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Report: Cadillac ATS, CTS And Next-Gen Camaro To Share Alpha Platform

 
12 6,664 views Feb 5, 2010
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2010 Chevrolet Camaro SS

2010 Chevrolet Camaro SS

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2010 Cadillac CTS Sport Wagon

2010 Cadillac CTS Sport Wagon

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The 2010 Chevrolet Camaro SS is undoubtedly one fine piece of machinery, especially considering it delivers 426 ponies for under $35,000. But it does have its flaws--weight being a primary one. Things may change for the next-gen car, though, as a report out today has GM putting the Camaro along with the Cadillac ATS and next-gen CTS on the smaller Alpha platform.

The Camaro currently rides on the Zeta platform, while the CTS is built on a variant of the Sigma platform. Due in 2013 and 2014, however, those cars, plus the upcoming ATS, Cadillac's 3-Series/C-Class fighter, will move to the Alpha platform. The expectation is that the resulting cars will be perhaps lighter and a bit smaller, though with the Alpha extending and contracting to underpin the three very differently-sized cars, things may not change all that much from the outside.

Shifting to the Alpha platform is expected to mean the end of the line for the CTS Coupe and Sport Wagon, though they'll be effectively replaced by the ATS. The CTS will grow for its next-gen version, allowing the ATS to come in close to the current CTS's size, and it's already expected to get convertible, coupe, wagon and sedan variants.

The move from Sigma and Zeta to a merged Alpha platform will prep Cadillac for a bigger global push, while allocating production as demand requires, making the most out of manufacturing and design resources.

Other hints for the future of the Camaro include a move toward a smaller engine in the SS to complement the lighter next-gen car, possibly a supercharged or turbocharged version of the 3.6-liter V-6 engine found in the base model Camaro.

[Motor Trend]





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Comments (12)

  1. fb_630621307 avatar Michael Descul Posted: 2/5/2010 11:34am PST

    The only thing hope stays is the LS V8 in the SS model, unless the boosted 3.6L D.I. V6 is an offering in addition to the V8, then I'm all for it. A boosted 3.6L V6 could be an another level of the (next-generation) Camaro, which could be a hit with the tuner crowd. It's very early to tell all this at this point.
     
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  2. dan aka 64 chevyman Posted: 2/5/2010 11:59am PST

    The Vette should be the next car GM chooses to downsize and the V-8 will perish! Lighter alloy magnesium drive trains and frames will provide exciting cars with tiny engines using the latest technology! Period end of story! Nicely done GM!
     
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  3. dan aka 64chevyman Posted: 2/5/2010 12:09pm PST

    We can bring back those giant cell phones and drive around in v-8's and pretend it's the past era! I sold my 64 Impala with a 327 in 2002 and that was late in the game to own a V-8 as well! Bye Bye See Ya!
     
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  4. bepsf Posted: 2/5/2010 2:45pm PST

    "The Vette should be the next car GM chooses to downsize"
    I quite agree -
    A simple solution would have been to make Corvette it's own Brand within GM and have the C6/C7 as the "Senior" Corvette with a V8 & Turbo V6 to satisfy the hardcore fans, and a smaller/updated 4 cylinder/Turbo-4 model based on Solstice/Sky called "Stingray" as the "Junior" model.
    Meanwhile - Let's hope that Cadillac also ditches those meaningless letters and brings back names that people can remember!
     
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  5. NoNameDenton Posted: 2/5/2010 3:51pm PST

    Don't need to downsize the Vette, or switch to forced induction V6 for engine. Instead use DI and small displacement V8's for the car. I doubt they will completely ditch the V8 for the Camaro, I bet the use DI and small displacment for the V8, like how they are working on a larger DI V8 engine for the HD trucks.
     
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  6. dan aka 64chevyman Posted: 2/5/2010 4:10pm PST

    That makes sense to shrink the v8 and make it really high tech! Lighten up the rotating mass and you got it! They are heading in that direction and it is great because once GM begins to really focus in the auto industry is going to be surprised! GM's hybrid is going to blow away the competition!
     
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  7. NoNameDenton Posted: 2/5/2010 5:07pm PST

    I am kinda annoyed they will end the CTS wagon and coupe, since it will be made into even more of a 5 series fighter, it needs to keep the wagon and the coupe to take on the 6 series.
     
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  8. nintendo ds r4 Posted: 2/5/2010 7:25pm PST

    I have never heard ATS wont be here for FOUR years until now. That doesn't sound accurate at all. I heard a concept version will be shown later this year so production should be in 2011 or 2012. I can't imagine its going to take another 4 years for the car to show up. If that is the case it means Cadillac wont have anything but SRX, CTS and Escalade in 2011.
     
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  9. fb_630621307 avatar Michael Descul Posted: 2/6/2010 9:12am PST

    It seems to me that the next-generation CTS will essentially be the new STS, beign it's upsized and moved up in class, and the upcoming XTS (shown in concept form) will effectively be the new DTS, and the ATS will fill the shoes of the current CTS, thus far justifying a coupe, wagon and possibly a convertible. I feel that in design, the next Camaro would essentially be the same size as the current, perhaps with more forward design-language by a longer wheelbase and shorter overhangs, sharing it's underpinnings with the ATS (the ATS maybe applying more aluminum in the structure), and resulting in being lighter in weight. I've also caught reports that the next-generation LS would downsize in displacement to some 5.0L from the 6.2, perhaps with D.I. and other technologies, resulting in greater performance numbers, and that is what could power the Camaro SS, and likely some Cadillac models.
    What's written above is basically my own take and perception, based on previous reports I've seen, and not necessarily full fact, but it does appear logical and credible.
     
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  10. iluvamcars Posted: 2/6/2010 3:00pm PST

    nonamedenton- the writers here think the current CTS competes with the 3-Series, but it competes with the 5-Series. the CTS coupe and wagon will not go anywhere and will be included in the redesign. the wagon competes with the 5-Series and A6 wagon. The coupe competes with the E-Class coupe. Does that make sense?
    Plus, the STS is actually being cannabolized by the CTS, as it competes with the 5-Series too. This is because the first generation CTS was actually aimed more at the 3-Series, being not as powerful, striking, nor luxurious as the current model. development for the current CTS started after STS development began.
    The XTS will not just be another DTS. It will feature AWD, so think Audi A8. It will also be technologically advanced with power, and maybe even a hybrid/electric version. So nothing like the DTS.
    The ATS will do what the last CTS sort of did, but with a smaller and better design, more options, more body styles, and better performace. A V model for the ATS is in the works i think.
    As for the Camaro, i see it going on the bigger version with the CTS so the V8 can work. The V8 in the CTS is vital too. It will still be smaller than the Zeta Camaro, but should be able to support a V8, especially if a CTS is on it. I can't see the CTS-V going from a supercharged V8 to a turbo V6. Just not comprehendable.
     
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  11. NoNameDenton Posted: 2/6/2010 8:24pm PST

    iluvamcars, this site and a number of others have said the coupe and wagon will go away in the future after the ATS appears. I know people say the CTS is a 3 series competitor because of price, but in size it is 5 series sized.
     
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  12. Brian Posted: 6/9/2010 7:47am PDT

    There aren't any hints that the SS will move to a V6 supercharged. Maybe a smaller motor, but it will be a V8.
     
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