Community Question: What Should Cadillac’s Next Car Be?
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GM’s Wreath and Crest luxury brand is shaping up to have a busy 2012 with the launches of the large XTS sedan, the BMW 3-Series-hunting ATS, and the CUE infotainment system, which will supposedly spank whatever else is currently out on the market.
Down the road, we expect more models, but nothing like the Audi A7 four-door-coupe and R8 supercar, the spritely BMW 1 Series, rakish X6 and 6-Series touring car, along with the new Mercedes-Benz SL, SLS AMG, and/or CL-Class. Though should they bother? And if they did, which should come as soon as possible? A two-seat supercar? a fast-back four-door coupe? A subcompact RWD pocket-rocket? Give us your thoughts in the comments below!
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Caddy Forsure needs the lambda based cross-over and the 7 series fighter. Another thing they could easily do is a second generation XLR. Base it off the Vette platform again just give it it’s own V8 engine that rivals the new SL and an XTS quality matching interior and it would be cool. The old XLR was a decent car but the interior sucked and the performance wasn’t what it should have been. I’d also like to see a V8 in the next CTS to give the 550i or M56 a run for it’s money. I doubt GM will but a 425 horse V8 in the next CTS would help firmly place it in 5 series territory and wouldn’t scare off CTS-V buyers
Agree on all accounts except for the Lambda. This large crossover should be on whatever platform underpins the future full-size RWD flagship.
Other than that, the CTS could use a TT LFX to make 400-440 horses instead of a V8… But I’d still like to see an LS V8 as an option in the next-gen CTS.
Lets start with a real flagship and dump the embarrassment called XTS.
How about a pickup based on the next generation Colorado.
7-series fighter ASAP
ATS (3 Series)
CTS (5 Series)
XTS (Upgrade to RWD, make more like 7 Series)
SRX (M-Class, make it a decent off-roader)
XLR (SLS AMG)
Escalade (G/GL-Class)
Flagship RWD Sedan (Rolls-Royce competition)
I’d add a compact ATS-based crossover (X3) and a roadster.
ATS crossover sounds perfect, Alex
Outside of wanting a world class hand built super car, something classical (not a fan of Ciel) an eldorado, infact take the last gen eldorado ( which I absolutely LOVE but don’t know why) and dress it up with art and science theme but don’t make it look like the freakin batmobile good grief…
Yes that’s it… Drag a late 90′s eldorado into the design studio and say what should this look like now; put it on the next CTS chasey; blend an element of elegance with an aggressive sport design and tuned chasey.
How about a fullsize rear wheel drive sedan to replace the town car . It may not be thrilling but they would sell
I agree Alex, no FWD for future Cadillacs, that would only tarnish Cadillacs resurging image. To GM, lets Get the new CTS to market soon along with the ATS convertible and coupe. However by 2015 Cadillac should do the double by introducing that 7- Series, SL Benz competitor and the XLR’s replacement.
For now though, I don’t think a 2.0T should be the 2014 CTS base engine. It should be an updated LFX 3.6with at least 350hp with better mpg through reduced weight and that upcoming 8-speed transmission. I also think that the upcoming D.I V-8 5.5L with cylinder deactivation etc. should be used instead of a 3.6TT. Then the CTS-V with the 5.5SC or TT should do the trick for Cadillac against all competitors.
If we’re going to go all out and make a full-size Cadillac, it needs, no, DEMANDS to be unobtainable.
And I don’t mean $65K or $80K high, I mean high enough that nobody on this forum or the forum nextdoor will ever get one without selling everything they own and half of someone elses. None of this blue-collar rags-to-riches grandpa-finally-got-his-Cadillac nonsence; this is a car that ONLY the upper crust will ever have access to.
No plastic hollywood celeb’s, no sports stars, no recent lotto winners, not you trading in your jacked up Z71 Silverado and a 10K downpayment.
A car for plutocrats (google it). So unless you’re a plutocrat who was born into money, you might as well settle for an S-class.
A hypothetical ‘ULS’ is something that should be sold in very small numbers with craftmanship that is inherantly costly in nature. I’ll give a visual example of what I’m thinking of from an ad Cadillac ran some time ago.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HBCzKXnnmvw
Yeah, you can’t afford it, period.
If that kind of craftsmanship and quality was shown in a ‘ULS’ and then echoed throughout the car in all aspects and in every inch, then there simply wouldn’t be any doubt that the car would be the ‘standard of the world’. Simply unmatched by any car, anywhere, at anytime in history.
For those that say “But Graw, what about the cost?”, well yeah, GM would loose money on every single one…but what a statement it would make.
I wouldn’t label what you’re referring to as a flagship. Yes, it is/will be the top of the line (which is what a flagship technically is), but it won’t be looked at (shopped) by most…
Ultimately, Caddy needs to do the basics well first, and that involves making an S-Class/7er competitor. After this kind of vehicle is selling (on a solid, RWD chassis with all the prerequisites of besting the Europeans at their own game), then Caddy can look at developing whatever it feels will elevate its brand to nebula-high standards with a vehicle like a ULS… But priorities first, please.
