VSS-F, or Vehicle Strategy Set – Front, is the name of an upcoming automotive architecture that will underpin next-generation, front-wheel-drive and front-wheel-drive-based all-wheel-drive cars from General Motors.
Note that VSS-F will not underpin crossovers (CUVs) built using a unibody construction. Instead, those vehicles will ride on the GM VSS-S platform set.
Overview
The VSS-F platform, or more appropriately the VSS-F vehicle set, is part of GM’s objective to consolidate platforms, reduce complexity, and simplify engineering and manufacturing processes in order to realize significant cost savings and enable the company to deliver better-differentiated designs more quickly to customers around the world. In that capacity, the VSS-F platform would replace all of GM’s front-drive, transverse-engined car platforms with a single set. This single set that will, in turn, have several subsets for differently sized vehicles.
GM’s vehicle sets will employ common components and structures, which will save engineering, purchasing and tooling costs. In theory, the undertaking will also enable GM to better tailor individual models to regional markets and specific sectors. For instance, a small car in China would share many basic parts but not sheet metal with a mid-size car for sale in America.
Development
Development of the Vehicle Set strategy was started in the 2013-2014 timeframe by GM CEO Mary Barra when she headed GM’s product development department before succeeding Dan Akerson as CEO in January 2016. The project is currently lead by GM Executive Vice President of Product Development, Mark Reuss.
Subsets
It is believed that the VSS-F set will have several subsets to underpin differently-sized vehicles. It is currently unclear what these subsets are.
- VSS-F A for vehicles in the A segment such as the Chevrolet Spark
- VSS-F B/C for vehicles in the:
- B segment such as the Chevrolet Sonic
- C segment such as the Chevrolet Cruze and Buick Verano
- VSS-F D/E for vehicles in the:
- D segment such as the Chevrolet Malibu and Buick Regal
- E segment such as the Chevrolet Impala and Buick LaCrosse
Vehicle Applications
VSS-F will underpin future front-drive or front-drive-based all-wheel-drive cars with a transverse powertrain orientation. The first vehicle on VSS-F is scheduled to be launched by the 2020 calendar year.
Here are the vehicles we expect VSS-F to underpin:
Future Chevrolet cars:
- Future Chevrolet Sail (China only; second generation; B segment; might go to different platform altogether)
- Future Chevrolet Spark (third generation; A segment)
- Future Chevrolet Sonic (second generation; B segment)
- Future Chevrolet Cavalier (China only; third generation; C segment)
- Future Chevrolet Onix (South America only; second generation; B segment)
- Future Chevrolet Spin (South America only; second generation; B segment)
- Future Chevrolet Cobalt (South America only; second generation; C/B segment straddler)
- Future Chevrolet Montana (South America only; second generation; C/B segment)
- Future Chevrolet Prisma (South America only; second generation; C segment)
- Future Chevrolet Cruze (third generation; C segment)
- Future Chevrolet Malibu (10th generation; D segment)
- Future Chevrolet Impala (11th generation; E segment)
- Future Chevrolet Volt – unclear if will use VSS-F (third generation; C segment hybrid electric; might switch to crossover body style for third generation)
- Future Chevrolet Bolt EV – unclear if will use VSS-F (second generation; A/B segment pure electric)
Future Buick cars:
- Future Buick Verano (China only)
- Future Buick Excelle (China only)
- Future Buick Regal
- Future Buick LaCrosse
- Future Buick Velite (China only)
- Future Buick GL8 (China only)
Future Cadillac cars:
- Cadillac CT2 or Cadillac CT3 – rumored name of potential B segment range
Platform Replacement
GM VSS-F will succeed transverse-engined, front-drive and front-drive-based all-wheel-drive car platforms, including:
- GM Gamma platform, which underpins:
- Chevrolet Sail
- Chevrolet Spark
- Chevrolet Sonic
- Chevrolet Trax (since this is a crossover, it will likely switch to VSS-S)
- Chevrolet Onix
- Chevrolet Prisma
- Chevrolet Cobalt
- Chevrolet Montana
- Buick Encore (since this is a crossover, it will likely switch to VSS-S)
- GM D2 platform, which underpins:
- Chevrolet Cruze
- Chevrolet Cavalier
- Chevrolet Volt
- Chevrolet Equinox (since this is a crossover, it will likely switch to VSS-S)
- GMC Terrain (since this is a crossover, it will likely to VSS-S)
- Buick Envision (since this is a crossover, it will likely switch to VSS-S)
- Chevrolet Orlando (discontinued)
- GM E2 platform, which underpins
- Chevrolet Malibu
- Buick Regal
- Buick LaCrosse
- Cadillac XT4 (since this is a crossover, it will likely switch to VSS-S)
- GM Super Epsilon platform, which underpins:
- Chevrolet Impala
- Cadillac XTS
Other GM Vehicle Sets
VSS-F will join three other General Motors vehicle sets, including: