Remember the contested spy shots, reportedly of a large Cadillac crossover undergoing testing? Well, it wasn’t a Cadillac, according to the brand’s president, Johan de Nysschen.
In speaking with Automotive News, de Nysschen stated that the program for a larger crossover has not entered prototype stages yet, clearing up the confusion over the spy shots.
“It’s not running yet,” he said. “It is a program request that we initiated with the engineers only last year. They are working at remarkable, record-breaking speed to get us the car.”
The Cadillac chief went on to explain how the brand will manage bringing three all-new crossovers to market in a relatively short period of time. Part of the formula is the C1XX platform, and its flexibility. The platform, spawned from E2XX, gives engineers great amounts of flexibility to adapt the platform to the needs of a certain vehicle.
“It’s one of the benefits of having this very flexible architecture,” de Nysschen said at the XT5 media drive. “We can expand it, make it longer and wider. That gives us the ability to develop the car very quickly, as opposed to starting from scratch.”
Flexibility such as the one demonstrated with C1XX will allow for a large, three-row crossover to arrive before 2020. It will be flanked by two smaller crossovers to fill the lineup below the 2017 Cadillac XT5.
As for the contested spy shots? They are likely of the second-generation 2018 Chevrolet Traverse or 2018 Buck Enclave, both of which will ride on the long-wheelbase version of C1.
Comments
The crossovers can not come to market soon enough. Hopefully the segment is still hot when Cadillac finally gets to the party.
Cadillac needs to fill the slot between the XT5 and Escalade first. We have a lot more customers looking for such a model, not smaller than the XT5. Also, patiently waiting for convertibles and V-Sport Models on the crossovers!
Brendin — the compact space below the XT5 — the one currently dominated by the likes of the X3, Q5, and GLK/GLC — is a much larger segment than the one above the XT5. The sales volume in the compact segment is 20-25 times greater than the full-size luxury crossover space, at least for the time being. In other words, for every one full-size luxury CUV sold, 20-25 compact ones go out.
As a side note: the reason that customers or prospective customers do not “come in” looking for a compact model at Cadillac dealerships currently is because they are (generally) well aware that Cadillac currently does not make such a vehicle. Hence, they’re already buying crossovers of that size from BMW (X3), Audi (Q5), and Mercedes (GLC/GLK).
In that segment you mentioned, Alex, how much market share and ATP does the Lexus NX command?
Well, I’ll first state the following:
1. The Lexus NX is a new model, so demand for it is currently higher (out of the gate) compared to when it will have been on the market for a while (24 months or so), which is when demand equals out post-release.
2. The Lexus NX is priced about $5,000 below the German compact crossovers, likely as a result of Toyota understanding that it can’t sell a luxurious RAV4 for the same amount as rivals on more capable and more exclusive architectures.
For instance, the Lexus NX starts at $34,954, while the:
BMW X3 starts at $38,950
Audi Q5 starts at $39,950
Mercedes-Benz GLC starts at $40,900
From a sales standpoint, here are February 2016 sales figures for the U.S.
BMW X3: 3,733
MBZ GLC-Class: 3,278
Audi Q5: 2,421 (constrained by supply, as these come out of one factory for the globe)
Lexus NX: 3,709
The NX currently has the most proper mix of “freshness” and available inventory. The GLC-Class is newer (higher on the freshness scale) and much better, but inventory levels are low, with initial customers still waiting for their orders to be fulfilled/delivered.
And finally, I feel like I must mention that the NX has nowhere near the mind share in this class as the German rivals. I currently don’t have access to ATPs, but the NX’s ATPs are lower than the rest, and have been sinking for the last year as initial demand from early adopters (who tend to spend much more than “average” customers) has dropped off. This will continue being the case as the BMW, Mercedes, and Audi introduce the high-performance variant of their compact CUVs (X3M, GLC AMG, and Audi RSQ5), while Lexus will be a sitting duck with the incapable RAV4-based NX.
