GM Zeta platform
Encyclopedia
Zeta was the original name for General Motors
' full-size
rear-wheel drive automobile platform
. The architecture was engineered by Holden
of Australia and was most recently referred to as the "Global RWD Architecture". The GM Zeta replaced the Australian V-body
and was considered as the replacement for the North American W
, H
, and K
platforms, but ultimately not used. Although the future of the Zeta program was in doubt during GM's financial troubles, as of May 21, 2009, development of a new form of the Zeta chassis, said to be lighter and more economical has begun, intended to replace existing Australian-produced models.
The Chevrolet Camaro is the only Zeta platform model to go into production in North America (Canada). All other Zeta platform vehicles are manufactured in Australia by Holden.
announced that the Opel Omega
(on which the Commodore was based) would be discontinued. Principal development on the VE Commodore was completed by July 2004 at a cost of approaching A$1 billion and the first testing mules underwent trials later that year. General Motors global corporate headquarters took notice of the VE design and began studies on the utilization of the underlying architecture (internally christened Zeta by GM engineers) for a range of future products on a global scale. The idea of Zeta as a global platform was officially revived when GM announced the future Camaro would use the Zeta platform.
length, ride height, windshield rake and roof line. Zeta's suspension
system is all wheel independent and utilizes a MacPherson strut
coupled with a dual ball joint lower A-arm
for the front and a four link independent setup for the rear wheels. The engine is mounted slightly behind the front axle giving improved weight distribution.
" performance model for civilians, as well as new full-size Buick and Cadillac flagship sedans being based on the platform.
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....
rear-wheel drive 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 was engineered by Holden
Holden
GM Holden Ltd is an automaker that operates in Australia, based in Port Melbourne, Victoria. The company was founded in 1856 as a saddlery manufacturer. In 1908 it moved into the automotive field, before becoming a subsidiary of the U.S.-based General Motors in 1931...
of Australia and was most recently referred to as the "Global RWD Architecture". The GM Zeta replaced the Australian V-body
GM V platform (RWD)
The V platform is a rear-wheel drive automobile platform that underpinned various General Motors vehicles from 1967 through to its final discontinuation in 2007. The V platform was developed in the 1960s by the European subsidiary of GM, Opel, however, it was not without significant revision over...
and was considered as the replacement for the North American W
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...
, H
GM H platform (FWD)
The H platform, or H-body designates a General Motors front wheel drive full-sized automobile platform beginning in 1986. It is related to the C, G and K platforms.Previously the H platform designation was used for unrelated rear-wheel drive compact cars....
, and K
GM K platform (FWD)
The General Motors K platform was an automobile platform designation used for front wheel drive Cadillac models beginning in 1980. It replaced the rear wheel drive K platform....
platforms, but ultimately not used. Although the future of the Zeta program was in doubt during GM's financial troubles, as of May 21, 2009, development of a new form of the Zeta chassis, said to be lighter and more economical has begun, intended to replace existing Australian-produced models.
The Chevrolet Camaro is the only Zeta platform model to go into production in North America (Canada). All other Zeta platform vehicles are manufactured in Australia by Holden.
Development
Development was started in late 1999 by Holden of Australia in order to replace the aging V-body platform underpinning their Commodore VT-VZ platform after sister division OpelOpel
Adam Opel AG, generally shortened to Opel, is a German automobile company founded by Adam Opel in 1862. Opel has been building automobiles since 1899, and became an Aktiengesellschaft in 1929...
announced that the Opel Omega
Opel Omega
The Opel Omega was an executive car marketed by the German automaker Opel between 1986 and 2003 in two generations, both manufactured at Opel's Rüsselsheim, Germany plant. The first generation, the Omega A , superseded the Opel Rekord, was voted European Car of the Year for 1987, and was available...
(on which the Commodore was based) would be discontinued. Principal development on the VE Commodore was completed by July 2004 at a cost of approaching A$1 billion and the first testing mules underwent trials later that year. General Motors global corporate headquarters took notice of the VE design and began studies on the utilization of the underlying architecture (internally christened Zeta by GM engineers) for a range of future products on a global scale. The idea of Zeta as a global platform was officially revived when GM announced the future Camaro would use the Zeta platform.
