Cadillac Boss Says Performance SUVs Are On The Table
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If there’s one area where Cadillac has certainly lagged behind its rivals it’s in the sport crossover and SUV department.
Road & Track says the automaker is looking to remedy that problem, though. The publication recently sat down with Cadillac boss Steve Carlisle for an interview and asked him if performance SUVs were in the pipeline. His response?
“I say why not.”
Carlisle was quick to point out that performance crossovers and SUVs will never replace true sports offerings at Cadillac, though – welcome news for anyone who is a fan of previous V-Series products and wants to see more hardcore Cadillac sports cars and sports sedans.
“You’re dealing with higher [centers of gravity], weight distributions, everything like that,” he added.
As we reported last month, the next-generation Cadillac Escalade will offer a high-performance model of some sort. It’s not clear if General Motors will choose to put one of its pushrod V8s in the car, such as the supercharged 6.2-liter LT4 engine used in the previous-generation CTS-V, or if it will opt for the newer, twin-turbocharged DOHC 4.2-liter LTA V8. A different engine entirely could also be used – very little is known about this upcoming Escalade variant.
The Escalade isn’t the only vehicle from Cadillac’s crossover/SUV portfolio that is rumored to get the performance treatment. Photos alleging to show a rear end of an alleged Cadillac XT4-V were sent to GM Authority last month, potentially hinting at the arrival of such a model, but we were unable to verify the authenticity of the photos.
Cadillac now employs a two-tier V-Series strategy as well, so any performance crossovers and SUVs that arrive will likely fall under this split strategy. That means we see softer, less intense performance crossovers and SUVs from Cadillac first, just as we saw the CT4-V and CT5-V before the expected Blackwing versions. This is assuming its performance crossovers and SUVs fall under the V-Series brand, of course.
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How could they not have this on the table for one of the most iconic SUV’s on the market? How come they’ve not done this yet? GM has a stable of proven HI PO engines plus the new Blackwing. They’ve been complacent with the current one. Just do it already.
Would have liked it better if he had said in the way. Even with you still can’t be sure about Cadillac. They love to make promises then change their minds.
I can only imagine what a Hi-PO variant would cost… with Tahoe pricing already reaching 80k+
I would love to see a 2 Door – Tahoe option…..
I will like they offering performance off-roading SUV, not track roading performance SUV.
I know this is going to be a longer read than what most people are going to care to read about, but i wrote in on the Ford Authority side last night. Although I’m happy that GM is adding performance to Cadillac, I’m truly beginning to worry about the future of GM. Talks of ending the Camaro, upcoming engines, a bronco fighter, a new midsize truck, etc are all pointing to signs of very bad things to come and it’s truly sad because it doesn’t have to be. The new “Blazer” was honestly a terrible idea. They should have never done that to that nameplate.
What I do think would be a wise move for General motors, would be to first and foremost, leave China completely. That GM should focus strictly on the American lineups of Chevrolet, GMC, Buick and Cadillac, and the Australian lineup of Holden and that’s it. It would help GM a lot if they were to do that. Along with returning their factories to American soil to help build the country back up again and boost brand loyalty again here in this country.
Secondly, GM, needs to realize that not everyone is thrilled about the idea of the future being full of electric, hybrid or autonomous vehicles. Some people do, but a lot of us don’t. Some of us just want a car company, that actually still just makes good cars. It doesn’t have to be the everything thingy, we want simple good solid GM cars again and there are still a lot of us out there who want a company that offers a full range of vehicles including coupes, sedans, crossovers, SUVs and trucks. There are a lot of us out here who realize if we’re buying a truck that we want a truck, that means we’re not looking to compete with the neighbor’s Prius in terms of fuel economy. That’s not what we bought the truck for, granted yes having a truck that makes an honest 18-24 mpg on the highway is a great thing. it really is. but not at the sacrifice of it still being a truck. Trucks should have either a straight-6 or a V8 and honestly that’s it. Honestly, most cars should have either a straight-6 or a V8 and that’s it and a pushrod V8 at that.
