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Cadillac Flagship Sedan (LTS) Caught Testing For The First Time

General Motors knows that, for various reasons, Cadillac needs a full-size rear-wheel-drive flagship sedan. Over the last few years, the brand has toyed with the idea of such a vehicle by introducing concept cars such as the Ciel and Elmiraj. The former was an production unrealistic four-door convertible, and the latter was a full-size two-door coupe. But today… today we have definitive proof that The General is actively working on a full-size rear-drive sedan thanks to the very first set of spy shots showing the actual vehicle that will be coming to market.

Despite wearing heavy camouflage, we can still make out the prototype’s large and imposing proportions with a strong stance thanks to a long wheelbase, dash-to-axle ratio, and long hood, as well as a short front overhang — elements that look right at home on the upcoming range-topper, which uses GM’s upcoming full-size Omega vehicle architecture. To note, the vehicle seen in the spy photos could be the “long” wheelbase variant, as many competitors, including BMW and Lexus, offer an extended wheelbase version of their range-topping sedans.

It’s currently unknown what engine is sitting underneath the hood of the prototype, but based on the design of the wheels, which is leaning towards the luxury rather than the performance side, we’d venture to guess that the sedan is being powered by a one of the less powerful (for the car) powerplants, such as GM’s ubiquitous 3.6-liter LFX V6 or perhaps even the turbo-charged 2.0-liter LTG I4. The dual-tip exhaust exiting on the right side of the vehicle lends more credence to that theory. That said, we expect the range-topping Caddy to offer everything from the aforementioned powertrains to GM’s new twin-turbo 3.6-liter LF3 V6, 6.2-liter LT1 V8, and supercharged 6.2-liter LT4 V8, among other possibilities.

And although not officially confirmed, The General will likely call the full-size Cadillac “LTS“, based on trademark filings with the USPTO. A two-door Elmiraj-style coupe is possible, but the four-door will definitely arrive first.

Head on over to Autoblog for the myriad of spy photos.

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Comments

  1. And we all thought the ATS was the only car charting new territory for Cadillac and GM.

    Oh how wrong we are!

    She’s going to be a looker, she’ll make you forget the Fleetwood, she’s going to have every feature available, and she’s going to be out of your league.

    Reply
  2. That thing is just massive looking. It has such a presence, even under heavy camo. Love it.

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  3. i realize that this COULD be the long wheelbase version, but DAMN this thing looks BIG! I suppose that since this will be the flagship that proportion-wise it is warranted tho.

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  4. Finally!!! Very excited for this vehicle, it’s sure to be a winner. It reminds me a lot of the Bentley Mulsanne which isn’t a bad thing. Hope to see more of of soon.

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  5. So here is my take, it has to have some if not all resemblance Big Time to the Elmiraj and since it is “The Range Topper” for Caddy and will have everything that GM Tech and Engineers have in their arsenal plus a lot of Jaw unhinging equipment yet to come…..I think that the 3.6-liter LF3 V6 Twin-Turbo connected to either and 9 or 10 speed variant(More Sophisticated as the Lux/Performance is expanded) should be the minimum Entry Level powertrain!!! Your thoughts Please, I think this is going to be The Show Stopper Period!! 😉

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  6. Also looks like there’s a huge sunroof

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  7. Definately the twin turbo V6 and the 8 speed to be the base powertrain. I hope they do a supercharged V8 as the range topper and not a TT setup like the Germans. If it looks like the Elmiraj, Cadillac has there selves a winner. A coupe should follow rather soon after the sedan IMO. I think there also going to come out with a new engine for the flagship and its going to be the 4.5 TTV8 we saw on the Elmiraj. So heres to hoping they offer 3 engines: LF3(base), TTV8(Vsport), LT4(Vseries). As far as the interior, they need to put everything they have at their disposal. All the modern technologies and a couple “new to the industry” features (heated windshield wipers anyone?). If CUE is going to work they need to be as fast and intuitive as high end tablets. Im done.

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    1. Folks — let’s not forget that the best-selling variant of the best-selling car in this segment has a naturally-aspirated V6. That car? The Mercedes-Benz S350. Perhaps the LTS will launch with the LF3 TT V6… but to not make a lower-output engine available here would be the equivalent of only offering the Chevy Malibu with a V6. And one more thing to get the thinking juices flowing: BMW used to offer its turbo 2.0L I4 on the 7-Series, as well.

