GM Epsilon platform
Encyclopedia
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. , 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.
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 Family II
I4
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.
Cancelled vehicles which would have used this platform:
and all-wheel drive applications. The architecture was developed by Opel
in Rüsselsheim, Germany.
Current and announced vehicles built on Epsilon II:
Concept vehicles built on Epsilon II:
Potential future vehicles to be built on Epsilon II:
applications.
Potential future vehicles to be built on Super Epsilon II:
General Motors
General Motors Company , commonly known as GM, formerly incorporated as General Motors Corporation, is an American multinational automotive corporation headquartered in Detroit, Michigan and the world's second-largest automaker in 2010...
' mid-size
Mid-size car
A mid-size car is the North American/Australian standard for an automobile with a size equal to or greater than that of a compact...
front-wheel drive
Front-wheel drive
Front-wheel drive is a form of engine/transmission layout used in motor vehicles, where the engine drives the front wheels only. Most modern front-wheel drive vehicles feature a transverse engine, rather than the conventional longitudinal engine arrangement generally found in rear-wheel drive and...
automobile platform
Automobile platform
An automobile platform is a shared set of common design, engineering, and production efforts, as well as major components over a number of outwardly distinct models and even types of automobiles, often from different, but related marques...
. The architecture was developed by Opel, and debuted in the 2002 Opel Vectra and 2003 Saab 9-3
Saab 9-3
The first generation 9-3, a substantially improved 'new-generation' Saab 900 was launched in 1998 for the 1999 model year. Saab claimed that 1,100 changes were made, including a revised suspension in an attempt to tighten up the handling characteristics of its predecessor, the Saab 900...
. 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. , it is GM's highest volume worldwide platform. Even after the dissolution of the GM/Fiat
Fiat
FIAT, an acronym for Fabbrica Italiana Automobili Torino , is an Italian automobile manufacturer, engine manufacturer, financial, and industrial group based in Turin in the Italian region of Piedmont. Fiat was founded in 1899 by a group of investors including Giovanni Agnelli...
partnership, both companies retain the rights to continue developing Epsilon-derived models.
Features
GM's Epsilon platform replaced the N platformGM N platform
The General Motors N platform was a front-wheel drive compact automotive platform produced from 1985 to 2005. The GM N platform replaced the GM X platform....
in the US
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, and replaced the GM2900 platform
GM2900 platform
General Motors introduced the mid-size front-wheel drive GM2900 platform in 1988 with the introductions of the Opel Vectra A and the Vauxhall Cavalier Mk.3 for the 1989 model year...
elsewhere. Vehicles of this platform generally carry the symbol "Z" in the fourth digit of their VINs
Vehicle identification number
A Vehicle Identification Number, commonly abbreviated to VIN, is a unique serial number used by the automotive industry to identify individual motor vehicles. VINs were first used in 1954...
.
When the platform debuted, there was talk of an "Epsilon Wide" derivative, which was supposed to have provided the underpinnings for the Buick LaCrosse
Buick LaCrosse
The Buick LaCrosse is a mid-size entry-level luxury sedan produced by General Motors. It replaced the Buick Century and Regal in North America beginning in the 2005 model year.-North America:...
and Saab 9-5
Saab 9-5
The Saab 9-5 is an executive car produced by the Swedish automobile maker Saab. The first generation was introduced in 1997 as the replacement to the Saab 9000 for the 1998 model year. At the time, the car represented a great leap forward for Saab...
. However, the program was cancelled and the LaCrosse was put on the W platform
GM W platform
The W-body is an automobile platform from General Motors which underpins mid-size cars with front-wheel drive. The platform, originally code named GM10, began in 1982 under Chairman Roger B. Smith and debuted in 1988 with the Pontiac Grand Prix, the Buick Regal, and the Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme...
, and the 9-5 was given a quick refresh for the 2006 model year.
Many of the Epsilon vehicles use the Ecotec Family II
GM Family II engine
The Family II is a straight-4 piston engine that was originally developed by Opel in the early 1970s. It was used in the Opel Ascona and Opel Kadett and their corresponding sister models the Vauxhall Cavalier and Vauxhall Astra...
