Chevrolet Traverse

Chevrolet Traverse
Overview
Manufacturer Chevrolet (General Motors)
Also called GMC Acadia
Production 2008–present
Model years 2009–present
Assembly Spring Hill, Tennessee, United States (2008–2009);
Lansing Delta Township Assembly,
Delta Township, Michigan, United States (2010–present)
Body and chassis
Class Full-size crossover SUV
Body style 4-door SUV
Layout Transverse front-engine, front-wheel drive / all-wheel drive
Platform GM Lambda platform/GMT561 (Series GMT960)
Related GMC Acadia
Buick Enclave
Saturn Outlook
Powertrain
Engine 3.6 L LLT  V6
Transmission 6-speed 6T75 automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase 118.9 in (3,020 mm)
Length 2009-2012: 205.0 in (5,207 mm)
2013-: 203.7 in (5174 mm)
Width 78.4 in (1,991 mm)
Height 2009: 69.7 in (1,770 mm)
2010–12: 70.4 in (1,788 mm)
2013-: 72.8 in (1849 mm)
Curb weight 2136 kg (4700 Lbs)
Chronology
Predecessor Chevrolet Uplander
Chevrolet Astro (passenger van)
Chevrolet TrailBlazer EXT
Chevrolet Blazer (South America)

The Chevrolet Traverse is a seven or eight seat, full-size crossover SUV built on the GM Lambda platform that underpins the GMC Acadia and Buick Enclave. It is a successor to both the Chevrolet Uplander and TrailBlazer. 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. 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 every dealer in October 2008.

Powertrain

The Chevrolet Traverse features the LLT engine, a 3,564 cc (3.564 L; 217.5 cu in) DOHC V6 with VVT and direct injection.[1] 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.[2] The Traverse delivers 281 hp (210 kW) with the torque at 266 lb·ft. in the LS and LT models. The LTZ model, with dual exhaust, delivers 288 hp (215 kW) and the torque comes in at 270 lb·ft.

YearExhaustEnginePowerTorqueTransmission
2009–Single3.6 L LLT V6281 hp (210 kW)266 lb·ft (361 N·m)6-speed 6T75
2009–Dual3.6 L LLT V6288 hp (215 kW)270 lb·ft (366 N·m)

Design

The Traverse name was originally used for a concept car 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.

Marketing

The Traverse was part of a product placement 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-0 and The Mentalist.

Updates and facelifts

2010

On the LT models, the early 2010 update caused the Traverse to lose the "TRAVERSE" badges on the front doors. Shortly after the production shift to Lansing, the GM badges were removed from the front doors,[3] particularly for the 2010.5 model year run. Like the Chevrolet Impala, the 2010 model year of the Traverse made it one of the few Chevrolet vehicles to have been updated twice.

2013 Facelift

2013 facelift

A smiling facelift of the Chevrolet Traverse was unveiled at the 2012 New York Auto Show. The 2013 Traverse receives a new grill and front fascia, a redesigned rear liftgate, and reworked Camaro-inspired tail lights, and the transmission has been reworked for improved shift quality and timing. Pictures were released by GM on March 28, 2012. Chevrolet's new color touch-screen and MyLink radios are standard, as well as wood interior trim. Both cloth and leather seating surfaces will be available, depending on the model. Cloth is standard on the LS and 1LT models, and leather is standard on the LTZ. Both are available on the 2LT model. Some new wheels will be available, and models will continue to be offered in both front wheel drive and all wheel drive versions, ranging from the base LS to the top-of-the-line LTZ. Base price for the 2013 Traverse LS is at $30,510. A Bose audio system will be standard on 2LT and LTZ models.[4][5]

2014

While there were no cosmetic changes made for the 2014 model year, Chevrolet did add new features to the Traverse: Forward Collision Alert and Lane Departure Warning. Also, the audio system feature was updated, with a dual charge USB port now located at the rear of the center console.[6]

2015

No cosmetic changes. Only two new features, a revised 18-inch wheel appearance and Siri Eyes Free, were added. Siren Red Tintcoat, Sable Metallic, and Blue Velvet Metallic became available as exterior colors, while Ebony/Saddle Up became available as an interior color option.[7]

2016

The 2016 Traverse received minor changes. The trim level were reduced to LS, LT1, LT2, and LTZ. New features include OnStar 4G LTE connectivity with Wi-Fi hotspot, Iridescent Pearl and Mosaic Black Metallic as color palettes, Leather and Driver Confidence Packages for the LT trims, and 20-inch aluminum wheel designs, painted and machined finishes.

