GM Theta platform
Encyclopedia
Theta is General Motors
' compact
and mid-size crossover SUV
automobile platform
. The architecture debuted in 2002 with the Saturn Vue
and was later used for the Chevrolet Equinox
and Captiva
and similar models.
. Engine choices include the Ecotec Family II
straight-4
, 3400 V6, and even a Honda
V6, the L66
. A 5-speed automatic
and two 5-speed manual transmission
s are used.
The original Saturn Vue
used a short 106.6 in (2708 mm) wheelbase, with a 61 in (1549 mm) track. The Chevrolet Equinox
and Pontiac Torrent
use a stretched 112.5 in (2857 mm) wheelbase, but shares much with the Saturn.
The Suzuki Grand Vitara, although similar in size and appearance to a Saturn Vue, was developed by Suzuki using some Theta components, but should not be considered a Theta derivative. The Grand Vitara front and rear suspensions are substantially different from the Theta vehicles. The 2007 Suzuki XL7 is based on the Theta platform and is built alongside the Equinox and Torrent at CAMI Automotive
in Ingersoll, Ontario
, Canada
. It is the first non-GM branded vehicle to come off the Theta platform. Styled by Suzuki, the engineering was performed by GM engineers in the US and Canada.
Engineering for the Opel Antara, and Chevrolet Captiva was performed in large part in Korea by GM Daewoo Auto & Technology
, and by Opel in Germany as well.
was one of the first of General Motors
' vehicles to be offered with a hybrid
powertrain, GM's belt alternator starter
(BAS) system, in 2006.
Current Theta vehicles:
Concepts
General Motors has created a premium version of Theta for luxury applications. Reports differ, but the consensus is that it is a combination of the current Theta and elements of the new Epsilon 2
architecture, with some Lambda
components as well. Thus this platform is sometimes also referred to as Theta-Epsilon (TE). Theta Premium supports larger models than the standard platform.
Vehicles using Theta Premium:
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...
' compact
Compact car
A compact car , or small family car , is a classification of cars which are larger than a supermini but smaller than or equal to a mid-size car...
and mid-size 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...
. The architecture debuted in 2002 with the Saturn Vue
Saturn VUE
The Saturn Vue is a compact crossover SUV that was sold by General Motors' Saturn marque, and at one time was Saturn's best-selling model. It was the first vehicle to use the GM Theta platform when it was introduced in 2002. A second generation model was launched in 2007 for the 2008 model as a...
and was later used for the Chevrolet Equinox
Chevrolet Equinox
The second generation Equinox was announced by GM on December 21, 2008, and debuted at the 2009 North American International Auto Show in Detroit. The 2010 Equinox went on sale in June 2009. It is built on a stiffened version of the same "Theta" platform used in the previous model. The new Equinox...
and Captiva
Daewoo Winstorm
- 2006–2011 :Designated C100 by Daewoo and CG in Holden's terminology, the Captiva was launched in 2006. Styling of the Captiva was inspired by the 2004 Chevrolet S3X concept car. The S3X concept was developed by GM Daewoo's design center in Bupyeong-gu, Incheon and is based on the GM Theta...
and similar models.
Development
The Theta uses a four wheel independent suspensionIndependent suspension
Independent suspension is a broad term for any automobile suspension system that allows each wheel on the same axle to move vertically independently of each other. This is contrasted with a beam axle, live axle or deDion axle system in which the wheels are linked – movement on one side affects...
. Engine choices include the Ecotec Family II
GM Family II engine
The Family II is a straight-4 piston engine that was originally developed by Opel in the early 1970s. It was used in the Opel Ascona and Opel Kadett and their corresponding sister models the Vauxhall Cavalier and Vauxhall Astra...
straight-4
Straight-4
The inline-four engine or straight-four engine is an internal combustion engine with all four cylinders mounted in a straight line, or plane along the crankcase. The single bank of cylinders may be oriented in either a vertical or an inclined plane with all the pistons driving a common crankshaft....
