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GM Alpha Vehicle Platform
The General Motors Alpha platform is a vehicle architecture designed to underpin compact and mid-size vehicles with a longitudinal front-engine, rear-drive configuration. The platform was engineered with a focus for world-class driving dynamics and light weight, and can be adapted to underpin luxury and non-luxury vehicles alike.
Alpha made its debut with the 2013 Cadillac ATS sedan, followed by the 2014 Cadillac CTS sedan. The sixth-generation 2016 Chevrolet Camaro is the third and final vehicle to utilize the Alpha architecture.
| Production: | 2013-Present |
| Driveline: | Longitudinal, Front-Engine, Rear-Wheel Drive |
| Class: | Compact, Midsize |
| Vehicle Type: | Passenger Cars, Sports Cars |
| Body Styles: | 2-Door Coupe, 2-Door Convertible, 4-Door Sedan |
| Predecessor: | None for compact cars, Sigma for midsize cars |
| Successor: | Alpha 2 |
Overview
Alpha was designed to support compact and mid-size vehicles with a focus on being lightweight and providing exceptional driving dynamics. It debuted with the arrival of the 2013 Cadillac ATS, which is now discontinued, and was also used by the CTS, which has also been discontinued. That said, the architecture underpins the sixth-generation Chevrolet Camaro as well, which is expected to remain in production through the 2026 model year.
A 50/50 weight distribution enabled vehicles that rode on the Alpha platform to be quite nimble. It was even used to create a purpose-built, track-dedicated product: the Cadillac ATS-V.R.
Notable components of the Alpha platform include:
- Front-engined, longitudinally-mounted layout
- A four wheel independent suspension system with a McPherson Strut in the front and a 5-link independent setup in the rear
- Rear- and all-wheel-drive applications
- Flexible wheelbase configurations
- Extensive use of high-strength steels
Various suspension systems have been used in conjunction with the Alpha platform, including conventional shock-over-strut assemblies, Magnetic Ride Control, and DSSV dampers.
Engines
The Alpha platform is capable of supporting a wide range of General Motors engines, including naturally-aspirated and force-inducted variants of four-, six-, and eight-cylinder engines. Vehicles riding on the Alpha architecture currently use the following engines:
Cadillac ATS
- Naturally-aspirated 2.5L I-4 LCV (discontinued after 2016 MY)
- Turbo 2.0L I-4 LTG
- Naturally-aspirated 3.6L V-6 LFX (replaced by LGX for 2016 model year)
- Naturally-aspirated 3.6L V-6 LGX
- Twin-Turbo 3.6L V-6 LF4 (ATS-V)
Cadillac CTS
- Turbo 2.0L I-4 LTG
- Naturally-aspirated 3.6L V-6 LFX (replaced by LGX for 2016 model year)
- Naturally-aspirated 3.6L V-6 LGX
- Twin-Turbo 3.6L V-6 LF3 (CTS V-Sport)
- Supercharged 6.2L V-8 LT4 (CTS-V)
Chevrolet Camaro
- Turbo 2.0L I-4 LTG (Camaro LT)
- Naturally-aspirated 3.6L V-6 LGX (Camaro LT)
- Naturally-aspirated 6.2L V-8 LT1 (Camaro SS)
- Supercharged 6.2L V-8 LT4 (Camaro 1LE)
Vehicle Applications
| Year | Vehicle | Transmission | Engine | Power (hp / kW @ RPM) | Torque (lb-ft / Nm @ RPM) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013-2016 | Cadillac ATS | 6-Speed Auto (MYA) until 2015MY, then 8-Speed Auto (M5N) | 2.5L LCV Ecotec I4 | 202 / 151 @ 6300 | 190 / 258 @ 4400 |
