Thinking About a Sub-Zeta Model

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General Motors is considering a new rear-wheel-drive platform that could be used to create a compact sedan to rival the BMW 3-Series or Lexus IS250. Lutz said developing a new platform is preferable to shrinking the larger Zeta architecture. "One of the things we’d like to investigate – and I stress, investigate – is a smaller, lighter, rear-wheel-drive architecture," Australia's Drive quoted Lutz as saying.

Lutz didn't say in what markets the platform might be used. Given the resurgence of rear-wheel-drive in the United States — and the popularity of vehicles like the 3-Series — it seems highly likely such an architecture would be used in America. In Australia, there's speculation the platform could be used for a reborn Holden Torana.
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Okay, sounds completely reasonable, but what ever happened to extending the life of the Sigma chassis? Granted this seems to point to GM wanting to have another model lineup under another flag, which is good, but I'd just try to make a cheaper version of the current Sigma setup.

(Sigma, BTW, sits under the Cadillac CTS, STS, and SRX)

...But, there are good posibilities to this kind of platform. Could it replace a few of the Epsilon models in the US? A return of the Chevrolet Nova? There are some great things that could come of this car in North America, even better for the world as well. But GM is going to have to design something solid, strong, and cheap to match that from BMW, and I can't be certain that they could pull it off right now...
 
Sigma is pretty much 5-series sized, isn't it?

So this new platform would sit below Sigma, with Zeta above.
 
A rear-drive, 4-cyl Nova. G.M. Could've Re-badged the AE86 in the mid-late '80s if they'd tried hard enough. I mean, Toyota was willing to Share the AE82. But, then, the failure of the Cosworth Vega was probably fresh in their minds, and the AE86 never sold that well in the U.S. anyway...well, when it was new.

Still, this new one's an interesting proposition. a LWB Kappa? A smaller Sigma? who knows how this one'll pan out...
 
Well thats the thing, there are pretty limitless possibilities here. Theoretically this could replace the Epsilon platform, but I kinda doubt that GM would go that far that quickly with RWD. I really like the idea, as it seems to be (after thinking about it), the easiest way to get "normal" RWD to the masses, as the Sigma chassis is supposed to be a "high-end" chassis.
 
"RWD to the masses" is a nice goal, from a enthusiast's standpoint. But will it bring GM more buyers? I don't think so. If it came with the refinement of the Germans/Japanese, then it would be a good thing. If it had some unique and redeeming charateristic...some sort of flavor to win over buyers...it would be a good thing. But just building a competent chassis is just half the battle.

Character or refinement, GM needs to find one in order to bring the buyers back. Just chasing engineering targets is not going to do it.
 
Certainly not, but I think they are showing that they are doing one thing right here: Listening to what the public wants.

Huh, wonder why it took them so long?

I think my biggest problem with the whole idea is that there would be a bit of overlap between the Kappa, Sigma, and Zeta platforms. Given that the Zeta and Sigma chassis is similar in size (although Zeta can be larger), the Kappa platform has yet to be stretched to see what can happen.

If GM is smart, they would do the car in very limited numbers. How I would go about it:

The "Gamma" chassis (as I will call it) would be slotted below the Zeta and Sigma chassis, but well-above that of the Kappa. In baisic idea, it would be a RWD option to the Epsilon (Vectra) chassis, and would only be used in select models.

Obviously Holden would be the primary source of development once again, and would share its model with it's Opel/Vauxhall siblings. From there, in America things get a bit odd...

Would the chassis replace the Epsilon platform all-together? Probably not... I would think that Saab would stick with it, as would Saturn as well. However Pontiac and Chevrolet would certainly be up in the air about it.

I'd like to see the platform bring some meaning back to model names like Malibu and LeMans, but I may be alone there. Given the two companie's current setups, I really can't see it happening, but maybe post-2010, there could be something there in terms of model selection.

...Tell ya what, I'm up for a Nova atleast...
 
YSSMAN
In baisic idea, it would be a RWD option to the Epsilon (Vectra) chassis, and would only be used in select models.

Obviously Holden would be the primary source of development once again, and would share its model with it's Opel/Vauxhall siblings.
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We actually have a badge in the bin that would slot in perfectly for a RWD Vectra sized car.

Torana.

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They'd sell a million of these in a day if they released it here.
 
Yeah, that was mentioned in the story. I (personally) had never herd of the model before, but they had a photo of the concept car from 2004 and it looked quite nice. But I'm not too sure if GM would be willing to ditch the Epsilon platform in most circumstances, as it is one of their true "global" platforms that in most circumstances produces a pretty nice car.

...Torana, Nova, LeMans? It all sounds good to me...

But GM would have to figure out what to do with the Vecta, Malibu, and G6.
 
Well, the Torana was built on a modified Kappa platform (ala Solstice), so that might be the way to go.

In GM's current state, randomly making new platforms isn't going to help them. Modifying an existing one makes sense.

I'm not sure how the "Gamma" platform would go though. Holden would sure as hell love to stuff a V8 down there, perhaps an LS3 given its relatively low displacement. Bit iffy if a Vectra chassis could cope.
 
Well we've been stuffing 5.3L LS4 V8s under the hoods of our mid-size FWD sedans, so I'm sure GM knows how to get a V8 to fit in damn-near anything.

With what I've dubbed as the "Gamma" chassis, I think it would be GM's primary goal to make cheap 3-series compeditors for their various brands. Certainly the Sigma chassis currently holds that spot, but on price, the Zeta does so as well. Which is odd...

I dunno. Bob Lutz says they are "thinking" about it, but we are a few years away from anything offically happening.
 
Crap! I meant the LS4. LS3 is 6.2L :scared:

Yeah, it surely won't be anytime soon. As far as sedans go, GM will be trying to put the majority of its focus on getting the Zeta out there, and having it achieve success. Its too early for another platform.
 

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