ˆ Rumormill: GM kills the Kappa II platform

tags : gm , kappa , kappa ii , kappa ii platform , kappa platform , kappaii , kappaiiplatform , kappaplatform , platform , platforms , pontiac solstice , pontiac solstice gxp , pontiacsolstice , pontiacsolsticegxp , saturn sky , saturnsky , solstice

The ruthless pruning continues, with GM Inside News reporting that the rear-wheel-drive Kappa II platform has gone to heaven before ever touching this mortal coil. Back in 2004, a vehicle line executive said "The Kappa architecture is a great platform for sporty, driver-oriented applications around the globe." Apparently, not one for which GM could make enough different models to actually earn some money. Reasons for the sequel platform's demise are allegedly that the first hydra-formed Kappa is just too expensive to fabricate; the cars based on it use expensive, hydra-formed parts; assembly requires inordinate amounts of human labor; and GM didn't make its money back fast enough to justify the investment in a new RWD – read: thirstier – platform. The current Kappa's suspension and design geometry aren't shared with any other car;, the platform was created to accept one engine, the Ecotec 4-cylinder; and it served under only four varieties of the same car: the Pontiac Solstice, Saturn Sky, Daewoo G2X and Opel GT. It was a lot to ask such a limited platform to achieve the volume's GM needed with cars on expensive underpinnings that didn't demand expensive prices. And if the rumors are true, then your Solstice GXP could be worth more than you expected, and sooner than you expected.

posted : 9/14/2008 @5:23:06 AM

ˆ Beijing '08 Preview: Dongfeng Citroen C2 to wear Kappa threads

tags : c2 , c2 china , c2china , citroen c2 , citroen c2 china , citroen c2 kappa , citroenc2 , citroenc2china , citroenc2kappa , dongfeng , dongfeng citroen , dongfeng citroen c2 , dongfengcitroen , dongfengcitroenc2 , kappa , kappa apparel , kappaapparel

Dongfeng Citroën will reportedly show a pair of cars adorned with graphics inspired by soccer/sport apparel manufacturer, Kappa. From what we can gather, a trio of Dongfeng Citroën C2s will be on hand, one in the red-and-white motif you see above, and two more sporting the automotive equivalents of the official Team Italia uniform. If the sketches are any indication, the cars will be given a dressed-up, rally-car look as well, with updated fascias, wheels, and the like. Whether a Citroën/Kappa trim package model is in the works for China is not clear, but at the very least, these show cars ought to be interesting to see when they're unveiled.

posted : 3/30/2008 @4:41:45 PM

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