“And finally, I feel like I must mention that the NX has nowhere near the mind share in this class as the German rivals. I currently don’t have access to ATPs, but the NX’s ATPs are lower than the rest, and have been sinking for the last year as initial demand from early adopters (who tend to spend much more than “average” customers) has dropped off. This will continue being the case as the BMW, Mercedes, and Audi introduce the high-performance variant of their compact CUVs (X3M, GLC AMG, and Audi RSQ5), while Lexus will be a sitting duck with the incapable RAV4-based NX.”
Thank you. Exactly what I was getting at. Especially in mind share and prestige. Cadillac’s marketing and product planning must have assumed people buying luxury CUVs don’t care about the performance, capability, and design, and it may be true for many, but BMW/Benz/Audi rewards buyers who DO CARE and DO THEIR RESEARCH with the assurance that they DIDN’T OVERPAY. Cadillac is going to punish buyers who do their research, by telling them they could’ve gotten a Buick, GMC, or even a Chevy for a lower price, and only the features the buyer cares about.
At the end, you mentioned performance and overall capability. To expand on that point, here’s a part of that equation DeNysschen didn’t consider: Towing capability. People with the money for toys such as boats and campers would have the money for a CUV priced similar to the Germans. For those applications, a solid RWD/4WD powertrain is a far more superior setup to use.
This was my concern about the AWD system in the Focus RS and XT5. That GKN unit gave Cadillac the cheap, easy way out. Given how platform sharing hurt Cadillac’s image, and how internal competition hurt GM entirely, you’d think Cadillac would be the last to do this.
Alex, which one is most likely to be made into a full V version? JDN did say that one was coming to challenge the Porsche Cayenne in performance.
The one with the biggest chance of that happening will be whatever is based on a proper architecture for a V vehicle. Namely, longitudinally-engined and rear-wheel-drive-based AWD. In other words, the Alpha platform.
From what we know, the crossover with the best chance of being placed on the Alpha platform is the XT3, which is presumed to be the analogue to the next-gen ATS, itself probably named CT3. So, that’s the one I’d expect to get the V treatment, and it would make a great rival to the new Alfa Romeo Stelvio and its high-performance variant, the Stelvio Quadrifoglio.
http://fcauthority.com/2016/11/2018-alfa-romeo-stelvio-first-impressions/
In addition to that, there are rumblings that BMW, Mercedes-Benz, and Audi will all have high-performance variants of their own vehicles in this segment, namely the BMW X3 (X3M), GLC-Class (GLC63 AMG), and Q5 (RSQ5).
As for JDN’s remarks about the Cayenne: I believe what he said is that he would like such a vehicle to be part of the lineup, not that one is actually coming. The Cayenne is in the next size segment over the aforementioned vehicles, where it competes with the X5, GLE-Class, and Maserati Levante. If Cadillac wants to have an SUV that will hold a candle to those vehicles, then it will need to base the next-gen XT5 on the CTS replacement (Alpha 2).
At least that’s my take.
So it sounds like the full-size Cadillac crossover will be based on the stretched E2XX like the Traverse and Enclave. So much for the awesome Omega platform or for being the standard of the world.
Yeah, this is disappointing. So far there seems to be no indication of a RWD-based CUV coming from Cadillac, which means there will continue to be a great deal of platform and powertrain sharing!
I genuinely hope that Cadillac won’t forego their impeccable performance achievements, as seen in their sedans, for soft riding, underpowered CUVs! You may as well stick with getting the Buick versions and save a few grand!
“I genuinely hope that Cadillac won’t forego their impeccable performance achievements, as seen in their sedans, for soft riding, underpowered CUVs! You may as well stick with getting the Buick versions and save a few grand!”
That’s exactly how it’s looking, J. With Buick getting nicer interiors with more features, what more will set a Cadillac CUV from its GM counterparts?
Cadillac has not confirmed what platform their large crossover will be based on. It may well still be Omega based.
I mean, the above article pretty much confirms it… doesn’t it? E2XX LWB will be it… seemingly.
