http://www.motortrend.com/future/fut...med/index.html

 

Well, that's very good news. Both for Cadillac fans and for the future of Camaro. As long as there's a next generation small RWD platform, there's hope for a 6th Gen. Maybe even one Z284ever will buy!

 

Nah, by then he will be to old. Heck he is already driving a Caddy, the last step is a Buick!

 

It's a cold cold place in this forum

 

Great news, but I'm going to wait until details about the finished product come out. Let's hope they don't lose focus on the purpose of this platform - and build in allowances for the small block.

 

It's sad that Pontiac got screwed out of this chassis.

 

Ha. Ha. Very funny.

It looks like Buick might get it's very own Alpha.

But...if the 6th gen Camaro comes out nice, I may actually get more than one.

 

See he is already considering it.

 

I'll believe the Camaro on alpha theory when I see something concrete from someone from within GM.

 

Apparently, Cadillac needs Chevy to get in on Alpha in order to spread costs. And I'm sure Chevy doesn't want to get stuck footing that whole bill for the Oshawa Zeta line for very long either.

Things are developing..........

 

looks very Volt like in shape...

imagine an all electric caddy??

 

Few items.

1. No Cadillac doesn't need Chevrolet to spread the cost of the RWD.

The chassis is being developed by Holden using the Zeta as the stepoff. The car is viewed as a replacement or a running mate for the current Commodore. Big cars in Australia are on a downswing, and Holden won't get a smaller RWD car unless GM can use it in other global models.

2. Pontiac didn't get "screwed" out of this chassis.

Here's simplified view of the 2 ways it works.
a) A new architecture is developed. Different divisions submit ideas based on marketing research. GM coordinates and prioritizes these ideas and such based on need and money. Camaro is a prime example.
b) GM sees a need for a model to be in a division's lineup, so they assign it and the division has the opportunity to veto it. Buick did that with the Park Avenue and Chevrolet did this with the El Camino.

Pontiac can still put in for an so-called Alpha. However, looking at the current sales of the G6, I would venture to say that it just might be Pontiac that is refusing the so-called Alpha in favor of continuing on Espilon.

3. Anyone expecting the Alpha to be this lightweight uber chassis with V8 engines, you are going to be sorely dissappointed.

The chassis is being built around the 4 cylinder and V6 engine. The car will also have a similar weight to the Espilon, around 35-3600 pounds for V6 sedans (again, RWD w/ IRS makes for a heavier car than FWD or RWD w/ live axles).

4. Keep in mind that news going into a car magazine is at least 2 to 3 months old.

A typical magazine has to be "put to bed" (ready for printing) 1 to 1 1/2 month before it appears on the newstands. Also, Motor Trend has a recent history of being way offbase. It was at it's prime regarding future models about 8-10 years ago, but has been pretty spotty the past 5.

Also remember, that is an artist's interpetation of the new Cadillac, not an actual picture or a drawing from a person who actually saw it or described it to an artist.


As mentioned, the chassis is based on the Zeta and isn't a new-from-the-ground-up structure. Since it won't be made for the abuse of up to 500 horsepower and that same amount of torque, the components (ie: rear IRS & it's substructure) don't need to weigh as much. In other words, to simplify (or oversimplify), what Holden is responsible for doing is taking the Kappa suspension parts and the Zeta chassis and creating a vehicle the size of an Espilon or Audi A4 that's perhaps a bit wider than either. That's your "so called" Alpha (I call it "Zeta-lite" ) .

The most expensive and time consuming part of engineering a car is engineering and certifying it's suspension components. Everything else is done and simulated on computer now, right up to crash testing. It's all pretty cool, actually. Using the Kappa components and a good portion of Zeta structure, GM bypasses years of work and a countless amount of money, and can have this new ready for prototype almost as soon as the ink drys on the approval papers. It's a pretty straightforward project.


As for who gets the car, Holden makes the V6 locally and Cadillac is moving towards that V6 in all cars, so Cadillac is the natural partner in all this. A version will go to Opel and Vauxhall. At this moment those are the only divisions on at the table. Any division can sign on after the car is done, and have their own version in the showroom within 12-18 months.

My opinion, based on the bits I know (and winkie club membership)?

a) Cadillac will get a sports sedan off this chassis.
b) Pontiac will not unless the Commodore is discontinued. Odds favor a coupe.
c) Chevrolet might get a sedan off this model, but don't bet on it.
d) There will not be a Camaro based on this chassis unless it loses the V8.
e) Buick will get a car off this chassis, most likely a coupe, probably the new Riviera.

 

At the risk of having to endure a longwinded, page long, diatribe on why I'm wrong.....

Nope.

Alpha will be ALL NEW, not based on Zeta.
It will be engineered and manufactured in North America.

I'll just leave it at that......

 

Well, unless things have changed in the past week, Holden is still the "homeroom" for GM's RWD cars save the Corvette & last I spoke to anyone (again, about a week) that's the key item on their plate right now.

Like the Zeta program, GM-NA is involved, and Bob Lutz moved around some development work from teams who were overtaxed to teams that were affected by some of the programs GM has cancelled or placed on hold and have less work than they should.

It's not "all new" in the way you seem to think (unless you think the Camaro structure is "all new" ).

Of course, there will be a version manufactured here in the US. The US is now one of the cheapest places to manufacture cars because of the wrecked dollar and the UAW assuming the costs of retiree's medical benefits. GM has a few empty or 1/4 used plants they are looking at.

..... see.... done on less than a full page.

 

The way I see it, and I am not "in the club" of course, Alpha has to spawn the 6th Gen Camaro, or there won't be one. Unless CAFE and gasoline issues simply disappear over the next few years, Zeta won't survive. And GM can't throw development money at two distinct small(er) RWD platforms.

It's Alpha or bust.