GM H platform (FWD)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

GM H platform (FWD)

Manufacturer:	General Motors
Production:	1986–present
Predecessor:	GM G platform (RWD)
Class:	Full-size
Body style:	4-door sedan 2-door coupe
Similar:	Ford D3 platform
Vehicles:	Buick LeSabre Oldsmobile Eighty-Eight Buick Lucerne Pontiac Bonneville

See also: GM H platform (RWD)

The H platform, or H-body, name has been used twice by General Motors. It was part of the successor to the mid-size G-body, which was used by the pre-1986 Pontiac Bonneville. The 1970s H-body was an inexpensive rear-wheel drive subcompact automobile platform from the 1970s. The 1980s H-body was a front-wheel drive full-size car platform.

The 1980s H-bodies were full-size front-wheel drive cars with a 110.8 in wheelbase. Most H-bodies used GM's large 3800 V6, and supercharged versions were introduced later. They came in both 2-door and 4-door versions, but the four door sedans were dramatically more popular.

According to one source(1), the H-Body sedans were the next "big thing" for GM, and development cost more than $3 billion, which is on par with roughly how much Ford invested in the Ford Taurus. Both the H-body sedans and the Taurus (based on the D186 platform) were launched fully in 1986. The H-body cars are still fully around, noted by the 4th letter of the VIN, currently used by the Buick Lucerne.

[edit] Vehicles

Years	Wheelbase	Model	Previous platform	Next platform
1986-2005	110.8 in	Buick LeSabre	GM B platform	GM G platform (FWD)
1986-1988	110.8 in	Delta 88	GM B platform	Retired
1992-1996	110.8 in	Oldsmobile 88 Royale		Retired
1989-1999	110.8 in	Oldsmobile 88		Retired
1996-1999	110.8 in	Oldsmobile LSS		Retired
1997-1998	110.8 in	Oldsmobile Regency		Retired
1987-2005	110.8 in - 112.2 in	Pontiac Bonneville	GM G platform (RWD)	Retired
2006-present	115.6 in	Buick Lucerne