GM N platform
Encyclopedia
The General Motors
N platform (commonly called the N-body or N car) was a front-wheel drive
compact
automotive platform
produced from 1985 to 2005. The GM N platform replaced the GM X platform
.
The N platform was very similar to the GM L platform
; however, the first generation N cars were engineered by Oldsmobile
while the L cars were engineered by Chevrolet
. The first generation used a twist-beam rear suspension
and MacPherson strut
s in front, and featured a 103.4 in (262.6 cm) wheelbase. Two- and four-door models were eventually offered, although the four-door sedans appeared late, almost two years after the initial launch.
The N platform was used for the following vehicles:
In 1997 and 1998 General Motors
consolidated the 1st generation N platform with the GM A platform (FWD)
and GM L platform
during the corporately-engineered P-90 project which became known as GMX130. This automotive platform
featured fully independent suspension
and a wheelbase of 107 in (271.8 cm). This was the last vehicle with significant engineering involvement of Oldsmobile
and also the last one produced at the Lansing Car Assembly
plant on April 29, 2004. A mid-size version spawned the 1997-2003 Chevrolet Malibu
& Oldsmobile Cutlass
of 1997-99, including the 2004-05 Chevrolet Classic
.
The GMX130 platform underpinned the following vehicles:
The GMX130 was replaced by the Epsilon platform
for 2006.
General Motors
General Motors Company , commonly known as GM, formerly incorporated as General Motors Corporation, is an American multinational automotive corporation headquartered in Detroit, Michigan and the world's second-largest automaker in 2010...
N platform (commonly called the N-body or N car) was a front-wheel drive
Front-wheel drive
Front-wheel drive is a form of engine/transmission layout used in motor vehicles, where the engine drives the front wheels only. Most modern front-wheel drive vehicles feature a transverse engine, rather than the conventional longitudinal engine arrangement generally found in rear-wheel drive and...
compact
Compact car
A compact car , or small family car , is a classification of cars which are larger than a supermini but smaller than or equal to a mid-size car...
automotive platform
Automobile platform
An automobile platform is a shared set of common design, engineering, and production efforts, as well as major components over a number of outwardly distinct models and even types of automobiles, often from different, but related marques...
produced from 1985 to 2005. The GM N platform replaced the GM X platform
GM X platform
There have been two X-body automobile platforms from General Motors. All X-bodies were small entry-level models.-Rear wheel drive:The rear-wheel drive X-body underpinned the Chevrolet Nova and similar cars of the late 1960s and 1970s. It was also the basis for the Cadillac Seville's K platform...
.
The N platform was very similar to the GM L platform
GM L platform
The General Motors L platform was a front-wheel drive compact car automotive platform that was produced from 1987 through 1996....
; however, the first generation N cars were engineered by Oldsmobile
Oldsmobile
Oldsmobile was a brand of American automobile produced for most of its existence by General Motors. It was founded by Ransom E. Olds in 1897. In its 107-year history, it produced 35.2 million cars, including at least 14 million built at its Lansing, Michigan factory...
while the L cars were engineered by Chevrolet
Chevrolet
Chevrolet , also known as Chevy , is a brand of vehicle produced by General Motors Company . Founded by Louis Chevrolet and ousted GM founder William C. Durant on November 3, 1911, General Motors acquired Chevrolet in 1918...
. The first generation used a twist-beam rear suspension
Twist-beam rear suspension
The twist-beam rear suspension, also known as torsion-beam axle is a type of automobile suspension based on a large H or C shaped member. The front of the H attaches to the body via rubber bushings, and the rear of the H carries each stub-axle assembly, on each side of the car...
and MacPherson strut
MacPherson strut
The MacPherson strut is a type of car suspension system which uses the axis of a telescopic damper as the upper steering pivot. It is widely used in modern vehicles and named after Earle S. MacPherson, who developed the design.-History:...
s in front, and featured a 103.4 in (262.6 cm) wheelbase. Two- and four-door models were eventually offered, although the four-door sedans appeared late, almost two years after the initial launch.
The N platform was used for the following vehicles:
- 1985–1987 Oldsmobile CalaisOldsmobile Cutlass CalaisThe Oldsmobile Calais, renamed the Cutlass Calais for 1988, and briefly available in 1987 as the limited edition GMO Quad-4, was a compact car produced by General Motors from 1985 through 1991. In part, it was intended to replace the Omega in Oldsmobile's lineup...
- 1985–1987 Buick SomersetBuick SomersetThe Buick Somerset was a compact coupe produced by General Motors between 1985 and 1987. Buick had previously used the "Somerset" name as a trim-level package on the Buick Regal in the early 1980s....
- 1985–1998 Pontiac Grand AmPontiac Grand AmThe original Grand Am was introduced in the fall of 1972 as a 1973 model. It was based on the GM A platform along with other cars such as the Pontiac LeMans, Pontiac GTO, Chevrolet Chevelle, Buick Century, and the Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme...
- 1986–1998 Buick SkylarkBuick SkylarkThe Buick Skylark was a passenger car produced by the Buick division of General Motors. The model was made in six production runs. In each run, the car design varied dramatically due to changing technology and tastes, as well as new standards implemented over the years.-1953–1954:Introduced to mark...
