GM G platform (FWD)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

GM G platform (FWD)
Manufacturer:	General Motors
Production:	1995–2005
Predecessor:	GM C platform
Successor:	GM Zeta platform
Class:	Full-size
Body style:	4-door sedan 2-door coupe
Similar:	Chrysler LH platform

See also: GM G platform (RWD)

The General Motors G platform (also called G-Body) automobile platform name was used twice. The current G-bodies use this front-wheel drive version, and it replaced the C-body (discontinued in 1996).

The second G-body platform (the GMX690) was used for front-wheel drive luxury cars from 1995. The new G-body was based on Cadillac's K-body architecture. The Buick Riviera moved up from the GM E platform, while the Oldsmobile Aurora was a new model. The Buick Park Avenue migrated to the G-body in 1997 and remained unchanged until its demise for 2005. A short-wheelbase version was introduced in 2000 to replace the H-body, as the Buick LeSabre and Pontiac Bonneville moved to that platform, as well as the 2001-2003 Oldsmobile Aurora.

The G-body featured a four-wheel independent suspension and an extremely resilient structure. For its time, the G-body was one of the strongest unibody car frames in production (25hz). This fact did not go untouted as GM literature made light of the need to use a 'frame crusher' designed to test heavy-duty truck frames to finally break the G-body structure in their crush-to-failure procedures.

[edit] Vehicles

Years	Wheelbase	Model	Previous platform
1995-1999	113.8 in	Buick Riviera	GM E platform
1995-1999		Oldsmobile Aurora	New
2001-2003	Oldsmobile Aurora