You are right. An auto executive always puts their plans out there in the open years in advance right?
Sometimes yes, other times no. But in this case, it would seem like a yes.
In the following quote, he is referring to E2:
“It’s one of the benefits of having this very flexible architecture,” de Nysschen said at the XT5 media drive. “We can expand it, make it longer and wider. That gives us the ability to develop the car very quickly, as opposed to starting from scratch.”
Based on that, am I off base to draw the conclusion that the architecture to underpin Cadillac’s upcoming large crossover will be long wheelbase E2? I don’t think I am.
You could be right. There is no denying those were his words.
Looks like he’ll have to eat his words about Infiniti execs being more concerned about driver’s aids than driver’s cars. Cadillac is doing the same thing by relying on features to sell a world-class car.
I wish Ellinghaus would tap him on the shoulder, but something tells me he’s on board with it too.
So, the only thing that’s really changed is their address.
So basically DeNysschen gave up on making Cadillac an uncompromising global luxury brand? What happened to competing with the German Big Three, and other prestigious luxury brands? What happened to building a performance crossover that will “make the Cayenne blush?”
I was sure that product hiatus was for engineering CUV variants of the Alpha and Omega platforms. I also thought Cadillac moved to New York so they have the freedom to do better than this.
Looks like Cadillac is going to target Lexus, Lincoln, Acura, and Buick. I’m thoroughly disappointed.
I’m afraid that’s precisely where Cadillac is taking their CUVs: to be competitive with Lincoln, Lexus, Acura, and its own sibling company Buick! I suppose this is due to the fact that not many buyers in this segment are looking for performance or sportiness. Most want a luxury badge with an affordable pricetag! After reading the initial reviews of XT5, this is exactly what Cadillac achieved!
Hopefully all these upcoming crossovers will be developed with some of the performance traits currently available in Cadillac’s lineup!
I think Cadillac is using their resources wisely and doing what they need to in order to be profitable.
Cadillac can still do a distinctive and truly luxurious vehicle despite the origins of the platform.
Also I still expect their to be a V-Sport variant to satisfy the performance minded client.
I’m hoping for that! I agree that Cadillac can easily make a solid, competitive luxury CUV regardless of its powertrain and platform. My biggest concern is how will they engineer, price, and market these future crossovers to be more appealing than the ones within the GM company.
Which is why many are expecting RWD-based CUVs, which will better capture Cadillac’s current performance agenda. However, a V-Sport variant of their FWD-based CUVs would be very welcomed! And would do well at distinguishing themselves from the rest of GM’s crossovers!
I agree that everyone is slamming the agenda a little to soon. This is the first foray into the new crossover ethos. There is more to come.
The XT5 will be successful and allow Cadillac to progress and get the investment capital to do more adventurous models down the line.
It’s Cadillac’s first foray into the crossover space, and it’s starting all wrong. How do you expect to compete with the Mercedes-Benz GL/GLS plus the upcoming BMW X7 and Lexus’ LS-based full-size CUV (all of which are or will be RWD-based) when you are lugging around an empty axle and a nose-heavy front end?
Cadillac got quite the investment from GM to invest into product and to build its autonomy. Is this truly the result of it? If so, there was never any autonomy needed. They could have simply built this vehicle sitting at the Ren Cen during product planning meetings with the rest of the brands, without spending money on New York, lavish offices, or relocating its employees there.
Realistically Alex the XT5 was already in gestation before the $12B investment from GM. There is more to come.
Please note that at no point did JdN say for sure that the ‘XT7’ would be based on the E2XX chassis. That is the supposition and possibly even likely but that is not a foregone conclusion but not a certainty.
My point in that is that there maybe a worthy competitor to the GLS/X7 crowd that is RWD based but even if it is not RWD based the Cadillac competitor to those models will be extremely competitive and competent.
Competent and competitive with what, though?
It will be the XTS in the world of 7 series, S Classes, and Lexus LSes. That doesn’t sound that great.
