There has been quite a bit of back and forth over Cadillac’s future and the potential for a flagship vehicle in the luxury brand’s portfolio. Last year, word broke the brand’s flagship sedan project, rumored to be called the Cadillac CT8, had been canceled. Six months later, Cadillac President Johan de Nysschen told GM Authority the flagship vehicle program was still on, but it would not be a four-door sedan.
Following those statements, Cadillac revealed the Escala concept, which technically is not a four-door sedan, if you want to pick nits. This fueled the fire for what may become of Cadillac’s flagship vehicle program.
Now, we have some strong words from de Nysschen again. The Cadillac chief stated the Escala “is a potential addition to our existing product plan” during the 2017 Geneva Motor Show. However, it came with a grain a salt, as he said it “[depends] on the development of [the] market segment for large luxury sedans.”
This statement, which made its way into an official Cadillac press release, is a strong one. However, since Cadillac has already confirmed it is indeed working on a flagship vehicle, these statements could be taken another way.
de Nysschen’s words may mean the flagship program has been underway without any influence from the Escala, and the Escala may literally be an additional vehicle to the brand’s five new nameplates coming in two years. This is in addition to the CTS and ATS switching over to Cadillac’s CT nomenclature and a “comprehensive enhancement to CT6 later during [its] life cycle,” per de Nysschen.
While nothing surrounding future product is entirely certain, one thing is: Cadillac is gearing up for a couple of very busy years.
Moving opposite to market trends.
With four model years recommended for purchase.
This example is a former NCRS award winner.
Many automakers oppose right-to-repair laws citing cybersecurity concerns.
Breaking out the spec sheets for a comparison.
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CT6, CT7, CT8, CT9.
Just a thought. How about everything over CT6 be named Escala. You can have a sedan, coupe and roadster. Meanwhile, all SUV's over XT6 if they make one, would be called Escalade. That way you have a premium luxury brand in the CT's and XT's and a ultra luxury brand in Escala and Escalade.
2021 CT7.
2024 NG CT6.
2025 CT8.
I love the Escala. This is the Design language that Cadillac needs to adopt!
Please make this.... Please make this!
JDN said recently that he is looking at a 15 year turn around for the Division . And the concept will look alot different by then . Cadillac should just go ahead with a " halo " car knowing that it may loose money building it , but that may be what it takes to draw attention to Cadillac from the younger crowd Cadillac wants so badly .
Zach, I have to admire JDN's ability to market himself to GM. He's evidently saying he needs another 15 years to turn around Cadillac, which presumably means moving it to a higher spot then 5th in the US luxury car market. It wasn't that much more than 15 years ago that Cadillac was number 1 in the US luxury market. Further, he's saying that he might create a model that loses money, for the good of the brand. And on top of that, he's saying he wants Cadillac to be more exclusive, also for the good of the brand.
So now he has a pre-made excuse for every potential failure. A particular model loses money? Hey we have to do that to help our long term, it's a halo car. The overall brand loses even more market share? That's good, it makes Cadillac more exclusive. No progress in turning Cadillac around is seen for the next 15 years? Don't sweat it, that's all part of JDN's master plan.
Meanwhile JDN gets to collect huge paychecks year after year, as there's no point in firing him for at least the next 15 years. Now I'm not saying he's doing a bad job - we simply don't know at this point, too soon to call. But he appears to be a master of establishing job security for himself. If GM is buying what he's selling, then the problem is at GM upper management. GM can't afford to let Cadillac take another 15 years to get on track.
I have never owned an American car. If this was available today, I would purchase it. However if they do decide to produce and it ends up in the showrooms 3 years from now- too late.
I would buy the car today if available! I saw the commercial twice last night. It's absolutely stunning.
Just put it in production, already! It's a fantastic car and don't understand how you are advertising for a car that's not available!!! When will it (possibly) be available? I have my check book ready to buy one NOW! Let's get on with it, shall we?!?!?!
I went into the dealership where I purchased my '13 CTS Sport Wagon and asked about the Escala. The salesperson said I was the 48th person to ask. In the same breath, he said we will never see it made. As a proud Cadillac owner, I say "Don't procrastinate! Build it!"