Let’s make it plain and simple this is what GM’s lineup should look like:
Chevrolet cars
Camaro
Camaro LT: Straight-6 320hp 3.8L, 10-speed auto, focus on near buck-level comfort and tech
Camaro RS: Entry level V8 5.3L Pushrod 385hp, 8-speed auto, 6spd manual
Camaro Z/28: Mid level performer 5.7L V8, 425hp, 10-speed auto, optional 6-speed manual
Camaro SS: Hot Street performer 6.5L 495hp 10-speed auto or high performance 7-speed DCT, 1LE suspension
standard
Camaro ZL1: Top performing car, supercharged 7.0L V8 w/780hp, 10-speed DCT only
Malibu
Malibu LT: Straight 6 3.8L 320hp, 10-speed auto
Malibu SS: 5.7L V8 mid level street performance sedan 425hp
Malibu Chevelle SS: Supercharged 7.0L 780hp, 10-speed DCT only
Malibu Laguna: Luxury trim sedan 3.8L straight-6, hybrid 10-speed trans, AWD
Chevrolet SUVs
Chevrolet Trailblazer
Trailblazer LS: 320hp 3.8L i-6, 10-speed auto, AWD standard
Trailblazer SS: 6.5L 495hp V8, 10-speed auto, performance AWD, performance suspensoin
Trailblazer Cheyenne: 5.7L V8 425hp, 10-speed auto, performance AWD, luxury performance suspension
Chevrolet Blazer
Blazer Deluxe 5.3L 385hp, 10-speed, on road/light off road Blazer
Blazer Z71 4×4 5.3L 385hp 10-speed, off road blazer w/ 6-speed manual option, 4″ lift suspension, 35″ all terrain
tires, beadlock wheels, washable interior, etc
Blazer Cheyenne: Luxury blazer Deluxe
Blazer Z71 Cheyenne 4×4: More upscale version of the Z71 Blazer with an optional 5.7L V8 and an inline-6 turbo
diesel.
Chevrolet Tahoe
Tahoe LS: 375hp 5.3L V8, 10-speed, AWD standard
Tahoe GT: 425hp 5.7L V8, performance suspension, performance AWD, large Brembo 6-piston front, 4-piston
rear brakes, magnetic ride suspension
Tahoe Z71 4×4: Off road setup w/ 3″ lift kit, 33″ all terrain tires, 20″ beadlock wheels, unique suspension, body
armor, etc
Tahoe Limited: blacked out luxury/performance Tahoe w/ 6.5L 495hp V8, 10-speed auto performance
suspension, 6-piston front/rear Brembo brakes, magnetic ride, etc
Tahoe Cheyenne: Ultimate luxury Tahoe, 5.7L 425hp V8, 10-speed, magnetic ride, large brakes, etc
Chevrolet Trucks
Chevrolet S10
S10 WT: S10 work truck, 2 or 4-wheel drive, bare bones 3.8L I-6. Auto or 6-speed manual
S10 LS: The well appointed ever day S10 3.8L I-6 320hp, 10-speed auto AWD optional
S10 Z71: Currently known as the trail boss
S10 ZR2: Off road Xtreme S10, 2-doors w/ diesel option and 3.8L I-6, 4″ lift, unique suspension, big brakes, body
armor, washable interior, etc.
S10 ZR5: same as above w/ 4-doors
S10 Xtreme: Return of the 5.3L V8 mini truck. 385hp, 8-speed auto, AWD, Brembo brakes, mangetic ride, aero
enhancements, styling upgrades 20″ performance wheel and tire package, etc.
S10 Cheyenne: Luxury S10 3.8L I-6, AWD, magnetic ride, large brakes, luxury interior and exterior
Chevrolet Silverado
Silverado WT: Inline-6 4.7L, 345hp/380lb-ft torque, 10-speed auto, 2 or 4-wheel drive bare bones pickup truck
Silverado Deluxe Classic-10 4×4: 425hp 5.7L V8, 10-speed auto, classic two-tone paint, classic interior, 20″ Rally
style wheels, all terrain tires (not too aggressive but still truck-like) etc.
Silverado Z66 Custom: Well appointed pickup truck w/ 5.3L 385hp V8, 10-speed auto w/ 2 or 4-wheel drive
option
Silverado Z71: currently known as the Trail Boss. This should be the standard for the Z71 with all the bells and
whistles along with the lift kit and aggressive tires.
