As the eighth-generation Chevy Corvette C8 handily proves, General Motors is more than capable of producing a modern, mid-engine high-performance machine. Funny enough, The General previously approved the development of a mid-engine Cadillac model in the latter aughts, as confirmed by former GM vice chairman Bob Lutz.
During a recent interview with The Detroit News and “Car Radio with Henry Payne,” Lutz discussed GM’s plans to produce a mid-engine Cadillac model, a concept that got the green light around 2007.
Mid-engine Cadillac rendering, by GM Authority
In the interview, Lutz discussed GM’s previous plans to produce a new mid-engine Corvette, which the former GM exec states would have utilized an all-new architecture and would have looked “smoother” and more “angular” than the current C8. However, Lutz also mentions that there was “going to be a Cadillac version using a supercharged Northstar engine.”
The supercharged Northstar engine which Lutz is referring to is likely the 4.4L LC3 V8, or perhaps some variant of the LC3. The LC3 V8 was previously found in the 2006 through 2009 Cadillac STS-V, in which it was rated at 469 horsepower and 439 pound-feet of torque, and the 2006 through 2009 Cadillac XLR-V, in which it was rated at 443 horsepower and 414 pound-feet of torque.
In addition to the supercharged Northstar V8, Lutz indicates that the proposed mid-engine Cadillac would have had “a lot of stylistic differences” compared to the mid-engine Corvette upon which it was based, while also offering a more “gentlemanly” and “refined” driving experience compared to the “rawer” Corvette, the latter of which would have been “a little bit noisier, a little bit harsher to drive.”
So what happened? Well, according to Lutz, the project was shelved in the face of budgetary constraints and imminent bankruptcy, with the all-new mid-engine architecture billed at around $900 million.
Mid-engine Cadillac rendering, by GM Authority
Of course, this proposed mid-engine Cadillac isn’t the first time GM has played around with the idea of building a Caddy with the engine in the middle. The Cadillac Cien concept from 2002 certainly comes to mind. Now, though, with the success of the mid-engine Corvette C8, one has to wonder – is GM once again toying with the idea of a mid-engine Cadillac sports car, this time based on the C8? We certainly think it’s a good idea.
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Comments
is it all not to be electric ? central electric engine ?
They once approved the Pontiac Aztek too.
Ssr was the low point. So much cool stuff was coming in 2009-2012. Like a second new gen GTO
Given the fact that the C9 vette is going to be ICE there is still hope for a mid engine caddy
Production at the corvette is Kant is already maxed out and people are complaining endlessly that they aren’t getting the z06 they want quick enough. Adding a Cadillac to that facility will only reduce the total output at that plant and likely reduce profits.
A mid engine Cadillac on the Corvette chassis will not be happening.
Looks better than any Caddy built since the 50’s! Shame they didn’t go forward with this. The junk they built instead is embarrassing.
This article should probably mention the XLR was closely related to the C6 Corvette. So if there was going to be a mid-engine Corvette, the Cadillac version would logically follow.
The chiseled look, looked good. The giant egg known as CELESTIQ not so much – epic fail in design.
There was no telling what potential models were greenlighted but shelved back then.
We would buy this beauty as an EV in a heartbeat.
A mid engine Cadillac pictured in the rendering makes alot of sense, more than the Celestiq. The C8 platform would be a logical possibility, a new skin and interior and the Caddy is a much needed halo sports car. The rebirth of Cadillac!
Bob Lutz brought a lot of good ideas to GM. He certainly helped reinvigorate them as a company, when they needed it.
Lutz never had the money to do what he wanted as he was too late to do much. But what he did do were the little things that many over look.
The panel gaps are now class leading on all GM cars. Lutz did that. The Culture in GM that needed fixed. He started that.
The cars post bail out were all done because he poured what money he had left into new products so coming out of bail out they could have new cars.
Even small things like the HHR. While it was said it would never sell they sold nearly 200,000 per year and made a ton of money on them.
Get Lutz book bean counters vs car guys and it tells his tale at GM.
Bob did a lot of good changing the culture that continues to evolve today. Much of the old GM is gone but a few nasty folks still linger.
Bob in his book also states his failures too. The sliding roof Envoy and making Hummer a Division vs a GMC model. But he did more good vs bad.
IMO the biggest failure Lutz made was in choosing to make the Volt a Chevrolet rather than a Cadillac.
That wouldn’t fly politically. They were taking bailout money. Politicians would have a fit, particularly considering the Prius is a Toyota, not a Lexus.
Remember when the executives showed up to Congress by private jet and had to show up again by car?
StuartH,
Actually he did both. It was called the Cadillac ELR. It bombed so bad that you obviously never heard of it. They lost their shirt on that car.
