Des GM diesel ici grace a la plateforme Espilon 2?

[TR3CK]

http://www.autonews.com/article.cms?articleId=54521

GM's Epsilon 2 platform might bring diesels to U.S.

By Jason Stein
Automotive News / September 19, 2005

FRANKFURT -- General Motors' next-generation mid-sized vehicle architecture will be able to accommodate engines from around the world, a high-ranking GM executive says.

That means fuel-efficient diesels could come to North America from Europe by the end of the decade on the Epsilon 2 architecture, Hans Demant, managing director of Adam Opel AG, told Automotive News at the Frankfurt auto show last week.

"The next-generation of Epsilon in North America will have full access to all of the European powertrains," Demant said.

"When you look into the (Chevrolet) Malibu today or the Pontiac G6, they have certain limitations with regard to the size of the powertrain. With Epsilon 2, we can put our powertrains into those vehicles."

That will allow GM to react more quickly to changing market demands, Demant said.

The Malibu, G6, Opel Vectra and Saab 9-3 are produced on the current generation of GM's front-wheel-drive mid-sized Epsilon architecture. But not all vehicles in the architecture can accommodate all engines.

Each region until now has engineered and designed their own products independently. Specifications are off just enough between vehicles that true interbuildability cannot be achieved.

The main characteristics of the current Epsilon architecture were developed with GM's Opel subsidiary in Germany. Engineering work on the next generation of vehicles is led by GM's technical center in Germany.

The goal is that vehicles on Epsilon 2 built around the world will share dimensions, components and manufacturing processes.

The sharing of engines falls under GM Vice Chairman Robert Lutz's definition of interbuildability, a term that includes manufacturing and engineering, Demant says.

"It is the total spectrum of options and features available for use anywhere," Demant says. "If someone says they want a diesel in North America … we have a high-efficient diesel engine, and we can ship it. The (architectures) will all share the same module. We'll just be able to stick it in."

Demant also said GM has increased the range of dimensions on Epsilon 2. The front overhang has increased by 3 or 4 inches and so has the width and road height of the vehicle.

Global volume on the architecture is expected to exceed 1 million units, he said.

GM uses the term "architecture" to signify a set of common components, performance characteristics, a common manufacturing process, a range of dimensions and connecting points for key component systems.

[fredfreedom]

C'est une très bonne nouvelle, il était temps que GM mette à profit son savoir-faire pour fabriquer une plate-forme internationale qui pourra recevoir n'importe quelle des motorisations de la marque. Une G6 diesel, pourquoi pas?

[STONE_COLD]

Limitation au niveau de la plate-forme acutelle pour mettre des moteurs

Crime, ils ont un 2.2, un 3.5 et un gros 3.9. Pourtant un diesel pour ce type de voiture ne fera pas 4.0L et plus.

[Kwack]

C'est probablement au nivau du poids supporter, question d'équilibre.

[Francis F]

Côté format, j'aime bien. J'ai actuellement une Grand Am de courtoisie et le format de la voiture me plait. Pas trop gros, pas trop petit. J'avais eu la même impression lorsque j'avais essayé une Mazda 6. Ça prend seulement à GM des vrais moteurs moins rugueux... Un bon 4 cylindres japonais et un V6 agréable. Tiens... ça ressemble à une Ford Fusion ça.

Pour un diesel dans une Malibu ou G6, ils sont mieux de trouver un diesel puissant puisque nous sommes habitués à la surpuissance... Le plus performant actuellement chez Opel, c'est un V6 2 litres CDTi de 177 chevaux et 370 Nm de couple.