Features
The Zeta architecture is very flexible and can accommodate a wide variety of automotive design features such as wheelbaseWheelbase
In both road and rail vehicles, the wheelbase is the distance between the centers of the front and rear wheels.- Road :In automobiles, the wheelbase is the horizontal distance between the center of the front wheel and the center of the rear wheel...
length, ride height, windshield rake and roof line. Zeta's suspension
Suspension (vehicle)
Suspension is the term given to the system of springs, shock absorbers and linkages that connects a vehicle to its wheels. Suspension systems serve a dual purpose — contributing to the car's roadholding/handling and braking for good active safety and driving pleasure, and keeping vehicle occupants...
system is all wheel independent and utilizes a MacPherson strut
MacPherson strut
The MacPherson strut is a type of car suspension system which uses the axis of a telescopic damper as the upper steering pivot. It is widely used in modern vehicles and named after Earle S. MacPherson, who developed the design.-History:...
coupled with a dual ball joint lower A-arm
Dual ball joint suspension
A dual ball joint suspension uses a pair of arms, one in tension, one in compression, to replace a wishbone, in a MacPherson or SLA suspension. The outer end of each arm terminates in a ball joint, hence the name.- General description :...
for the front and a four link independent setup for the rear wheels. The engine is mounted slightly behind the front axle giving improved weight distribution.
Future
As of May 2009, development of a new form of the Zeta chassis has begun, said to be lighter and more economical and intended to replace existing Australian-produced models. GM plans to import the long wheelbase Zeta to North America as a Chevrolet Caprice Police vehicle. There are also rumors of an "SSSuper Sport
Super Sport, or SS, is the signature performance option package offered by Chevrolet, a United States Auto Maker, on a limited number of its vehicles. All SS models come with distinctive "SS" markings on their exterior. The package was first made available for the 1961 Impala...
" performance model for civilians, as well as new full-size Buick and Cadillac flagship sedans being based on the platform.
Vehicles
Current vehicles using this platform:- 2006 Holden VE Commodore / 2006 HSV E SeriesHolden Special VehiclesHolden Special Vehicles is the officially designated performance vehicle partner of Australian automobile manufacturer Holden. Established in 1987 and based in Clayton, Victoria, the company modifies Holden models such as the Commodore, Caprice and Ute and markets them under the HSV brandname.-...
/ 2007 Vauxhall VXR8HSV ClubsportThe HSV Clubsport is a full-size car which has been produced by Holden Special Vehicles in Australia since 1990. All models have been based on contemporary Holden Commodore models...
/ 2007 Chevrolet LuminaChevrolet LuminaThe North American Chevrolet Lumina sedan , coupe and minivan were first introduced in 1989 for the 1990 model year as a new range of vehicles from the Chevrolet brand of General Motors to replace the Chevrolet Camaro, Chevrolet Celebrity sedan, and the Monte Carlo coupe. The Lumina was an answer...
/ 2008 Pontiac G8Pontiac G8The Pontiac G8 is a rear-wheel drive sedan that was produced by Holden, the Australian General Motors subsidiary. The G8, a rebadged Holden Commodore, was released in early 2008 for the 2008 model year in the United States, and in 2008 for the 2009 model year in Canada. Production stopped in...
/ 2006 (2010) Chevrolet OmegaChevrolet OmegaBased on the Opel Omega A, the Chevrolet Omega A debuted in Brazil in 1992 with a choice of two engines — a 2.0 L four-cylinder and 3.0 L six-cylinder . From 1995, the engines were upgraded to a 2.2 L four and a 4.1 L six respectively... - 2006 Holden WM Statesman/Caprice / 2007 Chevrolet Caprice / 2008 Daewoo Veritas / 2007 Buick Park Avenue
- 2007 Holden UteHolden UteThe Holden Ute is a coupe utility built by Holden, the Australian subsidiary of General Motors, since 2000. Before then, Holden had marketed their Commodore-based utility models under the Holden Utility and Holden Commodore utility names, although the term “Holden Ute” was also used in their...
- 2010 Chevrolet Camaro