GM reconsidering use of rear-wheel drive
One day after reporting that General Motors has further solidified a product plan that relegates rear-wheel drive platforms to lower-volume specialty models, Inside Line is now reporting that the General has reconsidered. Sparked by the popularity of the Chrysler 300 and Dodge Magnum as well as the positive feedback generated by the Solstice, this change of heart could lead to GM utilizing a "lite" version of its rwd Zeta platform. The Zeta's cost has prohibited its use in North America thus far, but a "lite" version could see production in an upscale Buick sedan, a revival of the Chevy Caprice and even the next generation GTO. If approved, these vehicles wouldn't appear on the market until at least 2010.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
BF 11:05PM (12/18/2005)
This is excellent news.
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Eric Bryant 11:05PM (12/18/2005)
Man, it sure is painful to be a fan of RWD GM cars right now. In fact, I'd dare say that GM RWD fans have been jerked-around pretty much non-stop since '87 (when the G-bodies ended their run).
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kyle 11:05PM (12/18/2005)
they will have a camaro like car in 2 years not 2010 they are wrong
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Paul 11:05PM (12/18/2005)
not until 2010
the world will be out of oil by then
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skaedenfeld 11:05PM (12/18/2005)
Paul, way to overgeneralize the situation. We will have oil for a long time, and even longer if the enviro-quacks would let us drill in Alaska. The caribou will learn to migrate around the oil drilling facility; they're not dumb.
Anyway, as to GM stating that the Zeta platform has been too expensive to use in N.A. I don't understand why. Cars seem just as expensive in America related to overall income as they are in Europe. This smells more of a lack of innovative product planning and the bottom dollar rather than actually giving America the cars we deserve from GM.
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Motorin' 11:05PM (12/18/2005)
flip-flopping mother floppers
Unless GMs RWD announcments are all smoke and mirrors, I'd say 2010 is about as early as they could come. I've been waiting for the Solstice since '02 and it's still not on the market yet.
GM, build some mainstream RWD cars already. At this rate, odds are Toyota or Honda would even end up having a mainstream RWD architecture before they do (yes, I'm exaggerating). It's not a matter of converting the entire line, but at least a couple RWD offerings. Make some more exciting cars...GM needs buzz about something in their mass market lineup.
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Fabulo 11:05PM (12/18/2005)
Wow. 2010. That's great news! Only 5 years from now. That will let everyone get a Magnum/300c/charger in the mean time and then, we'll all flock back to the then new GM products.
Kinda like if you really wanted a retro looking compact and practical car, you would get to buy a HHR after trading in you PT cruizer that you get 5 years ago.
2010, that's great!
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Motorin' 11:05PM (12/18/2005)
Ummm...I think Paul was joking to emphasize the speed at which GM moves. Sarcasm is tough in text. Watch that hair trigger.
Of course, I could be wrong...
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Chris K 11:05PM (12/18/2005)
How expensive is Zeta anyway? Would a decontented CTS really cost THAT much? I just can't believe it. GM SHOULD be able to sell a $25K V6 Zeta sedan. I want my 300HP RWD Grand Prix NOW.
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rolliedemay 11:05PM (12/18/2005)
This is such a joke. I hated fwd when it was shoved down our throats at the end of the eighty's. They knew it was cheaper to build, so the great lie was formed to help sell these slugs. After twenty years of public exposure, we "suddenly" realize that fwd is qwirky, expensive to repair, and an insult to drivers. Now it's back to what works, and what the public wants, only we have to suck wind for 5 years. And GM wonders why they are loosing market share. Such stupidity. Amazing.
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MJ 11:05PM (12/18/2005)
Is skaedenfeld kidding or does he really believe that potential oil reserves in Alaska will have any substantative effect on worldwide oil supply? Wow.
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md 11:05PM (12/18/2005)
Would it be possible to ship more Holden vehicles stateside? Most of them are RWD.
