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2009 Chevy Traverse (Lambda) spy shots

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Old Aug 15, 2007 | 11:37 AM
  #16  
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Chevy needs a product like this. Of course so does Saab and Cadillac (once the SRX goes out of production). While technically not "rebadges", GM is still going to end up with six CUVs that are all exactly the same size.
Old Aug 15, 2007 | 12:56 PM
  #17  
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Originally Posted by dream '94 Z28
I'll be very interested to see how Chevy's "global face" is incorporated onto a Lambda.
i'm sure it'll look great, cause it looks great on everything else i've seen it on.. .. the 2008 Malibu is a very nice looking car
Old Aug 15, 2007 | 01:00 PM
  #18  
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Originally Posted by Eric77TA
So Chris, from what you could tell is the sheetmetal the real thing? I mean as far as using the Enclave's rear glass?
Good question...

The short answer is; I couldn't say for sure.

It's certainly possible for them to stick on sheetmetal from the other lambdas, but, it seems like it might be a little late in the development schedule for that. We're talking about a car that starts down the production line in 12 months. At this point, they need to be racking up miles on the real thing, not something cobbled together.

Also keep in mind it's possible that its just been camouflaged to look like the Enclave. That said, it sure looks a lot like the Enclave prototypes from the rear.
Old Aug 15, 2007 | 01:00 PM
  #19  
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Originally Posted by DriveV8Faster
That picture makes me think of the Aztec.
Agreed...
Old Aug 15, 2007 | 01:40 PM
  #20  
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Originally Posted by Chris_Doane
Good question...

The short answer is; I couldn't say for sure.

It's certainly possible for them to stick on sheetmetal from the other lambdas, but, it seems like it might be a little late in the development schedule for that. We're talking about a car that starts down the production line in 12 months. At this point, they need to be racking up miles on the real thing, not something cobbled together.

Also keep in mind it's possible that its just been camouflaged to look like the Enclave. That said, it sure looks a lot like the Enclave prototypes from the rear.
Thanks, Chris. Makes sense. I guess it could go either way.
Old Aug 15, 2007 | 02:34 PM
  #21  
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Originally Posted by Sholt_c33
"Some facts...(From Admin @ Gm Inside News)

The only sheetmetal shared between the Traverse and other Lambda's are the doors. The rear, front, and all quarter panels are unique. The interior is also 100% unique.

It will not be priced to compete in the same market as the Acadia. The Traverse will be much lower in price. As for the Outlook...people that consider buying a Saturn do not consider a Chevrolet. Until the "GM stigma" is gone, there will be some overlap in the GM corporate fleet.

It's being built in Spring Hill and will launch with the 3.6L SIDI engine (last I had heard).

No one call this a rebadge. Its not. It mechanically shares things with other products, however a rebadge is something that nearly 90% of the sheetmetal is shared...that is not the case here. You want 100% unique in every product? Go to BMW.

Part of the reason GM is giving Chevrolet a Lambda is simply because of economies of scale. Lambda is WAY over-budget." End Quote
If Lambda is so over-budget why are they spending even more money on it to redesign everything but the doors for the Chevy version? But then again, the other 3 have some unique styling features to try to set them apart from each other. I'm going to have to call this one a disguised re-badge. After all, it's the same platform, mechanicals, & price (when compared to the Saturn). It'll probably just cannabalize sales from the other 3.
Old Aug 15, 2007 | 02:48 PM
  #22  
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Originally Posted by Maximum Bob
If Lambda is so over-budget why are they spending even more money on it to redesign everything but the doors for the Chevy version? But then again, the other 3 have some unique styling features to try to set them apart from each other. I'm going to have to call this one a disguised re-badge. After all, it's the same platform, mechanicals, & price (when compared to the Saturn). It'll probably just cannabalize sales from the other 3.
Unique sheetmetal at the 4 corners, unique front and rear ends, plus unique interiors != rebadge, IMO.

That's about the same level of difference between a TB and an Envoy, and I don't call them rebadges, either (and of those two I'd take the Envoy in a heartbeat, unless we are including the TBSS)...

