Spy Shots: Chevy's Lambda-based CUV, the 2009 Traverse
by John Neff on Aug 14th 2007 at 2:44PM 
click image above for high-res gallery
While the name Traverse is not set in stone, the arrival of a Lambda-based CUV for Chevy is. Joining the Saturn Outlook, GMC Acadia and Buick Enclave will be this model caught for the first time on the Las Vegas strip, of all places. Condenamed the GMT 561, the Traverse is on a fast track to production and will likely be built at GM's Springhill, Tennessee plant starting in August of 2008, which means it should be labeled as a 2009 model. Chances are we'll see its first public debut at either the Detroit Auto Show in January or Chicago show in February.
While it's hard to tell based on the spy shots, the front end will likely carry styling cues over from the new Chevy Malibu, which is fine with us. The only real question is whether or not the Traverse will grow Lambda sales, or merely cannibalize them from its siblings. We expect it would be the value leader among the group, slotting below the Outlook in price and equipment. Does the Traverse make for one too many full-size CUVs in GM's stable? Perhaps, but at least the "new GM" is badge engineering vehicles that are good to begin with, spreading the wealth around its brands rather than saddling them with poorly made copies of below average vehicles.
[Photos: Brenda Priddy & Co.]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
Viral 5:34PM (2/04/2008)
To all those that keep asking "why another Lambda?" I think it's clear. The Lambdas are one of the best designed platforms to ever come out of GM. According to Lutz himself, from an engineering standpoint, they have never built a better vehicle. Period. It seats 7-8 adult sized passengers, has unmatched 3rd row access and comfort, enormous amounts of cargo space AND class leading fuel economy on top of all that. Not to mention, they are beautiful! When's the last time you could apply that label to anything meant to compete with minivans?
And according to http://www.traverseforum.com all 2009 model Lambdas, including the Traverse, will get a variant of the CTS's 304HP 3.6L Direct Injection V6 as the standard engine.
With CAFE standards going up sharply over the next few years, it was imperative that GM did something to replace many of their mid line gas hogs (GMC Envoy, Chevy Trailblazer & Uplander, the Buick SUVs, etc) with something that was well crafted, well received AND improved fuel economy.
If you haven't test driven an Acadia, Outlook or Enclave yet, you have NO idea how far GM has come with this paltform. It's simply incredible.
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Dustin Tarditi 2:54PM (8/14/2007)
Shoddy interior = guaranteed
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Rambo 3:42PM (8/14/2007)
Value= guaranteed
Reliability= guaranteed
YUPPIES WHO ONLY DRIVE IMPORTS TAKING CHEAP SHOTS= guaranteed
Bob Sruncle 1:16PM (1/18/2008)
Rambo:
Brand Loyalty with no thought to reality = Guaranteed
Matt 9:48PM (1/18/2008)
Blindly biased comments when you probably haven't set foot or torso in a GM in ten years = gauranteed.
TriShield 2:58PM (8/14/2007)
It will have a nice interior, just like the rest of it's siblings.
I wish they had stuck with the name Nomad though.
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Cajun_Mike 3:02PM (8/14/2007)
where will this vehicle rate in the GM hierarchy? If it's beneath the Saturn, then I can assure that the interior will be about as sparse as it gets.
Chalk up another bastardization of a product across American lines. Four vehicles off the same platform is ridiculous.
Doogs 4:01PM (8/14/2007)
"Four vehicles off the same platform is ridiculous."
Honda Pilot, Odyssey, Ridgeline, Acura MDX
Toyota Camry, Highlander, Lexus ES, Lexus RX
Nissan 350Z, Infiniti G35, Infiniti G37, Infiniti M, Infiniti RX...
BIG HUGE difference between platform sharing and badge engineering...and GM seems to be doing a better job with its Lamdas than it has in the past (though the Outlook and Acadia are too close for comfort, IMO).
Nellydesign 4:34PM (8/14/2007)
As much as i hate to admit it, the platform sharing vehicles listed for some of the other companies are much better handled than the GM Lambdas, mainly because if you didnt tell anyone, they wouldn't know. The Lambdas are a step up from the headlight/grill changes of the past, in that they all get different sheetmetal, but they still are essentially the same vehicles with the same features filling the same place in the market. The same cannot be said of those Hondas products. Each is a thoroughly unique (if not entirely stimulating) vehicle.
That being said I would still buy a Lambda over a Honda, but 4 vehicles that are essentially the same is pretty ridiculous. Why does every brand have to have it's own version??
TriShield 3:00PM (8/14/2007)
This vehicle is also replacing the Trailblazer and Uplander minivan at Chevrolet.
Chevrolet makes up over 60% of GM's total sales so it only makes sense that the brand and dealer network would get this vehicle to sell. Yes it will overlap with it's siblings, but it will also give budget and Chevrolet shoppers an alternative to foreign vehicles.
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Josh 3:13PM (8/14/2007)
ITS THE CHEVY ENCLAVE! hahahah
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joekawasaki2000 10:55AM (8/15/2007)
Why?
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500 3:10PM (8/14/2007)
Hmmm, looks like no sliding doors as had been rumored. Might have differentiated it from its siblings and captured more former minivan customers.
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Typesbad 3:14PM (8/14/2007)
With three versions out there already, its hard to see what Chevrolet will bring to the party. Of course that's not the point. Chevy, and most importantly, Chevy dealers need this vehicle and that's that.
The HHR has a fairly decent interior, and this will be positioned above that, so there is hope. It probably won't be that far off from the Outlook in general quality.
Nomad is a great name, but it definitely belongs on a smaller vehicle. Based on at least one definition of the word, "Traverse" isn't a bad name, but it just sounds odd to me. The words "reverse" or "perverse" keep coming up in my mind.
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Bob-omb 3:15PM (8/14/2007)
Having Buick, Pontiac, and Saturn versions of the Uplander was ridiculous. But that was mostly because it was the Uplander. I think Chevy should definitely get its own model, especially because of the favorable reviews its siblings are getting and how much better of a car it is than the Edge. But I think the GMC one should disappear soon after the Chevy comes out. I'm not sure why they even made a GMC in the first place.
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iQuack 3:21PM (8/14/2007)
Well, the Enclave and its siblings are probably GM's best SUVs, so if GM is dumping minivans and reducing its other SUV offerings, any net reduction in redundant vehicles will be a good thing.
Let's hope the Chevy Traverse doesn't look too much like the Enclave because badge engineering demeans all of those affected IMO.
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chevyyo 3:33PM (8/14/2007)
Still way too many brands in there... imagine only marketing two brand vehicles instead of 4. Your $$ could go so much farther GM...
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Dave 3:36PM (8/14/2007)
How long til we see a Saab version?
And a Hummer version?
And a Caddy version to replace the SRX?
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ed 3:40PM (8/14/2007)
The Chevy Tranny lol.
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Dustin Tarditi 3:51PM (8/14/2007)
We'll see how the resale valuation holds up... proof will be in the pudding.