| 2013-2014 | Cadillac ATS | 6-Speed Manual (M3L) or 6-Speed Auto (MYA) | 2.0L LTG Ecotec I4 | 272 / 203 @ 5500 | 260 / 353 @ 1700 – 5500 |
| 2015 | Cadillac ATS | 6-Speed Manual (M3L) or 6-Speed Auto (MYA) | 2.0L LTG Ecotec I4 | 272 / 203 @ 5500 | 295 / 400 @ 1700 – 5500 |
| 2016-2019 | Cadillac ATS | 6-Speed Manual (M3L) or 8-Speed Auto (M5N) | 2.0L LTG Ecotec I4 | 272 / 203 @ 5500 | 295 / 400 @ 1700 – 5500 |
| 2013-2015 | Cadillac ATS | 6-Speed Auto (MYA) | 3.6L LFX V6 | 321 / 239 @ 6800 | 274 / 371 @ 4800 |
| 2016-2019 | Cadillac ATS | 8-Speed Auto (M5N) | 3.6 LGX V6 | 335 / 250 @ 6800 | 285 / 386 @ 5300 |
| 2016-2019 | Cadillac ATS-V | 6-Speed Manual (MG9) or 8-Speed Auto (M5U) | 3.6 LF4 V6 | 464 / 346 @ 5850 | 445 / 603 @ 3500 |
| 2014-2019 | Cadillac CTS | 6-Speed Auto (MYA) | 2.0L LTG Ecotec I4 | 272 / 203 @ 5500 | 295 / 400 @ 1700 – 5500 |
| 2014-2015 | Cadillac CTS | 6-Speed Auto (MYA) until 2015MY, then 8-Speed Auto (M5N) | 3.6L LFX V6 | 321 / 239 @ 6800 | 274 / 371 @ 4800 |
| 2016-2019 | Cadillac CTS | 8-Speed Auto (M5N) | 3.6 LGX V6 | 335 / 250 @ 6800 | 285 / 386 @ 5300 |
| 2014-2019 | Cadillac CTS | 8-Speed Auto (M5N) | 3.6L LF3 V6 | 420 / 313 @ 5750 | 430 / 583 @ 3500 – 4500 |
| 2016-2019 | Cadillac CTS-V | 8-Speed Auto (M5U) | 6.2 LT4 V8 | 640 / 477.2 @ 6400 | 630 / 854.2 @ 3600 |
| 2016-Present | Chevrolet Camaro | 6-Speed Manual (MN6) or 8-Speed Auto (MX0) | 2.0L LTG Ecotec I4 | 275 / 205 @ 5500 | 295 / 398 @ 3000 – 4500 |
| 2016-Present | Chevrolet Camaro | 6-Speed Manual (MN6) or 8-Speed Auto (MX0), 10-Speed replaces 8-Speed for 2019MY | 3.6L LGX V6 | 335 / 250 @ 6800 | 285 / 386 @ 5300 |
| 2016-Present | Chevrolet Camaro SS | 6-Speed Manual (MN6) or 8-Speed Auto (MX0), 10-Speed replaces 8-Speed for 2019MY | 6.2L LT1 V8 | 455 / 339.3 @ 6000 | 455 / 614.3 @ 4400 |
| 2016-Present | Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 | 6-Speed Manual (MN6) or 8-Speed Auto (MX0), 10-Speed replaces 8-Speed for 2019MY | 6.2 LT4 V8 | 650 / 485 @ 6400 | 650 / 881 @ 3600 |
Non-Production
- Possible Cadillac ATS Convertible — Not Produced
- Possible Cadillac ATS Wagon — Not Produced
- Cadillac CTS variants (third-gen), including
- CTS coupe — Not Produced
- CTS convertible — Not Produced
- CTS wagon — Not Produced
- Possible compact Cadillac crossover — Cadillac XT4 — Moved to E2 platform
- Midsize Cadillac crossover — Cadillac XT5 — Moved to C1 platform
- Upcoming sub-compact Cadillac sedan — Moved to D2 platform
- 2017 Buick Grand National/GNX — Canceled
Alpha 2
The Alpha platform is succeeded by Alpha 2, an updated variant of the first iteration of the architecture.
The Alpha 2 underpins the following vehicles:
- 2020 Cadillac CT4 (indirect ATS replacement)
- 2020 Cadillac CT5 (indirect CTS replacement)
- Next-Generation Chevrolet Camaro (Expected 2026, but not confirmed)
Alpha News
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It’s almost like the ultimate seat for a high-performance luxury vehicle.
What’s Really Going On With The Future Chevrolet Camaro
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Sponsored Links
- GM Alpha 2 Vehicle Platform