Old Aug 15, 2007 | 03:36 PM
  #23  
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agreed, rebadging and platform sharing are not the same thing

is the Charger a rebadge of a 300?

is the Lexus ES a rebadge of a Camry?
Old Aug 16, 2007 | 05:06 AM
  #24  
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Not meaning to re-open old wounds, but when some people suggested that a certain car could be brought back on the same platform as a certain forthcoming other car with the same kind of sheetmetal changes as is currently being defended here, they were subjected to an extreme beat-down! The hew & cry was that it wouldn't make them different enough to not compete with each other! So, frankly, I'm confused. And before you bring up market size, I'm of the opinion that if the 1st car is any good, then it will sell in the same #'s as it's competitors & therefore wouldn't be de-stabilized by the introduction of a stablemate. After all, it's working for Solstice & Sky, & they are most definately niche vehicles. And in the case of these new generation vehicles, isn't 1 of their main selling points the ability to build 1/2 a dozen different vehicles off the same platform? So that way the success or failure of the platform doesn't hinge on 1 vehicle? Now having said all that, I'm willing to take a wait & see position. But, if the 1st car is a success, then I would definately be expecting to see some action on the other 1! Sorry for the rant. I'm just needing to vent. I probably need to go to sleep now.
Old Aug 16, 2007 | 11:04 AM
  #25  
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Chevrolet is allowed to steal platforms for no good reason other than they sell the most cars and some people think they need a vehicle in every conceivable segment.

Pontiac on the other hand doesn't sell many cars and nobody wants to spend the money on them now to turn them into a decent, well differentiated, performance oriented brand w/i GM. Granted they did get the Solstice and are getting the G8, which are both steps in the right direction, but they need a little bit more than that.
Old Aug 16, 2007 | 11:28 AM
  #26  
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Originally Posted by HAZ-Matt
Chevrolet is allowed to steal platforms for no good reason other than they sell the most cars and some people think they need a vehicle in every conceivable segment.
That is reason enough right there. The Chevy Lambda will likely outsell all the others combined. It has a much larger dealer network, advertising budget, and is getting its OWN plant (Spring Hill). They will likely double the profitability of the chassis so why shouldn't they get the platform?
Old Aug 16, 2007 | 02:58 PM
  #27  
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Originally Posted by Maximum Bob
Not meaning to re-open old wounds, but when some people suggested that a certain car could be brought back on the same platform as a certain forthcoming other car with the same kind of sheetmetal changes as is currently being defended here, they were subjected to an extreme beat-down!
Well, I think if Chevy already had a Lambda and GM announced they were giving another one to GMC or Pontiac, you would hear the same complaining. But midsized CUVs are really becoming a volume segment, and it doesn't make any sense to withhold it from Chevy.

And to follow up my previous comment, I just read over at GMI that GM has another smaller CUV platform in the works called Theta-Epsilon that will be used at Cadillac, Saab, Buick, Opel, and possibly Saturn.

http://www.gminsidenews.com/forums/s...=53446&page=12
Old Aug 16, 2007 | 03:12 PM
  #28  
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Originally Posted by flowmotion
Well, I think if Chevy already had a Lambda and GM announced they were giving another one to GMC or Pontiac, you would hear the same complaining. But midsized CUVs are really becoming a volume segment, and it doesn't make any sense to withhold it from Chevy.

And to follow up my previous comment, I just read over at GMI that GM has another smaller CUV platform in the works called Theta-Epsilon that will be used at Cadillac, Saab, Buick, Opel, and possibly Saturn.

http://www.gminsidenews.com/forums/s...=53446&page=12
TE/Theta Premium if I recall correctly will be the BRX/SAAB 9-4x only, for launch at least. It will also likely be 4 cylinder powered (think HHR SS powertrain.)
Old Aug 16, 2007 | 03:27 PM
  #29  
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Originally Posted by 91_z28_4me
TE/Theta Premium if I recall correctly will be the BRX/SAAB 9-4x only, for launch at least. It will also likely be 4 cylinder powered (think HHR SS powertrain.)
BRX will be on Alpha now.
Old Aug 16, 2007 | 03:34 PM
  #30  
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Originally Posted by Z28x
BRX will be on Alpha now.
Hmmm...that leaves that luxury chassis without a high volume US model. Could Buick or GMC be in line for that? I certainly hope so.



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