Despite a down year, Cadillac seems to be building momentum for 2015. This year, consumers will be able to buy the first-ever 2016 Cadillac ATS-V and latest generation, 200 mph 2016 Cadillac CTS-V. Then by December, it’s expected that the 2016 Cadillac CT6 will hit the market, which has the BMW 7 Series, Audi A8 and Mercedes-Benz S-Class squarely in its sights. What’s more, all three of those vehicles will be made in Michigan, while marketing, PR, finance and brand executives fill in Cadillac’s new NYC office space.
This momentum will continue to build over time, especially when considering what’s going on in Cadillac’s design studio.
During a one-on-one interview with Ed Welburn, GM’s global chief of design, we learned that the teams assigned to shaping future Cadillac products have more to do than ever. It makes sense, though, considering GM’s recent trademarking of several CT- and XT- nameplates suggests a significantly expanded model lineup.
Looking into our crystal ball, we will soon see the Cadillac XT5 crossover — a replacement to the SRX. Afterwards, we may soon after see crossovers to slot both above and below the XT5, as well as an entry-level rear-wheel-drive vehicle to slot below the ATS. Cadillac is also rumored to be working on a convertible of sorts, as well as a long-wheelbase version of the CT6, which could end up being called the CT7 or CT8. Little is known about what’s beyond that, but Cadillac President Johan de Nysschen has even hinted at a supercar for the storied luxury brand. Time will tell.
Comments
Exciting times indeed.. I always consider trading my 10 dts platinum for a new xts or cts but so many new products to come makes me just wait
If Cadillac began to offer smaller engines and less power and consumption, do not worry sales will be higher than now.
I have loved the wave of designs and cars that we will see this wonderful brand
Regards from Spain
Cadillac needs more than just small and efficient cars for Europe: it needs a dealer network, and RHD vehicles. The simplest stuff isn’t even there currently.
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. Cadillac’s current engines are in line with what is being offered by the competition in North America. It’s a bit different for Europe, but that’s not in the cards until 2020.
Europe is coming but there is a lot of things that need to be finished here first.
You have to have more product before you can convert it for Europe and you have to have more product before anyone would consider selling it over there.
Having the CTS and ATS with RHD would surely help Cadillac sell more in Europe . The same goes for the XT’s coming to market , escpecially if they are going to build something smaller than the current SRX . We see what happened with the Buick Encore and Chevy Trax . Cadillac needs to compete in that market here in the US and overseas .
The recent designs have all had a great looking front end. But, I hope the design studio is working hard on giving future vehicles some improvement in the side view and a huge improvement in the rear ends. The rears are just plain boring. A car that’s sitting in front of you at the red light or that you walk behind in a parking lot should still make you think that it’s a nicely styled car. None of their offerings have that effect.
I disagree about the rear end and sides being boring. They are very distinctive and I can easily tell that vehicle is a Cadillac at night compared to other vehicles, mostly the tail-lights.
If you believe Cadillacs rear and sides are boring, most likely, you think the competitors are boring as well.
Well, maybe the word boring is a bit harsh, and I will certainly agree that the third brake light and to a degree the vertical taillights help make them distinctive. But, the front ends are so well done and have so much to look at and admire that the back end is plain in comparison. They need to give it some more zing back there.
Cadillac has much work ahead.
Wellburn’s polarizing “Art and Science” styling has had its day. Cadillac needs to move on as quickly as possible to a more classy look if it wants new customers. There are simply way too many people who detest the awkward angular square box designs.
Aston Martin or Maserati or Audi offer excellent templates: muscular, aerodynamic, and tasteful; no garish styling gimmicks or tack-on plastic junk. The sooner Cadillac appeals to well-heeled adults instead of 13-year olds who draw cars with a straight edge, the sooner Cadillac sales will approach the success of class-leading luxury cars.