GM Delta platform

GM Delta platform

Manufacturer	General Motors
Production	2003–present
Predecessor	GM J platform GM T platform GM Z platform
Class	Compact
Body style(s)	2-door coupe 2-door coupé convertible 3-door hatchback 4-door sedan 4-door SUV 5-door hatchback

Delta was General Motors' compact front-wheel drive automobile and crossover SUV platform, a successor to the GM T platform; it also replaced GM J platform and the Z platform used by the Saturn S-Series. The platform debuted in the 2003 Saturn Ion. Vehicles of this platform generally carry the symbol "A" in the fourth digit of their VINs. The architecture was developed by Opel in Germany.

The Volkswagen Jetta is said to have been the target for the design group. Delta uses an independent suspension in front and Twist beam type in the rear. The Ecotec Family II engine is widely used, as are a 4-speed automatic and 5-speed manual transmission.

Delta

Applications

Current and former vehicles based on this platform:

• 2003–2007 Saturn Ion
• 2004–2010 Opel Astra/Vauxhall Astra/Saturn Astra
• 2005–2011 Opel Zafira/Vauxhall Zafira
• 2005–2010 Chevrolet Cobalt
• 2005–2009 Pontiac G5/G4/Pursuit
• 2006–2011 Chevrolet HHR

Delta II

Chevrolet Cruze

Delta II is General Motors' current compact car platform, which was developed by Opel in Germany. It is the successor to the GM Delta platform. Internally it is simply known as a new Global Compact Vehicle Architecture or GCV.

The platform features a torsion beam rear suspension with optional Watt's link which improves vehicle handling; such configuration is used in the Opel Astra and some trim-levels of the American-market Chevrolet Cruze. This suspension is usually described as semi-independent, meaning that the two wheels can move relative to each other, but their motion is still somewhat inter-linked, to a greater extent than in a true independent rear suspension (IRS). This can mildly compromise the handling and ride quality of the vehicle. For this reason, some manufacturers have changed to different linkage designs. As an example, Volkswagen dropped the torsion beam in favour of a true IRS for the Volkswagen Golf Mk5, possibly in response to the Ford Focus' Control Blade rear suspension. Opel/Vauxhall have continued to use twist or torsion beam suspension. This is at a cost saving of €100 per car compared to multi-link rear suspension. Their latest version as used in the 2009-on Opel Astra uses a Watts linkage at a cost of €20 to address the drawbacks and provide a competitive and cost effective rear suspension. The Renault Megane and Citroen C4 also have stayed with the twist beam. The twist beam has been shown to suffer less from bush wear, than fully independent multi-link suspension.

GM chose this compact vehicle architecture for its first Voltec application, the Chevrolet Volt. Production began in November 2010 with the first Chevrolet Volts delivered to retails customers in December 2010

Applications

Production vehicles based on Delta II platform:

• 2008 - present Chevrolet Cruze, Daewoo Lacetti Premiere, Holden Cruze
• 2009 - present Opel Astra, Buick Excelle XT
• 2010 - present Chevrolet Volt
• 2010 - present Chevrolet Orlando
• 2011 - present Buick Verano
• 2011 - present Opel Ampera
• 2011 - present Opel Zafira Tourer
• 2013 - present Cadillac ELR
• 2013 - present Opel Cascada

Delta III

Main article: PSA EMP2 platform

In 2012, PSA Peugeot Citroen and General Motors formed an alliance which will develop a new version of the global compact platform based on the Peugeot 308, dubbed EMP2 (Efficient Modular Platform). The new platform will be highly modular, with a choice of short and long wheelbase, low or high riding height, and a choice of independent multi-link or twisted-beam rear suspension. The platform will be lightweight, reducing weight by using very high strength steel, aluminum and magnesium alloys, and composite materials.

Cars to use this platform include:

• 2016 Opel Zafira MPV
• 2016 Citroën DS4 CUV

D2XX/D2UX

General Motors has introduced its new Global platform named D2xx flexible platform in August 2012. In such high competitive automobile era, platform plays a very vital role for a company because different cars are based on a similar platform. Heavy investments are made for its developing and in the current case, according to GM the company has invested USD $220 million for the all new D2xx platform.

The main reason for any company behind developing new platform is cutting cost for production of its cars. Car manufacturer try to keep the platform more flexible which means a platform can be used for various cars, spare parts can also be shared among various models and every brand.

This new platform D2xx is successor to GM’s very popular Delta and Theta and is the American car giant's answer to Volkswagen Group MQB platform.

General Motors will be carry on its development of platform according to different regions like the D2xx platform will for the European region cars and D2ux for GM’s operations in the U.S.

Cars to use this platform include:

• 2014 Chevrolet Cruze
• 2015 Opel Astra
• Chevrolet Volt
• Chevrolet Equinox
• Chevrolet Captiva
• Opel Ampera

References

• "Chevy gets new compact car next year". Automotive News (2008-06-01)

External links

• GM Delta Enthusiasts (a part of the GM Enthusiast Network)