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  8. Based upon what caddy (and corvette for that matter) has been doing with interiors, I think this will class leading and put it into the class of the rolls or Bentley. Would be nice if this car could be what corvette is to exotic sports cars… World class car which is a comparative bargain.

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  9. Not all of us thought the ATS was the only car charting new territory. The ATS was only the beginning and we are just nearing intermission in this picture.

    This car will be as world class as the CTS has proven. The keys for Cadillac to get right here is better NHV with the engines and to fix the Cue system to be a little more simpler. These are things they can and will do the only question is when they will appear.

    This car will see a V6, TTV6, V8 and I hope not but would not be shocked with a Turbo 4.

    Keep in mind this car is going to be the largest but I think the tires are no larger than 18″ and attribute to the size looking larger. Note Cadillac has gotten over the oversized wheels as they are much harder to tune for ride and handling as well as they add a lot of un sprung weight. The larger wheels may look nice but they can create a lot of un needed issues too.

    While this will not be a Bentley challenger I do expect it will show well against the Benz and BMW.

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    1. “Not all of us thought the ATS was the only car charting new territory. The ATS was only the beginning and we are just nearing intermission in this picture.”

      I mean “new territory” is terms of segments. The ATS being Cadillac’s 3rd attempt in the compact luxury segment, only this time their efforts are paying off.

      This LTS, however, would be in a segment that Cadillac has historically had some presence in, at least as far back into which cars could be sorted by their physical size. Their presence within the full-size segment for the last 30 or so years has been mediocre at best, and at one point, downright embarrassing (the mid-90’s Fleetwood).

      Those were cars that had absolutely no chance against the perennial, global standard of full-size luxury cars; the S-class. And GM didn’t seem to mind or care that the perpetually uncompetitive and outclassed Fleetwood was being ignored and dismissed as being junk.

      That’s why I cringe whenever I hear someone say this car should be called the Fleetwood. Doing so would be like sawing off your own hands and feet because you want to invoke a memory of a time in which you were helpless and at a disadvantage. It would be purposely crippling and handicapping the potential of Cadillac’s new product in an aggressive segment.

      Also, this car won’t come with a pair of lacquered wood writing tables attached with Home Depot kitchen hardware to the backs of the front seats.

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  10. I dont think the LFX is refined enough to be on a luxury brands flasgship model, the model that is suppose to show the world that there back in it. It has a rough idle.

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    1. The LFX isn’t any less refined than what’s offered by the competition. I believe it would do just fine in such a vehicle as a base powerplant.

      Plus, who is to say that there won’t receive a revision by the time the LTS is ready?

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  11. So long beautiful XTS, hello looong LTS!

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  12. OK Gang, you are like Seriously Into this with some stunning revelations……So here’s another one for ya and tell me what you think, since they are dusting off the 4.5L diesel….An Awesome Forward Thinking event….What say the LTS is offered in a diesel like the 4.5L or if it’s too unbalanced because of the weight, how bout a 3.0 or 3.5L diesel mated 2 a 10 Speed auto??? Your Thoughts and Really Feeling the insights you bringing 🙂

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    1. I wouldn’t really care if the LTS came with turbo 4, or a hybrid V6. V8 models are pretty much a given. I wouldn’t object to the rumoured diesel 4.5L V8 either, but the NVH damping of whatever powertrain the use has to be superior to anything else GM has done.

      Whatever engine they use, you shouldn’t hear much of it inside the car.

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      1. Agree Whole Heartily, what’s the Sense calling it a “Range Topper” if the outside world is riding inside with you, especially the Engine!!!! 🙂

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  13. Ive never really been a diesel guy so I wouldnt be interested. As I read alot of the comments on these auto websites there does seem to be a market for them. So as long as were brainstorming, why not. Doesnt Audi offer a diesel in there A6 or A8? I wonder how well there doing in sales?

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    1. Reply
    2. chevyman asked on January 22, 2014 at 4:32 pm, if Audi offers diesel engines in their A6 and A8 vehicles.

      Yes, sure they do. For the A8 besides four petrol engines from a 3.0 Liter V6 to the 6.3 W12, they offer two diesel engines, the 3.0 liter V6 and a 4.2 liter V8. This 3.0 V6 diesel is also available for the A6, plus a 2.0 L 4.

      Reply
      1. Some statistical figures to show the importance of Diesel engines for Audi and other premium cars, in Germany at least, where Diesel fuel is cheaper than petrol, and nearly half of all new cars are brought on the streets with Diesel engines:

        Of all newly registered Audi A8, 69.2% where Diesel powered in 2012, and 75.47% in 2013.
        For the Audi A6, the numbers are 89.3% in 2012, and 89.2% in 2013.

        Of the BMW 7-series, in 2012 84.4% were diesel powered, and 85.6 in 2013.

        This is Germany, and it may vary in other countries, where the price ratio between petrol and diesel is different.

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  14. Yes! I am so excited to see Cadillac stepping up to this level of ultra luxury! I have confidence this vehicle will be very competitive, and will signify to the world the golden age of not only GM, but American engineering!

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  15. To be honest this is an area where Cadillac has never really gone as while it is a full size car they have never made one that will stop, turn and go. This is a luxury Cadillac like you have never seen before.

    I do agree there is no room for Fleetwood talk here as this is just not that kind of car. If they were to use that the XTS would be the place as it is the only real traditional Cadillac left. Also it will remain around as it is the volume sedan for the older customers and service fleets. You have to have something to make Hearses and limo’s with.

    As the names apply the Alpha which stands for the beginning and the Omega that stands for the end of RWD at GM at least with these platforms. I am also interested what else the Omega will produce.

    There will have to be a Diesel at some point if they plan to get back to Europe but we will not see it at intro.

    The engines they have are good engines but GM needs to take them and move them beyond the Chevy base engines. I would like to see them dressed up in something other than a plastic cover and I hope they take them and refine them even more to make them a true Cadillac engine.

    The TT V6 was the start and I think they will build on that. The car is the heart and the engine is the soul of a car. I know GM can not do an entire engine alone for Cadillac but I would like to see them do more than just what goes into a Chevy. I think they are on the same page too but it take money to do this and while the engines are not bad they are just not top of the fix list. Other areas needed attention first and are being addresses and as I say we need to see the big picture and all things come in time.

    At least GM has things going right. I just saw the Lincoln Navigator and what a mess. Not only is it ugly but they took the V8 away in a large SUV? This was the last thing that should have seen the V8 leave. It makes me wonder how long Ford is going to keep a V8. I see them losing it before anyone else.

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  16. Wow I have been on a roll lately. I just said I wondered how long Ford would keep the new V8 and just today I see the new Navigator may only be V6 only with no V8 option. This is telling of where Ford is going. It may end up only the larger trucks and the Mustang may be the last V8 vehicles they have.

    Boy is it ever ugly too.

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  17. Cant wait to see how this one will look and also wonder where will this be assembled.. 🙂

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  18. Let me change my engine line up prediction. I just caught wind that the new CTS V will have a TT V8 and not the LT4. If true this engine will find a home here too in a V model.

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    1. Yo Scott, you be bringing it Big Buddy, but Caddy did make an engine specific to the line, remember the engine that was the “Most Technical Engine of it’s Time” the Northstar??? It was Ward’s top 10 engine for 95, 96 & 97: http://wardsauto.com/news-amp-analysis/guts-glory-ten-best-engine-awards So it’s not that GM can’t do an entire engine line for Caddy, the question is when will they do an entire engine specific to Caddy again!! 😉

      Reply
  19. LTS will be a champion in the flagship sedan segment, I have been waiting for these spy photos of this car for a while and boy do I like what I see. If the new Omega platform is as amazing as the alpha platform, then we sure have a winner here, maybe a V in the works to fight the S65 AMG? I hope so. It will offer the upmost luxury we’ve ever seen in a Cadillac and even though I like CUE, by the time this comes to market we will be ready for a 2nd generation CUE system.