Cadillac will never do an XTS level vehicle again. Cadillac’s core competency has grown to much for that.
But they just did with the XT5, and they will with the upcoming CUVs. Lexus can get away with it because they don’t have a brand bridging the gap between them and Toyota. Cadillac has Buick. As I said before, Buick is becoming FWD Cadillac. If Cadillac continues building FWD Cadillacs, what separates them from Buick other than an inflated price point and a few features?
I wonder how many potential buyers are aware that the gestation period of Cadillacs coming on-market still harken back to the days of cost-cutting?
They’re better than they were. But still, luxury givens like retractable side mirrors with turn signals, or RWD – too expensive to include back in the dark days.
And if u can’t match Merc or BMW, you are left competing with Lincoln and Acura.
I know it’s probably too late, but I wish we could just call the platforms C1 and E2 (and K2, etc); the XX are just wildcards for the individual model.
I think Cadillac is looking at the success of the Encore and Traxx and desperately wants a model of their own in that segment . The Encore is already refreshening the model and Chevy is adding different variations of their Traxx . Cadillac is playing catch-up . Let’s hope Cadillac isn’t in too much of a hurry and go down that road of rebadging their model .
With GMC continuing to build the old Acadia along with the new model it shows that there is still a market for the 7-8 passenger CUV . So I am a bit confused that Johan wants to spend most of his attention going to the sub-compact market , the XT3 . I just read an article that the 7-8 passenger market is still a hot segment for growth .
Something isn’t adding up , no ” new ” 3- row Acadia and Cadillacs version still in the development stage . Plus news is the Enclave will soldier on for another model year . Things seem to be pushed back for the 2018 MY .
Yes¡¡ Cadillac listening the market.
Must have did before, when Caddy only listen to itself
But which market is Cadillac “listening” to? The premium, near-luxury market that Lexus and Acura compete in with their incapable FWD-based crossovers, or the full-luxury prestige market that is defined by BMW, Mercedes-Benz, and Audi?
If they’re going to base their crossovers on FWD platforms like C1 (which is ok for Chevy, Buick and GMC, but not for Cadillac), then it’s obvious that they are targeting Lexus and Acura… not BMW, Benz, or Audi. So much for performance luxury.
Ive said it before and ill say it again, how Cadillac only has one crossover in its lineup is beyond me. It is a major blunder on GMs part. Why not rebadge the Acadia as Caddy? The SRX was a rebadge.
What happened to only RWD vehicles at Cadillac. Is the Alpha platform not suitable as a crossover? I want someone from Cadillac to explain it to me. Why dont these interviews ask real questions?
Well, the XT5 is on the same bones as the 2017 Acadia:
http://gmauthority.com/blog/2016/02/comparing-the-exterior-proportions-of-the-2017-cadillac-xt5-to-the-2017-gmc-acadia-dimensional-brief/
I thoroughly agree about Cadillac needing crossovers on Alpha and Omega, not this FWD/Transverse-engine stuff. Not quite sure what they’re thinking and am thoroughly disappointed as a GM fan, Cadillac enthusiast, and ATS owner.
Regrettably Cadillac appears to be content with just getting the most bang for their buck by leveraging existing platforms and aiming for the meatiest part of the prospective segments.
Like it or not the RX and the MDX are the meatiest part of the midsized luxury segment so Cadillac is correct to aim for them.
The largest growth segment for crossovers is the subcompact segment which is where the XT3 is expected to compete.
I to was hoping news of Bavarian hunting crossovers however they do not sell as well as the more pedestrian versions.
Cadillac first has to get well before looking to conquer. There is no harm is building a world class vehicle that stacks up well against anything it is intended on competing against.
“I to was hoping news of Bavarian hunting crossovers however they do not sell as well as the more pedestrian versions.”
They can offer more engine choices, can perform better on and off road, can tow luxury toys more effectively, and offer performance variants, therefore they can command thousands more in revenue per unit than their more pedestrian rivals .
