Question about the Sigma Platform

[niputaidea]

Someone posted this on the TCC forum. Is it true?

The catera is german-built automobile, derived from the Opel Omega.The Sigma platform has its origins in the Catera. Read the quote:

"Work on Sigma and the CTS began in earnest in 1995 when a highly-modified Catera chassis first rolled onto Germany's challenging Nurburgring."

another quote:

"The plant will produce a number of models on GM's new Sigma rear-wheel-drive platform. Its architecture is inspired by the Australian-built Holden Commodore.

For Cadillac, the Sigma cars will include the next Catera (2001) and Seville (2003). Ironically, one reason for Sigma is that Opel is getting out of the rear-wheel-drive business. The Omega, traditionally a rear-drive car and the basis of the current Catera, will soon shift to GM's front-wheel-drive Epsilon platform."

The Catera was a pretty good car that handled well with good ride. That's why GM has received so much praise. But at the end, this architecture isn't AMERICAN DESIGNED and in fact, if you look back where it came from, it's the Opel Omega.

[mgescuro]

As far I know, the Sigma was an all new architecture from teh ground up, specifically designed for exclusive use by Cadillac, with no help from GM Asia or GM Europe.

[V-Car]

Originally Posted by niputaidea

Someone posted this on the TCC forum. Is it true?

The catera is german-built automobile, derived from the Opel Omega. The Sigma platform has its origins in the Catera.

Yes, the Catera was a German built, re-badged Opel Omega, but the Sigma platform owes nothing to Opel..the Omega was built on the old GM2800 platform. The body of an Omega was probably grafted onto a Sigma platform for testing at Nurburgring as it would attract less attention than a prototype CTS.


[quote=niputaida]The plant will produce a number of models on GM's new Sigma rear-wheel-drive platform. Its architecture is inspired by the Australian-built Holden Commodore.[quote]

The next Commodore, the VE in 2006, will be built on the Zeta plaform, which was a development (read cheaper) by Holden of Sigma.
This will form the basis of a whole new line of RWD and AWD vehicles from various GM divisions, Chevrolet, Pontiac, Opel etc.

[BigAls87Z28]

Sigma is an all-American chassis. Whatever info was posted seems to be outdated. Sigma is Caddy-Only as of right now, and should stay that way.
Zeta is plenty fine for Buick, Pontiac, and Chevy, as well as Holden and the Euro brands.

[GeMiNi THRaSHeR]

Why shouldn't other regions get the Sigma chassis? Should be cost effective and such an awesome chassis shouldn't only be confined to one continent.

[BigAls87Z28]

Thats why we have Zeta. All the goodness of Sigma, with the low-buck idea that will fit everyones budget.
Sigma needs to be a Caddy-Only thing.

[ViperDVMan]

So what is the difference between the Sigma and Zeta platforms if they seem essentially the same (maybe different whellbase, a little, I think Zeta's is slightly longer)? I know Sigma's shown to be pretty versatile (note CTS, bigger STS, and crossover SRX).

As for Sigma being exclusive to Cadillac, I've read in one of the November car mag issues (Motor Trend, I think) that Buick now is debating whether to use Zeta or the proven Sigma for its rear-drive cars (its large sedan and Velite-inspired convertible) since they're aiming at Lexus.

[Hudson]

Buick is not getting Sigma.

[TaHoE]

I had another question, maybe Hudson could help, why the heck doesn't the CTS have AWD optional yet. There was an article a few months after the CTS debuted saying that it would get AWD a few months after launch...what happened?

[mgescuro]

Maybe Cadillac is going to wait until 2007 to release an AWD CTS? Along with the now mentioned convertible!??

[ViperDVMan]

Originally Posted by Hudson

Buick is not getting Sigma.

That mag only came out last month. Did they decide that quickly to go with Zeta?

What I had read was that they had planned on using derivatives of the Northstar engine in the Buicks. THey were saying Sigma was a possibility becuase it was already engineered for the Northstar and any derivatives (i.e. CTS's 3.6L V6) and had the refinement needed to make Buick a true Lexus-fighter. But they also said Zeta was more practical to use, probably because other GM vehicles will be using it too (i.e. next GTO, possibly the next Monte Carlo).

Just a little skeptical that a decision was made rather quick, when the new RWD Buicks aren't slated until 2007 or 2008, that's all.

[BigAls87Z28]

Well, right now GM is making choices for car up to the year 2009, so cars are planned years and years in advance.

Zeta cars are set up for MY07, which makes that 2006. Zeta was designed for the HF V6's, because that is what Holden will be putting in there Zeta cars. Known to the Aussies as Alloytec V6's, there will be a plant that will make a 2.8 adn 3.6 V6's. Also, there is news of a larger 3.8 V6.
Also, Zeta is very flexable. It can make a 2dr coupe, 4dr sedan, 2dr convertable, and even a larger 4dr sedan.
I think that Buick should really push for American luxury, and produce bold cars that really catch your eye. The LaCrosse, though very nice looking, isnt all to in your face, but that can be a good thing. Neither are any cars in its class, outside of the 300.

[Hudson]

What about the LeSabre replacement getting Northstar? The RWD Buicks currently planned to join the car lineup are based on Zeta, not Sigma.

[AMcA]

I seem to recall that the Sigma was to be shared with Opel for their top of the line model. But I haven't heard anything about it since. Does anyone know anything about Opel and Sigma?

[V-Car]

Originally Posted by AMcA

I seem to recall that the Sigma was to be shared with Opel for their top of the line model. But I haven't heard anything about it since. Does anyone know anything about Opel and Sigma?

This may not be an answer, but might shed some light on what 'could' happen.
From GoAuto news.

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By BRUCE NEWTON 3 November 2004

Commodore under consideration as large sedan in Europe for Opel/Vauxhall

A REBADGED but barely restyled version of the forthcoming Holden VE Commodore is under serious consideration as the pragmatic solution to Opel and Vauxhall’s quest for a large sedan.

While this proposal has the support of GM executives as high as global car czar Bob Lutz, there is still the push for a ‘purist’ solution, which is a production version of the Insignia concept revealed at Frankfurt in 2003.

A decision is due by the end of the first quarter of 2005. The VE goes on sale in Australia in the first half of 2006.

The Australian chief of Vauxhall, Kevin Wale, appears to fall into the Lutz camp of pragmatists, while Opel chief Carl-Peter Forster is at the head of the purists.

However, to get Insignia up and flying Mr Forster has to pull together a viable business case, an obvious challenge at a time when GM Europe continues to bleed financially.

Whichever way the choice goes, the Opel/Vauxhall large car that replaces the now retired Omega will be based on the Australian-developed Zeta rear-wheel drive architecture.
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Full story here.
http://www.goauto.com.au/mellor/mell...256F4100059396