Jalopnik: theta

2009 GMC Terrain To Debut North American Style In Chicago

Matt Hardigree — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 09:45:00 EST

You might remember the Theta-based GMC Terrain from the Kuwaiti International Automobile Exhibition. Apparently, GMC decided they wanted a piece of the action and will be bringing the mini-ute to the Chicago Auto Show. Interestingly, some reports say that the new Terrain will be based on the extended wheelbase Theta platform (as opposed to the short wheelbase version of the Middle Eastern Terrain). To compensate for the possible six-inch increase, our expert photoshoppers have stretched the current Terrain by approximately six inches. [Source: Auto News (Sub. Req.)]

Jalopnik Guide To GM Global Platforms And College Greek Organizations

Matt Hardigree — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 14:00:00 EST

As a proud graduate of the University of Texas, there was a time when I knew all the letters of the Greek alphabet and all the fraternities and sororities that corresponded to them. There was also a time when I thought I knew all of the GM platforms and their associated Greek letters. Recently I've noticed that I'm getting the two of them confused. Is a Sigma the midsized RWD platform underpinning the Cadillac CTS, a drunken frat boy with strong opinions about his southern heritage, or both? Below our guide to GM Plats and College Frats (and Sororities).

Alpha: A future GM midsized RWD platform for Pontiac, Cadillac and Buick.

Alpha Chi Omega: The cute, smart sorority girls who made you rethink your policy of not dating sorority girls.

Alpha Phi: The reason why you stopped dating sorority girls.

Delta: The small FWD platform underpinning the Chevy HHR and Pontiac G5, among others.

Delta Delta Delta: Cute but ditzy girls that were parodied very well on SNL. Notable alums include Katie Couric.

Epsilon Midsized FWD platform that in extended form is the basis for the new Chevy Malibu and Saturn Aura

Sigma Epsilon: If these rowdy frat boys haven't been kicked off of your local college campus it's not for lack of trying.

Gamma: Subcompact FWD platform used mostly in Europe for models like the Opel Corsa.

Gamma Theta Upsilon: GTU is the Geography honors society. Members of the GTU generally don't have a good chance of scoring with Tri-Delts. I am a GTU member.

Kappa: Compact RWD architecture found under the Pontiac Solstice/Opel GT and Gary Coleman's Saturn Sky.

Kappa Kappa Gamma: The elite of the elite private school girls who, when they get rush lists, actually send people out to see if your house is big enough to warrant admission into their ranks.

Lambda: The mid-sized FWD/AWD crossover SUV platform that will support the new Chevy Traverse as well as the current Buick Enclave, Saturn Outlook and GMC Acadia.

Lambda Chi Alpha: Exceptionally non-threatening. The guys you call when your drunk boyfriend from a different frat leaves you on the side of the road.

Theta: Midsized crossover SUV platform used for the Saturn VUE and Pontiac Torrent.

Mu Alpha Theta: That's the high school math club. What the hell are you doing at a college party? Oh, Rick's your brother. Cool. Want another Corona?

Zeta: The RWD platform that will support the next generation Impala and Chevy Camaro, as well as the new Pontiac G8 and any possible US-bound -aminos.

Zeta Beta Tau: Good Jewish boys who all dream of growing up to be a part of the media elite that runs the automotive web.

2009 Cadillac BRX?

Ray Wert — Fri, 18 Jan 2008 09:45:00 EST

The quick-to-the-snap spy photographers at KGP have shot what they think is the upcoming 2009 Cadillac BRX doing some cold weather testing out near GM's Milford proving grounds. At least we can only assume it's cold weather testing as it's wearing a leather snowsuit that'd make even little Randy topple over into the snow. Plus we're here, so we know it's frickin' freezing. According to KGP's sources, this actually may not even be the BRX. We heard back in December GMC was also going to get a Theta-platformed CUV, and after the arrival of Cadillac's Provoq concept at CES and the Detroit Auto Show — which features several design cues that alternately match, and differ from this prototype, neither us, nor ~~Black Bart's~~ KGP's shooters are comfortable in decisively stating that yes, this is the BRX. However, it's more likely than not — and that Vue-like shape is a pretty obvious tell that it's a Theta. While we're not sure whether it'll be 2009 or 2010 when we'll see the first BRX, the full description from KGP of their reasoning why this is representin' Cadillac style and not so much professional grade, after the jump. And by the way — we actually decided not to buy KGP's pictures this time around as they're not that much different from the last prototype tester seen in our last set of shots — only this time more close-up. So we've decided instead just to run these old n' busted shots of the 2009 Cadillac BRX below and we've linked to his new shots after the description after the jump.

UPDATE: Just to be clear — the BRX and the 9-4X are supposedly going to be built on a new platform that's dubbed by some "Theta Premium" — we've been told its a combination of the current Theta and elements of the new Epsilon 2 architecture. But, if it looks like Theta, talks like Theta and drives like Theta — it's probably a Theta.

