Quote:
Originally Posted by Martinjlm
This is my studied opinion…
Look at GM’s current vehicle line-up at a vehicle platform level:
Alpha, Chi, Delta, Gamma, Epsilon, GMT7XX, T1, Y-car. Most of these platforms have multiple configurations (Camaro is on Alpha 1, CT4/CT5 are on Alpha 2). Each costs one to several billions to maintain and update.
When their electrification rollout is complete GM will have two platforms. BEV3 for body frame integral (unibody) vehicles and BET for body on frame vehicles. The economies of scale of building everything off of two platforms is mind boggling.
Let’s look at the Powertrain side of it. GM has the CSS family of 3,4 and 6 cylinder engines, the HFV6 engines, the Small Block family of V8 engines, Duramax V8 engines, and a few other low volume products in South America and China. There are also 6, 8, and 10 speed FWD and RWD transmissions and a 9 speed FWD transmission. All of that will be replaced by 4 or 5 electric motor sizes and 2 or 3 drive units. All of these can be mixed and matched to produce various capabilities of FWD, RWD, and AWD vehicles. They really tipped their hand with the options for Blazer EV. Some trim levels are available in either FWD or RWD. In essence, GM is saying “which axle do you want your motor on?”
By reducing the need to engineer and maintain more than a dozen platform configurations down to just a couple platforms that are super flexible for length and track, GM reduces their cost base by billions of dollars. BEV3 will spawn everything from a $30k Equinox EV to a Cadillac Lyriq and everything in between, car and utility. BET will carry everything from the Hummer EV that launched the platform to an eventual Canyon Colorado replacement.
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That makes sense. Eliminating a bunch technical debt and optimizing the production process will save a tremendous amount of money for sure. On one hand this skateboard architecture allows you to build anything you want, but I wonder if it will be enough for enthusiasts? I can see this working for typical SUVs, sedans and pickups but driving dynamics will be more important than ever for enthusiasts in an EV world since you are losing a ton of personality without the ICE engine and gearing.
One other big difference that I found with EVs is that the differentiation is harder to appreciate between the trim levels. For example, from a driving perspective, I don't think you will notice a whole lot of difference between a $66k Blazer SS and $45k base model. Yes, the Blazer SS will be quicker on paper and you will get a bit more shove in the seat between 0-60mph. I experienced this with our Tesla Model 3 Performance and Model 3 Standard. While the Model 3 Performance is quicker, the Model 3 SR is actually bit more entertaining to drive since it is lighter with only the rear motor it feels more like a mid engine car and still offers that instant torque experience. It is hard to explain unless you own and drive them. The issue with Tesla is they call it a Performance trim but all it offers it a bit quicker to 60mph. They have the same performance from 60-120mph, no HUD, no adaptive dampers, no sporty seats, no drive modes, etc. Hopefully GM does more to differentiate the trim levels besides just interior options.
If you compare this to a Camaro with 2.0L Turbo, 3.6L V6, 6.2L V8 and ZL1 LT4, they all have different personalities. Then you add in manual or paddle shifting automatics, exhaust note, etc. EVs will pretty much feel all the same and very little driving engagement and that saddens me. In fact, most are working on software to reduce the amount of driving engagement required.
Hopefully, EV manufactures will find a way to appeal to an enthusiast like me.