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  20. Scott: whoa whoa whoa…(you HAD to have expected this from someone here once you mentioned hearing that) where oh WHERE did you hear that? Or is it one of those sources thats “classified”? I’m intrigued…

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  21. Pat
    I have been hearing this from some places that are normally reliable and I just read it in the latest Motor Trend. Nothing is every 100% till GM speaks but from what I have seen I am willing to accept this one being legit at this point. GM has been working on a TT V8 and it has to land somewhere being Cadillac has been the division featuring TT engine where else would you expect it. They also said it would be in the next ZR1 but as we know there will not be a ZR1 but there is a track car coming to the Vette line that could make great use of a TT V8. I hope this is right as it would make for a very interesting line up. Keep in mind the LTS will be right around 3800-4100 pounds so it will need power.

    jbisrite As for your N Star it was not a Cadillac only engine. It was based on the Old Aurora engine and enlarged from the original 4.0 liters. It not only was used in the Olds but also in a GXP Bonneville, Buick used it in several cars and could be found in a Shelby Roadster.

    It is not really feasible to do an engine just for Cadillac but they could take a Small Block or the next Gen HF V6 and refine and tune it to their specifications. They have somewhat already done this with the TT V6 but they really need to focus on the 2.0 Turbo as it is no more quiet or much more refined than my HHR SS 2.0 Turbo. Do not get me wrong these are great engines but they have to be more than just refined enough for a Chevy. The Benz and BMW are glass smooth and while the Cadillac is almost there it just needs a little more refinement. I expect GM will do this when they refresh these engines in the future. They have other things that need done first.

    Dedicated Cadillac engine with a cast block was the 425 and the last with aluminum block was the ill-fated 368 better known as the 8-6-4 that later had this feature removed to be just a V8.

    So while the N Star was marketed as a Cadillac engine to convince many it was its own engine it really was not. But this is kind of what they need to do with the engines they have now.

    The Chevy is a fine engine but it is kind of like using the same steering wheel in my HHR SS as the ZR1 used. It made my Chevy special but an HHR wheel in a ZR1 is a bit lacking.

    I would like to see Cadillac get its own block to help cut more NHV and also dress the engines in real Aluminum and Stainless with powder coat. This would add more visual value over a plastic cover to dress the engine and dampen noise.

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  22. A 9 or 10 speed transmission being developed by GM and Ford could be used in LTS. Or is that just for trucks?

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  23. I hope you’re not referring to the recent Motor Trend article where they mentioned an “ATS-V+” because as much as i would LOVE to believe that, i cant, firstly because i dont know what the source was and secondly because that just came out of left-field. I’d NEVER heard about an atsv+ mentioned before then, which made me skeptical about it as a result. I dont doubt that its possible, perhaps Caddy is planning to do their own version of AMGs black series, i dont know, if so then awesome and i support it whole-heartedly, but i would think they would concentrate on V-series stuff before thinking about a WHOLE performance level BEYOND the V-series lineup.

    Dont get me wrong though, I’m not shocked to hear that the next V MIGHT (i’ll wait to hear confirmation from here or one other GM news site) use the tt LT1 because i remember reading a few months back that they were testing 2 versions of it, s/c’d and tt’d, and to be honest i had a hunch that they would use the tt version in the end, but again, i’m going to wait to read that confirmation. For me, if i’m looking for confirmation on something like an atsv+ (or what will power it) or what the next ctsv engine will be i would look here, one other reputable GM news site, or GM’s respective YT channels and not MT for confirmation. Basically, i’d rather get it from the source rather than the car mags (as much as i love reading them).

    On a side-note, you think the LTS will ONLY be within 38-4100lbs?! Just going off of the pictures i’m thinking closer to 4500, but i guess time will tell.

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  24. Well the ATSV+ thing has been around for a while and at first I too did not think it was going to happen as the ATS really does not need a V8. But the V+ has kept making the rounds and to this point GM has now dismissed it. I too was thinking black series or even a limited run to Homologate it for a sedan race series? Either way at this point I am wondering if this one will pan out.

    As for the TT. We know they have a Supercharged engine now and we know they also have been working on a TT V8. The word is this car will share the engine between the Vette and Cadillac so this is plausible. I tend not to take a lot of magazines too seriously but as close as we are to the car they have a better chance on being right. Combine this with people who have confirmed GM has had a working version of this engine it is plausible.

