While it’s historically never been an American thing, global luxury brands have inherently offered a wide variety of diesel-powered vehicles, as diesel cars account for roughly 50% of all new car sales in Europe. And they seem to have been catching on here in America in recent years with increased awareness of VW AG’s TDI line, Mercedes-Benz’s BlueTec family, and even BMW’s less inspiring-sounding Advanced Diesel line.
The aforementioned brands are also Cadillac’s chief rivals. So wouldn’t it make sense if the brand offered diesel engines in the SRX, CTS, XTS or even the enourmous Escalade? Or do you see diesel as an ever-unprofitable niche that should be left alone and shouldn’t expand beyond the ATS diesel? Sound off in the comments below!
Comments
Start with ats and see what the take rate is and go from there
the next definately should be the escalade. it would fit better too. to have it in a big suv.
4.5 Duramax for the escalade, 2.0 or 2.8 for everything else.
My only problem is that the 4.5 Duramax isn’t a very luxurious-sounding engine. It sounds fine in a pickup, but they’d have to make a few changes here and there to make it sound a bit more refined.
Shouldnt this be a question for all GM vehicles to incorporate some form of Diesel tech. I agree the ATS should be the focus on the Cadillac side.
I wish my escalade ESV Platinum was diesel!!!!
Actually I like GM’s direction with its flex fuel engines I just wished all there gas engines offered the option.
My question is “would it peak any interest in Europe?”
Cadillac is the leg of a flea on the a hair on the tip of the iceberg there. I don’t know how many Caddy’s were sold there in 2011, but I know that offering more diesels would highten their appeal, albeit fractionally.
Sorry, I hate to be *that guy*.
It’s “pique any interest”, not “peak”. Commonly misused, I know because I used it incorrectly for years before someone pointing it out to me.
*grumbles*
Flex fuel doesn’t work in some states were it cost the same as regular gas. Can’t find E85 many places in Colorado and saw it come and go from many gas stations.
I am in Germany now and 75% daily driven cars are diesel. BMW BENZ AUDI VW FORD OPEL (GM); Porsche even has the option in their SUV. For sure Cadillac would sell more if they offered diesel. Love my ESV, but hard to find parking in Europe:))))
FLEX FUEL?? Really, people? What a bunch of horseshit that turned out to be.
Diesel/hybrid/electric. Those are your choices. I’m all for diesel Caddys. If GM is trying to step its game up to BMW, then Cadillac needs diesel.
Chris, really, it works great for me; and it sure as heck should be an option and pushed forward. Police forces use it to save money. I agree it should not cost as much as regular but I have paid 1.10 less for E85, I know several people that swear by it that being one of the reasons I got a “flex fuel” vehicle… Notice the flex aspect meaning I have the option of choosing, if there is not an E85 station in sight then use regular gas… Chris think before you post, the only horse crap is comming from you…
Congratulations, you live close to 1 of 100 E85 gas stations remaining in the United States! Glad it’s worked out.
The nationwide infrastructure isn’t there — and don’t kid yourself, it ain’t coming. Those stations that tried E85 smartened up and got rid of it. Wherever you are, you’re in the minority, my friend. And the cheaper price you’re speaking of, $1.10 less than regular pump?? I’m calling shenanigans. Pics or it didn’t happen. And what claims are your friends making regarding how great E85 is?
Diesel already has the infrastructure. Electrics are only becoming more and more popular. Charging stations actually ARE popping up, unlike your E85 stations. And there’s a huge lobbying body for electrics — the party is over on E85 and no one is spending significant money to lobby for it.
The bottom line is that flex fuel is NOT a long-term solution to our reliance on oil. IT’S HORSE SHIT.
Flexfuel was stupid, it’s was a buzz word bumper decal to try and cover for the fact that GM had (has) no decent hybrids. Not counting Volt.
Diesel in Cadillacs absolutely, people will associate Cadillac more with Benz, Audi, and BMW if, like them, they have diesel options in many models. May not be huge sellers, but I definitely it helps the brand’s reputation and image. Could get customers who haven’t ever thought of buying a Cadillac into the showroom like the Volt has done for Chevy.
Great point Luke! How can you be on the cutting edge of luxury auto technology when your SUV “hybrid” gets about 21 mpg? I like the styling of Escalade very much, both in and out, but when my VW Touareg TDI consistently averages almost 30 mpg, has smooth eight speed transmission and can tow up to 7700 pounds all the lust of Caddy is gone in an instant. I will ogle you again Cadillac, when you have the diesel torque and gas mileage.
GM had a custom Suburban with a prototype 4.5L Duramax at the Sema show in 2007! I was there, people were very excited about it, here we are 4 1/2 years later and no sign of that engine ever becoming a reality? I would expect if and when some of these smaller vehicles (Cruze,ATS) do arrive with a diesel the extra cost will be prohibitive to make much impact.
Product development guys continue to fall back on the though of nobody paying the hefty premium for an engine like the 4.5L V8 Duramax.
Certainly that must be the excuse in this case, however they must have spent a bundle on R & D of that engine? It would have been a perfect fit for the already very expensive Escalade ESV and Yukon XL Denali.
Do we really want to know about every single cancelled R&D project from GM? Though I will agree with you that a diesel makes more sense in the expensive SUVs. I definitely see a case for an Escalade diesel. Chances are it would do better than an Escalade Hybrid, but that’s not saying much.
100% necessary for ROW sales, which is something Cadillac cannot ignore if its to be seen as the Standard of the World.
If it needs a new name how about compression ignition vortec.
I think they should do that…. but also at the same time bring out full on Hybrids or Voltec technology too
Why not develop Saab’s variable compression ratio engine, and make an engine that can use anything from salad dressing to everclear?
Chris/Luke so most domestic manufacturers are increasing there flex fuel representation, can you explain this phenomena. Your points are mostly unfounded, many people are becoming more aware of having the option, demand will push gas stations to provide flex fuel options including bio diesels. The problem is the infrastructure, which is very primitive, as certain station like the one down the street from me migrate to a range of alternative fuels, which are coming; so will there competition. Wake up fools alternative fuels are here and will grow with time…
I now live in Germany and travel all over ROW and I don’t see hybrid cars because a small diesel will get better gas milage if you do anything other than all city driving and they cost much less. Now I do see lots of hype for upcoming all electric cars here in the EU. Anyway, diesel was the topic and Cadillac must get some diesel options, but they are years behind. The new BMW M550d vehicles are just awesome. The 4.5 Duramax is a good foundation to some fast diesels. Ford has plenty of diesel options from small to large for all their everyday cars, but Cadillac should and is all about luxury and sport. I think they should refine the 4.5 Duamax and put some huge torque and great gas milage in the mix.
I think they should. Turbo diesels have near instantaneous torque off the line, and in a vehicle like the Escalade, that would help with performance AND fuel economy (the latter being the ‘sclades Achilles Heel).
I just traded in my Suburban for VW Touareg . It does over 30 mpg ( mostly highway) and can tow up to 7700 lbs. Wish GM offered one. Will not buy another gas engine for a very long time
Flex fuel is indeed dumb. Ethanol uses a significant amount of a scarce resource, water, and doesn’t offer significant enough advantages for economy or greenhouse gas reduction. A recent study from University of Michigan shows diesels actually reduce greenhouse gases (though it was funded by Bosch who makes these systems). Diesels offer practicality, durability, are fun to drive and get great economy. My next car will be a diesel, as will my wife’s. SInce my US choices are limited, I have to buy foreign. If Caddy made the CTS with the VM Motori 2.8, I’d buy one for sure.
I Needed to tow a horse trailer few times a year and wanted something with good gas mileage for daily driving. The only vehicle that fit the bill was VW Touareg TDI. I love it! My mixed driving average (80% highway, 20% town) is unbelievable 29.8 mpg! (Subaru Forrester’s was 25 mpg). I was able to average between 40-45 mpg at 80 miles trip on winding roads in Southern VA (35-50 mph). All of it with AC on and AWD! My wife likes an OnStar and would like to get a GM product but she is amazed at the gas mileage my SUV gets. Sad to see that GM is late to the party. MB, BMW, VW, Porsche, AUDI and Jeep are already in. Mazda is coming in shortly. I think we will end up getting Mazda 6 Diesel or new VW Golf if it comes in TDG version. Diesels are awesome! (I also have 1984 MB 300 TD and it gets about 30 mpg)