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General Motors Delta platform

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Main article: List of GM platforms
GM Delta platform
Overview
ManufacturerGeneral Motors
Production2003–present
Body and chassis
ClassCompact (C)
Body style(s)2-door coupe
2-door coupé convertible
3-door hatchback
4-door sedan
4-door SUV
5-door hatchback
Chronology
PredecessorGM J platform
GM R platform
GM T platform
GM Z platform

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 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 engine is widely used, as are a 4-speed automatic and 5-speed manual transmission.

Delta

Applications

Former vehicles based on this platform:

Delta II

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.[1] 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.[2] The Renault Megane and Citroen C4 also have stayed with the twist beam.[3] The twist beam has been shown to suffer less from bush wear, than fully independent multi-link suspension, thus resulting in a virtually maintenance free rear 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[4]

Applications

Production vehicles based on Delta II platform:

D2XX/D2UX

General Motors has introduced its new global platform named D2XX flexible platform in August 2012. The new platform is being mainly engineered by GM's German subsidiary Opel in Rüsselsheim.[9] According to GM the company has invested USD $220 million for the all new D2XX platform.

The platform is being developed for compact vehicle architecture, replacing both Delta II and the midsize crossover exclusive GM Theta platform.[10]

Vehicles that will use the new platform include

References

  1. ^ http://www.richardaucock.com/astra-suspension-by-automotive-engineer/
  2. ^ http://www.richardaucock.com/astra-suspension-by-automotive-engineer/
  3. ^ http://ae-plus.com/focus/vehicle-dynamics-and-chassis-a-new-leaf
  4. ^ http://wn.com/NEW_2011_Chevy_Volt__Gearhart_Chevrolet_Delivers_First_Volt_in_America
  5. ^ Paris debut for new Chevrolet Cruze sedan
  6. ^ "GM to produce Cadillac Converj with Volt's plug-in technology" (Automotive Week) January 11, 2010
  7. ^ "GM Will Produce Volt-Based Cadillac Converj Plug-in Concept" (Motor Trend) January 11, 2010
  8. ^ http://www.opel.de/fahrzeuge/modelle/personenwagen/cascada/konfigurator.html#trim
  9. ^ http://www.cnbc.com/id/101041918
  10. ^ http://www.autoevolution.com/news/gms-d2xx-platform-detailed-48772.html
  11. ^ http://www.kbb.com/car-news/all-the-latest/2016-chevrolet-volt-unveiled-more-range-passenger-room/2000011569/
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