Safety

2016 Chevrolet Traverse on NHTSA[8]
Overall:
Frontal Driver:
Frontal Passenger:
Side Driver:
Side Passenger:
Side Pole Driver:
Rollover AWD: 15.5%
2015 Chevrolet Traverse on IIHS:[9]
Category Rating
Moderate overlap frontal offset Good
Small overlap frontal offset Not tested1
Side impact Good
Roof strength Good2
1 vehicle structure rated "Good"
2 strength-to-weight ratio: 4.00

Future

On July 20, 2015, Chevrolet confirmed plans to expand its SUV lineup, which would see the second generation Traverse upgrade to full-size Crossover SUV status for the 2017 model year. It would also be the only large Crossover SUV to be exclusive to the Chevrolet lineup (and will continue to share the same platform as the Buick Enclave) as its cousin GMC Acadia will be shortened to mid-size status when Chevrolet introduces the new entry in 2016. With this move, the future Traverse will be able to compete with the Ford Explorer and Flex, Nissan Pathfinder, and Hyundai Santa Fe LWB. The move also reduces the Equinox to Small size and the Trax to City size platforms.[10]

Sales in the United States

Year Sales
2008 9,456[11]
2009[12] 91,074
2010[13] 106,744
2011[14] 107,131
2012 85,606
2013 96,467[15]
2014 103,943
2015[16] 119,945

References

  1. "2009 Chevrolet Traverse" (Press release). GM. 2008-06-09. Retrieved 2009-10-16.
  2. "2009 Chevrolet Traverse, with Enhanced Powertrain, Delivers Efficient, Responsive and Safe Driving Experience" (Press release). GM. February 6, 2008.
  3. "GM to drop corporate logo from vehicles – Detroit News". The Detroit News. Retrieved 2010-09-30.
  4. "2013 Chevrolet Traverse at the 2012 New York Auto Show - KickingTires". Blogs.cars.com. Retrieved 2012-04-09.
  5. John Neff RSS feed. "2013 Chevy Traverse debuts with new face, minor tweaks". Autoblog.com. Retrieved 2012-04-09.
  6. "2014 Chevrolet Traverse Gets One New Feature: RPO Central" from GM Authority (June 18, 2013)
  7. 2015 Chevrolet Traverse from GM Media (Posted August 2014)
  8. "2016 Chevrolet Traverse SUV AWD". National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Retrieved 30 September 2015.
  9. "2015 Chevrolet Traverse Large SUV / 2008 GMC Acadia SLE 4-door 4wd". IIHS. Retrieved 30 September 2015.
  10. "Chevrolet Clears Space For A New Crossover" from Automotive News (July 20, 2015)
  11. "GM Reports 221,983 Deliveries in December; 2,980,688 Vehicles Sold in 2008" (Press release). GM. 2009-01-05. Retrieved 2009-10-16.
  12. http://media.gm.com/content/Pages/news/us/en/2010/Jan/0105_Dec_Sales/_jcr_content/iconrow/textfile/file.res/Deliveries%20December%2009.xls
  13. "December 2010 Sales: General Motors - Cheers & Gears Forums". Cheersandgears.com. Retrieved 2011-01-04.
  14. http://investor.gm.com/sales-production/docs/sales_prod/11_12/DeliveriesDecember2011.pdf
  15. "GM U.S. Deliveries for December 2013" (PDF). General Motors. 2014-01-03. Retrieved 2014-01-13.
  16. http://media.gm.com/dld/content/Pages/news/us/en/2016/Jan/0105-gmsales/_jcr_content/rightpar/sectioncontainer_0/par/download_0/file.res/GM-Deliveries-December-2015.pdf

External links

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