, 3400 V6, and even a Honda
Honda
is a Japanese public multinational corporation primarily known as a manufacturer of automobiles and motorcycles.Honda has been the world's largest motorcycle manufacturer since 1959, as well as the world's largest manufacturer of internal combustion engines measured by volume, producing more than...
V6, the L66
GM L66 engine
The L66 is an OEM V6 engine designed and built by Honda, but sold by General Motors in the Saturn Vue SUV. The L66 was acquired as part of a swap with Honda, who received the Circle L 1.7 L Diesel straight-4 for use in European Civics....
. A 5-speed automatic
Automatic transmission
An automatic transmission is one type of motor vehicle transmission that can automatically change gear ratios as the vehicle moves, freeing the driver from having to shift gears manually...
and two 5-speed manual transmission
Manual transmission
A manual transmission, also known as a manual gearbox or standard transmission is a type of transmission used in motor vehicle applications...
s are used.
The original Saturn Vue
Saturn VUE
The Saturn Vue is a compact crossover SUV that was sold by General Motors' Saturn marque, and at one time was Saturn's best-selling model. It was the first vehicle to use the GM Theta platform when it was introduced in 2002. A second generation model was launched in 2007 for the 2008 model as a...
used a short 106.6 in (2708 mm) wheelbase, with a 61 in (1549 mm) track. The Chevrolet Equinox
Chevrolet Equinox
The second generation Equinox was announced by GM on December 21, 2008, and debuted at the 2009 North American International Auto Show in Detroit. The 2010 Equinox went on sale in June 2009. It is built on a stiffened version of the same "Theta" platform used in the previous model. The new Equinox...
and Pontiac Torrent
Pontiac Torrent
The Pontiac Torrent is a sport utility vehicle that was offered by the Pontiac division of General Motors, being the successor of the discontinued Pontiac Aztek. It was manufactured at CAMI Automotive in Ingersoll, Ontario, Canada, and it replaced the U-body Aztek as the company's crossover SUV...
use a stretched 112.5 in (2857 mm) wheelbase, but shares much with the Saturn.
The Suzuki Grand Vitara, although similar in size and appearance to a Saturn Vue, was developed by Suzuki using some Theta components, but should not be considered a Theta derivative. The Grand Vitara front and rear suspensions are substantially different from the Theta vehicles. The 2007 Suzuki XL7 is based on the Theta platform and is built alongside the Equinox and Torrent at CAMI Automotive
CAMI Automotive
CAMI Automotive, originally known as Canadian Automotive Manufacturing Inc., was an independently incorporated joint venture of automobile manufacturing in Ingersoll, Ontario, Canada and formed the third step of GM's three-pronged initiative of the mid-1980s to capture and practice the Japanese...
in Ingersoll, Ontario
Ingersoll, Ontario
Ingersoll is a town in Oxford County on the Thames River in southwestern Ontario, Canada. The nearest cities are Woodstock to the east and London to the west....
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
. It is the first non-GM branded vehicle to come off the Theta platform. Styled by Suzuki, the engineering was performed by GM engineers in the US and Canada.
Engineering for the Opel Antara, and Chevrolet Captiva was performed in large part in Korea by GM Daewoo Auto & Technology
GM Daewoo
GM Korea Company is South Korea's second largest automobile manufacturer and is a division of the General Motors Company. GM Korea's roots go back to the former Daewoo which was split from its parent company, Daewoo Group, in 2001...
, and by Opel in Germany as well.
Hybrids
The Saturn VueSaturn VUE
The Saturn Vue is a compact crossover SUV that was sold by General Motors' Saturn marque, and at one time was Saturn's best-selling model. It was the first vehicle to use the GM Theta platform when it was introduced in 2002. A second generation model was launched in 2007 for the 2008 model as a...
was one of the first of General Motors
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...
