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The 2009 Chevrolet
Traverse delivers a robust and satisfying
combination of power, efficiency, ride and safety.
The driving experience is supported by a
sophisticated, 3.6L DOHC V-6 that features variable
valve timing and gasoline direct-injection
technology. It is designed to provide excellent
power and efficiency that translates to usable,
power-on-demand performance and what is expected to
be the best highway fuel economy in the segment.
The engine is backed by a fuel-saving six-speed
automatic transmission that channels power to a
responsive, four-wheel independent suspension.
"Traverse delivers a win-win for customers: It is
expected to have the best fuel economy in the
segment, along with the most power," said Ed Peper,
Chevrolet general manager. "With its great looks and
excellent driving characteristics, it's a vehicle
that customers will love to drive."
Great power and fuel economy
The 3.6L engine's direct-injection technology helps
produce power similar to many V-8 engines and uses
regular unleaded gasoline. The Chevrolet Traverse is
rated at an estimated 286 horsepower (213 kW) and
255 lb.-ft. of torque (345 Nm) with dual exhaust
(281 hp/210 kW and 253 lb.-ft./343 Nm with single
exhaust) - but delivers better-than-expected fuel
economy. Ninety percent of the engine's peak torque
is available from approximately 2,500 rpm to more
than 6,000 rpm.
With direct injection, fuel is sprayed directly into
the engine cylinder, where it is mixed with air. As
the fuel vaporizes in the cylinder, the air and fuel
mixture is cooled. This enables the use of a higher
compression ratio in the combustion chamber, which
improves engine performance and efficiency. Less
fuel is required to produce the equivalent
horsepower - particularly at normal cruising speeds
- of a conventional, port-injection system. Also,
the use of unique pistons with the direct-injection
system helps reduce cold-start emissions by 25
percent.
Advanced, high-pressure fuel injectors are used to
reduce noise and comprise only one of numerous
underhood features designed to minimize or eliminate
noise, vibration and harshness. Other elements
include an acoustically tuned engine cover and
intake manifold and center-feed fuel lines. Also, a
new engine mount system reduces vibration at idle.
The 3.6L engine is mated to the Hydra-Matic 6T75
six-speed automatic transmission, an advanced
transmission with clutch-to-clutch shift operation
for front- and all-wheel-drive vehicles. The
transmission's six-gear configuration allows for a
"steep" 4.48:1 first gear, which helps deliver
exceptional launch feel, and a 0.74:1 overdrive
sixth gear - the "tall" overdrive gear lowers rpm at
high speeds, reducing noise and vibration. Also, the
6T75 offers automatic grade braking, shift
stabilization and precise shift control.
The available intelligent all-wheel-drive (AWD)
system provides increased traction on slippery roads
by actively managing the torque distribution between
the front and rear axles, based on factors such as
wheel speed, throttle and surface conditions. There
is no driver intervention; the system automatically
decides how much torque to apply and delivers it to
the wheels that have the best traction.
Robust chassis, responsive suspension
Chevrolet Traverse rides on a long 118.9-inch (3,019
mm) wheelbase, with a wide 67.8-inch (1,721 mm)
front track and 67.4-inch (1,712 mm) rear track - a
combination that lowers the center of gravity and
enables smooth, stable ride and handling. Sharp
reflexes are also supported by independent front and
rear suspensions. The front suspension features a
MacPherson strut design, with a direct-acting
stabilizer bar and aluminum knuckles. Isolated
mounting points help reduce noise and vibration.
The rear suspension uses a compact, state-of-the-art
linked "H" design, which uses an isolated mounting
system to reduce noise and vibration transmitted to
the passenger compartment. This design enables the
handling prowess that comes with an independent
suspension, but with minimal floor pan intrusion - a
feature that helps the Traverse offer generous
passenger and cargo space.
Power-assisted rack-and-pinion steering is standard,
with variable-effort steering available. The
suspension and steering systems meet the road via
17-, 18- or 20-inch wheels, depending on the model,
while four-wheel disc brakes with ABS are standard
on all models.
Additional standard electronic braking features
include Dynamic Rear Proportioning (DRP), Hydraulic
Brake Boost (HBB) and Panic Brake Assist (PBA). DRP
optimizes front to rear brake balance by dynamically
adjusting the rear brake bias based on driving
conditions and vehicle loading. HBB amplifies the
hydraulic brake force to assist the driver under low
or temporarily low engine vacuum conditions to
reduce stopping distance. PBA optimizes stopping by
adding or maintaining brake pressure even if the
driver unconsciously or involuntarily backs off
braking during a panic or emergency situation.
Also standard are several features that enhance ride
and handling, as well as safety:
StabiliTrak electronic stability control system with
rollover mitigation technology
Traction control system
Tire pressure monitoring system
Comprehensive safety
The Chevrolet Traverse has 360-degree safety system
that helps protect passengers before, during and
after a crash, including new anchor pretensioners
for outboard occupants and pelvic-thorax
seat-mounted side air bags.
A strong structure is the foundation, and it is
augmented by a wide stance and low center of gravity
that reduce the likelihood of a rollover. Traverse's
responsive four-wheel independent suspension also
enhances safety by providing stable ride and
handling characteristics.
The Traverse's structure is reinforced in numerous
areas with high-strength steel, including a stiff
steel cross-car beam welded across the floor between
the B-pillars. It also uses dual-phase steel in
select areas, such as the lower engine compartment
rails. Dual-phase steel is strengthened in the paint
oven and offers easier formability, reduced mass,
greater strength and better crash energy absorption
than most high-strength steels.
2009 Chevrolet Traverse is equipped with six
standard air bags: two dual-stage frontal air bags,
for the driver and front passenger, two seat-mounted
pelvic-thorax side-impact air bags in the first row,
which provide improved occupant coverage when
compared against previous thorax side air bags, and
two head curtain side-impact air bags that cover all
three seating rows. The head curtain side air bags
are among the longest air bags in any production
vehicle.
Complementing the air bags is GM's rollover sensing
system, which can pre-emptively activate the
side-impact air bags if sensors determine a rollover
is imminent. In the event of a rollover, the air
bags stay inflated longer to provide increased
occupant containment. Dual front-seat safety belt
pretensioners (anchor and retractor) also are part
of the Traverse's standard safety equipment.
The Chevrolet Traverse comes standard with OnStar
Generation 7 (with a one-year Directions &
Connections plan), which features Turn by Turn
Navigation and the Advanced Automatic Crash
Notification system. If the crash activates an air
bag, the OnStar system automatically notifies an
OnStar advisor, who immediately calls the vehicle
and/or summons emergency help.
Also, on vehicles equipped with the available
navigation system, the OnStar package includes
OnStar Direction Download. With it, the customer can
call OnStar with an address and the advisor will
send the information directly to the navigation
system, proving quick, hands-free guidance. |
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