Holden / Rear-Drive Chevy Sedan Moving Forward

[Elks]

Nothing firm, but a new opportunity for Holden if they build it here..



http://chevyhardcore.com/news/rear-drive-chevy-sedan-moving-forward/

The short-lived 1994-96 Impala SS was, until recently, Chevrolet’s last great V8-powered rear-wheel drive sedan. Prior to that, many American manufacturers moved from large engine, rear-drive platforms to smaller front-drive platforms in an effort to meet fuel economy standards. Since then, there have been a handful of attempts to rekindle the market segment, like the 2002-04 Mercury Marauder, and 2009 Pontiac G8, but nothing really stuck.

GM however, seems to be moving full steam ahead with its plan to bring a new, full-size rear-wheel drive sedan back for both Chevy and Cadillac, according to Motor Trend.

Currently Chevy plans to import its Caprice PPV rear-wheel drive sedan for police use only. This car is based on the Zeta platform, which underpins the Camaro and the aforementioned Pontiac G8. Motor Trend reports that GM will update the aging Zeta platform with high-strength steel to bring down weight and help fuel economy. This car will share its platform with a new rear-drive Cadillac flagship (likely based XTS concept from last year), powered by a V8. It sounds like the public will indeed get its own version of the Chevy Caprice.

[jpd80]

I think the article meant ultra high strength steel, Commodore and Falcon
already have lots of high strength steel parts in the frame and shell.

Interesting that both manufacturers are looking to shed weight using more
conventional materials than say, Aluminium which would chop about 200 Kg.

I hope Ford has a crack at Falcon and Mustang in aluminium construction for
the next product cycle , that would give GM an awful lot to think about..

One thing factually wrong with the OP, the Cadillac XTS shown to the press
was a FWD/AWD vehicle on the Super Epsilon II platform, not RWD.
A RWD Coupe the ATS, was shown this year.. that's on the Alpha RWD platform.