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Crossover vehicles, named after crossing of the line between car and sport utility vehicle, were around 10 years old. By using the same kind of unity of the body such as the construction of a car, SUV crossover are generally lighter and more fuel efficient than the traditional truck-based SUVs that use a heavy body-on-frame of design.

Before 2007, crosses were small and medium-sized vehicles. But GM has revolutionized the design when it introduced the vehicles crossing near the size of a Chevy Tahoe: The 2007 GMC Acadia and Saturn Outlook followed a few months later by the 2008 Buick Enclave. All three are based on a platform of Lambda GM. Curiously, Chevrolet did not get a Lambda liaison. That is, until now.

Chevrolet introduced the 2009 Traverse on 2008 Chicago Auto Show in February. The Traverse Chevy is the latest Lambda-based crossover, and it comes with V6 engine and accommodate up to eight passengers.

The Chevrolet Traverse early fall 2008. It will be proposed at the front or all-wheel drive. The single-engine high GM will feature 3.6 liter dual overhead cam V6 with variable valve timing, direct injection, and single or dual exhaust. The only version exhaust produce 281 horsepower and 253 lb.-ft. of torque, while the double exhaust version will be slightly more powerful at 286 horsepower and 255 lb.-ft. of torque. Both versions will be mated to a six-speed automatic transmission.

The major indexes Traverse takes styling of the new and highly successful Chevrolet Malibu. A front are similar, and the interior has a dual cockpit used in the design of Malibu.

Like its stablemates Lambda, the Traverse will have independent front and rear suspension and seating for up to eight passengers. Standard seats will be eight, with two front bucket seats, three passenger 60/40 split folding seat in the second row and one of the three passenger 60/40 split folding third-row seat. Available second-row captain’s chairs allow seven passenger seats. The second and third rows of seats fold flat to open up 117.9 cubic feet of cargo volume, and the second row will be a Smart Slide feature to allow easy access to the third row.

The range 2009 Chevrolet Traverse include LS, LT and LTZ models. The LTZ will come standard with 20-inch polished aluminum wheels. With OnStar Turn by Turn Navigation will be standard. Available features include a panoramic sunroof, rear parking assist, a rearview camera, a power liftgate, rear DVD entertainment, navigation system with XM Satellite Radio traffic in real time, a hands-free Bluetooth cell phone link, and heated and cooled front seats.

Standard safety features include dual-stage front airbags, front side airbags, curtain side airbags for all three rows of seats, monitor tire pressure, antilock brakes, traction control system and GM’s StabiliTrak electronic stability control rollover with mitigation.