View source for General Motors Zeta platform

{{main|List of GM platforms}}
{{Infobox automobile platform
| name = GM Zeta platform
| image = 2006-2007 Holden Caprice (WM MY07) sedan (2007-05-07).jpg
| caption = [[Holden Caprice (WM)]]
| aka = Global RWD Architecture
| manufacturer = [[Holden]] ([[General Motors]])
| predecessor = [[GM B platform]] ( for the [[Chevrolet Caprice|4th generation Caprice]] for the police in North America) <br />[[GM V platform (RWD)]]<br /> [[GM F platform]] (for the [[Chevrolet Camaro (fourth generation)|Chevrolet Camaro]])
| successor = [[GM Alpha platform]] (for the Chevrolet Camaro)<br />[[GM Epsilon platform]] (for the Holden Commodore)<br />[[GM Omega platform]] (RWD) (Full Size)
| production = 2006–2017
| class = [[Full-size car|Full-size]]
| similar = [[Chrysler LX platform]]<br />[[Ford Panther platform]]
| body_style = 2-door [[coupe]]<br />2-door [[Convertible (car)|convertible]]<br />2-door [[coupé utility]]<br />4-door [[sedan (car)|sedan]]<br />5-door [[Station wagon]]
| engine =
| transmission =
| front_suspension =
| rear_suspension =
| wheelbase =
| related =
| vehicles =
}}
'''Zeta''' was the original name for [[General Motors]]' [[Full-size car|full-size]] [[rear-wheel drive]] [[automobile platform]] developed by GM's Australian [[subsidiary company]] [[Holden]] and was at one stage referred to as the "GM Global RWD Architecture". The GM Zeta platform replaced the [[GM V platform (RWD)|V-body]], and debuted with 2006 [[Holden Commodore#Fourth generation (2006-2017)|Holden Commodore (VE)]] [[Sedan (automobile)|sedan]] and [[Holden Ute|Holden (VE) Ute]]. This platform was considered as the replacement for the North American [[GM W platform|W]], [[GM H platform (FWD)|H]], and [[GM K platform (FWD)|K]] platforms until plans were cancelled due to fuel-economy considerations and [[General Motors Chapter 11 reorganization|GM's financial situation]]. Although the future of the Zeta program was in doubt at that time, in May 2009, Holden began the development of an improved second version of the platform that went on to form the basis of the 2013 [[Holden Commodore#VF (2013–2017)|Commodore (VF)]] and Chevrolet SS.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mellor.net/mellor/enews.nsf/edition/48C44C5F20B20EE7CA2574B800148C40/$file/GoAutoNews_449.pdf|title=Holden cutbacks: Holden cuts design and engineering jobs as GM abandons global RWD projects|work=GoAutoNews Issue 449|date=2008-09-03|access-date=2009-04-28|archive-date=2011-07-23|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110723205302/http://www.mellor.net/mellor/enews.nsf/edition/48C44C5F20B20EE7CA2574B800148C40/$file/GoAutoNews_449.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="motorauthority.com">{{cite web| url = http://www.motorauthority.com/holden-engineering-lighter-and-more-fuel-efficient-zeta-platform.html| url-status = dead| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090525224447/http://www.motorauthority.com/holden-engineering-lighter-and-more-fuel-efficient-zeta-platform.html| archive-date = 2009-05-25| date = 2009-05-21 | first = Jeremy | last = Weber | title = Holden engineering lighter and more fuel-efficient RWD Zeta platform | work = MotorAuthority }}</ref>
The 2010-15 [[Chevrolet Camaro (fifth generation)|fifth generation Chevrolet Camaro]] was the only Zeta platform model produced in North America. All other Zeta platform vehicles have been manufactured in Australia by Holden. In 2016, the [[Chevrolet Camaro (sixth generation)]] debuted on the [[GM Alpha platform]].
Australian manufactured models include the long-wheelbase [[Holden Caprice (WM)|Holden WM Statesman/Caprice]] sedan and the high performance range produced by [[Holden Special Vehicles]]. On export markets, Holden-based models included the:
* short-wheelbase Commodore (VE)-based [[Pontiac G8]] and the Commodore (VF)-based [[Chevrolet SS (2013)|Chevrolet SS]] (for North America)
* full HSV range (for New Zealand and Singapore), the HSV-based [[Vauxhall VXR8]] (for the United Kingdom) and [[Holden Special Vehicles|Chevrolet Specialised Vehicles]] (CSV) E-series (for the Middle East)
* the long-wheelbase [[Chevrolet Caprice]] PPV<ref>{{cite web| url = http://www.motorauthority.com/blog/1036123_aussie-sourced-chevrolet-caprice-police-car-coming-in-2011| url-status = dead| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20091008110832/http://www.motorauthority.com/blog/1036123_aussie-sourced-chevrolet-caprice-police-car-coming-in-2011| archive-date = 2009-10-08| title = Aussie-Sourced Chevrolet Caprice Police Car Coming in 2011 - MotorAuthority}} </ref> and the [[Buick Park Avenue#Third generation (2007–2012)|Buick Park Avenue]] (the latter exported to China as a [[Knock-down kit|Complete knock down]] (CKD) kit).
