Filed under: Cadillac
No surprise Cadillac is planning RWD sub-CTS
Cadillac is keen to shed its image as a manufacturer of boring luxury barges, so we can expect to see some sporty and dynamic new cars pop up over the coming years at GM's premium division. The first of this new breed of Cadillacs will be an entry-level RWD sedan positioned below the CTS and based on the new mid-sized Alpha platform.
We first got confirmation engineers were working on such a car when the UAW published documents revealing plant allocations for GM's future products. According to the summary, GM will be building a vehicle based on Alpha, which sources revealed will be for Cadillac.
If we're lucky, a low-cost version of Alpha could also be developed for Pontiac and possibly Holden but no plans have been confirmed yet.
Other cars planned for Cadillac include a CTS coupe and wagon in 2009 as well as an all-new RWD sedan to replace both the current DTS and STS models. Officials are even reported to be looking at a hybrid vehicle with the E-Flex plug-in hybrid powertrain rumored to be a possibility.
[Source: Automotive News - Sub. Req.]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
John R 9:44AM (10/09/2007)
Maybe the comparisons between the CTS and the 3-series, G35, is350 and C-class might come to an end. CTS was too heavy to be a true match for those cars.
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Stumper 9:57AM (10/09/2007)
Heavy is true, but only half the story. The CTS is actually (slightly) bigger than a 5 series. It should be compared against that, not a 3 series. The CTS is really a great deal because of that...a 5 series for the price of a 3.
The smaller B(?)TS should be about 3 Series size, not 1 series size.
JMa 10:01AM (10/09/2007)
Agreed. Hopefully they can get the curb weight down below 3500 lbs. It would certainly make it a blast to drive, as well as improve gas mileage, both of which would help sales both in NA and Europe.
MikeW 11:42AM (10/09/2007)
The CTS may be as large as a 5 series externally.(CTS is 1/2 inch longer)
The trunk isn't any larger, nor is the fuel tank, nor is the EPA passenger volume.
and I like this gem on the Cadillac website.
'*There is no jack or spare tire in the CTS. Standard Tire Inflator Kit is included and spare tire is available as an option.'
So what goes between the two mufflers, an extra storage well? Is this how they get the trunk to 13.6 cubic feet.
at least BMW gives you a mini-spare in the 5 series.
Avinash machado 9:45AM (10/09/2007)
Will this be a competitor to the BMW 1-Series and Audi A3? Or will it be something like 3-Series size car for a 1-Series price?
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Ligor 10:58AM (10/09/2007)
1-series is still going to be in the low $30k range, adn the CTS is there now,
I would think it's starting price would be more like the Audi A3 ~27k
JUSBEEZ 9:47AM (10/09/2007)
Sign me up. I love the new CTS but can't afford to buy one right now. If Cadillace can offer a similar sedan a little smaller and not $42k for a top of the line model, this could be a success
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JUSBEEZ 9:55AM (10/09/2007)
anyone know the timeline of when this new car would be released?
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TriShield 9:58AM (10/09/2007)
They intend this to be a 1-Series/A3 type car from what I've heard.
This idea is a huge mistake IMO. Just because German manufacturers are playing in this segment doesn't mean that Cadillac has to nor does it mean it's a good idea.
A Cadillac really shouldn't be any cheaper than a CTS and GM already fields many brands that play below it like Pontiac.
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alex 11:04AM (10/09/2007)
we're talking about the alpha platform... this is the platform for the next G6... in the article its even called "mid-sized"... where the heck are you getting that its a 1-series sized car?
psarhjinian 11:32AM (10/09/2007)
I agree. An A3/1-Series/B-Class competitor would really fall quite naturally to Saab.
Cadillac, whether GM wants to admit it or not, is still an older person's car if for no other reason then the price of entry is a little high. Something like this would be a competitor in the market that Acura and VW thrive in, and one that Saab has better demographics for.
I still think GM needs to decide what each of its brands is going to be for. Giving everyone a lineup of the same basic platforms isn't a good idea.
JUSBEEZ 10:06AM (10/09/2007)
Why do you think nobody would buy a good looking/quality Cadillac that is same size as 3 series but a 1 series price? If the new CTS is actually bigger than the current 5 series, a Cadillac that is sized relative to a 3 series and prices starting at $28k might sell very well.
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DelayedZ 10:21AM (10/09/2007)
CTS coupe would be on my list of potential cars if developed, CTS V Coupe, that would just be downright sexy, lol
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Dave 10:29AM (10/09/2007)
Wikipedia has an interesting writeup, citing Edmund's as a source:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GM_Alpha_platform
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Jei 10:30AM (10/09/2007)
In my home area, I've seen quite a few Cadillac Cateras tooling around...so consumers do want a small Cadillac. I've noticed that more affluent people prefer to have a smaller luxury sedan (along with an SUV big or smaller). Cadillac cannot provide a "cheap" interior...that will definitely kill the model w/n 1-2 years.
IMO, a sub-CTS-sized vehicle will fit well in the US and if optioned right, will be a success in the UK and Europe. "Old school" folk only want the busted luxo-barges that Cadillac used to be. Cadillac needs to continue to develop its vehicle lineup to better compete with the Japanese and German competition.
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Avinash machado 10:49AM (10/09/2007)
In fact, CTS stands for Catera Touring Sedan.
Neil Schelly 10:44AM (10/09/2007)
After reading this, it seems very possible that I'd be shopping for a Cadillac in the next year or two. If I went back and told myself this a couple years ago, I wouldn't have believed it, but they seem to be really trying to change and doing it well.
-N
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david 8:01PM (10/09/2007)
Put your fears to rest. I drive an 06 sts-v and my wife drives a cts, by far two of the best cars we have ever owned. My previous car was an 03 sls w/138K with narry a problem. My daughter now drives it to and from college. CTS-V is next on the list.
Pete 11:09AM (10/09/2007)
I love Cadillac. This is one of the few American car brands truly putting forth an effort to push the boundaries of design and technology, giving us cars that can stand on the world stage. While the Corvette is an example of pure performance success, the CTS proves we can do it all...interior, exterior, and performance. Can't wait for the new CTS-V.
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autohobby 11:16AM (10/09/2007)
I have owned two used Cadillacs-1940 and 1950. Both were good cars and pleasurable to drive. They lost me when they dropped manual transmissions in 1954, I think. Cadillac has my attention again. I expect to own another used one sometime in the future. A small, good handling coupe or wagon might just be the ticket.
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