GM Lambda platform
Encyclopedia
Lambda is General Motors
' full-size
crossover SUV
automobile platform
. It is largely derived from the GM Epsilon platform
, which underlies the Chevrolet Malibu
sedan and similar models.
The Buick Enclave
concept car
was previewed at the 2006 North American International Auto Show
, and the Saturn Outlook
was shown at the 2006 New York Auto Show. The 2007 Outlook and GMC Acadia
went into production in late 2006, followed by the 2008 Enclave
in mid-2007, and the 2009 Chevrolet Traverse
in mid-2008.
Lambda vehicles feature easily accessible three-row seating. They were supplied with the LY7 3.6-liter V6. Starting with the 2009 model year all Lambda vehicles have GM LLT 3.6-liter gasoline direct injection
engine for improved fuel efficiency, horsepower and torque. With the cancellation of GM's next-generation
DOHC V8, it appears unlikely that GM will offer a V8 engine for Lambda. The platform has been designed for front
and all-wheel drive applications. .
Lambda vehicles are produced in the new Lansing Delta Township Assembly
plant near Lansing, Michigan
. The Traverse began production in September 2008 at a retooled Spring Hill Assembly Plant in Tennessee, but production was later moved to Lansing.
It has been reported that Cadillac
will receive a Lambda vehicle in 2012, which could possibly replace the current GMT900
-based Escalade
.
minivans with new vehicles using the Lambda platform for the 2009 model year, but due to the decline of minivan sales the plan was cancelled.
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...
' full-size
Full-size car
A full-size car is a marketing term used in North America for an automobile larger than a mid-size car. In the United States, the EPA uses "large car" to denote full-size cars....
crossover SUV
Crossover SUV
A crossover SUV is a vehicle built on a car platform and combining, in highly variable degrees, features of a sport utility vehicle with features from a passenger vehicle, especially those of a station wagon or hatchback.Using the unibody construction typical of passenger vehicles, the crossover...
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...
. It is largely derived from the GM Epsilon platform
GM Epsilon platform
Epsilon is General Motors' mid-size front-wheel drive automobile platform. The architecture was developed by Opel, and debuted in the 2002 Opel Vectra and 2003 Saab 9-3. Since this platform falls squarely in the center of the worldwide automobile market, GM plans to produce a great many Epsilon...
, which underlies the Chevrolet Malibu
Chevrolet Malibu
Malibus and all other Chevelles were completely restyled for 1968 with semi-fastback rooflines on two-door hardtops and wheelbases split to on two-door models and 118 for four-door sedans and station wagons. Engine offerings included a new V8 rated at that replaced the V8 that had served as the...
sedan and similar models.
The Buick Enclave
Buick Enclave
The Buick Enclave is a full-size crossover SUV launched in May 2007 as a 2008 model by the Buick division of General Motors. The Buick Enclave, GMC Acadia, Chevrolet Traverse, and Saturn Outlook all share the GM Lambda platform. The Enclave was previewed at the 2006 North American International...
concept car
Concept car
A concept vehicle or show vehicle is a car made to showcase new styling and or new technology. They are often shown at motor shows to gauge customer reaction to new and radical designs which may or may not have a chance of being produced....
was previewed at the 2006 North American International Auto Show
North American International Auto Show
The North American International Auto Show is an annual auto show held in Detroit, Michigan at Cobo Center, usually in January. It is among the largest auto shows in North America.-History:...
, and the Saturn Outlook
Saturn Outlook
The Saturn Outlook is a crossover SUV that debuted at the New York International Auto Show, and is based on the new GM Lambda platform, which it shares with the Buick Enclave, Chevrolet Traverse and GMC Acadia...
was shown at the 2006 New York Auto Show. The 2007 Outlook and GMC Acadia
GMC Acadia
The GMC Acadia is a full-size crossover SUV from GM. The GMC Acadia, Chevrolet Traverse, Buick Enclave and Saturn Outlook share the new GM Lambda platform. The Acadia went on sale in the United States in December 2006, and in Canada in January, 2007...
went into production in late 2006, followed by the 2008 Enclave
Buick Enclave
The Buick Enclave is a full-size crossover SUV launched in May 2007 as a 2008 model by the Buick division of General Motors. The Buick Enclave, GMC Acadia, Chevrolet Traverse, and Saturn Outlook all share the GM Lambda platform. The Enclave was previewed at the 2006 North American International...
in mid-2007, and the 2009 Chevrolet Traverse
Chevrolet Traverse
The Chevrolet Traverse is a seven/eight seat full-size crossover SUV built on the GM Lambda platform that underpins the Buick Enclave, GMC Acadia and Saturn Outlook. It is a successor to both the Uplander minivan and Trailblazer SUV...
in mid-2008.
