Is GM developing a new RWD architecture smaller and cheaper than Alpha?

[Z284ever]

During an interview, Mark Reuss was asked about the Code 130R and it's suitability for a Holden Torana by the Australian media.

http://www.carsales.com.au/news/smal...86-rival-34538

He had this quote: “We would do something with the knowledge of Alpha and the background, but we wouldn’t take Alpha and try and shrink it.”

Indicating that a smaller, cheaper RWD architecture would be developed for such a car. This also ties in to NSAP's report last month that Buick was holding off any decison on RWD until a decision on the Code was made by Chevy.

Up until now, everyone at GM I have spoken to about the Code 130R have indicated that IF approved, it would ride on Alpha. Of course, everyone also acknowledged that this car can't be sold for $20K as promised, if it's on Alpha.

This is BIG NEWS guys. I've got my feelers out for any info.

[megeebee]

Very interesting........

Kappa re born.

Opel could have something from this too.

A small Chevy, A small Buick convertible......

[Z284ever]

It would have to be quite a bit cheaper and higher volume than Kapppa. Kappa was an essentially 7/8th scale Y-car designed for very low volume. And it lost money.

[KingElvis]

He had this quote: “We would do something with the knowledge of Alpha and the background, but we wouldn’t take Alpha and try and shrink it.”

How much smaller can you get? It's already a compact. Maybe they are thinking in terms of taking Alpha and making it cheaper with more iron parts and less of the lightweight stuff?

[hydrogen]

I'm sure GM has a weapons cashe of proposed RWD platforms that never made it into production. I don't find compact sports cars attractive even if the platform performs well, Miata for instance. Let's see if GM delivers the Alpha coupes first.

[MikesZ]

It would be nice to see someone build a competitor to the Scionbaru - but hit the $20K mark.

[Quixote88]

So, let me get this straight... GM will not spring for variants of the successful Cruze in the United States. Nor will they bring versions of vehicles built on existing platforms such as the Trax (Gamma), Cascada (Delta), Astra GTC (Delta), Orlando (Delta), etc., to the U.S. market... But they will develop another RWD platform to build lower cost vehicles (meaning lower revenue generated, and more than likely lower profit margins) which would have limited scope in the market by comparison... Yeah, that makes sense...

As a driver, I'd love to see more RWD architecture in the lineup. But from a financial perspective and knowing their recent history, I find it hard to believe this would get the "green light."

[Z284ever]

Alpha, remember, was originally designed to be a 4 cylinder only RWD architecture, namely for Pontiac. That is before Cadillac got involved.

[prowlerjc]

He had this quote: “We would do something with the knowledge of Alpha and the background, but we wouldn’t take Alpha and try and shrink it.”

How much smaller can you get? It's already a compact. Maybe they are thinking in terms of taking Alpha and making it cheaper with more iron parts and less of the lightweight stuff?

4 cylinder only with leaf spring solid axle rear end?

[MonaroSS]

And here is a spy look at the first product off this new smaller platform...

[Z284ever]

I can see 4 cyl only. But some sort of IRS is the price of admission nowadays.

[ne_one]

Any word from the Detroit show whether the Code 130R is making an appearance?

[Z284ever]

And here is a spy look at the first product off this new smaller platform...

Holy smokes, bro. You wasted no time!

[CamaroCrazy]

I feel like this is all smoke and mirrors. Scion/Subaru comes up with a car that is a surprise hit and maybe in some ways what the Kappa cars weren't or could have been, and now GM wants back in on this segment and wants to say "me too". I think it's a waste of energy to even consider the Code. Just use the next Camaro as an outlet to compete with the Scion/Subaru twins. The Camaro needs to shrink and lose weight. I wish the next one would be more like the size ofthe first gen. Don't tell me a 3000-3100 pound Alpha Camaro is not possible.

[MonaroSS]

Holy smokes, bro. You wasted no time!

It's the joke chops that are the quickest and easiest to do as you don't really give a ____ about execution...