I’ll agree that this is most definitely not something that would need to be built tommorow. Say something 30-40 years from now assuming everything works out.
…
Actually, I’ve just re-read the thread title again and realized that not only did I not read it the first time and have misunderstood what was asked, I’ve laid out all my battle plans without hesitance thinking “this is my chance!”
My bad.
Nicely done!
I like it I’ll take 365 so I don’t have to drive the same damn car every day
ATS Coupé, Convertible
ATS size SUV
ATS Wagon for Europe
CTS on Alpha platform, Sedan, Wagon, Coupé, Convertible
CTS on Alpha platform size SUV
CTS on Alpha platform, Wagon for U.S and Europe
Something the size of the 7 series on the Sigma platform
That’s all I can come up with right now
Agree with you Alex, no lambda Caddy, instead do a stretched Alpha RWD/AWD based CUV including a V version to compete against the X5-M, ML63 AMG, Cayenne Turbo, and RR Sport SC. Those are all about 190″ long but I’d rather see the caddy be more comparable to a Q7 at about 200″ long and basically look like a traverse/enclave with the Art&Science treatment. I just like the shape of those 2 but don’t like the underpinnings. Love to see an ATS Sportwagon, (including a V, preferably available w/AWD optional). I like the Ciel concept, if they turned it into a sedan or did a hard-top convertible version, that would be pretty cool.
Yes sir!
Top of the line rear wheel drive sedan, no front drive doo doo! (only with AWD) Various versions of the ATS, wagon, coupe & roadster. Twin turbo V-6′s offered through out the ATS & CTS line, even a downsized twin turbo V8. How’s about a Ciel styled dream sedan!!
something like the sixteen would be nice but the car i see is the one from real steel u know that one that the god parents drive
they need a crossover theats the size of the escalade (called the erx mabey) to take on the soon to be bently suv
http://www.motorauthority.com/news/1073737_bentley-exp-9-f-suv-concept-live-photos-2012-geneva-motor-show
Bentley is way out of Cadillac’s market. What they need is a viable Benz GL, Porsche Cayenne, and Audi Q7 competitor. The upcoming Lambda-based crossover would fill the space, but won’t be as effective in comparing with those:
http://gmauthority.com/blog/2012/02/wheres-the-cadillac-lambda-its-on-a-new-platform/
yes bently is out of cadillacs market but that doesn’t mean they can’t do a little invading with an ultra luxury cuv based on the omega platform. in my imagination it would be slotted above the lambda based cuv. and according to reports from audi/volkswagen group the bently would be slotted above the cayenne/Q7 in the heiarchy. and be slightly bigger way more expensive and more full of luxuries.
I’d rather see the Lambda-based Caddy — most likely with a traverse engine layout — never become a reality in the first place and have the Omega-based CUV effectively take on the GL, Q7, Cayenne. It’s really difficult to be financially successful in the ultra-luxury space (Bentley, RR, Maserati, etc.) without sharing a high-volume platform.
I’m with you on the lambda caddy it shouldn’t happen. Mabey the omega based cuv to take on the GL, Q7 and Cayenne could happen. then they can move the escalade futher upscale and base it on a very modified platform of the next tahoe/yukon. then it’ll be financially successful. and very good at everything it needs to be good at.
Totally. I see the Escalade as this legendary SUV that just keeps going and not changing much of what made it successful in the first place. Same thing for the Escalade name, even though it no longer fits into the new-school Caddy nomenclature of SRX/CTS/XTS/ATS, it should stay the same. Kind of like the old-school Benz G-wagon.
Yea the Escalade has a niche of its own and a presence that few vehicles under 100k can match on the road.
I think Cadillacs product should look like the following by year:
2013: ATS , XTS
2014: Escalade , CTS ,
2015: SRX based on Alpha , ATS Variant , ATSV
2016 : 7er fighter , ATS V Variants , CTS-V , CTS Variant
2017: XLR , X5 fighter , CTS V Variant
2018: ELR , X5 Fighter V , maybe some niche car like z4 fighter
2019 : redesign of ATS and so on
The second year FWD Eldorado (1966/1967?) I cannot remember is the best styled Eldorado hands down. I agree also the last of the FWD Eldorados continue to look great (a nicely cared for one of course).
However. The 1976-1979 Seville won’t ever be forgotten for it’s elegant styling, it’s perfect size and overall look of “importance”.
In “American Gigolo” with Richard Gere, his pimp drove a Seville in that lovely lavender body and deep purple roof. I can close my eyes and still see that car in that film. Riata Cadillac in San Antonio frequently brought in custom models during the late 1970′s – included a 2 door coupe interpretation of the Seville done in a gorgeous Rolls-Royce gold metallic lower and a deep chocalate upper and roof. Riata also ordered a few Seville’s with a steel top, no vinyl. I’ve seen one and it’s killer in a medium metallic green with very dark green leather.
I believe seriously that in about 18 months Cadillac cache’ will return in force. The new CTS is amazing. I own an ATS Performance Edition 3.6 – love it.
A four door convertible interpretation of the coming RWD high end sedan – OMG – do it.