Between the Alpha-based ATS and CTS, the ELR and the 2015 Escalade, Cadillac’s lineup is relatively fresh and poised to do battle in the highly competitive luxury car market. The brand will have to keep up the hard work in order to remain competitive, and Automotive News has some guesses on some of Cadillac’s future product.
The long-awaited CTS-V performance variant of the CTS will arrive in mid-2015 as a 2016 model and like us, AN believes the car should receive the same 650 horsepower supercharged 6.2-liter V8 LT4 that will also power the 2015 Corvette Z06. However, some expect the motor to be a twin-turbo V8 instead. And it probably won’t make as much 650 ponies. On the more basic end, the standard CTS isn’t expected to receive any major updates until 2019.
As we know, the 2015 ATS Coupe will arrive at dealers shortly, while a slightly refreshed version of the sedan will arrive in mid-2015 for the 2016 model year. The ATS-V, in both ATS-V Sedan and ATS-V Coupe forms, is expected to arrive around same time as the CTS-V and will likely be powered by GM’s 3.6-liter twin turbocharged LF3 engine producing more than 420 horsepower.
The ELR plug-in hybrid will be due for a refresh in 2017. There has been no word about a Cadillac variant of the next-generation 2016 Chevrolet Volt as of yet, which is currently under development and due for a 2016 debut.
Cadillac’s flagship full-size SUV, the Escalade, is set to receive General Motors’ new 10-speed transmission it is co-developing with Ford in 2017, which should be the same time it receives its first styling tweaks. The mid-size SRX, meanwhile, will be updated in 2016 and will receive the nine-speed front-wheel drive gearbox, which is also a result of the Ford partnership. A large crossover is still under consideration, but won’t be ready before 2018.
Finally, the highly anticipated CT6 rear-wheel drive full-size sedan will arrive in 2015 or early 2016. It will be the first GM vehicle to sit atop the automaker’s new Omega platform and will receive styling cues from the well-received Elmiraj concept. AN is confident the car will receive the same 3.6-liter twin-turbocharged V6 LF3  and Aisin-sourced eight-speed transmission that is currently in the CTS Vsport; the flagship will eventually get the 10-speed transmission a year later in 2017. All-wheel-drive will also be available as an option. Lastly, the XTS is expected to stick around as a softer sedan to compliment the CTS.
Comments
Where is the CTS coupe, CTS convertible, CTS-L sedan, CTS-based cross-over?
Where is the ATS convertible, ATS-based cross-over, and a 2-seater coupe/roadster?
And most importantly, will the LTS spawn the Elmiraj-inspired coupe and convertible variants?
I firmly believe these models would cement Cadillac’s status as a first-tier brand. Without them, Cadillac’s revival will be half-hearted.
If BMW can fill so many narrow niches in its line-ups, then why can’t Cadillac at least try to flesh out its line-up with different bodystyles of its core ATS and CTS models??
The lack of CTS coupe is definitely a worry. I wonder if in GM’s backwards mind they think a CTS coupe would steal sales from the upcoming Alpha Camaro or vice-versa?
Regardless I see tons of CTS coupes with vanity plates and custom grilles, people here like buying them them to show off. So I think no CTS coupe is a bad mistake.
Consider this. BMW sells a 3 series sedan, touring (or station wagon) and GT (cross over) plus the 4 series in convertible, grand coupe (four door coupe) and coupe versions. That’s six models while Caddy sells only a sedan and coupe versions of it’s ATS. If you go for the 5 series and its coupe (six series version) you have a sedan, a touring (station wagon), GT (cross over) and 6 series coupe and grand coupe (four door coupe) to go against Cadillac’s sedan only CTS. Same goes for SUVs: x1, x3, x4, x5 and x6 against Cadillac’s Escalade and SRX. Convertibles? BMW Series 2, 4 and 6 plus Z4. Mercedes has the SLK, SL, SLR to be discontinued plus the E class convertible… Audi has the A3 and A5 cabriolets plus the TT…. Cadillac, has zero. Hard to compete in the lusury arena with so few possibilities as Cadillac is selling today,
The XTS needs to leave ounce we see the new LTS, the CTS Vsport shouldn’t have more than 8-speeds, a cheaper version of the 8L90 should be used, their needs to be a CTS coupe, and the SRX should go on alpha, X5 uses a RWD based chassis, SRX should too.
I believe that there will not be another CTS Coupe and/or Wagon. The ATS will spawn Convertible and Wagon variants sooner or later. The LTS will come out as a sedan only. The SRX should either be moved to the Extended Alpha Platform or get a Standard Haldex AWD System on the E2XX Platform. The ELR should get the next-generation Voltec technology when it comes out. The XTS should stay here because it is beneficial to fleet sales without reducing resale value on regular model’s. The Escalade should get the 10-Speed Automatic and maybe a few updates around 2017. Most importantly, Cadillac really needs an Alpha-Based X1/GLK competitor.
I can’t wait to 2017 for the 10 speed. That’s too d@mn long!
Does anyone else see a problem here with the flagship having a V6? Is Cadillac ever going to get it right? Why would you even offer a V6 on a car that is suppose to take on the big boys around the world like the S-class, A8 etc. I hope this news on the flagship is wrong or at least that they will offer a V8 as a option. AN did not mention a V8 so I guess we will have to see.
If the LTS arrives with a V6, it is doomed. The LTS needs to have a V8. A variant of the LT1, (500hp) as a base would be a good start. If Cadillac is to be taken seriously as a head to head with MB, BMW, Audi, and Lexus, then it needs to have a true flagship to compete with the S Class, 7 Series, and A8.
It will also need a Coupe variant off the Omega platform (Elmiraj) and the engine could be the 4.5 TT 550hp under development. The gearbox should be the new 9-spd auto.
To further the cause of Cadillac being a top tier competitior , a variant of the CIEL convertible could arrive around 2019, along with the much needed SUV to slot in between the SRX and Escalade, and a much smaller one , think CUV, below the SRX.
I do agree that Cadillac needs a CTS Coupe and conv. (think BMW 6 Series) and an ATS conv. and wagon. Cadillac must be competitive in all segments if it is to be taken seriously. Eventually Cadillac should be a “stand alone” division. Not sharing platforms, engines, or features with any other division. Then….it will be time for Cadillac to be Great again…and “The Standard of the World”!
I have been a Cadillac guy all my life, but what in the hell is going on with Cadillac? all these alphabet names for their cars, no variety of v-8’s to chose from, no REAL flagship car. I know we are in the new world of space saving and fuel economy but Cadillac could still make v-8 cars and still be leading the pack. Cadillac’s competition offer v-8’s, v-6 and 4 cylinder cars. No ATS coupe or convertible? WTF
Cadillac needs to make a retractable roof like you have on the Pontiac G6 that would be a real seller I know because my wife driving Pontiac G6 and can’t wait till General motors come back out with another retractable topthank you David