[nadepalma]

The idea of using EpsilonII for a BLS replacement in Europe and around the world is old news - or so we were told. The original plan was to introduce such a product but make it arrive on the market with AWD standard to differentiate it from others in the segment and lend more credibility to the next BLS being a "driver's" car.

But well over a year ago, we heard more concrete plan was to use the Alpha platform for this project. Has this been abandoned?

Using the Alpha platform directly for a 1-Series sized vehicle does't seem to jive with info we've read prior either. Alpha was always supposed to be a 3-Series/mid-sized platform. However, the next Kappa platform was supposed to use elements from Alpha in production form -- very much akin to how the 1-Series' platform uses some 3-Series' componentry.

Could this be what they mean? I don't understand why they put Alpha in play and develop it if they dont' intend to put it under the BLS replacement but only under 1-Series rival.

Would GM actually introduce a RWD ATS product (highly doubtful it will be sold in the US) and have a FWD based platform underpin it's 3-Series rival? Doesn't seem to make sense with Caddy's new credo.

I think this may be a bit twisted in the facts.