Alpha RWD Platform Set To Invade GM's Lineup

[agman25]

"DETROIT — General Motors' plan for a new family of midsize, rear-wheel-drive cars is beginning to take shape, with the lead vehicle — an RWD successor to the Pontiac G6 — penciled in for a late 2010 intro, Inside Line has learned.

The platform, called Alpha, also will underpin several other models in North America and Europe, beginning in model-year 2011, according to GM suppliers. Alpha reportedly has been designed to use bits of the Kappa platform on which the Pontiac Solstice and Saturn Sky are based."

http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do...ticleId=121033



"You're looking at the inspiration for the rear drive architecture that will enable Cadillac to build a legitimate BMW 3 Series rival - and might underpin sporty compact rear drive cars for other GM divisions. The car shown here is the Holden Torana TT36, a concept developed by GM's Australian division and unveiled at the 2004 Sydney Motor Show."

http://www.motortrend.com/future/fut...ac_bmw_fighter


Wow !
One for every division. Even Saturn.

[mcool]

I think GM should really push Alpha through Cadillac, Pontiac, and Holden initially. Opel's Alpha product will just step on where Cadillac needs to go in Europe and elsewhere abroad. Same with Saturn getting an Alpha product... it just steps on the distinguishing feature of the Pontiac brand.

Come on GM, keep it simple stupid! You can get 250K units a year out of Alpha with just those three brands. Give them a chance to grow and mean something in the marketplace.

If Saturn gets an Alpha product that doesn't at least look ENTIRELY different from the G6, then I think that's the nail in the Ponitac coffin. Any talk of Saturn sharing product with Holden (other than Astra) is the death knell for Pontiac.

[1931Chevy]

http://www.autoblog.com/2007/06/01/a...ade-gm-lineup/



Citing suppliers and loose-lipped employees of General Motors as its source, Inside Line has learned that the rear-wheel drive Alpha platform will be making a big splash in the automaker's product portfolio soon. The Alpha will reportedly underpin a successor to the Pontiac G6 set to arrive in late 2010. Such a vehicle would do much to enhance Pontiac's unsubstaniated claim to build excitement, and would also augment the upcoming Zeta-based, rear-wheel-drive G8 sedan nicely. After that, the Alpha will take up residence beneath the next-generation Cadillac BLS sedan that's currently sold only in Europe. Once it makes the switch, IL expects the BLS to cross the Atlantic and slot in below the CTS in Cadillac's North American lineup. Next up would be a new rear-wheel-drive Alpha-based sedan for Saturn that would be positioned below the front-wheel drive Aura and above the Astra.

The Alpha infusion would occur in GM's lineup just as the aged front-wheel-drive W-body platform is phased out and replaced by the Epsilon II platform. The W-based Buick LaCrosse will make way for an Epsilon II successor that revives the Regal name, while the next-gen Malibu and Aura will move over to the new platform, as well. The Malibu may also be offered in a long-wheelbase version to appease current Impala customers who will still need a large, front-wheel-drive sedan once that car jumps to the rear-wheel-drive Zeta platform.

Regardless of whether any of these plans actually happen (nothing's written in stone in this business), it's clear that GM's push to globalize its platforms is on track.

[nsap]

The G6 is slated for the third quarter of 2010 as a 2011 model. Coupe and sedan variants are suppose to come.

Caddy wants the BLS to be the 3-Series eater. They are apparently putting a lot of effort into it too.

[NINETY_EIGHT_REGENCY]

Wow... That was interesting.. GM is doing what it once did. It has a mix of both RWD and FWD cars. They are not so one side or heavy on one side and light on the other. I see global GM in action here. Everyone gets a share. If it takes sharing architectures to do it, then so be it. GM did this back in the day.

[DuSpinnst]

Yep, and the G6 Convertible will probably migrate to the Epsilon II Buick, the LaCrosse replacement.

[paul3230]

Originally Posted by nsap

The G6 is slated for the third quarter of 2010 as a 2011 model. Coupe and sedan variants are suppose to come.

Caddy wants the BLS to be the 3-Series eater. They are apparently putting a lot of effort into it too.

Hmmm..makes sense why they CTS continues to grow in size to take on the 5 series

[Aych Es Vee]

Is Holden developing the Alpha aswell?

[civilzues]

What will Saab be getting? anything... Also why is Saturn getting a 'mid-sized' RWD?

[paul8488]

Some very interesting suggestions here. Lets hope they're all true! I love the idea of a regular and long wheelbase Malibu! Imagine adding current Malibu and Impala sales under one nameplate! Not sure a RWD Saturn makes all that muchy sense... especially is it's slated UNDER the Aura.

[smk4565]

Alpha should not be a Saturn, that is dumb, that is just more rebadging and it makes for 100 models to re-engineer, and GM can't do 20 new models a year to keep them all up to date.

Alpha should be Pontiac, Holden and Cadillac only (possibly a european only car for opel/vauxhaul). They also need it kind of soon, 3.5 years is a long time. The next 3 series will be out in 4.

[EldoFan]

Originally Posted by Aych Es Vee

Is Holden developing the Alpha aswell?

I haven't heard anything about it.......isn't that the platform Holden's "Torana" is supposed to be on, or am I mistaking Alpha for a shortened Zeta there?

I think it'd be interesting to see what they do w/a RWD G6, given that the G8 has such 'Athleticism'. Keeping the lineup simple would be good.......base and GT.....although given the G8's engine choices, I'm not quite sure what would be good under the hood of a RWD G6.

About the Malibu........they should just extend the wheelbase to pick up all the FWD lovers who like their cars 'Impala'-sized and leave it at that if they are so worried about that.

Am curious about Saturn though.....how their first RWD car would turn out.

[t-rex]

Primary models:

1) Holden Torana
2) Pontiac G6 replacement (Tempest anyone?)
3) Cadillac BTS
4) Chevrolet Nomad (please, GM, I'm begging)
5) Saab Aero-X

Secondary models:

a) Saturn Curve: RX-8/Supra-esque sports 2+2
b) Pontiac Typhoon: road-hugging CUV to compete with Mazda CX7 and upcoming Infiniti EX.
c) Cadillac CLR roadster (more interior room than Kappas)

THIS is the platform GM and Fiat should have split the costs on. Imagine a new generation of RWD Alfa Romeos on a Kappaesque platform?

[camaro_freak]

good news too bad we have to wait for 3 years for it to come to pass...

[SonofaUAWman]

Can the platform the Aura is on support AWD? If not cna the Alpha? No need for a RWD Saturn.