REPORT: GM's RWD architecture will downsize and survive
by Noah Joseph on Apr 1st, 2009 at 3:58PM
Pontiac G8 GXP in the Autoblog Garage - Click above for a hi-res gallery
General Motors may be lacking the cash to develop any new rear-drive platforms, but reports out of Australia suggest that the existing Zeta platform that underpins such models as the Holden Commodore and new Chevrolet Camaro will carry on for at least another decade.
GM's Australian subsidiary only finished development of the current Zeta platform a few years ago, and it's not about to flush that down the toilet. However the next Commodore, currently sold in the North American market as the Pontiac G8, is likely to downsize for the next generation, anticipated to debut in 2013 and carry on through 2020. Along with the reduced size and heft, the General could use smaller, more efficient, though still powerful engines, employing direct injection and/or turbocharging like the Cadillac and Saab variants of the V6 already used by Holden. As we've discovered with vehicles like the Pontiac G8, GTO and the new Camaro, what's good for the Australian market is, in General Motor's eyes, good for North America, so fans of rear-drive American muscle have some hope to hold onto yet, mate.
[Source: GoAuto]
by Noah Joseph on Apr 1st, 2009 at 3:58PM
Pontiac G8 GXP in the Autoblog Garage - Click above for a hi-res gallery
General Motors may be lacking the cash to develop any new rear-drive platforms, but reports out of Australia suggest that the existing Zeta platform that underpins such models as the Holden Commodore and new Chevrolet Camaro will carry on for at least another decade.
GM's Australian subsidiary only finished development of the current Zeta platform a few years ago, and it's not about to flush that down the toilet. However the next Commodore, currently sold in the North American market as the Pontiac G8, is likely to downsize for the next generation, anticipated to debut in 2013 and carry on through 2020. Along with the reduced size and heft, the General could use smaller, more efficient, though still powerful engines, employing direct injection and/or turbocharging like the Cadillac and Saab variants of the V6 already used by Holden. As we've discovered with vehicles like the Pontiac G8, GTO and the new Camaro, what's good for the Australian market is, in General Motor's eyes, good for North America, so fans of rear-drive American muscle have some hope to hold onto yet, mate.
[Source: GoAuto]
Downsize the Zeta platform in 2013, ey?
Alpha (The midsize RWD) platform was suppost to debut in 2013 as well. However, downsizing Zeta might save them $... I see the G6 easily being throw onto a smaller Zeta as it's such a honker of a midsize already, it will stay the same size. I always though if the G6 was moved to Alpha it would have to be a lot smaller. Also, they would need $ to develop Alpha more, and in their present situation, if they got a platform they can just tinker with to make smaller, why bother with Alpha at all?
Thoughts?
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