Meanwhile, Hyundai is rolling out an all-RWD/AWD lineup for the new and unproven Genesis brand. Hyundai dared greater than Cadillac. Hyundai.
That’s a little excessive about the Genesis ‘brand’. They have 1 model. There is no way to say exactly what their line up will be once completely sorted out.
‘They can offer more engine choices, can perform better on and off road, can tow luxury toys more effectively, and offer performance variants, therefore they can command thousands more in revenue per unit than their more pedestrian rivals .’
That maybe the case however those models represent a small percentage of the segment. How many luxury crossover owners actually do any ‘real’ off-roading that any decent AWD system couldn’t handle?
As for on-road performance about the same amount of owners take their crossovers to the track. Come on, as much as the enthusiast in me wants these vehicles the reality is that they do not matter as much as you are letting on.
If I said that knowing that your vehicle is very much capable of doing those things is an assurance worth paying for, would you agree with me? Isn’t that Land Rover’s claim to fame? Most Range Rover buyers won’t take it offroad, but Land Rover builds them for those that will. Those that won’t still know that the moment that they take it offroad, their SUV will perform flawlessly because THAT’S WHAT LAND ROVER DOES and THEY PAID FOR IT.
Yes, you are right. Land Rover has an impeccable off road reputation and you are also correct that most buyers will never see any ‘real’ off-road activity.
Why would Cadillac want to chase Land Rover with their paltry 70K a year volume in NA?
I agree though that most luxury buyers buy based on reputation and perception rather that reality and need.
Basing a crossover on a RWD platform is not about off roading or taking the crossover to the track. Not at all. Never has been.
What it is about is the better driving dynamics and better design proportions, which are expected from a luxury vehicle priced as a luxury vehicle.
A FWD platform is alright, but vehicles based on such an architecture with a transversely mounted engine (read: nose heavy) are nowhere close to being as fun to drive as those with a RWD/longitudinal configuration. These are things you notice when making turns, taking on/off ramps, and driving twisty mountain roads to your skiing destination… in other words, you notice it in daily driving. And owners of RWD/longitudinal engined crossovers (X5, GLE/ML, and to a certain extent the Q7) recognize and appreciate this. So that’s the driving dynamics argument.
As for design, the long overhangs and short axle to dash ratios of FWD-based models make them less attractive from a design standpoint.
All in all, the arguments for and against RWD-based CUVs are the same as they are for sedans and coupes. But it seems that Cadillac, even with its new management, has become okay with delivering crossovers on GM platforms rather than having its own. Are FWD-based sedans and coupes next?
Don’t forget bragging rights. When European CUV buyers drop cash on their X3+,Q5+,GLC+, etc., they also buy the right to brag about what their CUV CAN do, even if the owner DOES’T do it. That ups brand perception.
Picture the conversation, two executives, Bob and Richard, are enjoying bourbon at a winter resort:
Then the argument goes to versatility: RWD/4WD CUVs can be a people mover, tow respectable loads with stability and traction, venture off-road, and handle great on the road, all while looking sexy and/or rugged. FWD CUVs can haul people and overall look awkward (sometimes “cute”) with its stubby proportions and that’s about it.
Agreed Alex, I would say while GM and Cadillac are doing great things of late, they need to stop all this talk of Cadillac operating as a separate unit of GM. While I understand why they are doing it, it simply makes no sense as Cadillac will forever be linked to GM and GM’s SOP. And this crossover faze is a prime example.
Not to mention how the all-new weight savings and chassis stiffening techniques like mixed materials construction, laser, welding, and everything else used to build the Omega platform are going to waste. Cadillac is telling us that expensive platform will only be used on 2 or 3 low volume vehicles?
I would let them get things done first and just see what you get.
There are few limitations on what you can do with any platform with enough money. Many of these models can be solid AWD based platforms that could really show some real performance. Just because we have not seen Chevy do it does not mean it can not happen.