Silverado SS 485hp 6.5L V8, 10-speed auto, ultra high performance pickup truck, lowered stance, 305/35R22 tires front and rear 22×12″ wheels, 6-piston front/rear Brembo brakes, magnetic ride performance suspension, high flow exhaust system (exit in front of rear wheels, etc. the return of the red bowtie emblems should happen on this truck as well.
Silverado Cheyenne: Ultimate Luxury Silverado (currently known as the High Country pickup) two tone paint options, 22″ Chrome wheels, supreme luxury (for a Chevy) interiors would be a must on this vehicle.
Chevrolet Silverado HD: HD truck series with a few different trim levels
Holden/GMC
Holden Cars
Holden Monaro
Monaro: Straight 6 3.8L 320hp, 10-speed
Monaro Formula: 5.7L 425hp V8, 10-speed
Monaro Trans Am: 6.5L 495hp V8, 10-speed
Monaro Firehawk: 7.0L Supercharged 780hp, DCT
Holden Commodore
Commodore: 3.8L I-6 320hp, 10-speed
Commodore GT Ram Air: 425hp 5.7L, 10-speed
Commodore GXP Ram Air: Supercharged 7.0L, DCT
GMC SUVs: This is where some of the more modern engines come into play
GMC Jimmy: 2.7 turbo 10-speed
GMC Jimmy Typhoon: 3.6L Turbo 420hp/430tq, ultra high performance, brembo brakes, performance suspension,
etc.
GMC Jimmy Denali: 3.8L N/A I-6 320hp, AWD, 10-speed, premium Denali luxury and styling
GMC Yukon: 425hp 5.7L, 10-speed
GMC Yukon Denali 425hp 5.7L 10-speed AWD, magnetic ride, Brembo brakes, premium Denali luxury and styling
GMC Suburban: 6.5L 485hp V8, 10-speed Auto, AWD
GMC Suburban Denali: 6.5L 485hp 10-speed auto, magnetic ride, Brembo brakes, Premium Denali Luxury and
styling
GMC Trucks
GMC Sonoma: the everyday Sonoma w/ 3.8L I-6
GMC Sonoma AT4: Off road Sonoma w/ diesel option or standard inline-6. 10-speed auto standard w/ optional
6-speed trans on both gas and diesel engines
GMC Sonoma Syclone: same powertrain as the Typhoon
GMC Sonoma Denali: Top notch Sonoma
GMC Sierra 1500: the every day Sierra w/ a 5.3L 385hp V8 and a 10-speed auto and GMC Professional grade quality
GMC Sierra 1500 Denali: 425hp 5.7L, 10-speed, 4×4, Denali luxury, tech and styling
GMC Sierra 1500 AT4: Off road Sierra w/ 385hp 5.3L
GMC Sierra 1500 AT4 plus: Off road Sierra w/ 425hp 5.7L V8
GMC Sierra 1500 RST: 485hp 6.5L V8, 10-speed auto, AWD, Brembo brakes, magnetic ride, lowered, 22×12″ wheels w/305-series tires at all four corners, exhaust exiting in front of rear wheels, blacked out lights and trim, performance oriented luxury interior (like an AMG), improved aerodynamics, etc.
