Automotive analysts have gazed into their crystal balls and pushed a few puzzle pieces together regarding the next-generation 2018 Buick Enclave and likely what will be called the Cadillac XT7.
The Lansing State Journal reports the Lansing Delta Township assembly plant will likely be home to the 2018 Enclave and a future, full-size Cadillac crossover. Currently, the Enclave is assembled at the Lansing facility on its archaic Lambda platform.
As for the Cadillac crossover, which is expected to slot between the 2017 Cadillac XT5 and Escalade, it too is expected to ride on the stretched variant of the C1XX platform, which underpins the 2018 Chevrolet Traverse and the forthcoming 2018 Enclave. Therefore, it’s widely thought Lansing will be home to the new CUV.
Previously, the GMC Acadia was built at the Lansing assembly, but moved to Spring Hill, Tennessee, to be built alongside the 2017 XT5. Both the XT5 and 2017 Acadia ride on identical, short-wheelbase variants of the C1XX platform. The old, full-size Acadia remains for a short while longer as the Acadia Limited.
GM recently invested $583 million into the Lansing Delta assembly plant to retool the facility for the C1XX platform, and seeing that crossovers are the ticket currently, the facility’s capacity will likely not be underutilized.
Comments
I guess here it goes to XT7 being as expensive as the Escalade
Highly unlikely that the XT7 will crest $100K like the Escalade.
That would represent a big jump from the XT5’s average selling prices.
Judging from the reasonable XT5 and CT6 starting prices, Cadillac has learned not to over price their new vehicles for fear of scaring off loyal and potential customers.
They may never come back.
It possibly could if Cadillac were to utilize their stellar Omega platform for the XT7, and give it an Escalade Platinum level interior quality. But since the XT7 likely isn’t going in the high-dollar CUV direction, it makes sense for Cadillac to price it closer to its platform mates.
That goes against the nature of the article.
It is saying that the Enclave and the ‘XT7’ will share the Lansing River production line because they will share the same platform.
That doesn’t work if the XT7 is built on the Omega.
It would then make more sense to move it to the CT6 production facility.
I’m saying it because the Enclave will be likely to be sold at high 40k to low 60k because the current Envision is selling at Enclave prices at higher trims. so I’m thinking the XT7 will be sold at high 60k to at least 70k
Envision was supposed to be niche. LOL
Who said that it was going to be a niche vehicle?
I think the niche title goes to the cascada
That’s a fair point but that still does not get it to Escalade territory which can sell for over $100K.
Top line High Country Traverse model starts at $50K! Buick new Enclave top of the line got to start around $60K! My guess is the top of line XT7 got to start at $70K!
Of course that would make no sense. There is a gap in their product portfolio between the $50 – 60,000 XT5 and the $70 – 100,000 Escalade, bot in size and price. Expect an XT7 to slot in between at $60 – 75,000.
It has been no ” secret ” at the Delta Facility it was gearing up for a possible 2019 launch of the CT7 or baby Escalade .
And a little known fact is that you will see design elements of the Escala’s front clip , housing horizontal headlights and tail lamps . This could be the model wearing the new face of Cadillac , which is JDN’s team responsible for it .
A much more luxurious SUV than the XT5 and capable of hauling 7-8 people .
There is always a reason for moving product around , especially to accomidate the room neccesary for new product launches . A truely American built luxury vehicle built by a highly educated workforce .
Yes, great to see them being built in America. Things are starting to turnaround for U.S. manufacturing and know-how. Next few years looks good.
The tail lights on the Escala are vertical. However, I agree that design elements of the Escala will start to appear in all future models.
Omega Based Active Chassis system rear steering etc would have made for a cool niche and better suited for moderate performance variants to compete with the Germans, but hey, why not settle for a dressed up Traverse, the Infinity QX60 does well enough
XT3 crossover (compact) ETUL(E2xx chassis) in 2018, XT7 crossover (large) C1yxx LWB( E2xx )chassis) in late 2018.