VSS-R, or Vehicle Strategy Set – Rear, is the name of an upcoming automotive architecture that will underpin next-generation, rear-wheel-drive and rear-wheel-drive-based all-wheel-drive cars from General Motors.
At the current moment, it is unclear whether VSS-R will also underpin crossovers (CUVs) built using a unibody construction, or whether those vehicles will ride on the GM VSS-S platform set.
Overview
The VSS-R platform, or more appropriately the VSS-R 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-R platform would replace all of GM’s rear-drive, longitudinal-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, the Cadillac sedan lineup sold globally would share a significant amount of basic parts but not sheet metal with each other and with the Chevrolet Camaro.
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-R set will have several subsets to underpin differently-sized vehicles. It is currently unclear what these subsets will be.
Vehicle Applications
VSS-R will underpin future rear-drive or rear-drive-based all-wheel-drive cars with a longitudinal powertrain orientation.
Here are the vehicles we expect VSS-R to underpin:
Future Chevrolet cars:
- Future Chevrolet Camaro (seventh generation)
- Potential future Chevrolet SS sedan successor
Future Cadillac cars:
- Future Cadillac CT3Â or CT4 (second generation of the successor to the first generation CT3/CT4, itself a successor to Cadillac ATS)
- Future Cadillac CT5 (second generation of the successor to the first generation CT5, itself a successor to Cadillac ATS/CTS)
- Future Cadillac CT6 (second or third generation of the successor to the first generation CT6)
- Future Cadillac Escala (second generation model)
Platform Replacement
GM VSS-R will succeed longitudinal-engined, rear-drive and rear-drive-based all-wheel-drive car platforms, including:
- GM Alpha platform, which underpins:
- Cadillac ATS (first generation)
- Cadillac CTS (third generation)
- Chevrolet Camaro (sixth generation)
- GM Alpha 2 platform, which will underpin:
- GM Omega platform, which underpins:
- Cadillac CT6
- Cadillac Escala
In addition, it’s possible that VSS-R will succeed transverse-engined, front-drive and front-drive-based all-wheel-drive crossover platforms in the instance that those platforms are used for Cadillac crossovers, including:
- GM C1 platform, which underpins:
- Cadillac XT5
- Cadillac XT6 (expected)
- GM E2 platform, which underpins:
Other GM Vehicle Sets
VSS-R will join three other General Motors vehicle sets, including:
