jpd80 Posted May 6, 2008 Share Posted May 6, 2008 GM to merge Zeta, Sigma platforms In order to cut cost, General Motors will merge the rear-wheel drive Zeta and Sigma platforms, a new report finds. The Zeta platform currently underpins the Pontiac G8 and the upcoming Chevrolet Camaro, while the Sigma platform is exclusively used for the Cadillac brand (CTS, SRX and STS). According to Motor Trend, the first car to bow on the merged platform will be the 2011 Cadillac STS/DTS replacement. Following that car's launch, the new platform will underpin several other models. Despite the semi-revival of the rear-wheel drive car, don't expect the Chevrolet Impala to make the switch from its current front-wheel drive setup. Although the Impala shares the sales floor with the hot-selling Malibu sedan, it continues to be one of Chevrolet's top sellers. Instead, the Impala will likely move to the Epsilon II platform that will underpin the next-generation Buick LaCrosse. More here: Courtesy of leftlanenews.com. Well, GM must be feeling the pinch. I know some here on BON will question the wisdom of having such a comprehansive range of vehicles on the one platform. I guess it's a bit like GM's version of the Ford DEW platform vision - so I wonder if they can pull it off or will history repeat itself? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
01FOCI Posted May 6, 2008 Share Posted May 6, 2008 I vote history will repeat itself, Cadillac Citation err Cimeron anyone! If you listen real real close on a clear cool spring night you can hear GM's money being flushed down a toilet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
armadamaster Posted May 6, 2008 Share Posted May 6, 2008 300K WImpalas a year is why they won't be moving Impala to RWD.....nothing else. Unless Malibu really starts kicking it in the ass....which I doubt because the WImpala is larger and cheaper. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NickF1011 Posted May 6, 2008 Share Posted May 6, 2008 The fewer the platforms, the better if you ask me. As long as the content that is added to the platform is product-appropriate, there's nothing wrong with sharing foundations. This is pretty much Ford's approach with GRWD as far as I can tell. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silvrsvt Posted May 6, 2008 Share Posted May 6, 2008 its far easier to make a cheaper car more expensive/luxurious then it is to do vise versa. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jpd80 Posted May 6, 2008 Author Share Posted May 6, 2008 (edited) True but I'm not convinced that is happening here as the weighty Zeta body has to go. I'm thinking the lighter Sigma Body will be use and made with more flexibile with the Zeta's suspension used on low series. In that instance, it would be more like a DEW Lite, a reach down from an expensive platform. Maybe this is a pointer to the Ford global RWD platform, same floorpan/frame but different suspensions for low/high series cars. That way Mustang and a "Maverick" could have Mac Strut/SRA/IRS and the High Series RWD uses Falcon suspension. In a quirky way, maybe the rudiments of the system are staring us in the face and all divisions lose nothing and gain everything. Edited May 6, 2008 by jpd80 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NickF1011 Posted May 7, 2008 Share Posted May 7, 2008 In a quirky way, maybe the rudiments of the system are staring us in the face and all divisions lose nothing and gain everything. Certainly everyone's hope I think!! I think the boys at the Blue Oval will figure it out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.