GM Needs To Share The C8 Corvette Platform With Cadillac: Opinion
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Last year, GM Authority drove several examples of the C8 Corvette, climbing behind the wheel of the 2021 Stingray last June, and the 2022 Stingray in December. On both occasions, we walked away impressed by the C8 Corvette’s refinement and comfortable driving characteristics, leading us to to conclude that General Motors should – scratch that, needs to share the C8 Corvette’s architecture, specifically with Cadillac.
Under the skin, the C8 Corvette rides on the all-new Y2 platform, which, simply put, is very, very good. The cutting-edge Y2 platform makes the C8 Corvette Stingray an amazing vehicle to drive, with a premium demeanor that’s miles ahead of Corvettes of the past.
Indeed, the C8 is effortless, running and driving like a luxury car should, with all the attributes that would make it a perfect fit for Cadillac. Noise, vibration, and harshness (NVH) are all very low, and, as far as we can gauge, roughly twice as good as NVH levels offered in the C7 Corvette.
By comparison, the C7 Grand Sport, ZR1, and Z06, are all much more “hardcore,” which is great for those customers that enjoy that kind of thing. However, these attributes also make the C7 a poor choice when it comes to serving as a platform for a luxury vehicle.
Unfortunately, the C8 Corvette’s platform is the only premium-level Chevy that doesn’t share its platform with Cadillac. The other premium models would be the body-on-frame SUVs, the Chevy Tahoe and Suburban, which shares GM T1 with the Cadillac Escalade, and the Camaro’s Alpha platform, shared with the Cadillac CT4 and CT5. Nevertheless, we would argue that the Y2 platform is in fact the best architecture in the Chevy lineup for Cadillac. It’s simply too good not to share.
So, what are we imagining? Picture, if you will, the C8 Corvette Y2 platform with unique bodywork and proportions, incorporating the latest Cadillac design language and a premium Cadillac interior. We’re thinking a hardtop convertible body style from the get-go, while behind the cabin, we would mount the twin-turbo 4.2L V8 LTA gasoline engine, a.k.a. the Blackwing V8, which is exclusively equipped by the Cadillac CT6. Add in unique suspension tuning via Magnetic Ride Control, slap a $100,000 price tag on it, and call it The Cadillac Blackwing.
While General Motors previously attempted to “Cadillac-ify” the Corvette with the XLR, that car failed due to poor execution. The Cadillac XLR was too close to the C6 Corvette, whereas the C8’s Y2 platform would be the perfect choice if Caddy did indeed decide to pursue a new mid-engine luxury sports car.
Do you agree? Does the idea of a C8 Corvette-based Cadillac appeal to you? Let us know in the comments, and make sure to subscribe to GM Authority for more C8 Corvette news, mid-engine Corvette news, Corvette news, Chevy news, Cadillac news, and around-the-clock GM news coverage.
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That would be awesome.
XLR returns.., the focus should be on luxury sports while the Vette is pure spot.
Sharing the C8 platform with Cadillac is a GREAT IDEA! But I DON’T approve of slapping a $100,000 on it and then add options! Keep the price where Corvette owners who would could buy one instead of a Corvette if they preferred to. Stop pricing everything thru the ceiling and trying to squeeze every dollar out of everybody!
They would have to price it higher or else they would just be competing with themselves. Cadillac is looked at as the premium luxury brand of General Motors so it would have to be more. Same thing goes for an escalade and a tahoe.
Makes no sense to sell a Cadillac version at the same price as the Chevy version.
The problem would be the Cadillac version would NOT sell at the same price as the Chevy Corvette.
Just like every Cadillac that’s similar to Chevy/GMC vehicles is always 20%-30% + over in price compared to Chevy/GMC.
Corvette is a luxury vehicle. Dolling it up and putting a Cadillac name on it will only stroke a very few egos and prove to be another costly GM failure
GM would lose there ass on it !
Not if their customers are asking for it.
The C8 ZO6 is the ultimate in Corvette’s history. It is unique from a power train from any other GM vehicle, and it should stay that way. This is one case where sharing any of the design characteristics of the Z06 would be self defeating. Let Cad design there own.
I’m with John, Cadillac has tried for years, new design, gets one that seems to being doing well, and then they screw it up. Let Cadillac design their own structure and bring it on. Gives them another chance to mess another one up.
I think Cadillac should go ahead with the idea but I feel if they do to only in a convertible.
The Y2 platform should stay exclusively with Corvette and not share it with Cadillac !
I’m with John. If Cadillac owners want to drive a Corvette based car… have them buy a Corvette!
They tried this once and it was a flop!
It flopped because it was poor execution, not the concept itself.
Completely disagree. First, the corvette is supply constrained as it is. Second, Cadillacs is going all electric. Give Cadillac an incredible 2 seater that it shares with no one.
100%. I have a CT6 and a Corvette. I would be very interested.