I4
Straight-4
The inline-four engine or straight-four engine is an internal combustion engine with all four cylinders mounted in a straight line, or plane along the crankcase. The single bank of cylinders may be oriented in either a vertical or an inclined plane with all the pistons driving a common crankshaft....
engines and both the High Value
GM High Value engine
The High Value engine family from General Motors is a group of Cam in Block or "Overhead valve" V6 engines. They use the same 60° vee bank as the 60° V6 family they are based on, but the new bore required offsetting the bores by away from the engine centerline...
and High Feature
GM High Feature engine
The 3600 LY7 are members of General Motors' new High Feature engine family of modern DOHC V6s. This new family of engines was introduced in 2004 with the Cadillac CTS. Holden sells the HFV6 under the name Alloytec. The High Feature moniker on the Holden produced engine is reserved for the twin...
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
GM Lambda platform
Lambda is General Motors' full-size crossover SUV automobile platform. It is largely derived from the GM Epsilon platform, which underlies the Chevrolet Malibu sedan and similar models....
and Theta Premium crossover platforms are derived from Epsilon.
Vehicles
Vehicles based on the Epsilon I platform:- Regular
- 2002 Opel Vectra
- 2003 Saab 9-3Saab 9-3The first generation 9-3, a substantially improved 'new-generation' Saab 900 was launched in 1998 for the 1999 model year. Saab claimed that 1,100 changes were made, including a revised suspension in an attempt to tighten up the handling characteristics of its predecessor, the Saab 900...
- 2004 Chevrolet MalibuChevrolet MalibuMalibus and all other Chevelles were completely restyled for 1968 with semi-fastback rooflines on two-door hardtops and wheelbases split to on two-door models and 118 for four-door sedans and station wagons. Engine offerings included a new V8 rated at that replaced the V8 that had served as the...
- 2006 Cadillac BLSCadillac BLSThe Cadillac BLS is a compact executive car marketed in Europe by Cadillac, a division of General Motors. Based on GM's Epsilon architecture, the BLS is a heavily restyled version of the Saab 9-3. The development was done by Saab and cost more than one billion kronor to design...
- Extended
- 2003 Opel SignumOpel SignumThe Opel Signum was a large family car/executive hatchback engineered and manufactured by Opel in Germany between 2003 and 2008. It was almost exclusively sold in Europe. In the United Kingdom it was sold under the Vauxhall Signum nameplate...
- 2004 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx
- 2005 Pontiac G6Pontiac G6The Pontiac G6 was a mid-size car produced under the Pontiac brand of American automaker General Motors.It was introduced in the fall of 2004 to replace the Grand Am. The car was built on the GM Epsilon platform which it shared with the Chevrolet Malibu and Saab 9-3 along with other General Motors...
- 2005 Fiat CromaFiat CromaThe Fiat Croma is a nameplate used for two automobiles produced by Italian automaker Fiat, one a large family car built from 1985 to 1996 and the other a cross-over wagon built from 2005 to 2011.- Fiat Croma :...
- 2007 Saturn AuraSaturn AuraThe Saturn Aura is a mid-size car produced under the Saturn brand of American automaker General Motors. It debuted as a concept car at the North American International Auto Show in January 2005. The production model of the Aura was shown at the 2006 New York Auto Show in April, with production...
- 2008 Chevrolet MalibuChevrolet MalibuMalibus and all other Chevelles were completely restyled for 1968 with semi-fastback rooflines on two-door hardtops and wheelbases split to on two-door models and 118 for four-door sedans and station wagons. Engine offerings included a new V8 rated at that replaced the V8 that had served as the...
- 2003 Opel Signum
Cancelled vehicles which would have used this platform:
- 2006 midsized BuickBuickBuick is a premium brand of General Motors . Buick models are sold in the United States, Canada, Mexico, China, Taiwan, and Israel, with China being its largest market. Buick holds the distinction as the oldest active American make...
Epsilon II
A new version of the Epsilon, dubbed Epsilon II, debuted in 2008. It is adaptable for frontFront-wheel drive
Front-wheel drive is a form of engine/transmission layout used in motor vehicles, where the engine drives the front wheels only. Most modern front-wheel drive vehicles feature a transverse engine, rather than the conventional longitudinal engine arrangement generally found in rear-wheel drive and...
and all-wheel drive applications. The architecture was developed by Opel
Opel
Adam Opel AG, generally shortened to Opel, is a German automobile company founded by Adam Opel in 1862. Opel has been building automobiles since 1899, and became an Aktiengesellschaft in 1929...
in Rüsselsheim, Germany.
