Chevrolet will soon add the 2009 Traverse midsize crossover family vehicle to its lineup, with production scheduled to begin in the third quarter of 2008. This car will likely take the place of the aging Trailblazer SUV and Uplander minivan.

With styling that distinguishes the new face of the Chevy brand, Traverse echoes other cues from the popular 2008 Malibu. Chevrolet will now be able to share in the popularity of the new crossovers already offered by other General Motors divisions: the GMC Acadia, Saturn Outlook and Buick Enclave.

“We think the Traverse is the right vehicle at the right time,” said Ed Peper, Chevrolet general manager. “It has great looks, utility and safety, with a driving experience typically found in smaller vehicles. But it delivers this with three rows of seating — including a third row that fits adults — and class-leading cargo space.”

The clean, taut design possesses distinctive elements such as chrome-ringed grille inserts, available projector-beam headlights, available 20-inch wheels, mirror-mounted turn indicators and an integrated rear spoiler above the rear glass.

The aerodynamics of the design have been optimized to improve fuel economy and reduce wind noise. Although fuel economy figures have not been released, Chevrolet claims fuel economy will be best-in-class from a direct-injection 3.6-liter V6 with a 6-speed automatic transmission. Pending SAE certification, power is estimated at 286 horsepower and 255 lb-ft of torque when equipped with dual exhaust.

As Chevrolet’s newest family vehicle, the Traverse is designed to offer great utility and can be configured to seat seven or eight adults. The second-row Smart Slide seat offers easy access to the third-row seats. A rear-seat entertainment system is offered with second-row controls.

Perforated leather seats and second-row captain’s chairs are offered, or a 60/40 split bench for the 8-passenger configuration.

The interior styling continues the theme of the exterior with a refined look, quality materials and a dual-cockpit design that flows into the door panels. The gauges are surrounded by uniquely-shaped bright trim with other bright accents for the center stack and the console, including the shifter and cupholders. The instrument panel itself is positioned “low and away” for improved visibility.

Traverse will be offered in LS, LT and LTZ trim levels, equipped with six airbags including side-curtain airbags that deploy over all three rows of seating, StabiliTrak stability control and either front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive.