal combustion Blazer is actually the name. This is a brand new, ground up vehicle based off the GM Ultium platform, so it makes it very flexible from a drive configuration standpoint. The wide range of options means it’s a model that would fit any person’s needs. And that’s one of the other things that make it extremely exciting. We have a model for everyone.
Jack
How big is this vehicle? What are some competitive vehicles that people can kind of size it up with and of course the current blazer is a good size comparison too, right?
Brett
Not to speak to the competitors, but I you know to be that the current ICE (Internal Combustion Engine) Blazer is a good is a good comparison. It’s a four inch longer wheelbase than some of the competitors just based off the Ultium. The Ultium platforms allowed us to make the track width a little bit wider and the vehicle a little bit longer, as well as lower to help the CG (enter of gravity) for some of our variants, including our very first SS Blazer EV.
Jack
Right, And this whole thing is exciting. We’ve characterized the Ultium platform as kind of an erector set. You have all these parts that you can either pull in or pull out, and one of the things we’ve talked about on the show already is the fact that the Blazer is going to be available as front drive, rear drive, or all-wheel drive which is unprecedented as far I know. Talk about the Ultium platform and what this has enabled you to do with the Blazer.
Brett
Well, you kind of you kind of mentioned it. The Ultium platform allows us to offer multiple configurations, and we actually are going to have three sizes: small, medium and large. Then you can you can get a different drivetrains: front wheel drive, rear-drive, all-wheel drive, and a performance all-wheel drive, which has all been enabled by the Ultium in the configurations you can put together, as well the styling and the CG to for the performance model. So it kind of comes all together around Ultium and it just ends up being a great package.
Jack
I was at the launch out of the Pacific Design Center in Los Angeles. It was an exciting event. And one of the things that struck me about this is the fact that you have this in various flavors. It’s not just one vehicle with one configuration. This is really like a Blazer where you have all kinds of different trim levels and up to the SS performance model which is just kind of mind blowing. Walk us through that a little bit.
Brett
Yes. We’re offering a 1LT, a 2LT, RS model. And you can get a 1LT which will come in front wheel drive. The 2LT is front wheel drive or an all-wheel drive. And then the RS has a front wheel drive, an all-wheel drive, or even a rear-wheel drive option. On the SS you can get a performance all-wheel drive option. So when you start talking about the different flavors and configurations and options, it really gives the customers anything they could want.
Jack
I want to dive into the SS performance model, but what I’m intrigued by is both front-wheel drive and rear-wheel drive RS. Tell me what the rationale is there.
Brett
Well, the Ultium kind of enables that for one thing, but it also fits what a customer may need. So if you live in a state where there is snow, you may want a front-wheel drive. If you live in the South and want something a little more performance driven, you may choose the rear-wheel drive. So again, it’s enabled by how the Ultium works and our drive train configurations, so it’s really exciting.
Jack
It really is exciting stuff. Let’s dive into the SS performance model. You kind of led with that in the unveiling and I can see why. It’s got tons of horsepower, and is a really exciting looking vehicle. Give us the kind of the short course on what the SS is all about.
Brett
The Ultium enables us to get an SS. You wouldn’t typically think of a Blazer SS, but the low CG and the structural rigidity of the Ultium kind of enables that. And we’re going to be having up to 557 horsepower 564 foot pounds of torque, a 293-mile range. You can get you can get summer tires or an all-season tire, or a sport-tuned suspension with 22 inch tires. It looks great. Plus a Brembo brake package for performance. And again, it’ll be tracked to suspension.
Jack
Talk about the 0 to 60 acceleration. That’s something that EVs do really well, but it’s got kind of mind blowing capabilities, doesn’t it?
Brett
Yes. We have what we call the ‘Wide Open Watts’ mode, where we’re estimating now will actually get under four seconds zero to 60 acceleration.
Jack
So what happens there you just throw more electricity and voltage at it. What happens in that kind of situation?
Brett
In that case, you have more current and torque to the motors.
Jack
They can only stand that for so long, right? It’s not something that you would do over a lengthy period of time. It’s kind of like a quick boost of nitrous or something like that.
Brett
Yes, similar, but you can actually enable that and leave that that that mode on, okay. But it does reduce your range because of because of current draw, but you can turn it on and off but it’ll stay on for your entire key cycle.
Jack
Right. It sounds really exciting. What do you think is going to be the high-volume version of the Blazer EV?
Brett
Yes. We’re looking at launching the 2LTs and the RS. The initial models, all the models will be available within the first year. Obviously, there’s going to be a launch cadence because they are a little bit different from building the plant. But right now, there were potentially planning on doing the 2LT and RS as the initial models.
