Meet The Chevy Traverse Hearse You (Probably) Never Knew Existed
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In the most recent past, General Motors has officially offered two vehicles for the creation of a hearse. First came the Cadillac XTS and its well-known hearse derivative. Now that the XTS family has been discontinued, hearse duty was transferred to the Cadillac XT5. Clearly, the Chevy Traverse is not on that list, but that hasn’t prevented one firm from creating a custom Chevy Traverse hearse, or TraHearse – as we’ve labeled it here at the GM Authority headquarters.
Cadillac XTS Hearse during George H.W. Bush Funeral Memorial Service in December 2018
K2 Vehicles, an Ohio-based coachbuilder, has created a rather interesting hearse based on the Chevy Traverse. In fact, Chevy’s largest crossover utility vehicle seems like a perfect starting point for such a hearse thanks to its long wheelbase and voluminous dimensions afforded by the largest version of the GM C1 platform.
The TraHearse is based on the second-gen, 2018 and newer Chevy Traverse. It would appear that K2 cut off the body panels and roof just after the rear doors, replacing them with a custom cap-like setup. That new cap is padded with what appears to be a vinyl material, which also extends to the roof. Exterior decor consists of a forward-leaning chrome accent just aft of the C-Pillar, while the decorative mock landau bars on the side give this Chevy Traverse hearse a very typical American hearse design.
The rear end features a new swing gate complete with a top window and pull handle. That swing gate features a pointed (“crested”, in GM design speak) design, a styling trait often associated with last-gen Cadillac models. That same crested design approach also extends to the swing gate’s silver decor and rear bumper. A set of red vertical tail lamps that look like they were taken straight off a 2013-2017 XTS go a step further into tricking innocent bystanders into thinking that this is a Cadillac. The de-badged front end also doesn’t help in identifying the vehicle in question.
Inside, a divider has been added right after the first row seats, while second and third row seating has been removed to make way for the casket storage area. In fact, the Traverse‘s maximum cargo room of 98.5 cubic feet (2,789 liters) makes it ideal for use as a hearse with an open cargo area. Two sets of five “rollers” on the floor aid in loading the casket.
The Traverse hearse is propelled by GM’s naturally-aspirated 3.6L V6 LFY engine rated at 310 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque – the same engine used in the “regular” Traverse… though we sincerely doubt that all of those ponies will actually be used during funeral processions.
Like regular Chevy Traverse models, the TraHearse is available in front-wheel-drive or all-wheel-drive, prompting K2 to label it as the “most versatile hearse on the market,” while also making us wonder why GM hasn’t created an official hearse program for upfitters around the Traverse.
In any event, the Chevy Traverse hearse certainly seems plenty capable and elegant for its purpose and function.
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That does not look right at all.
Caddychevy SUV lol.
Good lord that is hideous! Looks like the clay model was pushed into the kiln back end first and it began to melt and droop down. It’s so ugly, I wouldn’t be caught dead in that thing! lol
I think I want to go to my final resting spot in style and that is not in a everyday traverse.
I always wished they had built a panel version of the SSR without the retractable roof. That would have made a cool hearse.
Don’t you mean HHR? But that would have worked a lot better than this piece of rubbish.
Wouldn’t it just be easier to use a an Escalade ESV? Just remove the seats, put in the Roller Floor, Padded roof and Faux Landau Irons and call it a day. That Traverse conversion looks awful..
This must be for the mortician looking to save a buck,it is a shame your last purchase in life is a rip-off.
Poor thing has a droopy butt, until you look at the roof line and then it all goes astray.
People are dying to ride in this.
i’d rather be cremated than ride in that.
Seems like they should have tried this with a Cadillac XT6 – same C1 platform so the room available in the back should be similar. Plus hearses have usually been made from premium car brands (Cadillac, Lincoln).
I’ll haunt my family if they sent me off in that crossover POS. I’m putting a request in for a ‘70-‘84 Fleetwood. I want a full frame, longitudinal V-8, rwd. Like a man.
Looks like a good ol’ boy tried to make a camper from a wrecked Traverse he picked up cheap. Please don’t do this to my beloved Traverse.
Use the Suburban/Escalade without modification.
As a station wagon this thing would have great potential.
Chevy version of the Lyric gas powered, nice job
If my last ride is in anything other than a Cadillac there will be hell to pay, lol.