GM Epsilon platform

Main article: List of GM platforms
GM Epsilon platform
Overview
Manufacturer General Motors
Production 2003–present
Body and chassis
Class Compact (C) platform
Mid-size (D) platform
Large car (E) platform
Layout Front engine, front-wheel drive/all-wheel drive
Body style(s) 2-door Convertible
4-door Sedan/Saloon
5-door Hatchback/Liftback
5-door Station wagon/Estate/Caravan
5-door Multi-purpose vehicle
Vehicles Buick Lacrosse/Alpheon
Cadillac BLS
Cadillac XTS
Chevrolet Classic
Chevrolet Impala
Chevrolet/Holden Malibu
Chevrolet Malibu Maxx
Fiat Croma
Opel Insignia/Buick Regal
Opel Signum
Opel Vectra
Pontiac G6
Roewe 950
Saab 9-3
Saab 9-5
Saturn Aura
Related GM Alpha platform
Powertrain
Engine(s) Gasoline/Petrol engines:
Ecotec I4
Ecotec Family 1 I4
54° V6
High Value V6
High Feature V6
Diesel engines:
Multijet I4
Family B I4
Dmax V6
Chronology
Predecessor GM N platform
GM2900 platform
GM W platform
GM G platform

Epsilon is General Motors' mid-size front-wheel drive automobile platform. The architecture was developed by Opel, and 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. Even after the dissolution of the GM/Fiat partnership, both companies retain the rights to continue developing Epsilon-derived models.

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 Inline-four engines and both the High Value and High Feature V6 engines.

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.

The Lambda and Theta Premium crossover platforms are derived from Epsilon.

Vehicles

Vehicles based on the Epsilon I platform:

Cancelled vehicles which would have used this platform:

Epsilon II

A new version of the Epsilon, dubbed Epsilon II, debuted in 2008. It is adaptable for front and all-wheel drive applications. In long wheelbase format, Epsilon II supports US EPA Large Cars, allowing GM to replace the G and W platforms. The architecture was developed by Opel in Rüsselsheim, Germany.[1]

Current and announced vehicles built on Epsilon II:

Concept vehicles built on Epsilon II:

Footnotes

  1. ↑ Meiners, Jens (May 2009). "Spied: 2010 Saab 9-5". Car and Driver. Hearst Magazines. Retrieved 2013-05-05.
  2. ↑ Sutcliffe, Ashley (12 April 2012). "Roewe | Roewe 950 hits the market, priced competitively". chinacartimes.com. China Car Times - China Auto News. Retrieved 2 October 2012.

References