We just got a much closer look at a prototype for GM's latest Theta-based crossover, and the best evidence still points to this being the Cadillac BRX. Our first sighting of this prototype came from long distance with a very long lens. Now some of this prototype's key design features are more clearly visible
This latest prototype displays many Cadillac cues: first off is a chrome-outlined side-window-profile, an obviously upscale touch that resembles the newest CTS. The prototype also features a side character line that starts high at the C-pillar, and heads downward as it progresses toward the front fender—another signature Cadillac design touch featured prominently on the CTS, STS and XLR (and also on the Provoq concept). The door handles follow the same downward path, just as they do in the second-generation of Cadillac's design pallete. The wheels also feature a seven-spoke design, which is a common Caddy trait, but are found nowhere else in GM's current lineup (which consist of primarily six- and five-spoke designs). Finally, the rear light clusters seem to show a very sharp vertical edge beneath the camouflage that has some resemblance to the Provoq concept's sharp, fin-like tail-light design.

We first spotted this prototype in early November. In mid-December, a new wrinkle was added to the story with reports that GMC would also be getting a Theta spin-off to accompany the Saturn Vue in 2009. And the arrival of Cadillac's Provoq concept—which features several design cues that alternately match, and differ from this prototype — admittedly muddy the waters a bit on this prototype's actual identity. The main difference between the concept and this production model, however, reside in the pillarless side window design, which is most likely not feasible for production. Hence, we would expect a different B-, C-, and D-pillar design for the production BRX—which is what we see in this prototype. Given that, and the other Cadillac cues that appear to be in play, we think this is our best look yet at Cadillac's new BRX crossover.

[via Autoblog]

Predicting the Saab 9-4x: Replacing the 9-7x?

Mike Spinelli — Wed, 02 Aug 2006 10:20:10 EDT

The Saab watchers at Trollhattan Saab rounded up the latest dirt on the next rebadged (sorry, guys) appropriated GM product to round out the Saab line. Word came down late last year that a new crossover would join the Swedish bunch, culled from GM's upcoming line of midsize CUVs, like the Buick Entourage and Saturn Outlook. Now, Wards talked with Saab Boss Jay Spenchian, who says such a vehicle would substitute the truck-based 9-7X SUV after GM updates the platform that underpins it. Wards uses the vague construction "slots in for" instead of "replace," however, so we're far from definite on this. Still, TS has more to say, as per usual.

9-4x is coming [Trollhattan Saab]

Spy Photos: 2007 Chevrolet Equinox SS

Ray Wert — Tue, 23 May 2006 20:30:30 EDT

Not today...rather this is tomorrow's Chevy truck...err...SUV. Either way, the newest edition to Chevy's line-up of mid-size SUV's is built on the Theta platform — like it's brother/sister cars, the Pontiac Torrent and the Suzuki XL-7. The Equinox SS (you can tell by the double pipes in back) seems to have the same basic front fascia, but the real changes'll be under the hood — specifically in the form of a 3.9L V6 with a 6-speed tranny. Our friendly neighbors over at How Bourgeois snagged this shot and you should feel free to peruse the rest of the pics over on their site.

HB Ride Spotting: Chevrolet Equinox SS [How Bourgeois]

Chevrolet Introduces T2X Concept to Europe

Mike Spinelli — Fri, 16 Dec 2005 06:39:31 EST

GM released a bunch of new shots of its T2X concept truck to the European media today, giving them a look at the sporty two-door SUV unveiled at the Seoul motor show earlier this year. It's a variant of the Daewoo-built S3X prototype, which we know in the states through such Theta-architecture vehicles like the Chevrolet Equinox and (soon to be) next-gen Saturn VUE. No word on whether Europeans will be getting a production vehicle similar to this, but with Chevrolet's often stated plan to expand on the Continent, we wouldn't be a bit surprised.

More on GM's Premium Crossovers for Saab and Cadillac

Mike Spinelli — Tue, 22 Nov 2005 08:00:26 EST

GM's self-described "product renaissance," by which the company expects to pull out of a sales nosedive, includes a raft of crossover vehicles that will span its entire pricing spectrum. At the top end are the Cadillac BRX and its "Born from Jets" cousin, the Saab 9-4X. As Edmunds Inside Line reports, the cars planed for production in 2008, with a possible Buick version coming a year later. The crossovers, which GM says will use a "long-wheelbase variant of the Theta platform" (Chevrolet Equinox, Pontiac Torrent) and will cost in the $35,000-$45,000 range. The Saab version replaces the Tribeca-based Saabru 9-6X that was dropped with GM's sale of its Scoobie snack to Toyota, and the Cadillac would be fitted in beneath the SRX, becoming the World's Cheapest Caddy. The cool kids are calling them CUVs, and the world'll be lousy with them in a few years, making GM again the largest car company in the world (bar none) or the worst bettor since that time we tried baccarat in Atlantic City.

Cadillac, Saab Crossovers Coming in 2008 [Edmunds]

Related:
Cadillac, Saab to Get New Sport Wagons [internal]

Spy Photos: 2007 Suzuki SUV, More Theta Badge Engineering

Mike Spinelli — Tue, 15 Nov 2005 08:07:27 EST

According to The Car Connection, which has procured the first spy shots we've seen of Suzuki's newest SUV, it'll be bigger than the Grand Vitara and ride on the Theta platform Suzuki developed with partner GM. That means the unnamed joint will share underpinnings with the Pontiac Torrent, Chevy Equinox and upcoming next-gen Saturn Vue. Spies say it's longer than the GMers but will be assembled alongside them in Ontario, and will likely be powered by a version of the same 3.4-liter V6. MORE badge engineering? Not less, MORE.

Spy Shots: 2007 Suzuki SUV [The Car Connection]