The 2018 Chevrolet Traverse was revealed overnight as the brand’s fresh take on the full-size crossover segment, but the brand also had a few surprises in the trim department.
The 2018 Traverse will arrive in a new RS trim, which will have a focus on performance and feature sportier exterior appointments such as blacked out trim and more. Do note the photo above is not of the RS trim, as the brand has not supplied photos of the trim level.
However, the 2018 Chevrolet Traverse RS will also arrive exclusively with a 2.0-liter LTG turbocharged four-cylinder engine. The familiar GM powerplant produces 255 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque, with the latter figure out doing the 3.6-liter LGX V6 engine.
Interestingly, highway fuel economy drops two MPGs with the four-cylinder turbo, despite being mated to GM’s latest nine-speed automatic gearbox.
We’re awaiting additional information on what buyers can expect from the 2018 Traverse RS, but the brand clearly has intentions to capture an audience that wouldn’t have previously considered the Traverse.
Comments
More info on this would have been nice but I guess Chevy got the cart in front of the horse here.
2009 Pontiac solstice GPX had a similar 2.0 turbo. It achieved 260/260. the camaro offers 275 hp right now with the 2.0, and it is offered as an eco motor for the camero. They could easily make the RS edition top 300+ Hp and have torque in the same area, Of course, they are looking for a reduced weight. with the 2.0 block. If the turbo gets significantly less gas mileage, than that shows that there will be equal to more power in the mix
Rumor is that it is FWD only for the RS trim! Does not make any sense to limit to FWD only when AWD would attract much more interest especially in rural areas and winter climates states. Totally lost if this true why Chevrolet would do this! LOL!
Maybe this trim level would make sense to families in the southern portions of the country who don’t need FWD/AWD & would otherwise buy a competing product.
Why not a 3.6 turbo for a sport edition?
Personally I’d prefer a Supercharger over a turbo. (Like the Pontiac Grand Prix GTP) Even better, give it a the V8 like tye G8/SS. Even the Silverado 5.3 would be better than this V6, 4Cyl turbo garbage. So incredibly disappointed in these engine choices! Chevy what were you thinking?! Guess I’ll be putting a new Durango in my garage … sigh
Looks like you took a design that should have been the GMC Acadia and left the Acadia as a small SUV. It looks great should have put as much thought in the Acadia instead you down sized it. I own an Acadia and was very disappointed when the new Acadia was unveiled. Great for Chevy so we will be buying a Traverse with a Vsix.
I’m going to say it again, WHY DOES THE RS TRIM HAVE A 2.0L Turbo I4 AND FWD ONLY? Neither of those things make sense for a sport-inspired trim. If they’re going to make this a sporty trim, get rid of that 2.0L Turbo I4, put in the 404hp 3.0L Twin Turbo V6 from the Cadillac CT6 or something like that, make the twin-clutch AWD system from the top-end trim standard, put in a performance tuned suspension, and make the turn look a little more like a performance SUV, and then it would be worthy of the RS name. As for the 2.0L Turbo 4 cylinder engine, make that as the base engine or just make an eco trim. Better yet, throw in a Diesel engine in that trim if they ever make it, and make the 2.0L Turbo I4 the base engine, and there you go, problem solved.