General Motors took the wraps off of the fourth and final Lambda-based CUV -- the Chevrolet Traverse -- for the 2009 model year. Although the Traverse shares underpinnings with the Buick Enclave, GMC Acadia and Saturn Outlook, its styling reflects Chevrolet's latest design direction.

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By the looks of it, the crossover shares little or no sheetmetal with its siblings. As speculated, the Traverse wears a front fascia inspired by the 2008 Malibu and indicates the future styling of other Chevrolet models. It features a chrome-rimmed front grille and available projector beam headlights.

The Traverse's exterior styling also includes turn signals integrated into the side mirrors, an integrated rear spoiler, 17-, 18- or 20-inch wheels, an available panoramic sunroof, and optional dual exhaust.

Inside, the Traverse uses the same twin-cockpit design that can be found in the Malibu. The Traverse's instrument panel houses twin gauge clusters trimmed with chrome accents. Standard and available interior amenities include a rear parking sensor, rear view camera, power liftgate, remote start, heated and cooled front seats, a navigations system, DVD entertainment and OnStar. Of note, customers don't have to opt for the navigation system to get a rear camera. Instead, it can be added as a stand alone option that use a display integrated into the rear-view mirror. The Traverse also uses smaller mirrors integrated into the side mirrors to reduce blind spots.

Although the Traverse shares its underpinnings with other GM Lambda CUVs, the Traverse actually utilizes a slightly different drivetrain. Whereas the other Lambdas uses a 3.6L V6 with MPFI, the Traverse uses a 3.6L V6 with direct-injection -- upping both output and fuel economy. The Traverse is rated at 286 horsepower and 255 lb-ft of torque -- 281 horsepower and 253 lb-ft of torque with a single-exhaust setup -- up from the Lambda norm of 275 horsepower and 251 lb-ft of torque.

But despite the jump in horsepower, the Traverse should return better fuel economy than its Lambda brethren. Chevrolet has yet to release fuel economy rating for the Traverse -- although GM claims a range of more than 500 miles -- but its should be a few miles per gallon better than the GMC Acadia's 22 mpg on the highway.

The Traverse is slated to begin rolling off of the assembly line at GM's Spring Hill, Tennessee in the third quarter of 2008 with sales starting shortly after. General Motors has yet to release pricing information for the Traverse, but the newest Chevrolet crossover is expected to be the lowest priced of all the Lambda CUVs.