It bombed because it came after the Chevrolet without any upgrades in performance or range. So, it was easy to write off as just a rebodied Chevrolet Volt with leather seats.
Had the Volt started out as a Cadillac, it would have allowed GM more room to play with; to come up with something with better performance and with premium appeal.
The biggest one year bath I ever saw was on a Cadillac ELR. The customer lost $34,000 after one year. He just wanted out and back into an ICE vehicle.
Still the best Cadillac ad ever.
Second was the CTS ad “when you turn your car on, does it return the favor?”
Lutz did have some good ideas but like everything in that era, it would have been botched. The best case scenario for Corvette is happening now. We will know about Cadillac’s efforts in 2 or 3 years.
A mid-engine Caddy would have been another SRX with sales numbers in line with the new Acura NSX and Audi R8, which means it wouldn’t come close to be profitable.
Would have, could have, should have ….
Until Cadillac learns how to sell more sedans they need to focus on that.
While a Mid engine Cadillac would be cool it would not even make a dent in the volume.
If they botch it like last time on the XLR where it was still too much Corvette for too much money.
Cadillac would be much better off with a RWD 3 seat front engine touring convertible.
Do a Blackwing roadster with the V series SC V8 engine and a V6. Base it on the Alpha platform they already use.
Cadillacs core business has always been luxury sedans coupes and convertibles not sports cars. Leave it to Chevy.
I don’t expect anyone here would expect Ferrari to make a sedan to compete with Rolls Royce? Or a Rolls to compete with Ferrari.
Sales-wise, Cadillac does not need more sedans. The two they have are ranked at the top of the competition and the sales are low.
Whether you like SUVs or not, that is where the market is and Cadillac’s selection is weak – with the exception of the Escalade. The 4, 5, 6 rank near the bottom of any comparison.
Why every Cadillac does not come standard with the complete gm safety suite stumps me. (make them so you can turn off the ones you don’t like.)
Service is key in the luxury game. Recommended maintenance should be free while the car is under warranty. How about after a year of ownership, free detailing during the owners birthday month while under warranty? Likely would improve owner loyalty and increase resale value.
Cadillac talks about being tops in luxury, but I think they could do much better acting like it.
The Celestiq is going to change the conversation, but the volume side of sales is where they need to grow market share. IMHO
Very few people want sedans. They want trucks and SUV’s.
Looks like an R8
I like the Cadillac version however Corvette doesn’t need a family competitor. Cadillac, in my opinion, ought to build a true 2+2 front engine that will compete against MB, Lexus, Bentley GT and others and offered in a coupe or hide-away solid roof convertible with an electric hybrid option providing AWD capability. Engine choices can be argued but the TT V6, a TT V8 or LT4 type engines would be fine. Also, the production should be limited to say, 1k for 4 versions and that’s it. Cadillac doesn’t have to race the car but could provide some sponsorship for private owners.
Thank god it was shelved. What on earth are these people thinking? You already have competent sports cars like the Camaro and Vette. Cadillac would need this like a hole in their head!
Let’s not forget the failures of Allante, XLR and ELR. And let’s not forget the (once) proud and very successful cars like the Eldorado, Seville, Fleetwood, Deville, etc. What the people running GM/Cadillac can’t seem to understand is that Cadillac should be CADILLAC. Not BMW, MB or all the other European brands/sports cars.
And today the competition is Tesla. That’s what people really want.
Bill: Agree, I think. Are you saying Cadillac should be going after Tesla? Anyhow…
I truly feel that Cadillac has lost it’s way. Although they make some amazing cars today and the performance is outstanding, and although the Escalade is hugely successful (although I can’t stand it), and although they have the other SUV’s, it’s just not Cadillac. No matter how much you clean her up and put her in a ladies dress, a hooker is still a hooker. An XT4/5/6 is just a sad attempt to give Cadillac an SUV to sell, but it’s not a Cadillac.
Don’t take me wrong. I fully understand that Cadillac needs the XT’s and Escalades and in no way am I suggesting they don’t have them. But there’s a huge demographic like me who just won’t buy them ever. We/I don’t long for the day we can “achieve” ownership of an XT anything. But to this day, I look at finding a pristine older Cadillac sedan or even a loaded up CT6 to buy. The older sedan would be for just pleasure driving. A CT6 would be my aspirational luxury car.
My comment on a true 2 + 2 means just that. A luxury sports coupe like an El Dorado or Riviera or Continental GT.
Carl O: I would agree with that. Perfect plan. But to even think about giving Cadillac something like this above is silly at best. It just shows how out of touch GM and the brass at the top are with what a Cadillac should be.
Looks good. Wonder why it wasn’t made?
The very point of the article was to tell you why it wasn’t made, you barking wanker.
That was my point, Mr. Wanker.
A mid engine Caddy on the C8 platform would cut the baby in half.