Quote:
Originally Posted by DenverTaco07
What if we start with the idea that the 5th gen is a fat pig 
Ok...hypothetical: could the 6amaro keep same wheelbase and still get smaller?
anyway, i predict a 110.5 in wheelbase, 182 in overall.
I still don't get the whole architecture thing...can the cts-v and ats-v have different overall length's? If so, how is it not a different size? |
They can. And do. An architecture...rudimentally put, is a parts bin of exchangeable, expensive core components that can be shared between vehicles no matter what the size. The Alpha architecture was designed with a couple different sizes in mind so that it could accommodate many different vehicles and therefore be a profitable project. Flexibility = profit.
So the CTS uses the longer wheelbase version of the platform. And ATS uses the shorter wheelbase version. Once the core parts are chosen and integrated, there's a good amount of unique changes that can be made for each application such as track width, roofline, etc, etc. And of course all the equipment that gets bolted onto the new "skeleton" can (and usually are) unique and custom-matched to the application.
When you think size and how it relates to weight...you must think about all the metal that can be removed. If you keep the same wheelbase (length of the chassis between wheels) as the current car, all you're going to be able to shrink is the trunk and engine compartment. That's not going to do much in terms of weight savings, and would probably result in crappy proportions and an odd design. A lot of the material on the ends of the car is lightweight plastic, anyways.
If you shrink the wheelbase a bit, now you've chopped away frame rails, cut inches of an entire unibody, fuel lines, prop-shaft, wiring, door length, etc. annnnnd...tugged the heavy parts of the suspension (wheels, brakes, and knuckles) closer to the center of gravity, making the car less resistant to yaw/rotational changes when, oh say, going into or coming out of a corner real fast. This will make the car feel more nimble, light, and reactant to driver input.