GM Theta platform

GM Theta platform

Manufacturer	General Motors
Production	2002–present
Class	Compact/mid-size crossover SUV
Vehicles	Cadillac SRX Chevrolet Captiva Holden Captiva Chevrolet Equinox Daewoo Winstorm Pontiac Torrent Saturn Vue Suzuki XL7 GMC Terrain Saab 9-4X Opel Antara

Theta is General Motors' compact and mid-size crossover SUV automobile platform. The architecture debuted in 2002 with the Saturn Vue and was later used for the Chevrolet Equinox and Captiva and similar models.

Development

The Theta uses a four wheel independent suspension. Engine choices include the Ecotec Family II straight-4, 3400 V6, and even a Honda V6, the L66. A 5-speed automatic and two 5-speed manual transmissions are used.

The original Saturn Vue used a short 106.6 in (2708 mm) wheelbase, with a 61 in (1549 mm) track. The Chevrolet Equinox and Pontiac Torrent use a stretched 112.5 in (2857 mm) wheelbase, but shares much with the Saturn.

The Suzuki Grand Vitara, although similar in size and appearance to a Saturn Vue, was developed by Suzuki using some Theta components, but should not be considered a Theta derivative. The Grand Vitara front and rear suspensions are substantially different from the Theta vehicles. The 2007 Suzuki XL7 is based on the Theta platform and is built alongside the Equinox and Torrent at CAMI Automotive in Ingersoll, Ontario, Canada. It is the first non-GM branded vehicle to come off the Theta platform. Styled by Suzuki, the engineering was performed by GM engineers in the US and Canada.

Engineering for the Opel Antara, and Chevrolet Captiva was performed in large part in Korea by GM Daewoo Auto & Technology, and by Opel in Germany as well.

Hybrids

The Saturn Vue was one of the first of General Motors' vehicles to be offered with a hybrid powertrain, GM's belt alternator starter (BAS) system, in 2006.

Vehicles

• Short wheelbase
  • 2002-07 Saturn Vue
  • 2006-16 Chevrolet Captiva/2006-11 Daewoo Winstorm/2006-17 Holden Captiva 7
  • 2006-15 Opel Antara/2006-17 Chevrolet Captiva Sport/2008-10 Saturn Vue/2006-11 Daewoo Winstorm MaXX/2006-08 Holden Captiva Maxx/2009-17 Holden Captiva 5

• Long wheelbase
  • 2005-09 Chevrolet Equinox
  • 2006-09 Pontiac Torrent
  • 2007-09 Suzuki XL7
  • 2010-17 Chevrolet Equinox
  • 2010-17 GMC Terrain

Concepts

• Chevrolet S3X/T2X

Theta Premium

2010 Cadillac SRX

General Motors created a premium version of Theta for luxury applications. Reports differ, but the consensus is that it is a combination of the current Theta and elements of the new Epsilon 2 architecture, with some Lambda components as well. Thus this platform is sometimes also referred to as Theta-Epsilon (TE). Theta Premium supported larger models than the standard platform.

Vehicles that used Theta Premium:

• 2010-15 Cadillac SRX
• 2011 Saab 9-4X

References / sources

https://gmauthority.com/blog/gm/gm-platforms/theta/