Just look at Audi and how well their cars are done. Most are the best CUV and SUV models out there right now.
As of now Cadillac has to make sure they can gain in image and stature with the $40K-100K segment before they start chasing Porsche.
How many times do we have to see Cadillac try to sell a mega buck car before they have earned the trust and respect of the public? Do we not have enough XLRv’s For sales cheap now to get that point across?
Yes Hyundai has been bringing out luxury models but yet they are not burning up the sales charts and are not really competing with any German brands yet.
So if some of you thing GM could toss out a $120K-140K suv and really make a dent in the market before they fix their image on the other range of vehicle well all I can say is Bless your heart!
Now we KNOW Chevy won’t do it. If they won’t engineer a solid RWD/4WD platform for Cadillac, what makes you think the Chevy Blazer won’t come back for a mommy-mobile makeover like the Nissan Pathfinder and the Ford Explorer?
Out of the German 3, Audi is considered the lesser of the trio.
How many times do we need to see Cadillac try to sell a shiny gussied-up remix that caused them to lose public trust and respect in the first place?
That’s because Genesis as a brand hasn’t even launched yet. They are venturing into uncharted territory with full effort and execution.
Lastly, if you think anyone is talking about a $120k-140k SUV, you missed the point entirely. The disappointment is that the upcoming CUVs won’t be getting the engineering effort they deserve that could make them the German-busters DeNysschen SAID they would be building. Ewe Ellinghaus said Cadillac won’t be competing with Lexus, Buick, Acura, and Lincoln, but their most crucial product offerings will do exactly that.
My thoughts exactly, Curtnik!
Cadillac should be well beyond the days of badge-engineering vehicles! Despite what they can do with exterior and interior design! Audi has proven, FWD-based technology that can easily match its RWD-based German competitors! GM does not! The best they can do is employ the third party GNK AWD system; now to be used in both Buick and GMC applications! Possibly even Chevy! So what’s gonna make the next FWD Caddy CUV worth it? Unless they can legitimately invest some serious dollars into reengineering these existing FWD platforms to make these Caddys stand out from a ride and handling standpoint, I don’t see Cadillac being very successful in this segment!
Scott,
Audi does well indeed. As it should: its architectures from the A4 and above are not shared with Volkswagen-branded vehicles. The only exception is the Touareg/Q7 and A8/Phaeton, and those are largely niche VW vehicles with high price tags that started life as Audis.
But one of the things that make Audi so successful is solid engineering. Did you know that the Audi vehicles on the MLB platform (A4 and above) have a longitudinal engine configuration? True, they drive the front wheels by default when not optioned with quattro… but the weight distribution is much better than a transverse-FWD setup, therefore contributing to much better front-rear weight distribution/balance and thus translating to decent driving dynamics. The C1XX is nowhere close to doing the same. Though it is decent, it is nowhere near as good as Audi’s MLB.
In addition, I don’t think anyone is talking about a $120,000 price point. The only true full-size luxury crossover on the market today is the Benz GL/GLS. It has a starting price of $65,000. BMW will follow with an X7 and Audi with a Q8/Q9. Those will all start within a few thousand of each other. Plus, Lexus is working on a full-size crossover that will be the CUV equivalent of the LS. It will also be RWD. Cadillac will be the lame duck with a FWD-based crossover that shares its bones with the second-gen Chevy Traverse and Buick Enclave. Meanwhile, the excellent Omega architecture goes to waste. Does that seem like a sound strategy to you?
Alex some here are thinking G wagon and Porsche it is even in the statements and that price range is not yet Cadillac territory even if they build one.
Here is the other issue. JDN comes to Cadillac and has to basically revamp the entire line in one way or another. SUV and CUV models are much easier to do as there is much less demand on them by the public. A sedan must be spot on but a CUV like the SRX people are less forgiving.
Cadillac needs new product now in the SUV and CUV market. Cadillac neither has the time or the money to do all the models full on new on their own platforms. Over time they can spin this off bur for now they must use what is given.
