Cadillac’s marketing chief Uwe Ellinghaus recently sat down with Car and Driver to discuss the focus of the brand’s products going forward. The automaker has its sights set on expanding its SUV lineup, beginning with that elusive three-row crossover we’ve been hearing about for over four years.
The first Cadillac three-row crossover rumors indicated that the vehicle would join the next-generation of General Motors’ Lambda-based SUVs, which currently consist of the Chevrolet Traverse, GMC Acadia and Buick Enclave. Then in March of this year we heard the company was scrapping that project to focus on building a crossover to slot beneath the SRX and another large crossover that will do battle with the likes of the Mercedes-Benz GL. Ellinghaus wouldn’t put the Lambda rumors to rest, though.
“It’s not off the table, but I also do not want to confirm anything or comment with speculation. Give us a little time,” he told C&D.
One of the rumors surrounding future Cadillac crossovers is that at least one will be a large rear-wheel drive model based on GM’s new Omega architecture, which will also underpin the brand’s impending full-size S-Class fighter. Putting another vehicle on Omega would help make up for the platform’s development costs, especially an SUV which would predictably sell in larger numbers than the full-size sedan will.
“It is our clear conviction that Cadillac’s future is rear-wheel drive,” Ellinghaus said. “The next-generation SRX we’ll keep front-wheel drive because we have tremendous success with the current car, and front-wheel drive has advantages for the package, interior roominess, and cost. That said, we must make a decision. Our future is rear-wheel drive and, of course, all-wheel drive that we will offer where required and appropriate. So expect future SUVS from Cadillac to be rear-wheel-derived, particularly big ones.”
The aforementioned small crossover that would slot beneath the SRX was also acknowledged by Ellinghaus. This vehicle would enter the sales race against the BMW X1, Mercedes-Benz GLA250 and the Audi Q3. The marketing exec all but confirmed the small SUVs production, saying a smaller vehicle than the SRX is something Cadillac will “need for the future.”
Comments
Well who here did see this coming?
In fact several of us predicted this long ago.
TheSRX also remaining FSD was as given.
Watch for an alpha based SUV yet to come.
I’ve been saying this since rumors of the Omega platform and a three row crossover arose. It’s essential to be RWD, I wish the next SRX would be RWD, but I am not surprised by it being FWD. This will be a great area for Cadillac to get into but such a large crossover will not fill the need for a sporty, performance crossover. I have high hopes for an alpha based crossover but I don’t think it should target the X1. This is what I would like to see:
Alpha based crossover- competitor to the X3 and GLK
SRX- competitor to X5 and M class
Omega three row- competitor to the coming X7 and GL class
This would be a great lineup covering the key areas of the crossover market.
It makes sense to leverage the cost of the Omega platform by expanding its application to a crossover. Quite honestly, I don’t see how selling another Lambda-based crossover would not be considered badge engineering. I understand it’ll be cheaper to produce and sell, but wouldn’t it be over saturation? This is one of the things that bug me about the next SRX remaining on the same FWD platform as its corporate siblings. But since the SRX is profitable, I guess it can be justified. Nevertheless it still needs more exclusivity to make it a Cadillac, and not just a luxurious Chevrolet. The driving dynamics need to be in a whole different league from the corporate siblings.
I’m sure the Omega-based crossover will have some of the utility of the Escalade, while being in a smaller package. With an IRS suspension, it should be quite spacious. But most importantly, it’s driving dynamics should be stellar!
I agree with David. Is there truly a market for the X1 or GLA? Cadillac needs to thoroughly compete with the X3 and GLK.
They need:
KRX – Alpha
1.8t I4 with 250HP and 260-280LB-FT
2.5tdi I4 with 225HP and 310-325LB-FT
7-Speed DCT
SRX – E2XX
2.0t I4 with 290HP and 300-315LB-FT
3.2t V6 with 380HP and 395-410LB-FT
9-Speed Automatic
LRX – Omega
2.8t V6 with 330HP and 340-355LB-FT
3.6tt V6 with 450HP and 460-475LB-FT
8-Speed Automatic