GM Epsilon platform

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GM Epsilon platform
Manufacturer General Motors
Production 2003–present
Predecessor GM N platform
GM2900 platform
Class Mid-size (C/D) platform

Epsilon is General Motors' new mid-size front-wheel drive automobile platform. The architecture debuted in the 2002 Opel Vectra and 2003 Saab 9-3. Since this platform falls squarely in the center of the worldwide automobile market, GM plans to produce a great many Epsilon vehicles with over a dozen variations. As of 2005, it is GM's highest volume worldwide platform (or architecture in GM-speak). Even after the dissolution of the GM/Fiat partnership, both companies retain the rights to continue developing Epsilon-derived models.

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[edit] Features

GM's Epsilon platform replaced the N platform in the US, and replaced the GM2900 platform elsewhere. Vehicles of this platform generally carry the symbol "Z" in the fourth digit of their VINs.

When the platform debuted, there was talk of an "Epsilon Wide" derivative, which was supposed to have provided the underpinnings for the Buick LaCrosse and Saab 9-5. However, the program was cancelled and the LaCrosse was put on the W platform, and the 9-5 was given a quick refresh for the 2006 model year.

Many of the Epsilon vehicles use the Ecotec Family II I4 engines and both the High Value and High Feature V6 engines.

Control of the Epsilon platform has passed, as of 2005, to GM Europe. Headquartered with Opel in Rüsselsheim, Germany, GM Europe will be responsible for all future Epsilon product decisions other than Saab and Cadillac models.

One reason for this central "homeroom" of Epsilon development was because of slight differences in the platform. GM assumed that all cars based on the platform were exactly the same underneath. This led Pontiac to approve a G6 convertible, since the 9-3 is available as a convertible. Unbeknownst to GM NA, Saab had changed some of the "points" of the platform when it developed the 9-3 to suit its production line, meaning Pontiac could not build it at the Orion Township plant.[citation needed] Pontiac only discovered the difference shortly before the convertible was set for production, which led to the convertible being pushed back. The Pontiac G6 hardtop convertible became available in spring 2006.

The refreshed 2008 SAAB 9-3 debuted with an advanced version of all-wheel-drive it dubbed XWD, finally giving a definitive answer to rumors about the platform's ability to support AWD, which had been around since the debut of the platform.

[edit] Vehicles

Current vehicles based on this platform:

Cancelled vehicles which would have used this platform:

[edit] Criticism

Jeremy Clarkson, whilst driving a Vauxhall Vectra built with this chassis, described it as "one of the worst chassis I've ever come across", due to the way the Vectra with the 2.8 V6 turbo torque steered and was unable to handle its power. Improvements to the Vectra have been made, and the 9-3 with this engine was much better in regards to power management.[1]

[edit] Epsilon II

A new version of the Epsilon, dubbed Epsilon II, will debut in 2008. It will be adaptable for front and all-wheel drive applications.

Concept vehicles built on Epsilon II:

The Epsilon II will be used in the following vehicles:

The following vehicles were planned on Epsilon 2, but will instead probably use Theta Premium:

[edit] Footnotes

  1. ^ Jeremy Clarkson. 'Top Gear 2006-07-16 [TV]. London: BBC. Retrieved on 2007-02-05.

[edit] References

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