Instead of today’s mainstream crossover, the Chevrolet Blazer could have evolved into a short-wheelbase monster powered by a 6.0-liter V8.
If we’re being honest, we miss the old Blazer. The classic Chevrolet K5 Blazer left behind some great memories, and many enthusiasts would love to see it return — even though General Motors has repeatedly dismissed the idea in recent years.
But around the turn of the millennium, the company had a very different mindset. In fact, it went so far as to develop a K5 concept based on the Chevrolet Tahoe GMT800 platform — a project that, unfortunately, never made it to production.
The Chevrolet K5 Blazer concept was exactly what fans would have hoped for, though it was never shown with a removable hardtop. Instead, the burgundy semi-convertible debuted at the 2001 Detroit Auto Show with a body that could be covered by a folding soft top behind the second row of seats. It featured two doors on each side, with rear-hinged back doors for easier access.
Built on a 111.8-inch wheelbase, the concept was roughly comparable in size to today’s two-door Ford Bronco. And because it was a concept, Chevrolet went big under the hood: a 6.0-liter V8 producing 440 horsepower and 332 lb-ft of torque. That’s arguably the most important part of the story. As impressive as modern turbocharged engines may be, many enthusiasts still crave a short-wheelbase, four-wheel-drive SUV with a naturally aspirated V8.
While no official digital renderings have survived, several old photographs give a sense of what it looked like. The folding second row created extra cargo space, and the swing-out rear door was borrowed from the Chevrolet Silverado pickup.
If such a K5 were introduced today, it would likely feature side steps and a tubular roll cage. But because it was built more than two decades ago, the design was comparatively restrained — perhaps for the better.
In the end, the one and only concept was sold at auction in Scottsdale in 2009 and entered private ownership. There’s no public record of it changing hands since. Wherever it is now, its owner is one lucky enthusiast — quite possibly sitting behind the wheel of one of the coolest SUVs of the early 2000s.