GMC Heavy Duty Pickup Trucks
Buick: Buick is a unique brand with a very vague future. This should be where the bulk of GM’s electric and hybrid cars are focused:
Buick Regal GS: 2.8L I-6 280hp, 8spd auto, AWD
Buick Regal T-Type: 3.0L twin turbo V6 400hp/400tq 10-speed, performance RWD, performance suspension, Brembo brakes
Buick Regal Grand National: same setup as above with AWD
Buick Regal GNX: 3.0L twin turbo V6 AWD Hybrid 10-speed auto 475hp/650tq, magnetic ride, ultra high performance suspension, large 6-piston Brembo brakes front/rear, etc
Buick Regal GT Crossover: Similar setup to the Grand National but in cross over Form
Buick Regal Avenir:
Buick Riviera
Riviera
Riviera GS
Riviera LS
Buick Skylark
Skylark
Skylark GS Stage 1
Skylark GS Stage 2
Skylark GSX
Buick Electra
Electra: Luxury Electric
Electra 225: performance electric
Buick Wildcat midsize luxury sport Crossover
Wildcat: Electric luxury sport crossover with styling cues from the late ’60s models
Wildcat Grand Sport: Hybrid 3.0L AWD 475hp/650tq
Wildcat Custom: 3.0L twin turbo 400hp/400tq premium crossover
Buick Lesabre full size SUV
Lesabre: Hybrid premium SUV w/ 2.8L I-6 Turbo Hybrid
Lesabre Custom: Electric Premium SUV
Lesabre 455: Electrc performance SUV
Cadillac: DOHC twin turbo V6 cars and DOHC twin turbo V8 cars and ultra high performance Electric with nothing under 485hp. These are the cars needed to fight the likes of AMG & Ferrari
Cadillac C8 Corvette Stingray
Cadillac C8 Corvette ZR1
Cadillac C8 Corvette E-Ray
Cadillac CT4
Cadillac CT4-V
Cadillac CT4-V Blackwing
Cadillac CT5
Cadillac CT5-V
Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing
Cadillac CT6
Cadillac CT6 Blackwing
Cadillac Elmiraj Coupe
Cadillac Elmiraj V
Cadillac Elmiraj V Blackwing
Cadillac Seville Crossover
Cadillac Seville V Crossover
Cadillac Seville V Blackwing Crossover
Cadillac Escalade
Cadillac Escalade V Blackwing
Cadillac Escalade V
Cadillac Escalade Excelsior
This would offer a simplified and desirable GM Lineup, keeping with the VSS-R, VSS-T and VSS-S platforms throughout the entire range of cars. Also GM should expand its performance lineup to more of the American aftermarket brands such as most of the brands that fall under the Holley umbrella along with some upgrades from companies like Edelbrock and a few of the American performance and luxury wheel companies.Of course, what i wrote above are just my thoughts and my dream GM lineup. Granted not everyone will agree with it but i’m sure some people will.
“Honestly, most cars should have either a straight-6 or a V8 and that’s it and a pushrod V8 at that.”
“Secondly, GM, needs to realize that not everyone is thrilled about the idea of the future being full of electric, hybrid or autonomous vehicles. Some people do, but a lot of us don’t.”
Firstly, you need to realize that not everyone is thrilled about the idea of a future being full of high-insurance, hard on gas, RWD performance trucks and cars that show no new technological features, and seem like a boomers lame throw-back idea of what they remember of the 1960’s; an era that fewer and fewer younger buyers can even relate to.
Some people want these kinds of cars, but overwhelmingly most of us don’t because they aren’t realistic, financially sound purchases, practical, or even desirable.
i guess that’s why cars like BMW and Mercedes Benz have twin turbo 6 and 8 cylinder engines, and BMW has inline engines, that’s why Toyota and Mazda are coming out with a new rwd based inline-6 turbo setup and Toyota’s new supra has an inline-6 turbo. Or why Ford just returned the explorer to a RWD chassis with a twin turbo chassis. And if Pushrod engines are so terrible on gas, then why does the C7 vette with a 6.2L Pushrod engine get nearly 30mpg? I do realize that most techs hate the fact that all of these cars with all of this new tech have all of these recalls and dumb stuff going on with them. I do realize how much simpler and better the auto industry was when there wasn’t as much crap crammed into these half-done cars. I do realize how much alot of techs dont like working on hybrid cars and how many techs and other auto industry jobs are going to be lost when the industry moves to electric vehicles. You speak of realistic, financially sound, practical vehicles but you don’t even know what they are. Cars with less of these modern marvels would be more realistic, financially sound and practical because you have “tech” to break. Having a lot of tech is not usually a good thing. It’s actually worse than having a simple design that actually works and since the pushrod v8 has been around since the 50’s and it’s still working strong today and they have made alot of tech advances, I’m pretty sure your short sighted argument is amazingly invalid. (oh yeah and Ford just came out with a new pushrod engine for their HD trucks if i’m not mistaken so what were you saying again? Not much of anything. Thanks!)