- GM Theta platform
Infobox Automobile platform
name = GM Theta platform
manufacturer =General Motors
production =2002 –present
class = Compact/mid-size crossover SUV
vehicles =Chevrolet Equinox Pontiac Torrent Saturn Vue Suzuki XL-7 GMC Terrain Saab 9-4X Theta is
General Motors 'mid-size crossover SUV andcompact SUV automobile platform . The architecture debuted in2002 with theSaturn Vue (Theta,compact SUV ) and was later used for theChevrolet Equinox (Extended Theta, mid-sizecrossover SUV ). The platform was developed by GM in North America. The Saturn was engineered in Michigan and the Equinox/Torrent were engineered by GM's Canadian Regional Engineering Center (CREC) in Oshawa, Ontario. Neither Suzuki nor GM's Shanghai, China operation,Pan-Asia Technical Automotive Center has had involvement in engineering or developing the Theta platform.Development
The Theta uses a four wheel
independent suspension . Engine choices include the Ecotec Family IIstraight-4 , "3400"V6 , and even aHonda V6, the L66. A 5-speed automatic and two 5-speedmanual transmission s are used.The original
Saturn Vue used a short 106.6 in (2708 mm) wheelbase, with a 61 in (1549 mm) track. TheChevrolet Equinox andPontiac Torrent use a stretched 112.5 in (2857 mm) wheelbase, but shares much with the Saturn.The
Suzuki Grand Vitara , although similar in size and appearance to a Saturn Vue, was developed by Suzuki using some Theta components, but should not be considered a Theta derivative. The Grand Vitara front and rear suspensions are substantially different from the Theta vehicles. The 2007Suzuki XL7 is based on the Theta platform and is built alongside the Equinox and Torrent atCAMI Automotive inIngersoll, Ontario ,Canada . It is the first non-GM branded vehicle to come off the Theta platform. Styled by Suzuki, the engineering was performed by GM engineers in the US and Canada.Engineering for the Opel Antara, Chevrolet Captiva, and the Saturn Vue was performed in large part in Korea by GM Daewoo Auto & Technology.
Hybrids
The
Saturn Vue was one of the first ofGeneral Motors ' vehicles to be offered with a hybrid powertrain, GM'sbelt alternator starter (BAS) system, in2006 . The company also plans to add hybrid versions of theChevrolet Captiva and Vauxhall/Opel Antara , but those will use GM'sTwo-Mode Hybrid system instead of the BAS.Vehicles
Current vehicles based on this platform:
* Short wheelbase
** 2002Saturn Vue
** 2007Daewoo Winstorm
** 2007Opel Antara and 2008Saturn VUE .* Long wheelbase
** 2005Chevrolet Equinox
** 2006Pontiac Torrent
** 2007Suzuki XL7
** 2010GMC Terrain
** 2010Chevrolet Equinox *Concepts
**Chevrolet S3X/T2X Theta Premium
GM is preparing a premium version of Theta. Reports differ, but the general consensus is that it is a combination of the current Theta and elements of the new Epsilon 2 architecture, with some Lambda components as well. So far, the only models are the
Saab 9-4X andCadillac SRX . Despite the fact that these vehicles are loosely based on Theta, which is often used for small CUVs, it is believed that these will actually be midsized, since many have predicted that the 9-4X replace the similarly sizedSaab 9-7X . There are also rumors of 7-seater TE (Theta-Epsilon) models under development.Vehicles using Theta Premium:
* 2010Saab 9-4X
* 2010Cadillac SRX References
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