GM Epsilon platform
Overview
ManufacturerGeneral Motors
Production2002–present
Body and chassis
ClassCompact executive car (D) platform
Mid-size (D) platform
Large car (E) platform
LayoutTransverse[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
VehiclesBuick Lacrosse/Alpheon
Cadillac BLS
Cadillac XTS
Chevrolet Classic
Chevrolet Impala
chevrolet camaro
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
RelatedGM Alpha platform[citation needed]
Powertrain
Engine(s)
Chronology
PredecessorGM N platform
GM2900 platform
GM W platform
GM G platform
GM Zeta Platform
SuccessorGM VSS-F

Epsilon is General Motors' mid-size front-wheel drive automobile platform. The architecture was a 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, 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.

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:

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. Many safety features and AWD fitment modifications were done by Saab.[3]

Current and announced vehicles built on Epsilon II:

Concept vehicles built on Epsilon II:

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:

P2XX

P2XX is the longer variant of the E2XX platform.

Vehicle built on P2XX:

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:

Three-row mid-size:

Full-size:

Footnotes

  1. ^ "General Motors Vehicle Platforms Explained from the Gamma to the All-New GM Omega Platform". 31 March 2015.
  2. ^ "Would You Buy a Chevy Saab?". Forbes: 82. December 9, 2002.
  3. ^ Meiners, Jens (May 2009). "Spied: 2010 Saab 9-5". Car and Driver. Hearst Magazines. Retrieved 2013-05-05.
  4. ^ Sutcliffe, Ashley (12 April 2012). "Roewe | Roewe 950 hits the market, priced competitively". chinacartimes.com. China Car Times – China Auto News. Archived from the original on 3 December 2012. Retrieved 2 October 2012.
  5. ^ "2017 Vauxhall Insignia Grand Sport to be brand's flagship model (7 November 2016)". Autocar. Retrieved 16 April 2021.

References

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