Lambda vehicles feature easily accessible three-row seating. They were supplied with the LY7 3.6-liter V6. Starting with the 2009 model year all Lambda vehicles have GM LLT 3.6-liter gasoline direct injection
Gasoline direct injection
In internal combustion engines, gasoline direct injection , also known as petrol direct injection or direct petrol injection, is a variant of fuel injection employed in modern two-stroke and four-stroke gasoline engines...
engine for improved fuel efficiency, horsepower and torque. With the cancellation of GM's next-generation
GM Ultra Engine
Ultra was the codename for General Motors' next-generation family of DOHC V8 engines that was being developed to replace the Northstar as the V8 engine of choice for GM's premium vehicles...
DOHC V8, it appears unlikely that GM will offer a V8 engine for Lambda. The platform has been designed for front
Front-wheel drive
Front-wheel drive is a form of engine/transmission layout used in motor vehicles, where the engine drives the front wheels only. Most modern front-wheel drive vehicles feature a transverse engine, rather than the conventional longitudinal engine arrangement generally found in rear-wheel drive and...
and all-wheel drive applications. .
Lambda vehicles are produced in the new Lansing Delta Township Assembly
Lansing Delta Township Assembly
Lansing Delta Township Assembly is a General Motors automobile assembly factory in Delta Township, Michigan on land that is shared by both the nearby city of Lansing, and the township. It manufactures Chevrolet, Buick, and GMC vehicles....
plant near Lansing, Michigan
Lansing, Michigan
Lansing is the capital of the U.S. state of Michigan. It is located mostly in Ingham County, although small portions of the city extend into Eaton County. The 2010 Census places the city's population at 114,297, making it the fifth largest city in Michigan...
. The Traverse began production in September 2008 at a retooled Spring Hill Assembly Plant in Tennessee, but production was later moved to Lansing.
It has been reported that Cadillac
Cadillac
Cadillac is an American luxury vehicle marque owned by General Motors . Cadillac vehicles are sold in over 50 countries and territories, but mostly in North America. Cadillac is currently the second oldest American automobile manufacturer behind fellow GM marque Buick and is among the oldest...
will receive a Lambda vehicle in 2012, which could possibly replace the current GMT900
GMT900
The GMT900 truck platform debuted at the 2006 North American International Auto Show, as basis for the next generation of General Motors full-size pickups and SUVs, and replacements for the GMT800 vehicles...
-based Escalade
Cadillac Escalade
The Cadillac Escalade is a full-size luxury sport utility vehicle sold by the General Motors luxury brand, Cadillac. It was the division's first major entry into the popular SUV market. The Escalade was introduced for the 1999 model year in response to German and Japanese competitors and to Ford's...
.
Minivans
GM was considering replacing the U-bodyGM 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...
minivans with new vehicles using the Lambda platform for the 2009 model year, but due to the decline of minivan sales the plan was cancelled.
Vehicles
Vehicles based on this platform:- 2007–present GMC AcadiaGMC AcadiaThe GMC Acadia is a full-size crossover SUV from GM. The GMC Acadia, Chevrolet Traverse, Buick Enclave and Saturn Outlook share the new GM Lambda platform. The Acadia went on sale in the United States in December 2006, and in Canada in January, 2007...
- 2007–2010 Saturn OutlookSaturn OutlookThe Saturn Outlook is a crossover SUV that debuted at the New York International Auto Show, and is based on the new GM Lambda platform, which it shares with the Buick Enclave, Chevrolet Traverse and GMC Acadia...
- 2008–present Buick EnclaveBuick EnclaveThe Buick Enclave is a full-size crossover SUV launched in May 2007 as a 2008 model by the Buick division of General Motors. The Buick Enclave, GMC Acadia, Chevrolet Traverse, and Saturn Outlook all share the GM Lambda platform. The Enclave was previewed at the 2006 North American International...
- 2009–present Chevrolet TraverseChevrolet TraverseThe Chevrolet Traverse is a seven/eight seat full-size crossover SUV built on the GM Lambda platform that underpins the Buick Enclave, GMC Acadia and Saturn Outlook. It is a successor to both the Uplander minivan and Trailblazer SUV...