Me Too……
I agree completely, they should revamp the Elmiraj concept and have it “compete” with the Tesla Roadster, a sexy 2 seat coupe that really draws attention to the brand.
It’d be a perfect platform for an all electric C8. Build next to the C8 with its own Cadillac styling and name it the Lyriq GT. I don’t know if today’s younger generation that Cadillac is a brand to upgrade to. My father’s generation (born 1927), Cadillac the ultimate vehicle to want and in his lifetime he did own a few.
A Corvette-based Cadillac is a no brainers as it would require very little R&D.
Today’s generation unfortunately doesn’t see Cadillac as an upgrade and–aside from large SUVs and trucks, has little love for GM. GMC is the only division to actually grow since the formation of NEW GM and is the brand with the most street cred.
Cadillac will eventually die, Chevrolet will keep shrinking. GMC-Buick dealers, before the chip shortage, sold nearly 200,000 per quarter and sometimes these dealers should be getting the EV/Ultracruise technology first.
First, I love the design on this caddy you are showing here. It is very attractive and far enough away from the corvette to allow for separate sales. 2nd, could the caddy go all electric or a High rev v6 with electric at all wheels. That would be interesting as well.
Too much Audi R8 in the design, doesnt look like a cadillac. Let caddy do there own engine , body and interior and do it all on the stingray chassis to keep it affordable.
The R8 costs $150k to $200k. Perhaps similar in form, but in detail, not a match to this Caddy concept.
I think a Cadillac like this is a great idea. The C8 is indeed a big step forward for Corvette and so, to base a Cadillac version on it should end up being something extremely desirable. Anything to help elevate the Cadillac brand toward being that “Standard of the World” they used to claim to be.
Nope. Cadillac needs a big luxurious coupe.
A m8 fighter
That is ugly.
Absolutely no
Makes sense if it’s a hybrid like the nsx for a quicker 0-60, and maybe more likely to be driven in snow with electric power train being sent to front wheels
Looks like someone put a Cadilac grill on a R8
More like if some one mashed the old R8 design and new nsx design together, then slapped a lyriq front fascia on it
Thought the same thing
I would be one of the first to buy one as a coupe version of this car is so much better looking
Must disagree with the premise.
The XLR was a Corvette underneath. Body and interior both different. Even its own engine. Few were impressed enough to buy.
Let Corvette be Corvette. My own opinion is that a revised Corvette for Cadillac might dilute both brands.
A more appropriate Cadillac, in my opinion, would be a 4-5 place. Coupe/convertible.
You are tripping dude
Looks GREAT, I own an NSX now and I like this more, also like it more than the C8 design. I will definately buy one. They would sell a lot of them especially if they up the horsepower and performance.
It would be cool to have such a Cadillac but the Corvette is so good in every which way, I don’t see the point.
Now, I do see GM doing such a Cadillac in electrified form on the BEV3 platform and give the design a mid-battery layout which makes more sense. Cadillac is planning to go in different niche’s with full autonomy in the future and it would be an excellent halo for as a pure luxury GT is concerned that is low volume but not as far reaching like the CELESTIQ.
We already played the Cadillac Corvette game and that failed miserably.
Best to let Cadillac take the Blackwing CT5 and make a two seat roadster.
Better the two GM divisions compliment each other not compete. That’s what destroyed GM before. They should have had Chevy and Pontiac complimenting not competing.
They can’t keep up with corvette demand at bowling green as it is. So impossible from a production standpoint if it needs to be made in Kentucky.
Definitely would be sick, but they couldn’t use the ZO6 engine to do a V version; they’ve already stated this a bespoke motor, not available and any other vehicle other than the ZO6, so they’d have to come up with a different motor for it…
Cadillac brand whether sports or sedan should stay just that. Chevy Corvette should stay the course with it’s brand. But with the supply chain slowdown it will add to purchasing frustrations awaiting a vehicle that cannot be produce therefore consumers will jump ship to the Benz etc It’s happening as we speak. And my family have supported GM since the 1950s. Time to look for a vehicle where I don’t have to wait a year to produce.
Good idea, but will probably never happen. Cadillac is only premium brand without a halo car or desirable roadster. GM lacks the financial resources (the Germans come out with a ton of new models and updates every year……. ) or they are way too conservative as a leading (formerly) automotive organization.
Don’t imagine that will change under current leadership……. unfortunately…
This reminds me of a YouTube video I recently watched… It had a used Cadillac XLR for sale and I must admit what gorgeous and beautiful car both inside and out…granted the XLR is way over ten years old now but the Cadillac art and science design makes it look fresh even in 2022… PS TO CADILLAC PLEASE BUILD ANOTHER XLR and if you do it right people will come and buy them!
Make it a grand tourer EV only available with a hard top convertible and it’ll print money.
Absolutely. That would be awesome.