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GM A platform (FWD)
Encyclopedia
The General Motors
A platform (commonly called the A-body) was a mid-size car
automobile platform
designation used from 1982 to 1996. Previously the A body
designation had been used for rear wheel drive mid-sized cars.
The A-body consisted of 4-door sedan, 2-door coupé
and a 4-door station wagon
It was updated in 1989 with a slightly longer wheelbase and a more rounded roofline (except for the Celebrity whose roofline remained unchanged as it was to be phased out in 1990). It also briefly saw duty as an All Wheel Drive platform for the Pontiac 6000.
Later GM platforms (specifically transaxle based, ie FWD and mid-engine RWD) benefited from components and systems developed with the A-Body. Additionally the first generation U-body
minivan (1990-1996) was constructed utilizing lightly modified A-body chassis.
The A-body began to be phased out in favor of the GM W platform
beginning in 1990, although production did not end for the until 1996 due to popularity of the remaining models.
Applications:
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...
A platform (commonly called the A-body) was a mid-size car
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...
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...
designation used from 1982 to 1996. Previously the A body
GM A platform (RWD)
The General Motors A platform was a rear wheel drive automobile platform designation used from at least 1939 up until 1981...
designation had been used for rear wheel drive mid-sized cars.
The A-body consisted of 4-door sedan, 2-door coupé
Coupé
A coupé or coupe is a closed car body style , the precise definition of which varies from manufacturer to manufacturer, and over time...
and a 4-door station wagon
Station wagon
A station wagon is a body style variant of a sedan/saloon with its roof extended rearward over a shared passenger/cargo volume with access at the back via a third or fifth door , instead of a trunk lid...
It was updated in 1989 with a slightly longer wheelbase and a more rounded roofline (except for the Celebrity whose roofline remained unchanged as it was to be phased out in 1990). It also briefly saw duty as an All Wheel Drive platform for the Pontiac 6000.
Later GM platforms (specifically transaxle based, ie FWD and mid-engine RWD) benefited from components and systems developed with the A-Body. Additionally the first generation U-body
GM U platform
The U-platform is a front wheel drive minivan and crossover SUV platform from General Motors produced since 1990. North American sales ended in 2009, but Chinese production continues. The minivans were divided into three generations, 1990-1996, 1997-2005 and 2005-current...
minivan (1990-1996) was constructed utilizing lightly modified A-body chassis.
The A-body began to be phased out in favor of the GM 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...
beginning in 1990, although production did not end for the until 1996 due to popularity of the remaining models.
Applications:
- 104.5 in wheelbase:
- 1982–1990 Chevrolet CelebrityChevrolet CelebrityThe Chevrolet Celebrity is a mid-size car produced by the Chevrolet Division of General Motors . The Celebrity was introduced in 1981 for the 1982 model year. The Celebrity was the best-selling car in the United States in 1986...
- 1982–1988 Pontiac 6000Pontiac 6000The Pontiac 6000 was a mid-size car introduced by the Pontiac division of General Motors in 1981 for the 1982 model year, positioned between the smaller Phoenix and the slightly upscale Bonneville...
- 1982–1988 Buick CenturyBuick CenturyBuick Century is the model name used by the Buick division of General Motors for a line of full-size performance vehicles from 1936 to 1942 and 1954 to 1958, and from 1973 to 2005 for a mid-size car....
- 1982–1988 Oldsmobile Cutlass CieraOldsmobile Cutlass CieraThe Oldsmobile Cutlass Ciera is a mid-size car that was sold from 1982 through 1996 by the Oldsmobile division of General Motors.It shared the front-wheel drive A platform with the very similar Buick Century, Pontiac 6000 and Chevrolet Celebrity; both Olds and Chevy considered using the Celebrity...
/Cruiser
- 1982–1990 Chevrolet Celebrity
- 104.9 in wheelbase:
- 1989–1991 Pontiac 6000Pontiac 6000The Pontiac 6000 was a mid-size car introduced by the Pontiac division of General Motors in 1981 for the 1982 model year, positioned between the smaller Phoenix and the slightly upscale Bonneville...
- 1989–1996 Buick CenturyBuick CenturyBuick Century is the model name used by the Buick division of General Motors for a line of full-size performance vehicles from 1936 to 1942 and 1954 to 1958, and from 1973 to 2005 for a mid-size car....
- 1989–1995 Oldsmobile Cutlass CieraOldsmobile Cutlass CieraThe Oldsmobile Cutlass Ciera is a mid-size car that was sold from 1982 through 1996 by the Oldsmobile division of General Motors.It shared the front-wheel drive A platform with the very similar Buick Century, Pontiac 6000 and Chevrolet Celebrity; both Olds and Chevy considered using the Celebrity...
/Cruiser - 1996 Oldsmobile Ciera (final year of the Cutlass CieraOldsmobile Cutlass CieraThe Oldsmobile Cutlass Ciera is a mid-size car that was sold from 1982 through 1996 by the Oldsmobile division of General Motors.It shared the front-wheel drive A platform with the very similar Buick Century, Pontiac 6000 and Chevrolet Celebrity; both Olds and Chevy considered using the Celebrity...
and Cutlass Cruiser, sold without the "Cutlass" name)
- 1989–1991 Pontiac 6000