In December 2013, Holden announced that it would cease its local production by 2017 and, with it, the production of the GM Zeta platform. Production ended in October 2017.<ref>{{cite web |title=Holden's last Australian-built model confirmed |date=19 October 2017 |url=https://www.motoring.com.au/holdens-last-australian-built-model-revealed-109457/ |access-date=11 July 2019}}</ref>
==Development==
Development was started in late 1999 by Holden to replace the aging V-body platform underpinning the [[Holden Commodore#Third generation (1997-2008)|third generation]] Commodore that debuted in 1997, after [[Opel]] announced that its [[Opel Omega|Omega]] (on which the Commodore was based) would be discontinued. Principal development on the VE Commodore was completed by July 2004 at a cost approaching A$1 billion and the first testing mules underwent trials later that year. Unlike previous Holden platforms, the platform was designed around the LWB Caprice and Statesman initially and then shortened to create the Commodore. General Motors global corporate headquarters was impressed by the VE design and began studies on using the underlying architecture (internally christened Zeta by GM engineers) for a range of future products on a global scale. After the cancellation of the plan due to the fuel-economy considerations and [[General Motors Chapter 11 reorganization|GM's financial situation]], the idea of Zeta as a global rear drive platform was revived with plans for the [[Chevrolet Camaro (fifth generation)|fifth generation]] Chevrolet Camaro of 2010.
==Features==
The Zeta architecture was designed for great flexibility and could accommodate a wide variety of automotive features such as [[wheelbase]] length, ride height, windshield rake and [[roof line]]. Zeta's [[Suspension (vehicle)|suspension]] system was all wheel independent and utilizes a [[MacPherson strut]] coupled with a [[Dual ball joint suspension|dual ball joint lower A-arm]] for the front and a four link independent setup for the rear wheels. The engine was mounted slightly behind the front axle giving improved weight distribution.
==Further development==
In May 2009, Holden began the re-engineering of the Zeta platform to create a lighter, stronger, better handling and more fuel efficient version.<ref name="motorauthority.com"/> The improved second version of the platform formed the basis of the 2013 Commodore (VF), which also spawned the 2013  [[Chevrolet SS (2013)|Chevrolet SS]] that GM announced in May 2012 for the US market. This Chevrolet made its debut at the 2013 [[Daytona Shootout]]. The Holden [[VF Commodore]], on which the Chevrolet SS is based, went on sale the same day in Australia.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/16/rumormill-holden-based-rwd-2012-chevy-ss-coming-after-all/|title=Rumormill: Holden-based, RWD 2012 Chevy SS coming after all?}}</ref>
==End of production==
In December 2013, Holden announced the planned termination of its manufacturing operations at the [[City of Elizabeth|Elizabeth]] plant in [[South Australia]] by the end of 2017 and, with it, that of the Zeta platform. [[GM Sigma platform|Sigma-based]] vehicles that shared design engineering with Zeta transitioned to the [[GM Alpha platform|Alpha]] platform, which had used Zeta as its design inspiration. The Chevrolet Camaro, the only GM Zeta based car manufactured outside of Australia, transitioned from the Zeta platform to the Alpha platform in November 2015, with the launch of the 2016 [[Chevrolet Camaro (sixth generation)|sixth generation]] model.
==Vehicles==
The vehicles that have used the Zeta platform include:
* 2006-2013 [[Holden VE Commodore]] / 2007-2012 [[Bitter Cars|Bitter Vero Sport]] / 2006-2013 [[Holden Special Vehicles|HSV E Series]] / 2007-2013 [[HSV Clubsport|Vauxhall VXR8]] and CSV equivalents / 2007-2011 [[Chevrolet Lumina]] / 2008-2009 [[Pontiac G8]] / 2006 (2010) [[Chevrolet Omega]]
* 2006-2013 [[Holden Caprice (WM)|Holden WM Statesman/Caprice]] 2014–2017 [[Holden Caprice (WM)|Holden WN Caprice]]/2007-2012 [[Bitter Cars|Bitter Vero]]/ 2007-2017 [[Chevrolet Caprice#Sixth generation (2006–2017)|Chevrolet Caprice]] / 2008-2010 [[Daewoo Veritas]] / 2007-2012 [[Buick Park Avenue#Third generation (2007–2012)|Buick Park Avenue]] / 2006-2013 [[HSV Grange|HSV E-Series Grange]]/ 2014–2017 [[HSV Grange|HSV F-Series Grange]]
* 2007–2017 [[Holden Commodore|Holden Ute]]
* 2008 [[Holden Coupe 60]] concept car
* 2010–2015 [[Chevrolet Camaro (fifth generation)|Chevrolet Camaro]]
* 2011–2017 [[Chevrolet Caprice]] PPV police vehicle
* 2013–2017 [[Holden VF Commodore]] / [[Holden VF Commodore|Chevrolet SS]] / [[Holden Special Vehicles|HSV F Series]].
==References==
* {{cite web|url=http://autoweek.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060116/FREE/60116001/1024/LATESTNEWS|title=Camaro tops GM's rwd list; Buick Velite concept, Pontiac GTO and Impala also possibilities|work=[[AutoWeek]]|access-date=January 16, 2006 }}
* {{cite web|url=http://autoweek.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061113/FREE/61113001/1024/LATESTNEWS|title=Moving Up? Impala goes back to rwd in '09|work=[[AutoWeek]]|access-date=November 14, 2006 }}
* {{cite web|url=http://blogs.automotive.com/1001248/miscellaneous/gm-to-build-new-car-based-on-zeta-platform/index.html|title = GM to Build New Car Based on Zeta Platform|work=Detroit Free Press (via Automotive Blogs)|access-date=December 10, 2006 }}
* {{cite web|url=http://www.leftlanenews.com/its-official-pontiac-gto-will-return.html|title=It's official: Pontiac GTO will return!|work=Leftlanenews}}
{{Reflist}}
{{General Motors platforms}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Gm Zeta Platform}}
[[Category:General Motors platforms|Zeta]]