GM G platform (1995)

Main article: GM G platform
GM G platform (FWD)
Overview
Manufacturer General Motors
Also called G-Body
Production 19952011
Body and chassis
Class Full-size
Body style(s) 4-door sedan
2-door coupe
Related GM C platform (FWD)
GM H platform (FWD)
GM K platform (FWD)
Chronology
Predecessor GM C platform
Successor GM Epsilon platform

The General Motors G platform (also called G-Body) automobile platform designation was used for front-wheel drive full-sized luxury cars between 1995 and 2011.

Previously General Motors used the GM G platform (RWD) designation for unrelated mid-sized cars.

The G-body (the GMX690) was based on Cadillac's K-body architecture. The Buick Riviera 2-door coupe moved up from the GM E platform, while the Oldsmobile Aurora 4-door sedan was a new model.

Platform consolidation

Starting with the 1997 Buick Park Avenue, GM consolidated its four large-car platforms; C platform, K platform, H platform, and G platform; all to the G platform. However, GM decided to retain their previous platform designations.[1] These legacy platform designations were used in the VIN number and official GM publications. Models designated as "G" went out of production for MY 1999, but successor models were sold until MY 2011.

The G-body had an extremely resilient structure. For its time, the G-body was one of the strongest unibody car frames in production (25 Hz). This fact did not go untouted as GM literature made light of the need to use a 'frame crusher' designed to test heavy-duty truck frames to finally break the G-body structure in their crush-to-failure procedures. Vehicles built on the G platform are also noted for having belt-in-seat style seat belts like the mid-size GMT360 SUVs. The G-body also featured four-wheel independent suspension with a MacPherson strut style front suspension and a semi-trailing arm style rear suspension that utilized aluminum control arms. All-new aluminum control arms were introduced for the front suspension for 1998. The handling was further enhanced with standard front and rear stabilizer bars and lateral links in the rear suspension to further control wheel toe.

Vehicles

1999 Buick Riviera
Years Wheelbase Model Platform Name*
1995–1999113.8 inBuick RivieraGM G platform
1995–1999113.8 inOldsmobile AuroraGM G platform
1997-2005113.8 inBuick Park AvenueGM C platform
1998–2004112.2 inCadillac SevilleGM K platform
2000–2005112.2 inBuick LesabreGM H platform
2000–2005112.2 inPontiac BonnevilleGM H platform
2001–2003112.2 inOldsmobile AuroraGM G platform
2000–2005115.3 inCadillac DeVilleGM K platform

* Official designation given by GM, despite using a G platform-derivative. This name also corresponds to the 4th letter in the VIN of the vehicle.

Revision

The G platform was updated for the 2006 model year.[2] The final car on this platform was the Buick Lucerne, which ended production in June 2011.[3]

Vehicles

2006 Buick Lucerne
Years Wheelbase Model Platform Name*
2006–2011115.6 inCadillac DTSGM K platform
2006–2011115.6 inBuick LucerneGM H platform

* Official designation given by GM, despite using a G platform-derivative. This name also corresponds to the 4th letter in the VIN of the vehicle.

References

  1. Frame, Phil (16 January 1995). "GM H CARS MOVE TO G PLATFORM". Automotive News. Archived from the original on 17 May 2013. Retrieved 17 May 2013.
  2. "Buick Lucerne". Car and Driver. February 2005. Retrieved 17 May 2013.
  3. "US: GM axes Cadillac DTS and Buick Lucerne". just-auto.com. 2011-05-26. Retrieved 2011-06-05.
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