Things we need to know/How to find out


What simalarites/differences are there with the Sigma/V-series Holdens?
Comparison pictures/measurements between CTS and Catera, in the states. With possibly guys in AUS getting measurements off their cars.

AWD Holden developed system for VY how like is it to AWD on SRX?
Just as above direct comparitive measures with Cross8 and SRX.

Are Holdens scheduled to roll out with the OHV or HF 60* v6's?
Study every press release we get about the new engine plants in Canada and Aus.

What is the bolt pattern on the new Malibu's 60* OHV?
Look at the tranny bolts on Malibu up close and personal

What is the bolt pattern on 04 CTS autos?
Once again is it the same as the Malibu's OHV or is it LS1 RWD, which I believe it is.

What are the odds the Atlas family I5/I6 can fit into a Sigma light/Sigma/Holden car?
Should be able to tell from cowl height/ hood angle/ hood length given in press releases

What are the odds the V12/V10 talked about for the Escalade-V will be available in other vehicles? Will it be XV8 based or LSX based? Not for sports cars (XLR-V not with standing) but for Denali/Silverado SS.
Study press releases look for external of GM sources.

What is the relationship of Kappa to Sigma/VE/Sigma mass? What other vehicles will ride on Kappa besides Solstice(Firebird).
This we probably won't know until the car is released

Is it possible a Atlas I4 could end up in Solstice?
Won't know unless we get a source inside GM to crack, not gonna happen

Will LaCrosse be on W body or MidLux from intro?
Watch all press releases from GM concernting plant of production.

Will Impala see a reskin before it goes MidLux?
I don't think the General even knows this so we won't get an answer for a while

What is Bonneville's fate? Will it die now or go on to be GTO's counterpart in 06-07 and keep Grand Prix FWD?
I think this is also under scrutiny from GM


Things we know

A future Camaro will most likely be on the Future GTO/Monaro platform (VE/Sigma light/Sigma Mass).

The cars will be very visualy different in NA and Aus and maybe between divisions.

Solstice will be on Kappa. It is being designed for only 4 cly apps and should be a very Inexpensive vehicle.

Cobalt is the next Cavalier and will ride on the Delta platform just like the Ion does currently. Will probably have the rear suicide doors just like Ion Quad Coupe.

GMPD will tune in preparation for production all V series Caddilacs, SS series Chevys, Redline series Saturns, and GXP series Pontiacs. Do we know anything about Buick yet?

Regal name is being replace with LaCrosse.

Impala will get a V8 for 06 we don't know if it is to be RWD or FWD.

Chevelle is DEAD!

That is all I know for sure I would like to see what questions we can knock out and if we can sift through the leaks and get a taste of what is really going on inside GM.

Add it if you got it.

 

Straight off the Holden website. (in mm)
Length Width Height Ground clearance
4868 1842 1440 142

WHEELBASE 2788

TRACK Front 1569 Rear 1587


Interier
Leg Shoulder Head Hip
1071 1515 992 1440 <--front
986 1522 966 1515 <--rear



I'm not sure about the SRX system but the Holden system uses 3 open diffs and electronics to brake each wheel if slipping is detected. Main difference would be software as aussie conditions differ to NA.


HFV6 3.8L from the aussie engine plant. Possibly different features depending on models. OHV engines will not be used in commodores.

 

Based on the latest information:

Things we "need" to know:
*What simalarites/differences are there with the Sigma/V-series Holdens?

I was wrong on how similar the 2 were . It's going to be all new.

*What are the odds the Atlas family I5/I6 can fit into a Sigma light/Sigma/Holden car?

The I6 won't be going into a passenger car in the forseeable future. The I5 is possible, but what would it go in?

*What are the odds the V12/V10 talked about for the Escalade-V will be available in other vehicles? Will it be XV8 based or LSX based?

V12 will be going into the Escalade 1st, then later into the STS.

*What is the relationship of Kappa to Sigma/VE/Sigma mass? What other vehicles will ride on Kappa besides Solstice(Firebird).

GM is supposed to have a global low cost rear drive structure, so it's probally safe to say that it's likely "sigma-mass" front & rear suspension assemblies or the majority of it's parts will be based on "sigma-mass".



*Will LaCrosse be on W body or MidLux from intro?

Mid-Lux is nothing more than an updated "W" chassis. Grand Prix and the upcoming Regal replacement, LaCrosse are mid-lux. Word is the next Impala will be as well.

*Will Impala see a reskin before it goes MidLux?

See previous.

*What is Bonneville's fate? Will it die now or go on to be GTO's counterpart in 06-07 and keep Grand Prix FWD?

Bonneville, as is, will be dead by 2006, being that the "H" chassis is seemingly headed for extinction. Grand Prix will be on mid-lux for at least a few years, but it won't be one of the initial GM RWD sedans. Bonneville's replacement will be. No, it won't be GTO's counterpart.

Things we already "know":
*The cars will be very visualy different in NA and Aus and maybe between divisions.

We don't know that, and won't till someone snaps pictures of both. GM was pretty reluctant to spring for different bodies for the Australian and US cars. Bob Lutz wanted different bodies. There's probally a compromise somewhere in between. Stay tuned.

*Cobalt is the next Cavalier and will ride on the Delta platform just like the Ion does currently. Will probably have the rear suicide doors just like Ion Quad Coupe.

Colbalt won't have suicide doors. Grand Am is the only other GM car scheduled to have them.

*Impala will get a V8 for 06 we don't know if it is to be RWD or FWD.

Actually, Impala will get a V8 for 2005! The current supercharged Impala SS is a stopgap measure.

*Chevelle is DEAD!

That it was alive is only a rumor started on the internet, and had nothing to do with actual plans.

Additions:

An official press statement from a year and a half ago stated that GM would be marketing RWD V8 sedans by 2007. Seems the key word was by 2007. At the moment it looks like they will be here in time for the 2006 model year.

 

VE chassis has been running around Aus for a little while according to people in the know. But it is under a VY shell, so it could drive straight past you and you would never know. VE's shape is said to be similar to the Audi A6. Full VE cars aren't running around as yet.

 

I'd like to know what the significance of the Opel Insignia was.

GM went to great lengths to describe this car's chassis/suspension....in detail....and tell us that this is the basis of GM's "new" volume RWD architecture.

The chassis described, sounded suspiciously like Sigma. I later found out that it was Sigma. The Insignia is a re-bodied CTS.

Is this "new" volume chassis VE or Sigma based? Was the Opel press release factual or BS?

I need to know two key pieces of info to put everything together.

1) Will VE have front MacPherson struts?

2)Will NA rwd cars have have front MacPherson struts or SLA suspension?

 

The Holden AWD system includes a transfer case designed and built by New Venture Gear. It's the NV124. It was initially designed and used in the BMW 330xi.
It's a very small unit. It consists of the input gear, a planetary gearset, and rear output all at the top, idler gear in the middle, and front ouput at lower left side.
This t-case is normally biased towards the rear, as the wheel sensors begin to detect wheel slip, the brakes are applied, with drag on the driveline, the planetary gearset in the t-case begins diffing, sending power to the front.

Total torque split under full diff is something like 63/37 (rear/front).

The unit is really simple and elegant.

Works real well.

This is the t-case that Holden will be using in some of their AWD vehicles.