General Motors N platform

The General Motors N platform (commonly called the N-body or N car) was a front-wheel drivecompactautomotive platform produced from 1984 to 2005. The GM N platform was based on the GM J-Body and replaced the GM X platform.

The N body was introduced in late 1984 for the 1985 model year. Initially, offered as the Pontiac Grand Am, Oldsmobile Calais and Buick Somerset coupes, GM positioned them as premium models at an affordable price. Standard in all models was the 2.5 liter "Iron Duke" 4 cylinder engine developed by the Pontiac Motor Division. Optional was the Buick built 3.0 liter V6 with multi-port fuel injection. All models could have a 5 speed manual or 3 speed automatic. During the 1986 model year, four door models were added to all three brand entries. 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 struts in front, and featured a 103.4 in (2,626 mm) wheelbase.

The N platform was used for the following vehicles:^[1]

• 1985–1991 Pontiac Grand Am
• 1985–1991 Oldsmobile Calais
• 1985–1987 Buick Somerset
• 1986–1991 Buick Skylark

For the 1992 model year, General Motors heavily modified all of their N-Body offerings. The Oldsmobile Cutlass Calais was dropped in favor of the new Achieva, while the Buick Skylark and Pontiac Grand Am nameplates continued. In addition to new styling, this generation was longer and carried more distinctive sheet metal for each brand. The second generation N-Body continued until 1998 when it was replaced by the third and final generation.

• 1992–1998 Pontiac Grand Am
• 1992–1998 Oldsmobile Achieva
• 1992–1998 Buick Skylark

En 1997 y 1998, General Motors consolidó la plataforma N de segunda generación con la plataforma GM A (FWD) y la plataforma GM L durante el proyecto P-90 de ingeniería corporativa , que se conoció como GMX130 . Esta plataforma automotriz presentaba suspensión totalmente independiente y una distancia entre ejes de 107 pulgadas (270 cm) . Este fue el último vehículo con una participación de ingeniería significativa de Oldsmobile y también el último producido en la planta de ensamblaje de automóviles de Lansing el 29 de abril de 2004. Una versión de tamaño mediano dio origen al Chevrolet Malibu de 1997-2003 y al Oldsmobile Cutlass de 1997-99, incluyendo el Chevrolet Classic de 2004-05 .  

La plataforma GMX130 sirvió de base para los siguientes vehículos:

• Oldsmobile Alero 1999–2004
• Pontiac Grand Am 1999–2005
• Oldsmobile Cutlass 1997–1999
• Chevrolet Malibu 1997–2003
• Chevrolet Classic 2004-2005 (un Malibu de la generación anterior vendido a compradores de flotas)

La plataforma GMX130 fue reemplazada por la plataforma Epsilon en 2006.

• Lista de plataformas de General Motors