- 1988–1991 Oldsmobile Cutlass CalaisOldsmobile Cutlass CalaisThe Oldsmobile Calais, renamed the Cutlass Calais for 1988, and briefly available in 1987 as the limited edition GMO Quad-4, was a compact car produced by General Motors from 1985 through 1991. In part, it was intended to replace the Omega in Oldsmobile's lineup...
- 1992–1998 Oldsmobile AchievaOldsmobile AchievaThe Oldsmobile Achieva was introduced for the 1992 model year and was a front-wheel drive, compact car based on the GM N-body platform which it also shared with its siblings the Pontiac Grand Am and Buick Skylark...
2nd generation GMX130
General Motors
General Motors Company , commonly known as GM, formerly incorporated as General Motors Corporation, is an American multinational automotive corporation headquartered in Detroit, Michigan and the world's second-largest automaker in 2010...
consolidated the 1st generation N platform with the GM A platform (FWD)
GM A platform (FWD)
The General Motors A platform was a mid-size car automobile platform designation used from 1982 to 1996. Previously the A body designation had been used for rear wheel drive mid-sized cars....
and GM L platform
GM L platform
The General Motors L platform was a front-wheel drive compact car automotive platform that was produced from 1987 through 1996....
during the corporately-engineered P-90 project which became known as GMX130. This automotive platform
Automobile platform
An automobile platform is a shared set of common design, engineering, and production efforts, as well as major components over a number of outwardly distinct models and even types of automobiles, often from different, but related marques...
featured fully independent suspension
Independent suspension
Independent suspension is a broad term for any automobile suspension system that allows each wheel on the same axle to move vertically independently of each other. This is contrasted with a beam axle, live axle or deDion axle system in which the wheels are linked – movement on one side affects...
and a wheelbase of 107 in (271.8 cm). This was the last vehicle with significant engineering involvement of Oldsmobile
Oldsmobile
Oldsmobile was a brand of American automobile produced for most of its existence by General Motors. It was founded by Ransom E. Olds in 1897. In its 107-year history, it produced 35.2 million cars, including at least 14 million built at its Lansing, Michigan factory...
and also the last one produced at the Lansing Car Assembly
Lansing Car Assembly
Lansing Car Assembly was a General Motors automobile factory in Lansing, Michigan. It contained two elements, a 1901 automobile plant in downtown Lansing, and the 1920 Durant Motors factory on Lansing's Far Westside....
plant on April 29, 2004. A mid-size version spawned the 1997-2003 Chevrolet Malibu
Chevrolet Malibu
Malibus and all other Chevelles were completely restyled for 1968 with semi-fastback rooflines on two-door hardtops and wheelbases split to on two-door models and 118 for four-door sedans and station wagons. Engine offerings included a new V8 rated at that replaced the V8 that had served as the...
& Oldsmobile Cutlass
Oldsmobile Cutlass
The Oldsmobile Cutlass is a line of automobiles made by the Oldsmobile division of General Motors. The Cutlass began as a unibody compact car, but saw its greatest success as a body-on-frame intermediate car....
of 1997-99, including the 2004-05 Chevrolet Classic
Chevrolet Classic
General Motors used the Chevrolet Classic nameplate for the following vehicles:* The second generation Chevrolet Corsa, produced in Brazil since 2002...
.
The GMX130 platform underpinned the following vehicles:
- 1999–2004 Oldsmobile AleroOldsmobile AleroThe Oldsmobile Alero was a compact car produced by the Oldsmobile division of General Motors from 1999 to 2004.The Alero was introduced in spring 1998 as a 1999 model to replace the Achieva and Cutlass. The Alero went into production on April 6, 1998. All Aleros were built in Lansing, Michigan...
- 1999–2005 Pontiac Grand AmPontiac Grand AmThe original Grand Am was introduced in the fall of 1972 as a 1973 model. It was based on the GM A platform along with other cars such as the Pontiac LeMans, Pontiac GTO, Chevrolet Chevelle, Buick Century, and the Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme...
- 1997–1999 Oldsmobile CutlassOldsmobile CutlassThe Oldsmobile Cutlass is a line of automobiles made by the Oldsmobile division of General Motors. The Cutlass began as a unibody compact car, but saw its greatest success as a body-on-frame intermediate car....
- 1997–2003 Chevrolet MalibuChevrolet MalibuMalibus and all other Chevelles were completely restyled for 1968 with semi-fastback rooflines on two-door hardtops and wheelbases split to on two-door models and 118 for four-door sedans and station wagons. Engine offerings included a new V8 rated at that replaced the V8 that had served as the...
- 2004–2005 Chevrolet ClassicChevrolet ClassicGeneral Motors used the Chevrolet Classic nameplate for the following vehicles:* The second generation Chevrolet Corsa, produced in Brazil since 2002...
(a previous-generation Malibu sold to fleet buyers)
The GMX130 was replaced by the Epsilon platform
GM Epsilon platform
Epsilon is General Motors' mid-size front-wheel drive automobile platform. The architecture was developed by Opel, and debuted in the 2002 Opel Vectra and 2003 Saab 9-3. Since this platform falls squarely in the center of the worldwide automobile market, GM plans to produce a great many Epsilon...
for 2006.