Chevrolet Traverse
Encyclopedia
The Chevrolet Traverse is a seven/eight seat full-size crossover SUV
built on the GM Lambda platform
that underpins the Buick Enclave
, GMC Acadia
and Saturn Outlook
. It is a successor to both the Uplander
minivan
and Trailblazer
SUV. The Traverse was built in Spring Hill, Tennessee
from its introduction until late 2009, when production was moved to the same Delta Township Assembly
plant in Lansing, Michigan
that produces the other Lambda-platform crossovers as a replacement for the Saturn Outlook
because of GM phasing out the Saturn brand. Shortly after the production shift to Lansing, the GM badges were removed from the front doors. However, Saturn Outlook production resumed for a short time during early 2010 at the same plant.
The 2009 Chevrolet Traverse debuted at the 2008 Chicago Auto Show
and arrived at dealerships in October 2008.
with VVT
and direct injection
. The other Lambda-based vehicles also have this powertrain in the 2009 model year. A 6-speed automatic transmission
gives power to the front or all wheels. The Traverse delivers 281 hp with the torque at 266ft. lbs. in the LS and LT models. The LTZ model, with dual exhaust, delivers 288 hp and the torque comes in at 270ft. lbs.
at the 2003 North American International Auto Show
in Detroit, but that concept gave way when the Chevrolet Equinox
launched for the 2005 model year. The production Traverse's design was inspired by the 2005 Chevrolet Sequel
concept, and has a chevron-shaped grille similar to the 2008 Chevrolet Malibu
. The Traverse has unique sheet metal different from the other Lambda crossovers, with the exception of the doors.
by GM in the NBC drama My Own Worst Enemy
, along with the new Chevrolet Camaro
; the show was cancelled in mid-November 2008. The vehicle also appears on the remake of Hawaii Five-O.
Crossover SUV
A crossover SUV is a vehicle built on a car platform and combining, in highly variable degrees, features of a sport utility vehicle with features from a passenger vehicle, especially those of a station wagon or hatchback.Using the unibody construction typical of passenger vehicles, the crossover...
built on the GM Lambda platform
GM Lambda platform
Lambda is General Motors' full-size crossover SUV automobile platform. It is largely derived from the GM Epsilon platform, which underlies the Chevrolet Malibu sedan and similar models....
that underpins the Buick Enclave
Buick Enclave
The Buick Enclave is a full-size crossover SUV launched in May 2007 as a 2008 model by the Buick division of General Motors. The Buick Enclave, GMC Acadia, Chevrolet Traverse, and Saturn Outlook all share the GM Lambda platform. The Enclave was previewed at the 2006 North American International...
, GMC Acadia
GMC Acadia
The GMC Acadia is a full-size crossover SUV from GM. The GMC Acadia, Chevrolet Traverse, Buick Enclave and Saturn Outlook share the new GM Lambda platform. The Acadia went on sale in the United States in December 2006, and in Canada in January, 2007...
and Saturn Outlook
Saturn Outlook
The Saturn Outlook is a crossover SUV that debuted at the New York International Auto Show, and is based on the new GM Lambda platform, which it shares with the Buick Enclave, Chevrolet Traverse and GMC Acadia...
. It is a successor to both the Uplander
Chevrolet Uplander
The Chevrolet Uplander is a minivan produced by the Chevrolet division of General Motors. It replaced the Venture and Astro. Although introduced for the 2005 model year, it overlapped with the final model years of the Venture and Astro. It was built on the same platform as the Saturn Relay, Buick...
minivan
Minivan
Minivan is a type of van designed for personal use. Minivans are typically either two-box or one box designs for maximum interior volume – and are taller than a sedan, hatchback, or a station wagon....
and Trailblazer
Chevrolet TrailBlazer
The Chevrolet TrailBlazer is a mid-size sport utility vehicle produced by the Chevrolet division of American automaker General Motors.On November 10th, 2011, General Motors officially revealed a second generation of the vehicle to be sold worldwide...
SUV. The Traverse was built in Spring Hill, Tennessee
Spring Hill, Tennessee
Spring Hill is a city in Maury and Williamson counties in the U.S. state of Tennessee, located approximately south of Nashville. The population was 7,715 at the 2000 census...
from its introduction until late 2009, when production was moved to the same Delta Township Assembly
Lansing Delta Township Assembly
Lansing Delta Township Assembly is a General Motors automobile assembly factory in Delta Township, Michigan on land that is shared by both the nearby city of Lansing, and the township. It manufactures Chevrolet, Buick, and GMC vehicles....
plant in Lansing, Michigan
Lansing, Michigan
Lansing is the capital of the U.S. state of Michigan. It is located mostly in Ingham County, although small portions of the city extend into Eaton County. The 2010 Census places the city's population at 114,297, making it the fifth largest city in Michigan...
that produces the other Lambda-platform crossovers as a replacement for the Saturn Outlook
Saturn Outlook
The Saturn Outlook is a crossover SUV that debuted at the New York International Auto Show, and is based on the new GM Lambda platform, which it shares with the Buick Enclave, Chevrolet Traverse and GMC Acadia...
because of GM phasing out the Saturn brand. Shortly after the production shift to Lansing, the GM badges were removed from the front doors. However, Saturn Outlook production resumed for a short time during early 2010 at the same plant.
