Is this the first public sign of the "secret" GM RWD platform?
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Is this the first public sign of the "secret" GM RWD platform?
Says it's "not" Zeta... which Velite was always said to be on...
Originally Posted by The Car Connection
Buick Velite Project Still Active
When General Motors' advanced styling director, Anne Asensio, referred to "three" new roadsters under development during an appearance at the Toronto Auto Show, it left TCC's correspondent confused. There's the Pontiac Solstice, of course, and the recently announced Saturn Sky, but the third? "We have a lot of activity around putting the (Buick) Velite into production," Asensio revealed, referring to the snazzy little show car unveiled in New York in April 2004. Designed at GM's Advanced Studio in Warren, Michigan, and assembled by the Italian coachbuilder Bertone, the Velite prototype was a four-seat convertible based on GM's new Zeta rear-drive architecture. But there've been a number of changes since the New York unveiling, according to Asensio. If the Velite goes into production, "It will be on a modified (and unspecified) platform, but not the Zeta." As with Solstice, the Buick project faces a mix of technical and financial hurdles, all summed up in the words, "business case." If one can be made, Asensio said she expects a decision "has to come soon. The more you wait, the less relevant" the project would be in a fast-changing market. - Paul A. Eisenstein
When General Motors' advanced styling director, Anne Asensio, referred to "three" new roadsters under development during an appearance at the Toronto Auto Show, it left TCC's correspondent confused. There's the Pontiac Solstice, of course, and the recently announced Saturn Sky, but the third? "We have a lot of activity around putting the (Buick) Velite into production," Asensio revealed, referring to the snazzy little show car unveiled in New York in April 2004. Designed at GM's Advanced Studio in Warren, Michigan, and assembled by the Italian coachbuilder Bertone, the Velite prototype was a four-seat convertible based on GM's new Zeta rear-drive architecture. But there've been a number of changes since the New York unveiling, according to Asensio. If the Velite goes into production, "It will be on a modified (and unspecified) platform, but not the Zeta." As with Solstice, the Buick project faces a mix of technical and financial hurdles, all summed up in the words, "business case." If one can be made, Asensio said she expects a decision "has to come soon. The more you wait, the less relevant" the project would be in a fast-changing market. - Paul A. Eisenstein
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Re: Is this the first public sign of the "secret" GM RWD platform?
What do we know about this car anyways? I know we were watching it because it was supposed to be built on the same platform as the next Camaro but what is this car's niche? Powerplant? Price range?
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From: Chicagoland IL
Re: Is this the first public sign of the "secret" GM RWD platform?
It seems this whole North American Zeta thing is starting to unravel. Although, I have also heard Kappa......my bet is Velite will be Sigma based.
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Re: Is this the first public sign of the "secret" GM RWD platform?
My question is... how far along can they actually get on the actual car if they can't even decide on a platform?
Or is it one of those things where the platform never changed... just our guesses as to what it is on changed?
Though, I am pretty sure even GM said Velite was built on Zeta prior to this...???
Or is it one of those things where the platform never changed... just our guesses as to what it is on changed?
Though, I am pretty sure even GM said Velite was built on Zeta prior to this...???
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Re: Is this the first public sign of the "secret" GM RWD platform?
Originally Posted by Darth Xed
Though, I am pretty sure even GM said Velite was built on Zeta prior to this...???
They pretty much say whatever they want with these concept cars.
The Insignia concept....which GM told us was our first peek at Zeta, was actually built off of an old CTS. Several months later, I was reading...I believe a story from Australia.....where journalists were taken for low speed rides in the Insignia. The story stated that the GM reps would not allow anyone to look under the concept, because it was built off of a "VE prototype chassis" which Holden had shipped Opel to create Insignia.
Lots of BS flying around.
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From: Sterling Heights, MI
Re: Is this the first public sign of the "secret" GM RWD platform?
This is getting rediculous. I almost don't even care about other RWD models anymore, so long as our Camaro ends up on a proper, world-class chassis. Is the General really this unsure or is this all just a lot of disinformation? 
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Re: Is this the first public sign of the "secret" GM RWD platform?
Originally Posted by Z28Wilson
Is the General really this unsure or is this all just a lot of disinformation?
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Re: Is this the first public sign of the "secret" GM RWD platform?
wow. well this is definately a surprise. maybe gm is just trying to keep us on our toes guessing i wouldnt think they would out it on the modified kappa. so im guessing a modified sigma.
i wouldnt think they would out it on the modified kappa. so im guessing a modified sigma.
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Re: Is this the first public sign of the "secret" GM RWD platform?
The problem I see with Kappa is the strength or lack thereof of the driveline....IOW, I'd think a beefier rearend, etc....would need to be made for a 400++hp V8 car, than is currently under the Kappa cars.
I'm not sure Kappa was EVER intended for these power levels.
I'm not sure Kappa was EVER intended for these power levels.
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Re: Is this the first public sign of the "secret" GM RWD platform?
Originally Posted by Doug Harden
The problem I see with Kappa is the strength or lack thereof of the driveline....IOW, I'd think a beefier rearend, etc....would need to be made for a 400++hp V8 car, than is currently under the Kappa cars.
I'm not sure Kappa was EVER intended for these power levels.
I'm not sure Kappa was EVER intended for these power levels.
Even after the "beefier rearend" and various improvement, the CTS-V still had wheel hop, fuel starvation under prolonged lateral acceleration and some very other nasty issues that don't normally happen to modern cars, let alone ones that cost $52K.
Given enough time and money there's no reason why the Kappa platform couldn't accomodate high-powered a 400hp-capable driveline. The big problem is that Lutz doesn't seem to be willing to give his "pet projects" enough time or money before bringing them to market.
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Re: Is this the first public sign of the "secret" GM RWD platform?
Originally Posted by redzed
After the disturbing driveline issues with the CTS-V, I'm not sure the early Sigma-platform was "EVER intended" for Corvette Z06 power levels.
Even after the "beefier rearend" and various improvement, the CTS-V still had wheel hop, fuel starvation under prolonged lateral acceleration and some very other nasty issues that don't normally happen to modern cars, let alone ones that cost $52K.
Even after the "beefier rearend" and various improvement, the CTS-V still had wheel hop, fuel starvation under prolonged lateral acceleration and some very other nasty issues that don't normally happen to modern cars, let alone ones that cost $52K.
CTS-V only comes as a manual transmission car.
By your logic, there is nothing wrong with the car... it's just the idiot American drivers who can't drive stick.
Please stop contradicting yourself.