General Motors G platform (FWD)

The General Motors G platform (also called G-Body) automobile platform designation was used for front-wheel drive full-sized and luxury cars between 1995 and 2011.

Main article: GM G platform
GM G platform (FWD)
2001-2003 Oldsmobile Aurora
Overview
ManufacturerGeneral Motors
Also calledGMX690[1]
Production1995–2011
Body and chassis
ClassFull-size
Body style(s)4-door sedan
2-door coupe
RelatedGM C platform (FWD)
GM H platform (FWD)
GM K platform (FWD)
Chronology
PredecessorGM C platform
GM E platform
GM H platform
GM K platform
SuccessorGM Sigma platform (STS/SLS)
GM W 3rd gen platform (LeSabre)
GM Epsilon II LWB platform (Seville)
GM Zeta platform (Bonneville)
GM Omega platform

Previously, General Motors used the G-body designation for unrelated mid-sized cars.

The G-body was based on Cadillac's K-body architecture. The platform was introduced in 1995 with Buick Riviera 2-door coupe (which moved up from the GM E platform) and the Oldsmobile Aurora 4-door sedan (a new model that replaced the Riviera-derived Toronado). By the turn of the millennium, full-sized cars from four different GM makes were using some derivative of the platform.

Platform consolidation

Starting with the 1997 Buick Park Avenue, GM consolidated its four large-car platforms; C platform, K platform, H platform, and G platform; all to the G platform. However, GM decided to retain their previous platform designations.[2] These legacy platform designations were used in the VIN number and official GM publications. Models designated as "G" went out of production for MY (Model Year) 1999, but successor models were sold until MY 2011.

The G-body was noted for having one of the strongest unibody car frames in production (25 Hz). GM literature noted the need to use a 'frame crusher,' designed to test heavy-duty truck frames, to finally break the G-body structure in their crush-to-failure procedures.

The G platform vehicles were also noted for having belt-in-seat style seat belts like the mid-size GMT360 SUVs. The G-body also featured four-wheel independent suspension with a MacPherson strut style front suspension and a semi-trailing arm style rear suspension that utilized aluminum control arms. All-new aluminum control arms were introduced for the front suspension for 1998. The handling was further enhanced with standard front and rear stabilizer bars and lateral links in the rear suspension to further control wheel toe.

Vehicles 1995-2005
1999 Buick Riviera
Years Wheelbase Model Platform Name*
1995–1999113.8 inBuick RivieraGM G platform
1995–1999113.8 inOldsmobile AuroraGM G platform
1997–2005113.8 inBuick Park AvenueGM C platform
1998–2004112.2 inCadillac SevilleGM K platform
2000–2005112.2 inBuick LeSabreGM H platform
2000–2005112.2 inPontiac BonnevilleGM H platform
2001–2003112.2 inOldsmobile AuroraGM G platform
2000–2005115.3 inCadillac DeVilleGM K platform

* Official designation given by GM, despite using a G platform-derivative. This name also corresponds to the 4th letter in the VIN of the vehicle.

2006 Revision

The G platform was updated for the 2006 model year.[3] The final car using this platform was the Buick Lucerne, which ended production in June 2011.[4]

Vehicles
2006 Buick Lucerne
Years Wheelbase Model Platform Name*
2006–2011115.6 inCadillac DTSGM K platform
2006–2011115.6 inBuick LucerneGM H platform

* Official designation given by GM, despite using a G platform-derivative. This name also corresponds to the 4th letter in the VIN of the vehicle.

References
  1. Contract https://www.mackinac.org/archives/fpi/mega/Bosal_Industries-6-10-97-BM.pdf
  2. Frame, Phil (16 January 1995). "GM H CARS MOVE TO G PLATFORM". Automotive News. Archived from the original on 17 May 2013. Retrieved 17 May 2013.
  3. "Buick Lucerne". Car and Driver. February 2005. Retrieved 17 May 2013.
  4. "US: GM axes Cadillac DTS and Buick Lucerne". just-auto.com. 2011-05-26. Retrieved 2011-06-05.
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