Current and announced vehicles built on Epsilon II:
- 2008 Opel InsigniaOpel InsigniaThe Opel Insignia is a large family car engineered and produced by the German automaker Opel. Production of the Insignia began in 2008 as a replacement for the Opel Vectra. Opel launched the vehicle at the 2008 British International Motor Show in London as the Vauxhall Insignia, reflecting the...
, Buick RegalBuick RegalThe Buick Regal is a mid-size car introduced by General Motors for the 1973 model year. North American production ended in 2004 and began again in 2011. For the 2011 model year, Buick re-introduced the Regal to the North American market, positioned as an upscale sport sedan...
(SWB) - 2010 Buick LaCrosseBuick LaCrosseThe Buick LaCrosse is a mid-size entry-level luxury sedan produced by General Motors. It replaced the Buick Century and Regal in North America beginning in the 2005 model year.-North America:...
/GM Daewoo Alpheon (LWB) - 2010 Saab 9-5Saab 9-5The Saab 9-5 is an executive car produced by the Swedish automobile maker Saab. The first generation was introduced in 1997 as the replacement to the Saab 9000 for the 1998 model year. At the time, the car represented a great leap forward for Saab...
(LWB) - 2013 Chevrolet MalibuChevrolet MalibuMalibus and all other Chevelles were completely restyled for 1968 with semi-fastback rooflines on two-door hardtops and wheelbases split to on two-door models and 118 for four-door sedans and station wagons. Engine offerings included a new V8 rated at that replaced the V8 that had served as the...
, Holden Malibu (SWB)
Concept vehicles built on Epsilon II:
- 2007 Buick RivieraBuick RivieraThe Riviera by Buick is an automobile produced by Buick in the United States from the 1963 to 1999 model years, with 1,127,261 produced.A full-size coupé or personal luxury car, the early models of the Riviera in particular have been highly praised by automotive journalists and writers.A common...
- 2007 Opel GTCOpel GTCThe Opel Gran Turismo Coupé Concept, abbreviated as Opel GTC Concept, is an Opel concept car which was speculated to be a hypothetical Opel Vectra coupé...
- 2006 Saab Aero X
Potential future vehicles to be built on Epsilon II:
- Roewe 750Roewe 750The Roewe 750 is a car produced by Roewe in the People's Republic of China, based on the Rover 75.Launched in October 2006 and codenamed SAC528 during development, the wheelbase of the Roewe 750 is stretched by compared to the Rover 75. The drivetrain is a 2.5L V6 petrol engine, based on the Rover...
(SWB) - MG 7MG 7The MG 7 is a sports saloon built by Nanjing Automobile, derived from the Rover 75 and MG ZT. Production started in early 2007. The MG 7 received praise from British car magazine Auto Express, who test-drove it in May 2008, although it has not officially been sold in the United Kingdom.The MG 7...
(SWB)
Super Epsilon
The automotive press has reported that GM Holden is developing a variation of the Epsilon II platform for full-size carFull-size car
A full-size car is a marketing term used in North America for an automobile larger than a mid-size car. In the United States, the EPA uses "large car" to denote full-size cars....
applications.
Potential future vehicles to be built on Super Epsilon II:
- Holden CommodoreHolden CommodoreThe Holden Commodore is an automobile manufactured since 1978 by the Holden subsidiary of General Motors in Australia, and, formerly, in New Zealand. In the mid-1970s, Holden established proposals to replace the long-serving Kingswood nameplate with a smaller, Opel-based model...
- Buick Park AvenueBuick Park AvenueThe Buick Park Avenue is a full-size car built by General Motors and sold by its Buick division. The nameplate was first used since 1975 as a top trim level of the Buick Electra, and the Park Avenue became a standalone model for the 1991 model year, replacing the Electra...
- Cadillac XTSCadillac XTSThe Cadillac XTS is an upcoming full-sized luxury car from the Cadillac brand of General Motors.. It is based on an enlarged version of the Epsilon II platform. The XTS will replace both the DTS and the STS sedans. It will begin production in early 2012 at the Oshawa Assembly Plant...
- Chevrolet ImpalaChevrolet ImpalaThe Chevrolet Impala is a full-size automobile built by the Chevrolet division of General Motors introduced for the 1958 model year. Deriving its name from the southern African antelope, Chevrolet's most expensive passenger model through 1965 had become the best-selling automobile in the United...