Cadillac considering four-cylinder sedan for 2010
There are some old-timers out there who think Cadillacs should have big fins and V8 engines who aren't going to like this one bit. Emerging reports suggest that the General's luxury division may launch a four-cylinder model for the American market by 2011.
The new model would be positioned below the CTS and possibly include a turbocharger, as well as the potential for an optional V6. Cadillac already has a small four-cylinder model for sale in Europe, the BLS, which is based on sister company Saab's 9-3. But the BLS hasn't taken Europe by storm and Cadillac is still reportedly contemplating whether to port over the same name for the American model. While the successor to the Northstar V8 was canceled, and with a replacement for the STS and DTS reportedly on hold, Cadillac's general manager Jim Taylor wonders if Americans are ready for the idea of a four-cylinder Caddy. Rightfully so? The specter of the Cavalier-based Cimarron (see above) still looms large and we highly doubt Cadillac's clients are actually asking for a four-cylinder. While it's prudent for the Wreath and Crest brand to consider new models like this, we'd suggest taking a pass, guys and gals.
[Source: Automotive News – subs. req'd]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
Don 10:05AM (8/25/2008)
That's a great idea. I've always wanted a luxury car w/o being a gas burner. I don't need all that power but I sure love to ride in luxury.
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Torrent 10:10AM (8/25/2008)
No big deal. Just bring over the BLS and no one gets hurt.
art 10:44AM (8/25/2008)
i think it would work quite well.
[IMG]http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c40/artandcolour2006/Photochops/BT4t-2.jpg[/IMG]
elprogramer 1:50PM (8/25/2008)
If you have the money to buy a Cadillac then you have enough not to care about gas prices.
"Bargain" models only dilute and harm the brand as a whole.
AMcA 8:00PM (8/25/2008)
Why can't they just build a smaller V8?
I know, it'd be a big job. But a Cadillac needs to stand apart from other cars. Giving it the joys of a V8 - the sound, the smoothness - along with smaller displacement, would make it a real Cadillac.
styleguy 10:06AM (8/25/2008)
Wasn't Cadillac already planning a 3-series fighter? I'd have no problem with a 4-cylinder, but please GM, turbocharge and DI it!
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styleguy 10:07AM (8/25/2008)
Oh, and RWD too!
Frylock350 10:50AM (8/25/2008)
I think a range of engines would be most prudent.
Maybe offer the new 200hp I4 used in the new Equinox, the 260hp LNF turbo, the 300hp DI V6 and for the V-series an LS3.
BoneHeadOtto 11:28AM (8/25/2008)
YES RWD!! i have no problem with a more efficient performance car. Just make is light and rwd. Otherwise you are competing with glut of FWD cars out there that may have the same specs but cost less. Do like BMW did with the 1series and make it a drivers car. RWD, manual, turbo. Just dont take the cobalt and stick a cady logo on it please
why not the LS2LS7? 12:54PM (8/25/2008)
The 135 isn't efficient and it is very expensive. It gets worse fuel economy than the CTS does! For BMW, it caters to a more sporty customer. But I don't think Cadillac as at the stage where they can offer a smaller car than the CTS with worse mpg than the CTS just because it handles a bit better.
The Other Bob 10:08AM (8/25/2008)
I think this would work today, if done right.
It would have to be rwd-based to be accepted as luxury in my mind, and not be just a Saab or Chevy-based fwd car.
4-bangers are much more accepted today as powerful engines, even more so in the last few years.
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why not the LS2LS7? 11:13AM (8/25/2008)
Audi sells FWD luxury cars. I don't see why Cadillac can't.
MikeW 11:16AM (8/25/2008)
Cadillac doesn't have Multitronic.
geo.stewart 11:16AM (8/25/2008)
"done right" is the key. a re-badged Cruze is not acceptable. A 4-banger Cadillac is. Make it a Cadillac and not a trim level and GM will be fine.
why not the LS2LS7? 11:38AM (8/25/2008)
Audi has sold FWD luxury cars for 20 years, 14 of them without multitronic.
As we get to 6 gears in a hydramatic transmission, I don't see the value in multitronic anyway.
MikeW 12:35PM (8/25/2008)
Audi was an also ran until they changed their center differential to torsen (about twenty years ago)
Audi's front wheel drive 'frontrak' was nothing until the virtual axis front suspension.
Then it didn't get good until Multitronic. Hey if you are giving up quattro fun, you better get something in return, mileage.
The current Multitronic has a wider ratio spread than the 6 speed automatic & the DSG (8:1 was a typo). It is still 10% wider than the 6t40/45.
The 6t40 & 2.4 doesn't seem appropriate for Cadillac.
This, http://media.gm.com/us/powertrain/en/product_services/2009/HPT%20Library/Ecotec/2009%20LNF/2009_20L_LNF_HHR%20automatic.pdf
+ 6t45 seems better.
A rebadged Buick Invincta from the Chinese market, perhaps?
Unless GM wants to make a 2.0t that reduces peak torque to be compatible with the 6t40, 177ft-lbs.
why not the LS2LS7? 1:03PM (8/25/2008)
That seems like a bunch of nonsense to me. You're spewing marketing terms. I mean, acting like the Ur Quattro (torsen-less) was a failure? But hey, I'll play along.
Everyone in the UK falls all over the Mondeo (including Fifth Gear and Top Gear, who gave it "car of the year" twice) and it has FWD and no multitronic. They even say it's a BMW killer.
So why again cannot Cadillac release a FWD car in this smaller size range and compete against the 3-series?
Portablenuke 5:07PM (8/25/2008)
@LS2LS7
Because the luxury market doesn't want a FWD car.
Look at the FWD models Cadillac used to sell, and how they set the world on fire. (They didn't.) Infiniti didn't become credible until they moved over to RWD. Acura does well for themselves, but they just make more expensive Hondas. Audi survives because of their AWD system and being German.
Cadillac already has a perception gap, and introducing a FWD small luxury car will not help close that gap. People are just going to look at it, and say it's a rebadged Cobalt, even if it's not.
Stéphane Dumas 10:08AM (8/25/2008)
My guess is Cadillac might use the rumored Alpha platform (or a possible "Kappa II" platform) but have enough differences to distinguish it from its possible siblings.
I saw at the Motor Trend forums some ideas of a photoshopped Cadillac based on the Alpha platform http://forums.motortrend.com/70/6921408/the-artists-loft/gm-alpha-concept-sketch/index.html
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TKE 10:09AM (8/25/2008)
If the car is appealing in every other way and the 4-cylinder is smooth and technologically advanced, I don't see there being very many brands who won't be able to at least strongly consider a 4-cylinder engine for some of their smaller cars come 2010 or 2011. That is, if gas prices trend upward as they did earlier in the summer and not downward like they are now.
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