General Motors Theta platform

GM Theta platform
GM Theta platform
Overview
Manufacturer	General Motors
Production	2002–2017
Body and chassis
Class	Compact/Mid-size crossover SUV
Vehicles	Chevrolet Captiva; Chevrolet Captiva Sport; Chevrolet Equinox; Daewoo Winstorm; Pontiac Torrent; Saturn Vue; Suzuki XL7; GMC Terrain; Saab 9-4X; Opel Antara
Chronology
Successor	GM D2XX platform (for short wheelbase); GM C1XX platform (for long wheelbase and Theta Premium); GM VSS-S

Theta is General Motors' automobile platform for compact/mid-size crossover SUVs. The architecture debuted in 2002 with the Saturn Vue and was later used for the Chevrolet Equinox and Captiva and similar models.

Development

The Theta uses a four-wheel independent suspension. Engine choices include the Family II straight-4, Ecotec straight-4, 3400 V6, and even a Honda V6, the L66. A 5-speed automatic and two 5-speed manual transmissions are used.

The original Saturn Vue used a short 106.6 in (2708 mm) wheelbase, with a 61 in (1549 mm) track. The Chevrolet Equinox and Pontiac Torrent use a stretched 112.5 in (2857 mm) wheelbase, but share much with the Saturn.

The Suzuki Grand Vitara, although similar in size and appearance to a Saturn Vue, was developed by Suzuki using some Theta components, but should not be considered a Theta derivative.

Engineering for the Opel Antara and Chevrolet Captiva was performed in large part in Korea by GM Daewoo Auto & Technology, and by Opel in Germany.

Hybrids

The Saturn Vue was one of the first of General Motors' vehicles to be offered with a hybrid powertrain, GM's belt alternator starter (BAS) system, in 2006.

Vehicles

Short wheelbase
- 2002-2007 Saturn Vue
- 2006–2015 Opel Antara
  - 2006-2011 Daewoo Winstorm MaXX*
  - 2006–2017 Chevrolet Captiva Sport*
  - 2008-2010 Saturn Vue*
  - 2008-2010 GMC Terrain sold in Middle East*
  - 2006-2008 Holden Captiva Maxx*
  - 2009–2017 Holden Captiva 5*
- 2006–present Chevrolet Captiva
  - 2006-2011 Daewoo Winstorm**
  - 2006–2017 Holden Captiva 7**

Note: Vehicles with "*" are rebadged versions of the Opel Antara
Note: Vehicles with "**" are rebadged versions of the Chevrolet Captiva

Long wheelbase
- 2005-2009 Chevrolet Equinox
- 2006-2009 Pontiac Torrent
- 2006-2009 Suzuki XL7
- 2010–2017 Chevrolet Equinox
- 2010–2017 GMC Terrain

Concepts

Chevrolet S3X/T2X

Theta Premium

General Motors has created a premium version of Theta for luxury applications. It mixed elements of the current Theta and the new Epsilon 2 architecture.^[1] Thus this platform is sometimes also referred to as Theta-Epsilon (GMT166).^[2] Theta Premium supports larger models than the standard platform.

Vehicles using Theta Premium:

2010-2016 Cadillac SRX
2011 Saab 9-4X

References

^ Davis, Matt (April 2011). "Saab 9-4X". Auto Express. Retrieved 20 February 2012.
^ Lassa, Todd (December 2008). "Caddyshock! GM Bets Big On Cadillac". Motor Trend. Retrieved 20 February 2012.

[1] Davis, Matt (April 2011). "Saab 9-4X". Auto Express. Retrieved 20 February 2012.

[2] Lassa, Todd (December 2008). "Caddyshock! GM Bets Big On Cadillac". Motor Trend. Retrieved 20 February 2012.

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