What to do, what to do? Apparently, Cadillac’s product planning department has reached an indecision on just what the brand’s flagship should be and just what kind of image they hope to shape for the future.
According to a report from Car and Driver, the Wreath and Crest has come down to three very difficult choices for their flagship. The first (and obvious) choice is a full sized, executive class luxury sedan with the BMW 7-Series, Audi A8 and Mercedes-Benz S-Class in it’s crosshairs and could potentially ride on a stretched version of the Zeta platform, like the Holden Statesman in Australia — though we would like to think that the reported flexibility of the upcoming Alpha platform could do the job even better. The vehicle would in turn slot above the supposedly upcoming Cadillac XTS (pictured below).
The second choice is that of a vehicle in similar size, but with a more rakish appearance and only two doors — a niche vehicle akin to the prestigious (and very expensive) Mercedes-Benz CL-Class. Such a cruiser would have a low sales volume with a high price point, but would no doubt garner the status for Cadillac to show that it’s truly here to play with the laderhosen laden luxury automakers from Germany.
The third choice — and probably the sexiest — is the proposal of a balls-out supercar with a mid-engine layout, resembling the jaw dropping Cadillac Cien Concept (pictured above). However, this vehicle would in turn be the most expensive to develop, as GM currently has no such platform to handle a mid-engine layout, nor are they reported to have one in development.
C&D mentions that the upcoming Corvette C7 looks to be only a fresher, more modern take on the current C6 and would therefore sport a front-engine layout akin to the current Corvette. They also hypothesize that GM could feature a mid-engine layout with the C8 Corvette several years down the road, which would in turn lower development costs for a Cadillac supercar and would help keep the lights on at the Vette’s assembly plant in Bowling Green, KY by adding another vehicle on the line. Or… GM could sell two distinct Corvette models — like we’ve reported — offering a front engine layout for more basic C7 models and a mid-engine layout for something more deserving of a ZR1 moniker. We don’t see why Cadillac can’t utilize both platforms for new takes in luxury and performance. We like this idea, a lot.
Whatever flagship Cadillac chooses, it looks to be entering uncharted territory in terms of price and exclusivity — something that will no doubt lead the brand’s image for the years to come. Who knows, we might just see all of them.
Source: Car and Driver
Comment
Cadillacs should be the BEST.
Sedan, SUV, Pickup, Grand touring, Sports car, Commuter electric.
The trickle down engineering and style, was what GM did in the 30’s and 50’s when GM was top of the heap, so I suppose it worked, people naturaly looked at Caddilac, the best; and looked forward to what Chevrolets would be like in 3 years. The hierarical system is what made GM number one back than, It should work now.
I think the Volt should have been a Cadillac first, than GM could have sold it at full price without hesitation, I could see a comercial were Shaqueel Oneal persueads Leanardo DeCaprio to test drive one, Would’nt work with a Chevy.
Annyway Corvette in it’s hayday was a working class supercar, It appealed to Americans with good paying union jobs, who with a little overtime could afford a Ferari stomping muscular animal, Corvette, Trans Am Regal ,Grand National
In tomorow’s world people might just want a little cashe with there speed, Who knows maybee Cadillac is the brand to sell a GM supercar in the 21st century.
Just my two cents, I do’nt now maybee Gold chains and T roofs will make a comeback, the Camaro is outselling the Mustang for the first time in decades, I just think 250mph 1325hp $250,000 fits better with Cadillac than Chevrolet.