Jack
And these are 2024 model year vehicles could launch in 2023. What’s your launch timing?
Brett
Yes, approximately. Vehicles will start to be available in the Summer of 23.
Jack
Got it. And you know certainly EVs are more expensive than the typical internal combustion engine vehicle of the same size. Do you have any kind of sense as to what the premium would be for this versus the the internal combustion engine Blazer, which in a lot of ways is a completely different vehicle, right?
Brett
We have the general pricing. Our 1LT is kind of standard so it’s not all the options but it is going to be $44,995, and that that is with delivery costs and that doesn’t include a tax rebate from the government. Because GM has been working on EVs for the past 10 years, the credits are used up. But that’s a very competitive price without that rebate. And then our 2LT goes up to $47,595, the RS is $51,995 and the SS is $65,995. So we believe these are very competitive prices and we think customers would be really happy.
Jack
I have driven a lot of the EVs. I’ve driven the Hyundai Ioniq 5, the Kia EV6, and that sounds like you’re very competitive with those vehicles. And I think probably with a lot more interior room and, you know, potentially more range depending on the model. What’s the range of range, the lowest range to the highest range?
Brett
Yes. We start with our 1LT, which is an estimated 247 miles on a full charge, and then we move up to the 2LT which is an estimated 293. And then you can get in RS up to 320 miles or four range and then the SS is estimated to be 290 miles on a full charge.
Jack
Cool, cool. Let’s talk about the value of the Ultium platform, essentially that roller skate that you put stuff on. Certainly, it strikes me that you probably have more usable interior space and a lower center of gravity. What are some of the other advantages of the platform?
Brett
We previously talked a little bit about it, but the flexibility for the driveline configurations and in the case of getting the rear drive, there’s no tunnel to the rear so you can get a full three passengers in the second row without any worry. It allows larger front spaciousness as well as larger passenger spaciousness, just because of that Ultium. It also pushes the wheels out a little bit little bit wider and a little bit longer. So we believe customers will be really happy with the spaciousness and the usefulness of the vehicle.
Jack
A long wheelbase for the class typically results in more interior space or more passenger room, so I imagine that’s what you’re going to deliver, among other things.
Brett
We’ve also we’ve also packaged around our large size battery, so there’s not a difference in the spaciousness, depending if you get the small, medium or large. It’s all been packaged around the larger battery.
Jack
And that battery pack is very low in the vehicle, essentially under the floorboards?
Brett
It’s under the floor and it helps with the lower CG and is also makes the vehicle very structurally sound. So when you ride in the vehicle, it just feels good.
Jack
What kind of performance would a mid-level of high volume, you know, 2LT or an RS offer consumers?
Brett
We’re still working on those numbers. So I don’t think we’re ready to release that right now. We’re in the process. We’ve got vehicles running around doing work and testing and all those kinds of things.
Jack
I imagine these are pretty quick vehicles. You don’t have to quote a zero to 60 number to know that the car has immediate torque and a lot of horsepower. That results in some pretty quick times.
Brett
Yes, the vehicles are quick and they feel like being on a roller coaster. If you’ve ever been on a roller coaster that launches you and you get thrown back in your seat, that’s what it feels like. And the torque is there for the entire launch versus an internal combustion engine where it’s a little slower. So it feels quick, regardless of what model you’re driving and these EVs they are quick and fast.
Jack
What do you think is a cool feature that we haven’t talked about, something you’re excited about?
Brett
Personally, I really like the interior design in the cockpit layout. We’ve got a 17-inch screen and an 11-inch information cluster and it kind of wraps around the driver, so it’s driver-centric. And I think that’s cool because I like to sit a little further back in a seat, and in a lot of vehicles I have to lean forward to change a radio station. Everything is in reach and you don’t have to take your eye off the road. With that cockpit, we’ve incorporated a lot by listening to customers. We have a lot of virtual buttons, but we also have a lot of actual physical buttons for HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning) and other things. And I know that it’s not really exciting, but it’s really helpful. I really enjoy that when you get in the car, everything is with reach. It’s just that you feel really comfortable driving it, which I think is great.
Jack
That sounds great. I’m a big proponent of real buttons for some things and just making it simple for people to access the controls that they’re going to use a lot while they’re driving. I think that makes all the sense in the world. Well, I wish we had a lot more time to talk about this, but I’m excited about the Blazer. E., I really look forward to driving it. I look forward to testing it for North American Car, Truck and Utility of the Year when that becomes available. So Brett Dick of Chevrolet, thanks so much for talking with us. We appreciate it. I appreciate you taking the time. Thank you.
