General Motors Epsilon platform
Epsilon is General Motors' mid-size front-wheel drive automobile platform. The architecture was multi-division project of GM North America, Opel and Saab,[2] 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[update], it was 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.
| GM Epsilon platform | |
|---|---|
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | General Motors |
| Production | 2002–present |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | Compact executive car (D) platform Mid-size (D) platform Large car (E) platform |
| Layout | Transverse[1] 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[citation needed] |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine(s) | |
| Chronology | |
| Predecessor | GM N platform GM2900 platform GM W platform GM G platform GM Zeta Platform |
| Successor | GM VSS-F |
A total of 16 different models have made use of the GM Epsilon platform, some of which remain in production 19 years after the platform debuted.
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.[citation needed]
The Epsilon platform is a midsize front-driver promising a 200 percent improvement in rigidity, with aluminum suspension components—MacPherson struts in front and a four-link independent arrangement in the rear, and four-wheel disc brakes. 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.[citation needed]
Vehicles
Vehicles based on the Epsilon I platform:
- Regular
- 2002–2009 Opel Vectra C saloon and liftback
- 2002–2009 Vauxhall Vectra saloon and liftback
- 2002–2009 Holden Vectra
- 2002–2009 Chevrolet Vectra
- 2003–2011 Saab 9-3
- 2010–2012 Saab 9-5
- 2004–2007 Chevrolet Malibu
- 2006–2009 Cadillac BLS
Opel Vectra C
Vauxhall Vectra
Holden Vectra
Chevrolet Vectra
Saab 9-3
Saab 9-3 Convertible
Saab 9-3 SportCombi
Saab 9-3X
Cadillac BLS
Cadillac BLS Wagon
Chevrolet Malibu
Chevrolet Malibu Maxx
- Extended
- 2002–2009 Opel Vectra C Caravan
- 2002–2009 Vauxhall Vectra Caravan
- 2003–2008 Opel Signum
- 2004–2007 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx hatchback
- 2008–2012 Chevrolet Malibu
- 2005–2010 Pontiac G6
- 2005–2011 Fiat Croma
- 2007–2010 Saturn Aura
Opel Vectra C Caravan
Vauxhall Vectra Estate
Opel Signum
Vauxhall Signum
Chevrolet Malibu
Pontiac G6
Pontiac G6 Coupe
Pontiac G6 Convertible
Saturn Aura
Fiat Croma
Cancelled vehicles which would have used this platform:
- 2006 midsized Buick[citation needed]
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. Many safety features and AWD fitment modifications were done by Saab.[3]
Current and announced vehicles built on Epsilon II:
- SWB
- 2008–2017 Opel Insignia, Vauxhall Insignia, Holden Insignia VXR, Buick Regal, Chevrolet Vectra (saloon, hatchback, estate) (SWB)
- 2012–2016 Chevrolet Malibu, Holden Malibu (SWB)
- SL LWB
- EL LWB
- 2012–2019 Cadillac XTS (EL LWB)
- 2014–2019 Chevrolet Impala (EL LWB)
Opel Insignia
Opel Insignia OPC
Opel Insignia Sports Tourer
Vauxhall Insignia
Vauxhall Insignia Estate
Buick Regal
Buick Regal GS
Holden Insignia VXR
Chevrolet Vectra
Buick LaCrosse
Alpheon EL300
Roewe 950
Chevrolet Malibu
Chevrolet Impala
Cadillac XTS
Saab 9-5
Concept vehicles built on Epsilon II:
- 2007 Buick Riviera
- 2007 Opel GTC Concept
Buick Riviera Concept (2007)
Opel GTC Concept
E2XX
E2XX is a moderately updated version of Epsilon 2 platform,[5] consistent with other platform revamps, such as the D2XX based on Delta II.
The E2XX platform targets weight reductions and longer wheelbases.
Vehicles
Vehicle built on E2XX:
- 2016–present Chevrolet Malibu
- 2017–2022 Opel/Vauxhall Insignia, Buick Regal 2018–present (since 2020 China only), Holden Commodore (ZB) 2018–2020
- 2019–present Cadillac XT4
- 2021–present Buick Envision
Chevrolet Malibu
Opel Insignia Grand Sport
Opel Insignia Sports Tourer
Opel Insignia Country Tourer
Opel Insignia GSi
Vauxhall Insignia Grand Sport
Vauxhall Insignia Sports Tourer
Buick Regal Sportback
Buick Regal GS
Buick Regal TourX
Holden Commodore (ZB)
Holden Commodore (ZB) Tourer
Cadillac XT4
Buick Envision
P2XX
P2XX is the longer variant of the E2XX platform.
Vehicle built on P2XX:
Buick LaCrosse
C1XX
C1XX is the crossover variant of the E2XX platform, replacing the Theta Premium and Lambda platforms.
Vehicles built on C1XX:
Two-row mid-size:
- 2017–present Cadillac XT5
- 2019–present Chevrolet Blazer
Cadillac XT5
Chevrolet Blazer
Three-row mid-size:
- 2017–present GMC Acadia
- 2018-2020 Holden Acadia
- 2020–present Buick Enclave
- 2020–present Chevrolet Blazer (China)
- 2020–present Cadillac XT6
GMC Acadia
Holden Acadia
Buick Enclave
Chevrolet Blazer
Cadillac XT6
Full-size:
- 2018–present Chevrolet Traverse
Chevrolet Traverse
Footnotes
- ^ "General Motors Vehicle Platforms Explained from the Gamma to the All-New GM Omega Platform". 31 March 2015.
- ^ "Would You Buy a Chevy Saab?". Forbes: 82. December 9, 2002.
- ^ Meiners, Jens (May 2009). "Spied: 2010 Saab 9-5". Car and Driver. Hearst Magazines. Retrieved 2013-05-05.
- ^ Sutcliffe, Ashley (12 April 2012). . chinacartimes.com. China Car Times – China Auto News. Archived from the original on 3 December 2012. Retrieved 2 October 2012.
- ^ "2017 Vauxhall Insignia Grand Sport to be brand's flagship model (7 November 2016)". Autocar. Retrieved 16 April 2021.
References
- Kranz, Rich (April 12, 2005). "GM lagging behind in booming sport wagon market". AutoWeek. Retrieved April 12, 2005.
- Smith, Mike (March 1, 2014). "2014 Chevrolet Malibu Safety Cage". Retrieved March 1, 2014.