General Motors Epsilon platform

GM Epsilon platform
GM Epsilon platform
Overview
Manufacturer	General Motors
Production	2002–present
Body and chassis
Class	Compact executive car (D) platform; Mid-size (D) platform; Large car (E) platform
Layout	Transverse front engine, front-wheel drive/all-wheel drive
Body style(s)	2-door Convertible; 4-door Sedan/Saloon; 5-door Hatchback/Liftback; 5-door Station wagon/Estate/Caravan; 5-door Multi-purpose vehicle
Vehicles	Buick Lacrosse/Alpheon; Cadillac BLS; Cadillac XTS; Chevrolet Classic; Chevrolet Impala; Chevrolet Camaro; Chevrolet/Holden Malibu; Chevrolet Malibu Maxx; Fiat Croma; Opel Insignia/Buick Regal; Opel Signum; Opel Vectra; Pontiac G6; Roewe 950; Saab 9-3; Saab 9-5; Saturn Aura
Related	GM Alpha platform[citation needed]
Powertrain
Engine(s)	Gasoline engines:; Ecotec I4; Ecotec Family 1 I4; GM 54° V6; High Value V6; High Feature V6; Diesel engines:; Multijet I4, I5; Family B I4; Dmax V6;
Chronology
Predecessor	GM N platform; GM2900 platform; GM W platform; GM G platform; GM Zeta Platform
Successor	GM VSS-F

Epsilon is General Motors' mid-size front-wheel drive automobile platform. The architecture was a multi-division project of GM North America, Opel and Saab,^[2] and debuted in the 2002 Opel Vectra and 2003 Saab 9-3. Since this platform falls squarely in the center of the worldwide automobile market, GM plans to produce a great many Epsilon vehicles with over a dozen variations. As of 2005^[update], it was GM's highest volume worldwide platform. Even after the dissolution of the GM/Fiat partnership, both companies retain the rights to continue developing Epsilon-derived models.

A total of 16 different models have made use of the GM Epsilon platform, some of which remain in production 19 years after the platform debuted.

Features

GM's Epsilon platform replaced the N platform in the US, and replaced the GM2900 platform elsewhere. Vehicles of this platform generally carry the symbol "Z" in the fourth digit of their VINs.

When the platform debuted, there was talk of an "Epsilon Wide" derivative, which was supposed to have provided the underpinnings for the Buick LaCrosse and Saab 9-5. However, the program was cancelled and the LaCrosse was put on the W platform, and the 9-5 was given a quick refresh for the 2006 model year. ^{[citation needed]}

The Epsilon platform is a midsize front-driver promising a 200 percent improvement in rigidity, with aluminum suspension components—MacPherson struts in front and a four-link independent arrangement in the rear, and four-wheel disc brakes. Many of the Epsilon vehicles use the Ecotec Inline-four engines and both the High Value and High Feature V6 engines.

The refreshed 2008 SAAB 9-3 debuted with an advanced version of all-wheel-drive it dubbed XWD, finally giving a definitive answer to rumors about the platform's ability to support AWD, which had been around since the debut of the platform.

The Lambda and Theta Premium crossover platforms are derived from Epsilon. ^{[citation needed]}

Vehicles

Vehicles based on the Epsilon I platform:

Regular
- 2002–2009 Opel Vectra C saloon and liftback
- 2002–2009 Vauxhall Vectra saloon and liftback
- 2002–2009 Holden Vectra
- 2002–2009 Chevrolet Vectra
- 2003–2011 Saab 9-3
- 2010–2012 Saab 9-5
- 2004–2007 Chevrolet Malibu
- 2006–2009 Cadillac BLS

Opel Vectra C
Vauxhall Vectra
Holden Vectra
Chevrolet Vectra
Saab 9-3
Saab 9-3 Convertible
Saab 9-3 SportCombi
Saab 9-3X
Cadillac BLS
Cadillac BLS Wagon
Chevrolet Malibu
Chevrolet Malibu Maxx

Extended
- 2002–2009 Opel Vectra C Caravan
- 2002–2009 Vauxhall Vectra Caravan
- 2003–2008 Opel Signum
- 2004–2007 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx hatchback
- 2008–2012 Chevrolet Malibu
- 2005–2010 Pontiac G6
- 2005–2011 Fiat Croma
- 2007–2010 Saturn Aura

Opel Vectra C Caravan
Vauxhall Vectra Estate
Opel Signum
Vauxhall Signum
Chevrolet Malibu
Pontiac G6
Pontiac G6 Coupe
Pontiac G6 Convertible
Saturn Aura
Fiat Croma

Cancelled vehicles which would have used this platform:

2006 midsized Buick ^{[citation needed]}

Epsilon II

A new version of the Epsilon, dubbed Epsilon II, debuted in 2008. It is adaptable for front and all-wheel drive applications. In long wheelbase format, Epsilon II supports US EPA Large Cars, allowing GM to replace the G and W platforms. The architecture was developed by Opel in Rüsselsheim, Germany. Many safety features and AWD fitment modifications were done by Saab.^[3]

Current and announced vehicles built on Epsilon II: