Filed under: Coupes, Sedans/Saloons, Wagons/Estates, Crossovers/CUVs, Cadillac
Cadillac nixing the barges, introducing new BRX CUV and RWD sedans
For eons, the image of a Cadillac ingrained into our minds was that of an XL cruiser wafting down the highway consuming asphalt and small rodents without complaint. That perspective is set to change, as Cadillac plans to drop the slow-selling STS and DTS models, and instead focus its efforts on creating another CUV, a new mid-sized sedan and an entry-level RWD offering.
The plans to redesign the SRX crossover have been nixed due to poor sales, and in its place a new V6-powered, five-passenger CUV, likely to be dubbed the BRX, will go on sale in 2009. More importantly, Cadillac plans to focus its sporting credentials by expanding the CTS lineup to include both a wagon and a coupe, all in an effort to sway consumers interested in the segment-leading BMW 3-series.
Going after the Bavarian boys won't be easy, so in addition to the expansion of the CTS line, Cadillac's replacement for the STS and DTS will take aim at the BMW 5-series, with a high-performance RWD sedan. That, coupled with a proposed entry-level sedan will round out the new Cadillac lineup.
Although the Automotive News article doesn't cite a timeframe for this somewhat radical proposal, we'd expect to see some of Cadillac's new wares popping up in quick order, beginning in Detroit next year.
[Source: Automotive News – Sub. Req.]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
DarkKnight67 8:17AM (7/30/2007)
Hmm, who to believe? This is an exact contrast to the article which just appeared on gminsidenews.com regarding the future of Cadillac, as well as last month's Motor Trend. While I don't doubt that Cadillac is planning a revision to their line to maintain their momentum, I sincerely doubt they will eliminate their market for a DTS size vehicle and the client base who purchase them.
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Will 8:19AM (7/30/2007)
Didn't MT predict that the STS and DTS lines would be merged into one platform?
CB 8:32AM (7/30/2007)
Going after BMW is a lofty target. Even if the don't quite make it up to that standard, they could come out with some cars that are substantially than what they have currently. Good luck to Cadillac.
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jg3 8:43AM (7/30/2007)
No 7-series fighter and you say their line would be filled out? Don't think so.
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The Other Bob 8:51AM (7/30/2007)
Really this article should not say that the STS and DTS will be cut. Really they will both be replaced by one large Sedan, likely a lot like the STS. It currently reads like the CTS will be the flagship car.
The CTS really is a 5 series competitor if you judge by size, with the STS closer to the 7. If they come out with a smaller rear dive sedan, that will be the 3 series competitor. If you judge the line up by price, then the CTS competes against the 3.
I think the SRX rocks. Too bad I cannot afford one. That said, a CTS wagon will be almost the same thing.
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1337 9:52AM (7/30/2007)
The CTS wagon should be a helluva lot better than the SRX, seeing as a CTS wagon should handle like a CTS sedan, while the SRX has tons of body roll and such.
Cmicasa the GREAT 9:08AM (7/30/2007)
This is confusing... as are all of these predictions being put out by the magazines about the future Cadillacs.
They say that the CTS will compete with the smaller 3series, yet go on to say that there is a smaller Cadillac on it's way (BLS) to expand their range.
PLAIN AND SIMPLE:
CTS will compete with the 5series... which is actually smaller BTW
The BLS will compete with the 3 series
The STS replacement (XLS) will compete with the 7series
Leave the SRX alone in the name dept and simply improve it more. It is a class leading CUV already, but lacks the support it needs to compete in sales. A Smaller CUV should be added to the line-up not as a replacement for the SRX.
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1337 9:50AM (7/30/2007)
This is certainly the way Cadillac wants you to see its lineup. However, as seen with the current CTS and STS, the CTS is priced more like a 3-series than a 5-series, and you could almost buy two STSes for the price of a 7-series.
It may be more accurate to say the CTS competes with the Infiniti G35, as the G35 is about the size of a 5-series and is priced a bit below the 3-series.
Mr. Oak 9:08AM (7/30/2007)
Always thought that they should have eliminated the DTS and give us two options of the STS. Standard and Long Wheelbase (aka SLS).
What;s the story on the Sixteen/Twelve? I say a more athletic downsized version of the 16 would make an excellent standard bearer.
Wanna be unique Cadillac? Bring back a straight 8. Graft two cylinders on the the Vortec 4.2 I-6, Go for 5.0 L I-8 direct injection. Should easily be able to deliver a buttery smooth 500 HP. No need for a 16.
