Earlier this week, GM Authority Editor in Chief Manoli Katakis made a peculiar observation that’s worth sharing with GM fans the world over. Specifically, it’s that GM’s latest iteration of the Gamma vehicle architecture is the automaker’s first modern platform to serve as the basis of both cars and crossovers.
Traditionally, cars and crossovers rode on significantly different platforms; take, for example, the Epsilon architecture underpinning the Chevy Malibu, Buick Regal, and Opel Insignia and compare it to the Theta platform that serves as the basis for the Chevy Equinox and GMC Terrain. These vehicles, which squarely fit in the midsize category, rode on disparately different architectures. Interestingly, General Motors started with its smallest platform — the Gamma — in merging the traditionally separate platforms for CUVs and sedans, hatchbacks, or wagons. In effect, GM’s second-generation Chevy Aveo/Sonic sedan and hatch as well as the new Trax crossover (along with the Buick Encore/Opel Mokka CUV) — all of which ride on the Gamma architecture — serve as proof of this development.
To us, this means that the decision to unify subcompact CUVs and subcompact cars on a common Gamma architecture preceded the idea of doing the same with other platforms — such as with the successor to the Delta, the D2 — for instance. Whatever the case may be with GM’s timing in deciding to base both crossovers and cars on a common Gamma chassis, the determination falls well in line with GM’s goal to cut the amount of individual platforms it uses by the year by 2018 — all in an effort to decrease complexity and increase profitability.
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I love hatches, but would probably not buy the Sonic hatch, in as much as I love its digital speedometer. The RS and SS versions will probably be configurable withe upgraded seats, so an aftermarket armrest will work, but what I don’t like is the exterior look (from the side). I’ve thought about it and have compared lots of cars that I liked and disliked, and here’s the conclusion: It doesn’t matter the size….a car that looks good will have relatively balanced overhangs between front and rear. The Sonic fails in that regard, whereas the Encore looks good. I would have preferred the look of the Trax for the Encore, but it isn’t bad. The Sonic, on the other hand, looks like it’s chopped off too much, as if it needed to fit into a certain parking space size and they hacked it in the rear at the last minute.
HatchforUS, so what direction are you leaning for your next ride..,
I would typically buy something inexpensive that gets good gas mileage, because I commute, but now I also need to transport a kayak. As we’ve gotten older we have more spending money, and I’ll soon be traveling more in retirement, so I’ve been considering Buick for its moderate luxury. The quiet and smooth ride of a Buick is appealing considering the rough roads in our area, but I also appreciate good handling and hate loose, numb steering. Acceleration on to crowded freeways is also a concern.
I want to buy American but there are just not any choices that meet these needs. I would be a strong Ford Focus hatch lean had they not botched the rear seat folding mechanism, taking away much needed front leg room. Even with that I’d still be drilling holes in the roof, since Ford is like GM and thinks if you want to use the roof you want an SUV. Clip-on racks are cheap looking and cause damage.
The Buick Encore would be at the very top of my list if they gave it the new 1.6T and an armrest befitting luxury. If they don’t upgrade the Encore within the next 18-24 months then it will probably be either the Mazda 3 or CX-5 diesel.
So in answer to your question, a lot has to do with what Buick decides to do. I’m watching closely. It makes me ill every time I read of an Opel hatch or wagon on this site, wishing GM would just make them here and not change a thing.
GM’s Gamma Architecture Was First To Merge Crossovers With Cars Smother Front Ends Of Crossovers And Cars With Ugly Visible Black Plastic
So let me get this straight, you dont like the car cuz it has uneven over hangs! the over hangs are there for a reason, to put as much of the most important part of the car in the right places! The major q’s is does the car look good? Most say yes, the car is a nice looking car for the price, size, and ability!
I am not sure what you really expect from a car company, they can’t put every idea into every car! You have to take the good with the bad, and if the major problem with this car is a little over hang issue you seem to have then GM did a great job with a car this small!
The exterior look isn’t the major problem with the Sonic. It was just one that I listed in reference to this article, which shows several different looks on the same architecture. The overhang issue is obviously a matter of personal taste, but one I thought I would highlight because I just don’t see it being mentioned when people discuss “looks.”
There are ways to diminish this imbalance and you’ll notice this if you compare some other cars that do not appear quite as chopped off, but that have almost the same overhang lengths. I believe this is a major reason behind the preference for sedans, which is in this country more an issue of taste and not as much one of trying to fit into a tight space.
Had I listed all of the other ways the Sonic misses for me personally I would have been bashed for being a GM basher. I really wanted the Sonic to work for me. I drove over 300 miles just to see one when it was first announced. But at the end of the day it just comes down to wanting something more upscale — not larger, just nicer, and with a more up-to-date engine/transmission. The issues with the Encore have been mentioned.