Delta II was
General Motors' global
compact car platform, developed by Opel in Germany. It was the successor to the GM Delta platform. Internally, it is simply known as a new
Global Compact Vehicle Architecture or GCV. The platform features a torsion beam (marketed as
compound crank) rear suspension with optional
Watt's linkage which improves vehicle handling; such configuration is used with the Opel Astra, Buick Verano, Cadillac ELR, Opel Cascada, and higher trim-levels of the American-market Chevrolet Cruze. This suspension is usually described as semi-independent, meaning that the two wheels can move relative to each other, but their motion is still somewhat inter-linked, to a greater extent than in a true independent rear suspension (IRS). This can mildly compromise the handling and ride quality of the vehicle. For this reason, some manufacturers have changed to different linkage designs. As an example,
Volkswagen dropped the torsion beam in favour of a true IRS for the
Volkswagen Golf Mk5, possibly in response to the
Ford Focus's Control Blade rear suspension. As noted, certain GM brands and models have continued to use the suspension setup, known variously as twist beam,
torsion beam, or compound crank suspension. This is at a cost saving of €100 per car compared to multi-link rear suspension. The version used on the 2009–2015
Opel Astra and the 2011–2016
Buick Verano uses a
Watt's linkage at a cost of €20 to address the drawbacks and provide a competitive and cost-effective rear suspension. The twist beam has been shown to suffer less from bushing wear than a fully independent multi-link suspension, thus resulting in a virtually maintenance-free rear suspension. GM chose this compact vehicle architecture for its first
Voltec application, the
Chevrolet Volt. Production began in November 2010 with the first examples delivered to retail customers in December 2010.
Applications Production vehicles based on Delta II platform: • 2008–2016
Chevrolet Cruze, Daewoo Lacetti Premiere, Holden Cruze • 2009–2015
Opel Astra J,
Buick Excelle XT • 2010–2015
Chevrolet Volt • 2010–2018
Chevrolet Orlando • 2011–2016
Buick Verano • 2011–2015
Opel Ampera • 2011–2019
Opel Zafira Tourer C • 2013–2016
Cadillac ELR • 2013–2019
Opel Cascada (also marketed as Vauxhall Cascada, Holden Cascada, Buick Cascada, and Opel Cabrio) • 2017–2021
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