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The Other Bob 9:22AM (7/30/2007)
"What;s the story on the Sixteen/Twelve? I say a more athletic downsized version of the 16 would make an excellent standard bearer."
The story on the 16 is that it won't happen. Lutz explained in detail in one of his podcasts a few weeks back.
There was no buisness case for a vehicle that will kill their corperate average fuel economy. I think there were other reasons too.
My guess is they would rather use the engineering resources on a small Cadillac that will sell up to 100,000 copies a year than use the resources on a 16 that will sell a few thousand.
Mr. Oak 9:38AM (7/30/2007)
The Other Bob:
Makes sense, the "16" was impractical. However a two thirds scale "16" with a counter balanced Direct Injection I-8, gives them a standard bearer that they do not have to apologize for.
MikeW 9:48PM (7/30/2007)
Not going to happen.
The gestation of an Inline8 came about for the purpose of canceling the second order force imbalance (up/down) of an inline4.
So they cut an inline4 in half, put one half on each end of another inline4. So the 2nd order imbalance of one I4 is canceled out by the other I4. (the relative crank axes are 90 degrees to each other)
To get an exhaust manifold that wouldn't suck (reconnecting the first two and last two cylinders) would be very hard to do while being emissions legal (even an air gap insulated exhaust manifold might not be enough) If GM could get 400hp from a 5.8 I8 (double the 2.9I4), that would be good.
If cadillac wants to do something unique, go all flat plane crank V8, it came before the cross plance crank V8. (There is partial cancellation, so the balance shafts-flanking the crank to cancel the lateral imbalance-is still desireable, although ferrari doesn't use them, cadillac should)
Jonathan Hicks 9:49AM (7/30/2007)
The SRX should not be dropped because Cadillac won't be a full-line luxury manufacturer without a midsize, 7 passenger crossover with V6 or V8 engines to slot between the BRX & the Escalade. I would like to see a CTS convertible and CTS-V sedan, coupe, and convert to complete the CTS lineup.
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Beat-it-nerd 10:05AM (7/30/2007)
Perhaps Buick Can produce an XL flagship Sedan that people will want to buy in order to sell to the customers that purchase(d) Cars like the DTS and STS. These customers are getting to the age where they should b buying Buick's anyways.
www.gmaccessoriesstore.com
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sirAQUAMAN64 10:38AM (7/30/2007)
I think the SRX is a fantastic vehicle, perhaps GM's best in my eye. Beautiful layout, distinctive, and an absolutely awesome ride/handling balance.
I'm a little ticked that Cadillacs (and GMs in general) keep getting smaller and smaller inside. Who designs these things? Granted I'm 6'4" but it's not as though the population is getting any smaller in general. The new CTS is rather dinky, especially in the rear seat. Even though I'm 27 I continue to want a Cadillac that is roomy... why they can't be roomy and zoomy is beyond me. Which is why I drive German (on my 2nd VW). Think they should really keep a DTS-style car in the lineup or a stretched STS or something. To abandon the full-sized market is a mistake.
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threestrikes 10:00PM (8/05/2007)
Cadillac already has a stretched STS. The problem is, only the Chinese get it.
TriShield 10:39AM (7/30/2007)
A new CTS wagon will basically be a new SRX. Remember, the SRX is literally a CTS wagon with a different name, a Northstar V8 and more ground clearance. No loss really.
The Escalade is Cadillac's flagship barge and last I heard they were working on a V12 to put in it. I think that would be a good move, as well as sprucing up the interior for a V12 model.
The DTS is going to go away, that should surprise no one. The STS will be remade into something a bit better instead of the bland joke of a car that it is right now.
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nosmas 3:43PM (7/30/2007)
From The Other Bob, "There was no buisness case for a vehicle that will kill their corperate average fuel economy."
I'd rather see CAFE wasted on a scaled Sixteen than a new V12 'Slade. C'mon, rappers would get the Sixteen so Caddy won't lose their "cred."
F451 10:44AM (7/30/2007)
With little lineup legacy, and tired models (e.g. XLR) at the top I do not see Cadillac even remotely competing with the Bavarian boys any time soon. The CTS is Cadillac's savior, but it not yet a world-class automobile.
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why not the LS2LS7? 11:35AM (7/30/2007)
The XLR tired? I wish. They still fetch a fortune on the used market.