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Zeta platform a one hit wonder under the new Camaro?

Looks as if the 6th gen Camaro won't be riding on a Zeta platform....

Quote:

G8, Camaro to be the last Zeta-based cars sold in U.S.

General Motors’ rear-wheel drive revolution was put on hold a couple of years ago, but it looks as though the revolution is now officially dead. The upcoming Chevrolet Camaro will be the last car to ride on GM’s Zeta platform in the U.S., with future derivatives likely cancelled.

GM’s Zeta platform underpins the Pontiac G8 and the upcoming Chevy Camaro, but that will be the last we see of the Zeta architecture – in any form — in the U.S. Before the recent financial crisis hit, GM was planning to combine its Zeta and Sigma architectures into a new Alpha platform, giving the company a base for next-generation small and mid-size rear-drivers. However, that plan is now essentially dead.

“The strategy we had a few years ago of basically deriving a whole sweeping global portfolio off the Australian Zeta architecture … frankly, we have had to abandon that dream,” GM vice chairman Bob Lutz told GoAuto.

GM’s Alpha platform was earmarked to underpin several future models, including the Cadillac CTS sedan and Pontiac Solstice. The Alpha platform would have likely underpinned a smaller Cadillac sedan as well.

But now that the Alpha program has been cancelled, the future of those models remains up in the air. The CTS will likely continue on its aging Sigma platform, but the Pontiac Solstice and smaller Cadillac model could be scrapped altogether.

Lutz also spoke of a "replacement for the Camaro, and the CTS"...I wouldn't worry about Camaro, specifically....they can't just cancel all their RWD cars at the end of their life-cycle. That would leave a gaping, big hole in their lineup...not unlike a gunshot would to the chest.:(

They'll have something, imo. Especially if their future plans through 2012 pull through.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dragoneye (Post 250365)

not unlike a gunshot would to the chest.:(

If that gun were a .50 cal rifle.

I'm not worried about GM canceling their RWD cars. My concern more revolves around the next gen Camaro pricing having to accomodate the expense of creating yet another RWD platform rather than just improving the existing architecture at a lower cost.

Get 'em while they're hot!!!

Quote:

Originally Posted by rolnslo (Post 250375)

There are many theories floating around right now as to what the new Global RWD platform will be based off of. It might be a newer, lighter, smaller Zeta. Or it could be a totally fresh, new platform. But in either event; it will be designed to be a Global platform. And that means superior quality and adaptability for a good value in terms of development $$$. It'll be used across a variety of Brands, and cars...thus spreading costs. Exaclty how Zeta is being used now, in fact. Because of this, when the Camaro gets it's platform swapped, I wouldn't expect any price hikes beyond the normal Model Year refresh increases. But that's just my opinion.:iono: -- from the above article, it can be assumed that none of this will happen for a good 5+ years.

Holden's started working on a next-gen Commodore, so there should be a next-gen G8 as well. Who knows when Zeta will die out.

wait a second.

it says this:

Quote:

Before the recent financial crisis hit, GM was planning to combine its Zeta and Sigma architectures into a new Alpha platform, giving the company a base for next-generation small and mid-size rear-drivers. However, that plan is now essentially dead.

it doesnt say that they wont still be using the Zeta, just that their plans of combining it with the Sigma frame to make the Alpha frame are dead.

it does say this:

Quote:

The upcoming Chevrolet Camaro will be the last car to ride on GM’s Zeta platform in the U.S., with future derivatives likely cancelled.

but that doesnt mean that GM wont continue to use the Zeta for upcoming cars. just that they wont be customizing the Zeta platform into the Alpha.

you guys gotta read between the lines.

Where did you get that from? There are a lot of inaccuracies there. Alpha is the small RWD platform for the Cadillac 3 series fighter. I heard talk that it would be somewhat of a combination of Zeta and Kappa, but I heard nothing about Sigma having anything to do with Alpha. Then there were plans to merge the STS and DTS replacements into one Zeta vehicle, but those plans are delayed for now. Sounds like this article, wherever it comes from, got that all jumbled.

Lets be reasonable about this: Cadillac is going global. It is mounting a direct assault on the German luxury brands, and to do that it needs 3-series and 7-series size cars, including coupes and convertibles. Cadillac is one of GM's core brands and, most would argue, its strongest. It will have competitive products and that means various size RWD cars. However, I think the goal of having a number of RWD cars in the lower brands is probably on hold for now, until we get these CAFE, alternative fuels, gas price, environmental regulations, and other powertrain-related concerns taken care of. I wouldn't be surprised to see the Camaro and Corvette remain as the only non-Cadillac RWD GM cars, and two RWD cars to a basic brand is pretty good. If Pontiac really does become a niche brand, we may even see some Aussie imports come over. And once the car really is taken out of the environmental equation, the performance wars are back on. You can bet your last dollar on it.

As for the next Camaro, I'd love to see it be about the size of the RX-8, with an emphasis on handling and high-tech, smaller, but very powerful engines. Small DI V6s and V8s should do the trick nicely.

General Motors News

G8, Camaro to be the last Zeta-based cars sold in U.S

The upcoming Chevrolet Camaro will be the last car to ride on GM’s Zeta platform in the U.S., with future derivatives likely canceled, meaning that General Motors’ promising full-size rear-drive revolution has come to a dramatic close. The Australian-developed Zeta platform was intended to be the automaker’s global rear-drive platform, but recent changes have forced the company to abandon the performance-oriented platform.

> http://www.leftlanenews.com

:search::reposthorse:

Quote:

Originally Posted by stovt001 (Post 251473)

:search::reposthorse:

if you're gonna flame him for reposting some pretty recent news, you should at least show him the thread already in place.

to the OP - thanks for the update, but somebody did beat ya to it. no big deal...
here's the thread
http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=11830