The 2009 Chevrolet Traverse debuted at the 2008 Chicago Auto Show
Chicago Auto Show
The Chicago Auto Show is held annually in February at Chicago's McCormick Placeconvention complex. It is among the largest auto shows in North America....
and arrived at dealerships in October 2008.
Powertrain
The Chevrolet Traverse features the LLT engine, a 3564 cc double overhead cam V6V6 engine
A V6 engine is a V engine with six cylinders mounted on the crankcase in two banks of three cylinders, usually set at either a right angle or an acute angle to each other, with all six pistons driving a common crankshaft...
with VVT
Variable valve timing
In internal combustion engines, variable valve timing , also known as Variable valve actuation , is a generalized term used to describe any mechanism or method that can alter the shape or timing of a valve lift event within an internal combustion engine...
and direct injection
Gasoline direct injection
In internal combustion engines, gasoline direct injection , also known as petrol direct injection or direct petrol injection, is a variant of fuel injection employed in modern two-stroke and four-stroke gasoline engines...
. The other Lambda-based vehicles also have this powertrain in the 2009 model year. A 6-speed automatic transmission
Automatic transmission
An automatic transmission is one type of motor vehicle transmission that can automatically change gear ratios as the vehicle moves, freeing the driver from having to shift gears manually...
gives power to the front or all wheels. The Traverse delivers 281 hp with the torque at 266ft. lbs. in the LS and LT models. The LTZ model, with dual exhaust, delivers 288 hp and the torque comes in at 270ft. lbs.
Design
The Traverse name was originally used for a concept carConcept car
A concept vehicle or show vehicle is a car made to showcase new styling and or new technology. They are often shown at motor shows to gauge customer reaction to new and radical designs which may or may not have a chance of being produced....
at the 2003 North American International Auto Show
North American International Auto Show
The North American International Auto Show is an annual auto show held in Detroit, Michigan at Cobo Center, usually in January. It is among the largest auto shows in North America.-History:...
in Detroit, but that concept gave way when the Chevrolet Equinox
Chevrolet Equinox
The second generation Equinox was announced by GM on December 21, 2008, and debuted at the 2009 North American International Auto Show in Detroit. The 2010 Equinox went on sale in June 2009. It is built on a stiffened version of the same "Theta" platform used in the previous model. The new Equinox...
launched for the 2005 model year. The production Traverse's design was inspired by the 2005 Chevrolet Sequel
Chevrolet Sequel
The Chevrolet Sequel is a hybrid crossover SUV concept vehicle developed by General Motors and introduced at the 2005 North American International Auto Show....
concept, and has a chevron-shaped grille similar to the 2008 Chevrolet Malibu
Chevrolet Malibu
Malibus and all other Chevelles were completely restyled for 1968 with semi-fastback rooflines on two-door hardtops and wheelbases split to on two-door models and 118 for four-door sedans and station wagons. Engine offerings included a new V8 rated at that replaced the V8 that had served as the...
. The Traverse has unique sheet metal different from the other Lambda crossovers, with the exception of the doors.
Marketing
The Traverse was part of a product placementProduct placement
Product placement, or embedded marketing, is a form of advertisement, where branded goods or services are placed in a context usually devoid of ads, such as movies, music videos, the story line of television shows, or news programs. The product placement is often not disclosed at the time that the...
by GM in the NBC drama My Own Worst Enemy
My Own Worst Enemy (TV series)
My Own Worst Enemy is an American television drama that aired on NBC in 2008. It premiered on October 13 and ended on December 15 after 9 episodes. The series was produced by Universal Media Studios. Jason Smilovic was the executive producer; David Semel was the director and executive producer...
, along with the new Chevrolet Camaro
Chevrolet Camaro
The Chevrolet Camaro is an automobile manufactured by General Motors under the Chevrolet brand, classified as a pony car and some versions also as a muscle car. It went on sale on September 29, 1966, for the 1967 model year and was designed as a competing model to the Ford Mustang...
; the show was cancelled in mid-November 2008. The vehicle also appears on the remake of Hawaii Five-O.
Sales in the United States
| Year | Sales |
|---|---|
| 2008 | 9,456 |
| 2009 | 91,074 |
| 2010 | 106,744 |