It seems that after the 2012 North American International Auto Show and the reveal of the ATS, all eyes are now on Cadillac. The little Caddy seemingly stole the fire from the all-new BMW 3 Series sitting at the other end of Cobo Hall, as the car aims to bring the rivalry already seen between the larger CTS-V and M5 sedans to another hot segment. With this hype, Cadillac has picked up some momentum, and from what we gather from our sources, the brand won’t be slowing down anytime soon.
A trusted insider tells us that Cadillac has no less than seven all-new models on the way between now and 3-4 years into the future. Of which, there will be at least four Caddys riding on the all-new rear-wheel-drive Alpha architecture that we’ll first experience with the ATS.
Just what could all of these mystery cars be? If we gaze into our crystal ball, we can already list off a few. The most obvious next-gen models on the way have to be the next-generation Escalade and CTS. There’s also the ELR plug-in luxury compact on the way based on an upgraded Delta II platform, and the inevitable Cadillac Omega flagship on the far end of the timeline. And somewhere, taking its sweet time is a Lambda-based Caddy crossover. If you’re good at math, you’ll know that five models have been listed off. And based on current data, the two wildcards are shaping up to be the on-again-off-again RWD roadster and RWD-based crossover. This will give Caddy an eventual lineup of five cars, and four crossovers/SUVs, with perhaps even more down the pipeline.
Of this future portfolio, expect the ATS, the CTS, and the mysterious roadster and crossover models to share the Alpha platform. The excitement and confidence of those involved with the future of the Wreath and Crest has never been higher, and it’s only the beginning.
Comments
Im very excited about Cadillac, just hope that the Alpha is flexible enough to support 4 cadillacs and possible two chevys without diluting its best characterists.
Is the lambda cancelled for Caddy?
No, but it’s nowhere close to being finished. Still trying to figure out what’s taking so long.
isn’t the ELR based on the Delta platform?
Cadillac needs far more product than listed here to be competitive with BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Audi, and even Lexus.
The ATS is a fantastic product in the always booming and highly profitable compact luxury segment where most consumers can reasonably afford vehicles priced between $30,000-$50,000.
The ATS should be offered in the following configurations:
1) ATS 5-seater sedan
2) ATS 4-seater coupe
3) ATS 4-seater soft-top convertible
4) ATS 5-seater sport wagon
5) ATS 5-seater sport wagon with raised suspension and off-road package
6) ATS 5-seater cross-over vehicle to compete against BMW X3
7) ATS 2-seater coupe to compete against the Porsche Cayman)
8) ATS 2-seater roadster to compete against the BMW Z4 and Porsche Boxster)
The larger CTS sedan should also have the following derivatives:
1) CTS sedan and CTS-L sedan (with an extra 6-inches of wheelbase)
2) CTS coupe
3) CTS soft-top convertible (to compete against the BMW 6-series)
4) CTS sport wagon
5) CTS sport wagon with raised suspension and off-road package
6) CTS cross-over vehicle to compete against BMW X5
Bring back the STS on the Omega platform to compete against the BMW 7-series.
Position the flag-ship Omega-based Cadillac ULS sedan (inspired by the Ciel concept) to compete against the Bentley Continental Flying Spur sedan and Rolls Royce Silver Ghost
Bring back the Cadillac XLR based on the Corvette to compete against the Mercedes-Benz SL-550 and Jaguar XK.
Escalade needs to be more competitive against the Range Rover and Mercedes=Benz GL-550.
Drop the SRX and XTS as both are front-drive models that should be given to the Buick brand to compete against Lexus and Acura.
Bring back the DTS and DTS-L based on the Omega platform as an affordable livery model for the White House (every president gets a new Cadillac), New York’s enormously popular “Black Town Car” market, along with funeral service, limousine service, fleet service, airport service, and taxi service.
Thoughts?
Youre right but BMW, MB, and Audi have had decades to develop such varients and in my eyes the “new” cadillac that started with the cts in 2003 has been alive for only about a decade. I think their first priority should be having a car that competes in the respective segments you mentioned, then taking out the varients later, though the varients are neccesary for complete dominance of the luxury market. I also think that the “sport wagon with raised suspension and off-road package” for both ATS and CTS are unneccessary and maybe do not belong in Cadillac. The SRX and XTS should definately go to Buick though the latter will serve Cadillac well as a stopgap model. I would love to see a Rolls Royce AND a 7-series competitor in Cadillac therefore effectively having two flagships with the former being the ultra-lux crowd car. I dont think Cadillac needs to or should compete on the livery(and related services) segment and should hand that over to Buick, and the presidents car can be based on the aforementioned Rolls Royce competitor and the presidents car really has more in common with the 2500 HD than with the DTS . And the escalade really needs to get out of the way or become a true full size luxury SUV capable of competing with the GL. Other than the few things I mentioned right on spot.
LMAO.
Manoli good article but a litte off the mark, yes caddy will get four new ATS products in the very near future, ATS and CTS for sure as you already know, the others in development can be considered a MB and BMW Midsize suv. The ELR is delta based but upgraded from chevy. The other ATS based units I cannot tell you at this time but all are far along in development and are locked in product plan.
so if you said there are going to be the MB/BMW midsize SUV do you mean that this mid size suv will slot above the SRX?
Anything larger than an SRX is a full-size. A Lambda model is coming to slot above it.
jd, I hope you let me know what’s off the mark.
So then what he’s referring to is the SRX?
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