    As for the weigh I really Expect it to come in much under the 4500 mark you state. The factors being this is a new platform and the weight can be designed out of the car from the start not at the beginning.

    Second look at the drive and compare the car size and you will note this car is big but not as large as it looks. Expect the size to one up the CTS just as the CTS has one up the ATS. Yes it will have more back seat leg room.

    GM has made it clear they can cut around 500 pounds from a car with their new models over what would have been heavier cars in the past.

    It is much easier to remove the weight from a clean sheet of paper vs. cutting weight from a Zeta or Sigma.

    Pat out thinking is pretty much the same just with what I have seen and read at this point I am willing to believe this more than I would have 6 months ago. While the magazines do not always get it right the V+ and TT V8 have about as much traction as the early Vette drawings had and they did nail those.

    GM is so dark on what they are doing much of what we do hear has been a little closer to the truth as they only let you know what they want you to know. This has led to may things reported to be more accurate of late. Those spy shots of the TT V6 engine covers in the CTS were not just buy chance. I think GM is sending signals to the public but also to BMW and Benz. Note the comments from Benz the BMW on Cadillac anymore. In the past they did not even pay them attention and today they are stating they are eagerly waiting for the CTSV.

    When the leader of Benz made this statement it really caught my eye as this tells me he has heard things too and this is going to be interesting. Look for the CTSV to be a jump in performance over the old car as much as the new ZO6 will be over the old one.

    Cadillac will make some big statements with the V models here n the next 1-2 years. Time will tell how right either of us are on just what the power will come from. This is the stuff I like in speculation. I have had a good track record of late so I hope to continue it.

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  25. The camoflouge makes the car look strangely square in those pics. I sure hope that is wrong and it is hiding a flowing, sculpted, slick, fluid design.

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  26. Well that is why they put it on. LOL!

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  27. ROFL agreed. And it serves its purpose very well.

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  28. Even with the camo on, the proportions make the car look really good.

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  29. The padding on the hood and trunk give it a 300 look kind of tall and boxy.

    The hood is very low much like the CTS and the rood line looks as low or lower than the Benz. I expect the rear and C pillar will be much like and smoother transition like a CTS.

    I do hope they carry the hood lines and nose of the Elmirage over as well as the tail details to this car.

    The detail to the CTS hood tells me GM is really working to keep the hood more interesting much like they have done on Buick. They will not just be flat expanceses of metal. I also wonder if that is part of their weight reduction. The lines provide strength and support that does not have to be duplicated under the hood as much. Less material needed so less weight? It is just a thought. They have doing this in the doors on some cars already.

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  30. Agreed, Scott. I’m really hoping some of the cool design aspects of the Elmiraj make it over to this car. When this car is seen with less camo, we will get a better idea. Meanwhile, we hope and wait.

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  31. I hope the new LTS flagship will come standard with the 6.2L LT1 V8, since it’s pretty reliable and made for performance. A long list of luxury features should come either standard or optional on the LTS (i.e. soft close doors, rear-reclining seats). I figure the LTS might start at say $75,000. If it could be as good or better than the LS 460, it would be a true range topper. If there is going to be a V version of this car, it ought to have the new Z06’s supercharged 6.2L V8, which according to GM, has at least 625 HP and 635 lbs-ft of torque, and sell for around $125,000. The LTS flagship deserves nothing less than GM’s best performing engines. GM, please don’t screw this up.

    Reply
    1. I think the LTS should come standard with a 4.3L V6 (VVT, SIDI, AFM and iVVL) with 335HP and 310FT-LBS. Then have an optional 6.2L V8 (VVT, SIDI, AFM and iVVL) with 460HP and 475FT-LBS and a V-Series with a 6.2L S/C V8 (VVT, SIDI, AFM and iVVL) with 615HP and 625FT-LBS.

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  32. I just hope GM can make this work from an economic standpoint. It will take a decade before Caddy is viewed on par with the German offerings regardless of how many awards ATS, CTS and other models garner. (I really thought the back to back Motortrend awards would have a bigger effect.)
    In the meantime, GM needs to scale Omega as they have Alpha so that the platform trickles down into other divisions. A Buick flagship as well as something over at Chevy will aid in paying down development costs.
    A full Corvette line could serve as a start…

    Reply

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