General Motors Delta platform

Delta II was General Motors' global compact car platform, developed by Opel in Germany. It was the successor to the GM Delta platform. Internally it is simply known as a new Global Compact Vehicle Architecture or GCV.

The platform features a torsion beam (marketed as compound crank) rear suspension with optional Watt's link which improves vehicle handling; such configuration is used with the Opel Astra, Buick Verano, Cadillac ELR, Opel Cascada and higher trim-levels of the American-market Chevrolet Cruze.

This suspension is usually described as semi-independent, meaning that the two wheels can move relative to each other, but their motion is still somewhat inter-linked, to a greater extent than in a true independent rear suspension (IRS). This can mildly compromise the handling and ride quality of the vehicle. For this reason, some manufacturers have changed to different linkage designs. As an example, Volkswagen dropped the torsion beam in favour of a true IRS for the Volkswagen Golf Mk5, possibly in response to the Ford Focus' Control Blade rear suspension.

As noted, certain GM brands and models have continued to use the suspension setup, known variously as twist beam, torsion beam or compound crank suspension. This is at a cost saving of €100 per car compared to multi-link rear suspension.[1] The version used on the 2009-on Opel Astra and the 2011-2016 Buick Verano uses a Watts linkage at a cost of €20 to address the drawbacks and provide a competitive and cost effective rear suspension.[1] The Renault Mégane and Citroen C4 also have stayed with the twist beam.[2] The twist beam has been shown to suffer less from bush wear, than fully independent multi-link suspension, thus resulting in a virtually maintenance free rear suspension.

GM chose this compact vehicle architecture for its first Voltec application, the Chevrolet Volt. Production began in November 2010 with the first Chevrolet Volts delivered to retails customers in December 2010.[3]

General Motors introduced its new global platform named D2XX flexible platform in August 2012. The new platform was mainly engineered by GM's former German subsidiary Opel in Rüsselsheim.[7] According to GM the company invested US$220 million for the all new D2XX platform.

The platform was developed for compact vehicle architecture, replacing both Delta II and the midsize crossover GM Theta platform.[8]

Vehicles that used the new platform included:

• 2015–present Chevrolet Cruze
• 2015–2022 Opel Astra K
• 2016–2019 Chevrolet Volt[9]
• 2018–present Chevrolet Equinox
• 2018–present GMC Terrain
• 2019–present Chevrolet Orlando

• 
  Chevrolet Cruze
• 
  Holden Astra Sedan
• 
  Opel Astra K
• 
  Vauxhall Astra Mk7
• 
  Holden Astra Hatchback
• 
  Buick Verano GS
• 
  Chevrolet Volt (second generation)
• 
  Buick Velite 5
• 
  Buick Verano Sedan (third generation)
• 
  Chevrolet Equinox
• 
  Holden Equinox
• 
  GMC Terrain
• 
  Chevrolet Orlando

Wikimedia Commons has media related to GM Delta platform.

• GM Delta Enthusiasts (a part of the GM Enthusiast Network)
• "Chevy gets new compact car next year". Automotive News (2008-06-01)