I expect plans for the Omega as they will have to leverage it yet. This is not a one and done platform not is it going to just be used for the CT8 only.
The real question is can the Alpha and Omega support a SUV in the first place with out a large investment? At this point I can not say as I have never seen where GM has offered that it could. I know we saw a Zeta used for a Denali show car but it never went production. I know with the large amount of money anything can be done but I would like to hear from GM if it could be done. The Porsche and VW are not so heavy because they want them to be.
Lets just see just what they have planned before we go off the deep end. Who ever though the Enclave would be one of the segment leaders for so many years yet today even out dated as it is.
I just find it hard to panic too much when you have no idea what is really coming and just exactly how it turns out. They could be bad but we have yet to even see the first new product from the present management at Cadillac.
I am willing to let them show me what they bring before I will condemn them. If they get it right and sales and sales are good they will get the credit if they fail and sale or profits slip then I will condemn.
At this point the only things we know are what is shoe above in a semi clear idea of a platform being used. Outside of that we know nothing Is it not fair we really have some idea before we leap off this cliff?
Some say they are not getting the engineering they deserve? I say prove it. Some say they are going to be wrong for the market. Then tell me where you have seen the full product. Some may even want to claim they drive poorly at this point? I would challenge and say where did you drive one?
How can we critic the pricing does anyone here have what they will charge or plan to charge accurate?
What is next will they claim the future mid engine Vette not even acknowledged by GM yet is a poor sports car?
My point is it is a little premature to make a lot of claims either way. I just think they need to show what they are for sure bringing before we condemn them.
One more note. Keep in mind while the basic platform may be shared the engineer like Audi is going to be done by people from Cadillac and no one from any where else in GM will participate. They have put their own staff together and will do their own work in engineering and styling. No more farming the same Chevy engineer to Cadillac.
Two different artist can start with the same canvas and end up with two totally different results.
I think Cadillac has two sets of customers. Those that want the performance and luxury… and those that want the luxury with some more luxury. They could honestly have 2 lines of cars. 1 line that is the pinnacle of the GM platform cars (Buick’s with real wood and higher end fabrics and Bose panaray) as well as their performance vehicles to take on BMW and Mercedes. Audi is the only one that seems capable of bridging the gap between a volume FWD vehicle and performance vehicle in the mind’s of CUV/SUV buyer’s with their Quattro. I’m not sure that would sell as well as it does if they did not have the German “mind share”. So, I say, fill the gap with what you have. Give it as much performance credibility as you can while keeping in mind that even if you have something better than Quattro (And it should strive to be…) it won’t be good enough. But bring the performance to market (rwd/awd Omega, Alpha) because it is how you will maintain future viability.
Curtnik says:
March 15, 2016 at 10:41 am
But they just did with the XT5, and they will with the upcoming CUVs. Lexus can get away with it because they don’t have a brand bridging the gap between them and Toyota. Cadillac has Buick. As I said before, Buick is becoming FWD Cadillac. If Cadillac continues building FWD Cadillacs, what separates them from Buick other than an inflated price point and a few features?
I ran out of space to reply to you above:
The XT5 is in no way similar to the XT5 in terms of execution. There has not been a bad review of the vehicle that I have read so far. That could not be said for the XTS when it came out.
From all accounts the new XT5 will do more for Cadillac than any other current model save for maybe the Escalade.
I’m getting sick of it. Johan is talking about the vegetables. Only cheap models ahead. What about the cayenne /x5 competitor ,the upcoming x7 rival?
We will get unbalanced looking (like the xt5) fwd based cheap crap. And im sure they will look dated.
What about the EXPENSIVE RWD BASED CARS?
Cadillac does not get it.. still… Very sad… idiots.
Take ur dated lookin ct6 and put it in the place where it came from: cadillac’s *ss…
Dont expect anything special from them , guys. Only concepts,,.
I guess that you all didn’t like my comment about being able to sale 5-10 Cadillac Ciel Convertibals within one year.