I personally want one of these:
http://www.holden.com.au/www-holden/action/vehicleentry?vehicleid=15
are there safety or emissions issues that I am overlooking that would not make this possible?
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Steve B. 11:05PM (12/18/2005)
Rolliedermay:
Front wheel drive is still cheaper to build (and thus cheaper to buy), lends itself to greater interior space without the intrusion of an bulging transmission hump, gives better slick-condition traction, and better mileage (for an equivalent interior volume, you don't need as large a car, so overall mass is reduced). None of these things have changed, and that is why mainstream sedans continue to use FWD.
RWD continues to offer better driving dynamics for enthusiast drivers, which also has not changed (Mustang, all BMWs & Mercedes, Miata, Nissan Fairlady/Z, and Mazda RX7/8 have all continued to use a front engine - rear drive layout). It would seem that the change is a greater interest in larger performance sedans as European sport-touring tastes have invaded the US and replaced the traditional American style of softly sprung comfort-mobiles. Hence, column shifters, bench seats, wheel covers, and tach-less dashes have disappeared for the most part, and even family cars have at least some pretense of sportiness, if not in substance then at least in appearance.
For vehicles which don't have any need for extremely athletic balance and poise (economy cars, minivans, mainstream family sedans) FWD continues to serve as the best option, and will for some time.
The only major shift is the appearance of good traction control systems to reel in the awful grip and weight distribution issues which used to curse RWD cars in snowy and icy climates. A RWD car such as the 300C, though not ideal in the packaging arena, can now be a viable choice for a family in the snowbelt.
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DrakeGTA 11:05PM (12/18/2005)
Well, most people dont believe me when I tell them, but the main thing preventing Holden vehicles from crossing the pond is the unions. They wont let it happen (thats why so few GTOs are brought over.) I can see their point, they only want to protect their jobs, but what they dont realize is that in the long run this may cost them their jobs and GM its market share. If not for the unions we could probably have a Holden Ute here under the mask of an El Camino... well, then again, maybe I am the only one that misses the El Camino.
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Duncan Riley 11:05PM (12/18/2005)
Just on DrakeGTA's comments he's 100% correct, Holden has been desperately wanting to expand its exports here in Australia into the US for years and yet every time they try to the US Auto-unions block it... but in the mean time it means that we'll continue to enjoy RWD motoring here is Australia whilst you guys suffer with crap FWD vehicles..you just can't beat RWD
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Poe 11:05PM (12/18/2005)
Thankfully, Mr. Riley, we in the US don't have to "suffer crap FWD vehicles" if we choose not to. Holden isn't the only company that produces RWD vehicles... we have other options. Some very good ones too (even better than the imported GTO). GM is the only one coming up short here. That's real good news about the GM's about-face (again) on the RWD issue. Too bad we have to wait until 2010 (!) for it.
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Slippery Pete 11:05PM (12/18/2005)
Oooooohhh, "a new Caprice"! Just three little words, but ohh how they warm the heart. The anticipation is killing me.
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Mick 11:05PM (12/18/2005)
Like most others my age I grew up on RWD cars and learned to slalom in the snow with the best of them. (Imagine driving a Checker around the city streets of Chicago all winter.) And for many of us in the snow belt using snow chains in the winter was an unavoidable fact of life.
When I started driving FWD cars I was amazed at the wonderful grip and traction they offer in snow. There's just no comparison - no more chains for me. So, if you have occasion to drive in significant amounts of snow I'd advise giving it serious thought before you switch back to RWD. It may be an enticing idea in June, but come January ...
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Poe 11:05PM (12/18/2005)
What is this "snow" of which you speak??? ;-)
BRING ON THE RWD!!!
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Brandon 11:05PM (12/18/2005)
Caprice? Caprice? What the heck is that? Is that the equivalent of bringing back a Chevy Malibu or something? O_o
Bring us a Camaro, not a Caprice!
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