Not the entire front subframe (which doesn't exactly exist), but the front support structure. The section that bolts on can be designed to extend the car's length.

The front box section of the structure is also made so that the front suspension assembly can be attached at different points, creating different wheelbase lengths. You can see that in the pictures above and the side X-Ray view below.

Just in that front section alone, you can create a longer or shorter car in both wheelbase and in length, simply by bolting on the suspension and front support structure. Doesn't affect crash worthiness. Far cry from a Delta or Espilon.



In the past, manufacturers had to create an expensive whole new substructure. Many of the body and undercarrage structures are much the same way, where you can create a wide variety of models off that structure.

As I mentioned in another thread, Camaro ISN'T a Zeta per say, in that you can not do the same thing with it's sturcture. Camaro is based off of some of the same ideas as the Zeta, has some of the same componets as Zeta, and can be made on the same assembly line as Zeta. But if anything, Camaro is a spinoff of Zeta as much as Mustang is a spinoff of the Ford DEW chassis... why it needed separate approval, while the big coupes don't.

 

I think they're referring to the assembly behind the front fascia, which includes the headlights and radiator. NOT the whole structure forward of the dash.

 

^ neat pics and info Guy!!

 

Is that what we should expect to see being built in Oshawa then?

I remember awhile back hearing it might be (or potentially have been):

- Camaro
- Impala
- Cadillac DTS
- Buick Lucerne
- Pontiac G8

.....never heard anything real rock solid on that, but since then I think I heard that the revised Grand Prix / "G8" is going to be on a different structure now (not Zeta based) and just above someone mentioned DTS being cut.

Any more news/rumours/gossip about a GTO though?? I haven't heard much here, but over at the LS1Tech camp, there was some serious talk about an '09 GTO (likely to be seen in January at NAIAS) ..... I suppose they could cram the GTO in with the Camaro, Impala and Lucerne, eh?

 

There may very well be Zetas beyond Camaro, Impala and a large Buick - but at this point that would be PURE speculation.

As far as a GTO goes, I personally have nothing to report. Nothing seems to be going on with that. As far as a GTO concept at Detroit, that's roughly 100 days away. I think we would have heard some sort of rumor or leak by now in regards to one - if there were one.

 

Think they maybe learned something after the "worst kept secret" last year????

 

Thanks for the pic and the explaination Guy , seeing what exactly IS modular now clears up the confusion I had

 

Well kept secret or not, for there to be one at NAIAS, someone needs to be working on one.

 

Is this that information you "didn't think I'd like to hear" in that other thread about the GTO?? I guess this is what I get for believing any information posted somewhere other than here on ??!!



Well, I might as well start hoping for another Firebird if that's the case with the GTO!!

 

So will the DTS replacement use Sigma, as suggested by Evok at C&G? Evok seemed to hint the STS and DTS may be replaced by one car, with a DTS and long wheelbase DTS-L. Other insiders have suggested the DTS replacement would be on Zeta.

 

I'm not certain, but Evok's scenario appears very plausible, and actually makes alot of sense.

 

What if the GTO concept was developed in Austrailia and shipped here at the last minute?

 

I did not say the: "whole front structure in front of the dash".

I specifically said: "the entire front support structure is manufactured separately, and simply bolted on...".

...which as the pictures I posted clearly show and the press release and news article I quoted plainly states, pretty much removes all doubts here. That ain't just a front fascia in that 3rd pic.

Again, nothing like the Delta or Espilon or anything else GM currently makes.

Multiple wheelbases. Different front end sections can be quickly manufactured and bolted on to change the car's length. Other sections of the car are equally adaptable. Modular Lego-like construction in that you don't have to engineer an entire new car, just the part (or parts) that you are going to subsitute.


The rules as we know them are out the window on this structure.

Well, actually.....

Today is September 25th.

Reports about Camaro showing up at NAIAS didn't surface till November.

The new Dodge Charger was kept secret till November.

Corvette didn't surface till the 1st week in December.

Cammo production Mustangs did show up around this time before unveiling, but they were less than a year away from production.

Pontiac DOES have a "vehicle" planned for NAIAS. Excuse me if I don't say what...... last year's flaming e-mails and thread-erasing over hinting at a NAIAS Camaro are still fresh in my mind.

Ain't gonna go there this year. But I think I can say it might be of some intrest here.

 

I'm not at all yet convinced that Cadillac's DTS replacement will be on Zeta.

Sigma in itself is more than capable of being very flexible. Just look at the models it's already under.