' vehicles to be offered with a hybrid
Hybrid vehicle
A hybrid vehicle is a vehicle that uses two or more distinct power sources to move the vehicle. The term most commonly refers to hybrid electric vehicles , which combine an internal combustion engine and one or more electric motors.-Power:...
powertrain, GM's belt alternator starter
Belt alternator starter
- Generation I BAS :General Motors introduced a mild hybrid system called belt alternator starter in the 2007 Saturn Vue Green Line. The BAS system is also used in the Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid and Saturn Aura Green Line...
(BAS) system, in 2006.
Vehicles
Previous Theta vehicles:- Short wheelbase
- 2002-07 Saturn VueSaturn VUEThe Saturn Vue is a compact crossover SUV that was sold by General Motors' Saturn marque, and at one time was Saturn's best-selling model. It was the first vehicle to use the GM Theta platform when it was introduced in 2002. A second generation model was launched in 2007 for the 2008 model as a...
- 2002-07 Saturn Vue
- Long wheelbase
- 2005 Chevrolet EquinoxChevrolet EquinoxThe second generation Equinox was announced by GM on December 21, 2008, and debuted at the 2009 North American International Auto Show in Detroit. The 2010 Equinox went on sale in June 2009. It is built on a stiffened version of the same "Theta" platform used in the previous model. The new Equinox...
- 2006 Pontiac TorrentPontiac TorrentThe Pontiac Torrent is a sport utility vehicle that was offered by the Pontiac division of General Motors, being the successor of the discontinued Pontiac Aztek. It was manufactured at CAMI Automotive in Ingersoll, Ontario, Canada, and it replaced the U-body Aztek as the company's crossover SUV...
- 2007 Suzuki XL7
- 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
Current Theta vehicles:
- Short wheelbase
- 2006 Daewoo WinstormDaewoo Winstorm- 2006–2011 :Designated C100 by Daewoo and CG in Holden's terminology, the Captiva was launched in 2006. Styling of the Captiva was inspired by the 2004 Chevrolet S3X concept car. The S3X concept was developed by GM Daewoo's design center in Bupyeong-gu, Incheon and is based on the GM Theta...
/Chevrolet Captiva/Holden Captiva - 2006 Opel AntaraOpel AntaraThe Opel Antara is a compact crossover SUV, which was a co-development between Opel, the German subsidiary of General Motors , and GM Daewoo, the South Korean equivalent. The Antara, based on the GM Theta platform, shares its underpinnings and powertrains with the Chevrolet Captiva. However, it has...
- 2006 Daewoo Winstorm
- Long wheelbase
- 2010-11 Chevrolet EquinoxChevrolet EquinoxThe second generation Equinox was announced by GM on December 21, 2008, and debuted at the 2009 North American International Auto Show in Detroit. The 2010 Equinox went on sale in June 2009. It is built on a stiffened version of the same "Theta" platform used in the previous model. The new Equinox...
- 2010-11 GMC TerrainGMC TerrainThe GMC Terrain is a mid-size crossover SUV. According to GM, it replaced the GMC Envoy, the Isuzu Ascender, which was discontinued after Isuzu stopped selling their automobiles in America, and Pontiac Torrent, which was sold in the same dealerships prior to GM dropping the Pontiac brand.. Like the...
- 2010-11 Chevrolet Equinox
Concepts
- Chevrolet S3X/T2X
Theta Premium
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...
architecture, with some Lambda
GM Lambda platform
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....
components as well. Thus this platform is sometimes also referred to as Theta-Epsilon (TE). Theta Premium supports larger models than the standard platform.
Vehicles using Theta Premium:
- 2010 Cadillac SRXCadillac SRXEngine options include the High-Feature V6 and the 4.6 L Northstar V8. It is based on the GM Sigma platform and comes with a five or six-speed automatic transmission; rear-wheel drive and four-wheel drive are available....
- Saab 9-4XSaab 9-4XThe Saab 9-4X is a mid-size crossover SUV introduced by Swedish automaker Saab Automobile at the LA Auto Show 2010. It is based on the all-wheel drive GM Theta Premium platform. The 9-4X will begin production in 2011 and is scheduled to be built at Ramos Arizpe, Mexico...