The much-anticipated family crossover Chevrolet Traverse is set to dazzle visitors of the 2008 Abu Dhabi International Motor Show in mid-December.

Hitting showroom floors in December, the Traverse is ideal for young families.

The Traverse drives like a regular sedan, yet offers people-hauling and cargo-carrying capabilities typically found in full size SUVs – and manages to do so with better-than-expected fuel efficiency.

The striking design and expressive styling of the Traverse focuses on refined details with strong proportions, and it boasts the bold new global face of Chevrolet.

The flush grille is bisected by the brand's iconic cross bar, while the gold signature bow tie takes pride of place.

Taut body lines and minimal overhangs convey the image of a smaller vehicle, reinforcing the Traverse's feeling of a large vehicle that drives smaller, while tight tolerances between body components – enhanced by the vehicle's unitised body structure, which enables wraparound fascias – emphasise a highly precise build quality.

Advanced powertrain technologies featuring a new 3.6L V-6 engine with direct injection enables a satisfying balance of great performance and fuel efficiency  enabling an output of 313hp, it has excellent power and thrust.

It even has the capability of towing 2,360 kg.

The 3.6-litre engine is mated to the Hydra-Matic 6T75 six-speed automatic transmission, an advanced transmission with clutch-to-clutch shift operation for front- and all-wheel-drive vehicles.

The Traverse has 360-degree safety system that helps protect passengers before, during and after a crash, including new anchor pretensions for outboard occupants.  Traverse is equipped with six standard air bags: two dual-stage frontal air bags, for the driver and front passenger, two seat-mounted pelvic-thorax side-impact air bags in the first row and two head curtain side-impact air bags that cover all three seating rows.

The head curtain side air bags are among the longest air bags in any production vehicle.

As part of the Safe Kids Buckle Up programme that was launched earlier this month, the Chevrolet Traverse will be available for a sneak preview at three major shopping malls in Dubai this November - Ibn Battuta Mall (November 6-8), Burjuman shopping centre (November 12-15) and the new Dubai Mall (November 23-30).

The Safe Kids Buckle Up programme highlights the importance of the use of child safety seats and the proper restraint of children in cars to reduce the number of injuries and deaths in vehicle crashes.

The programme was launched in the UAE by Chevrolet/ General Motors and Safe Kids Worldwide, in partnership with the UAE National Transport Authority and the United Nations Children's Fund (Unicef). - TradeArabia News Service