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GM Epsilon Vehicle Platform

Epsilon is the name of a General Motors vehicle architecture designed to underpin compact, midsize and full-size cars. The platform made its debut in the 2002 Opel Vectra and 2003 Saab 9-3 and was later used for a wide variety of General Motors vehicles.

Engineering for the Epsilon platform was mostly performed by GM’s Opel subsidiary in Germany. To some extent, Fiat was also involved in the development of the Epsilon architecture due to a GM-Fiat partnership that has since been dissolved. Both automakers retain the rights to use the Epsilon platform.

GM’s Lambda and Theta Premium crossover platforms are derived from the Epsilon architecture.

The Epsilon platform will be replaced by the E2XX vehicle architecture starting with the 2016 Chevrolet Malibu.

The first-generation Epsilon platform made its debut in 2002 in the 2002 Opel Vectra and 2003 Saab 9-3. It was developed in GM’s Opel division in Rüsselsheim, Germany and was available in regular and extended wheelbase configurations.

Vehicles using the Epsilon I platform include:

Regular Wheelbase

  • 2002-2009 Opel Vectra C range (sedan and liftback)
  • 2003-2012 Saab 9-3
  • 2004-2007 Chevrolet Malibu
  • 2006-2009 Cadillac BLS

Extended Wheelbase

  • 2002-2009 Opel Vectra C Caravan
  • 2003-2008 Opel Signum
  • 2004-2007 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx
  • 2005-2010 Pontiac G6
  • 2005-2011 Fiat Croma
  • 2007-2011 Saturn Aura
  • 2008-2012 Chevrolet Malibu

It’s widely believed that GM planned to use the Epsilon I platform in the 2006 Buick LaCrosse. Plans to do so were cancelled and the 2006 LaCrosse was underpinned by GM’s W Platform.

The second-generation Epsilon platform, Epsilon II, made its debut in 2008 in the 2008 Opel Insignia range. Like Epsilon I, Epsilon II was developed in GM’s Opel division in Rüsselsheim, Germany and was available in regular and extended wheelbase configurations.

Vehicles using the Epsilon II platform include:

Regular Wheelbase

  • 2008–present Opel Insignia, Buick Regal (sedan, hatchback, estate)
  • 2013–present Chevrolet Malibu, Holden Malibu

Extended Wheelbase

  • 2010–present Buick LaCrosse/GM Alpheon
  • 2012–present Roewe 950
  • 2010-2012 Saab 9-5
  • 2013–present Cadillac XTS
  • 2014–present Chevrolet Impala

Concept vehicles built using the Epsilon II platform include:

  • 2010 Cadillac XTS Concept
  • 2007 Buick Riviera
  • 2007 Opel GTC Concept
  • 2006 Saab Aero X
The Epsilon platform has several notable elements, including:

  • Front, transversely-mounted engine placement
  • Front-wheel drive with support for all-wheel drive
  • Four-wheel independent suspension system
  • Support for four- and six-cylinder engines
  • Support for short and long wheelbase variants
  • Support for premium/luxury variants
  • Epsilon-based vehicles usually have the letter “Z” as the fourth digit in their VIN
GM Epsilon Platform Vitals
TYPE: UNIBODY WELDED STEEL BODY
SIZE: COMPACT, MIDSIZE, FULL-SIZE
SUPPORTED VEHICLE TYPE: CAR
LAYOUT: FRONT-ENGINE, FWD OR AWD
POWERPLANT LAYOUT: TRANSVERSE
PREDECESSOR: GM N, GM W, GM G, GM2900
SUCCESSOR: E2XX (FOR MIDSIZE AND FULL-SIZE APPLICATIONS)

The Epsilon platform supports a wide variety of four- and six-cylinder GM engines, including Ecotec I4 engines, High Value and High Feature V6 engines, and hybrid/mild-hybrid configurations.

Epsilon I

Regular Wheelbase

  • 2002-2009 Opel Vectra C range (sedan and liftback)
  • 2003-2012 Saab 9-3
  • 2004-2007 Chevrolet Malibu
  • 2006-2009 Cadillac BLS

Extended Wheelbase

  • 2002-2009 Opel Vectra C Caravan
  • 2003-2008 Opel Signum
  • 2004-2007 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx
  • 2005-2010 Pontiac G6
  • 2005-2011 Fiat Croma
  • 2007-2011 Saturn Aura
  • 2008-2012 Chevrolet Malibu

Epsilon II

Regular Wheelbase

  • 2008–present Opel Insignia, Buick Regal (sedan, hatchback, estate)
  • 2013–present Chevrolet Malibu, Holden Malibu

Extended Wheelbase

  • 2010–present Buick LaCrosse/GM Alpheon
  • 2012–present Roewe 950
  • 2010-2012 Saab 9-5
  • 2013–present Cadillac XTS
  • 2014–present Chevrolet Impala

Concepts

  • 2010 Cadillac XTS Concept
  • 2007 Buick Riviera
  • 2007 Opel GTC Concept
  • 2006 Saab Aero X

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