Ok, i've been reading so much about these platforms for a long time now and i am a little confused and a search didn't help.

Are those platform names the same thing as saying "f-body, j-body, y-body?"

If two cars are built on Zeta would they be called "zeta-bodies" or is zeta more than that?

I read it's the "architecture of the car" but isn't "f-body" the architecture for the camaro and firebird and "j-body" the architecture for the cavailer and sunfire?

 

General Motors switched to Greek naming schemes for their platforms in 2003 if I recall correctly. At that time, General Motors decided to coin the term "architectures" instead of platforms.

For example, the Pontiac Solstice is based on the Kappa architecture. The Saturn Sky also shares the same architecture. The new Vauxhall variant will as well.

They are all referred to as "deritives" of the Kappa architecture.

That would be why you are slightly confused on the naming philosophy. GM switched from "J-Body" or "Y-body" for new architectures. Hope that helps.

 

But isn't the impala/monte carlo still called W-body or is it because they are on an old platform and when they make the new ones they will go to the greek names?

And if they ditched y-body what is the vette and xlr built on now?

 

They are still made on W-Body and Y-Body respectivly. Once the Impala/Monte are dropped or their names switched to an all new RWD architecture you will see the reference change.

For instance, it's widely believe the Monte Carlo will die in or around '08 in favor of the Camaro. The Impala/Grand Prix are expected to go RWD on Zeta.

The corvette continued on Y-Body because it was not an "all new" architecture, but rather an extensive update from the 5th gen.

If I'm wrong, somebody please set the record straight.

 

Zeta:
More of a assembly method than a name. Zeta is a RWD architecture that is highly flexible, and can produce a wide variety of vehicles on the same line. If you aren't familiar with GM-Holden of Australia, then think of Ford's Fox platform of the 1980s. It formed the basis of everything from Mustangs to Thunderbirds to LTDs to Cougars to Lincoln Mark VIs to...

Right now, the Holden VE is the 1st Zeta. The components that cost alot to engineer (ie: suspension systems, some sub-structures) will be used on other cahssis. For example, the AWD front unit on Cadillac's CTS is almost identical to what Holden uses.

Sigma:
That's what's under the SRX, CTS, & STS. Sigma comes in 2 widths: the AWD width, and the "small" width. CTS is the "small" Sigma. Years ago, GM planned to make the 5th gen Camaro off this chassis. The STS & SRX is the "large" Sigma. It's increased with makes it AWD capable.

Sigma was engineered to be a flexible chassis as well, in that it can be lengthened or shortened as well as be used as a platform for both cars and SUVs. Sigma has a relatively tall "firewall", and therefore can't really be modified too much, since any changed to it require the whole structure to be re-engineered.

Kappa:
Best way to describe Kappa is it's a miniature, cheaper Corvette. It has hydroformed rails for it's inner structure, and has a complete driveable chassis, but doesn't have Corvette's balsawood floors or extensive use of alumunum.


There is another chassis that seems to bounce back and forth between being called Sigma-lite and Zeta-lite. Depending on your point of view, this is either a Sigma based car with Zeta components, or the North American version of Zeta. Either way, it's going to have elements of both chassis & GM-Holden is doing the basic engineering work.



Buick Lacrosse, Pontiac Grand Prix, Chevrolet Impala, and Monte Carlo are still "W" cars, but the Lacrosse & Grand Prix wore the short lived designation "mid-lux" chassis, which seems to have been thrown out the window, since it's being refered to as a "W" now.

Y chassis is Corvette.

Espilon is Malibu, G6, & the upcoming Saturn Aura. A bigger version called the Espilon 2 will be out some years from now, and is slated to be bigger and AWD capable.

Delta is the Saturn Ion & Chevy Cobalt.

Hope this helps.

Here's a link:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:GM_platforms

 

A good insider at C&G, Hogans_Heroes, has been talking the last day or two about the next generation Buick Lucerne and Cadillac DTS using Zeta.

 

I believe you mean VII, Guy.

 

Won't the letter designation still be used in the vin numbers though? i.e. a future Camaro may still be 1G1Fxxxxxxxxxxxxx etc.

 

Wow, thanks man that cleared some things up for me.

Looks like the camaro should be built off kappa but you said they wanted to put in on sigma, how come? Are there any cars built on kappa right now?

Edit: I just saw the Solstice/Sky is on kappa

 

From everything I've heard, Camaro will not be on any form of kappa.
Anyone feel free to elaborate, I have a bit too much holiday juice in m right now to put together a complete thought.

 

RP shot down the stretched Kappa chassis in another thread