Chevrolet Traverse Concept

What is it?
Chevrolet Traverse Concept

What's special about it?
Kind of a cross between a sedan and a truck, Chevy's Traverse concept goes well beyond the staid station wagon or mere minivan. While sedan drivers want the ability to carry five people in style with power and agility, truck buyers look for things like utility, command-view seating, all-wheel drive and towing capacity. Traverse delivers on all counts. The rear seats travel a full 9 inches fore and aft for limo-like legroom, or simply fold down for a flat load floor to allow hauling 4-by-8 foot sheets of building material. GM's easy-access "Smartback" system combines the functions of a hatchback and tailgate, making different loading and unloading chores easy thanks to its simple clamshell design. In the cabin, Chevy's traditional twin-cockpit dash layout is a modern interpretation of the classic 1955-57 Chevy, while push-bar-type rails along the doors eliminate the need for release handles. Cupholders and ingenious storage cubbies abound. It's even equipped with a computer linked to the Internet to let you check out weather online, stock reports or your favorite Web site, Edmunds.com. Power comes from a 4.5-liter V6 that makes 255 horses, and it all rides on an independent front and coil/leaf spring rear suspension. In other words, instead of building a car-based truck, Chevy has turned a truck into a car, and has given it a style and a look all its own to boot.

Why should you care?
The Chevrolet Transverse is GM's attempt to reinvent the American family sedan. It also hints at a new house styling theme for Chevrolet: Spirited Functionality. We think this car/truck is an idea whose time has come. The fact that it came from General Motors speaks well for the auto giant once known for being too big to be fast to market with fresh ideas.