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, Wed, 13 Jun 2007 05:52:12
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The only part that actually must be a *shared* part is the floorpan. That is mainly because of its size - the press for making it is very massive, hugely expensive, and not really suitable or necessary for smaller parts. Beyond that, the "platform" contains a set of specifications and "hard points". The suspension arms all attach at a common point (or two). The windshield base is defined, the engine mounting points, and so on. Most often things like door openings and structural members and designs are common. The way things piece together are common - so that a single factory design (or single factory, period) is used for assembling all the vehicles on the shared platform.
The things that contribute to the "feel" of the car can be quite variable. Saab's "ReAx" rear axle design, described by the engineer who designed it as having sufficient side sway and roll rear oversteer for near neutral handling, has not been adopted by Opel, Pontiac, or Chevrolet. I assume the Cadillac BLS uses it. Saab uniquely uses a conventional hydraulic power steering, rather than electric or electro-hydraulic as most other epsilon platform cars do. Spring rates, bushings, the number of aluminum suspension arms (more rigid and lighter than steel) is higher in Saabs than other variants. Entire suspensions can be different - some cars which offer both AWD and FWD models use a simple twist beam rear axle with FWD, and a more complicated multi-link independent suspension when AWD is specified.
Then again, sometimes platform-mates are as alike as peas in a pod, differing only in their spring rates, badges, and upholstry fabrics. Time will tell how far and in what direction the next 9-5 stands apart from its platform mates.
posted by 24.33.227...
, Wed, 13 Jun 2007 05:52:12
, Wed, 13 Jun 2007 16:29:28
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