GMI Concept of the Month: Chevrolet Traverse

[BigAls87Z28]

GMI Concept of the Month: Chevrolet Traverse
By: BigAls87z28
www.gminsidenews.com

Welcome to the first edition of GMI's Concept of the Month. Every month, the staff will find a concept that has drawn our attention. From the prom queen to the ones that just fell out of memory, concept cars and trucks that we find cool or might have given way to future product that we enjoy today. This months concept is the Chevy Traverse.



The Traverse debuted at the Chicago International Auto Show in 2000. This concept car was built off the S10's platform as a more car-like midsized vehicle, a semi crossover well ahead of its time. It was powerd by an enlarged 4.3 V6 engine, to 4.5 and was placed in front of an AWD system. One of the first things I thought about when I first saw this car was the Malibu Maxx. The Maxx looks like the younger brother of this concept, with the large chrome bar across the face of the vehicle with both head lights located above the bar, the hatch back design, and overall shape and design of the vehicle. This car also had a built in Compaq laptop computer to which you could surf the internet. This concept also adressed the idea of having a more car-type SUV by giving it more liveable interior and powertrain. This concept could return to Chevy as a possible name for the replacement of the Trailblazer as the shift to the Lambda's are made. This concept really showed that GM had at least an idea about making an SUV that was more about suburban utility then hauling capacity. Chevy had the right idea coming up with the "family sedan of the future" as there is a shift twards more car-like crossovers increases every year.

[jbartley]

that reminds me alot of the Outlook & Acadia

[reefblue42]

That rear really never set well with me. Still doesn't. I know, I'm still walking...

[Copcarz]

Looks like the Equinox to me.

[Rumblebuffin]

Man, I remember this car! I loved its styling so much. I never realized the Malibu Maxx looked so similar.

[Uzzy]

Originally Posted by Rumblebuffin

Man, I remember this car! I loved its styling so much. I never realized the Malibu Maxx looked so similar.

Ya, the Malibu Maxx. Where are you guys getting the other cars?

[JazzyChef]

they're almost identicle

[Carguy]

I remember that its sad they never built it off that S10 "FULL FRAME"--"RWD BASED" platform.----I love that mid 50's Chevy dash!

[91 s-10baja]

I always liked the traverse, the styling, the name! It just wsa never implemented well, we got the nox, and maxx, both not class leaders, or styling achievments.

[91 s-10baja]

Oh, by the way, nice idea for a thread! Do we get to offer suggesstions? I suggest the Blazer XT,

[TuffG929]

Very Malibu Maxx.

[jbernie]

i see two things wrong with this vehicle very quickly, the wheels are too small for the body just like the Aztec and the rear styling. Just cant my finger on why though, maybe it looks too short, or the rear window angle is too steep...maybe a more traditional vertical rear window would have done better as it would allow the rear storage area to appear larger, even if you never use that space.

Otherwise this is the first time for me seeing it, it doesn't appear too bad, just the styling would turn me off no matter what options or pricing would have been offered.

[dhom]

Looks like a tall Malibu Maxx!

[paul3230]

So THAT'S where they got the idea for the front end!! No fckin' wonder..well, they didn't pull it off well in the production versions..

[Hunter]

the enlarged 4.3 liter six is interesting, as is the body on frame architecture. The MAXX styling is also different, as it takes cues from the front of the 2004 MaXX instead of the current one.