Zeta is just a name, and nothing more.

GM-Holden was producing a chassis called Zeta, and GM North America got in on it because, in short, it was too cheap to make it's own. Having GM-Holden do it would save GM-NA a ton of development costs.

Zeta was not a small car, and it was not a Camaro or any F-body. Holden NEVER had a hand in any potential Camaro, therefore any potential Camaro was NEVER a Zeta, since GM-Holden had essentially sole responsibility for Zeta. This is one huge thing that all the popular car rags missed when they sounded the death knell for Camaro when GM-NA pulled Zeta's plug (I even missed it a year ago, despite plenty of people saying the coupe that became a hot focal point for quite awhile was a little big to be a Camaro).

Without breaking any embargos on the upcoming VE, the car's suspension has alot in common with another North American RWD luxury car. In short, anyone who says it lacked refinement (initials MT come to mind) wouldn't be a source I'd trust too much.

Holden created a car that was modular in that it was designed from the begining to take variations of structures that would change it's lengths or make it compliant with other countries various vehicle rules.

GM planned to take the car Holden engineered, and produce it here, China, and possibly elsewhere, as well as Australia.

The big thing that went wrong is that it was getting to a point that it was cheaper to simply do the entire car here, using existing architectures as starting points.

Example: say there is a bracket or stamping that needs to be added to make the US cars compliant with new rear crash standards on the VE car. Is it cost effective to build the chassis with this add on bracket, or simply use an existing structure section we already have in production in another car. As these types of questions and compromises add up, you see where it might be better using a car developed here with all these things in mind from the start.

The issue was with the car's structure (unibody), not suspension components or the like.

The AWD system on the Cadillac STS is very, very similar to the unit Holden's using. Suspension parts of the new VE is very very similar to what the Sigma is using. To put an accurate generalization on it, the Zeta is a updated and modernized V car with Sigma suspension.

If you remember back when the CTS 1st came out, GM planned to create a "Sigma lite" for use in some cars. When GM-NA decided to get in on Holden's car instead (in theory cutting repetition & costs), Sigma lite got sidelined. Now it's back.

So it seems GM-NA is going to spring the money for a unibody structure afterall for at least a couple of models. Even though it may use Sigma and Zeta components, it's not likely to be called either.

 

Thank you! And, it will be called Sigma Lite.

 

Two quick questions, please: What is "VE", and what RWD luxury car are you referring to?

Thanks.

 

How many RWD, North American luxury vehicles are there?

 

Obviously, I hope they got the problem of the tall Sigma firewall fixed.....still don't want an upright car....

 

LOL. Figures I'd get a question answered with another question that doesn't answer my original question. Here, let me try:

I don't know.

No no, really.

Please answer my question. I'll even say pretty please, with a cherry and sugar on top, and readily admit that I'm not as smart as 95% of the people here.

Thank you.
Bobby

 

Cadillac CTS/STS

 

Short and to the point. Thanks.

 

Sigma Lite would be flexible like Sigma and Zeta are, correct?

In other words, could you base a new Camaro off of it, then modify it slightly so it wasn't as sporty, lengthen it, and make a Buick flagship sedan (around 200 inches) off of it? Or is it still possible that we will be getting two or three platforms to "replace" Zeta in NA and Sigma Lite and another architecture will both come to light?

 

From what I understsand, a lenghtened version of Kappa is out of the question due to weight difficulties as well as packaging. Yes a V8 can fit into the architecture, but with HEAVY modifications.

It seems as if Lite will do a great job at keeping new, fresh RWD vehicles coming from GM.

 

By the way Bob, there are actually 2:

CTS/STS and XLR

Its usually standard for that guy to answer questions with questions or be vague so you click over to his little website for answers.

 

 

So.....very good of you to post this explanation, it is good to know more about the platforms GM is using for RWD in the States. Since we already know of at least one car to expect (and can't have enough of what you say about it ), when can we expect to see a first car off this platform. And can we expect to see sedans and coupes from Buick and Pontiac off of this as well. Of course, I am really excited for that one car coming, but I sure would love to see a Buick Velite and Electra as well as a Pontiac G8 all done off the right platforms (a RWD one, imo). So can we expect to see sedans off this platform too, or is specially reserved?

 

Unless someone comes along to mess things up, I think we're gonna be ok there Doug.

 

So when they say "struts" are we talking Macpherson or something more like the 4th gen coil over shock arrangement?