General Motors N platform

GM N Platform
Overview
Manufacturer	General Motors
Also called	P-90 GMX130
Production	1985–2005
Body and chassis
Class	Compact (C) platform Mid-size (D) platform
Layout	FF layout
Body style(s)	4-door Sedan 2-door Coupé
Vehicles	Buick Skylark, Buick Somerset, Chevrolet Malibu/Classic, Oldsmobile Achieva, Oldsmobile Alero, Oldsmobile Calais/Cutlass Calais, Oldsmobile Cutlass, Pontiac Grand Am
Related	GM J platform GM L platform
Powertrain
Engine(s)	122 I4 Ecotec I4 Iron Duke I4 Family II engine I4 Quad-4 I4 60° V6 Buick V6
Transmission(s)	3-speed THM125 automatic 3-speed 3T40 automatic 4-speed 4T60-E automatic 4-speed 4T40-E automatic 4-speed 4T45-E automatic 5-speed Getrag 282 manual 5-speed Getrag F23 manual 5-speed Isuzu manual
Dimensions
Wheelbase	103.4 in (2,630 mm) 107 in (2,700 mm)
Chronology
Predecessor	GM X platform GM L platform
Successor	GM Epsilon platform

The General Motors N platform (commonly called the N-body or N car) was a front-wheel drive compact automotive platform produced from 1985 to 2005. The GM N platform replaced the GM X platform.

The N platform was very similar to the GM L platform; however, the first generation N cars were engineered by Oldsmobile while the L cars were engineered by Chevrolet. The first generation used a twist-beam rear suspension and MacPherson struts in front, and featured a 103.4 in (263 cm) wheelbase. Two- and four-door models were eventually offered, although the four-door sedans appeared late, almost two years after the initial launch.

The N platform was used for the following vehicles:

• 1985–1987 Oldsmobile Calais
• 1985–1987 Buick Somerset
• 1985–1998 Pontiac Grand Am
• 1986–1998 Buick Skylark
• 1988–1991 Oldsmobile Cutlass Calais
• 1992–1998 Oldsmobile Achieva

2nd generation GMX130

In 1997 and 1998 General Motors consolidated the 1st generation N platform with the GM A platform (FWD) and GM L platform during the corporately-engineered P-90 project which became known as GMX130. This automotive platform featured fully independent suspension and a wheelbase of 107 in (270 cm). This was the last vehicle with significant engineering involvement of Oldsmobile and also the last one produced at the Lansing Car Assembly plant on April 29, 2004. A mid-size version spawned the 1997-2003 Chevrolet Malibu & Oldsmobile Cutlass of 1997-99, including the 2004-05 Chevrolet Classic.

The GMX130 platform underpinned the following vehicles:

• 1999–2004 Oldsmobile Alero
• 1999–2005 Pontiac Grand Am
• 1997–1999 Oldsmobile Cutlass
• 1997–2003 Chevrolet Malibu
• 2004–2005 Chevrolet Classic (a previous-generation Malibu sold to fleet buyers)

The GMX130 was replaced by the Epsilon platform for 2006.