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REPORT: Cadillac gets green light for smaller, RWD sedan
Despite being priced to compete with the smaller BMW 3 Series sedan, the Cadillac CTS is as large as the German marque's 5 Series. Similarly, the STS competes with the 5 Series in pricing but matches the top-level 7 Series in size. Rumors of a smaller Caddy to zig alongside the benchmark 3 Series in size have been running rampant for over a year and now we hear the sedan may have finally been green-lighted. Expect the new entry-level Cadillac to be built atop GM's upcoming rear-wheel-drive Alpha platform. We have had nothing but good things to say about the latest Cadillac CTS, so we naturally have high hopes for the new, smaller Caddy sedan, which could also sprout a coupe and a convertible. To this point, GM has never quite hit the sweet spot with the premium division's smallest offering in Europe, the Saab 9-3-based BLS, and we are anxious to see how the new Alpha Dog can compete. Thanks for the tip, Rob![Source: Motor Trend]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
Serge 4:35PM (9/15/2008)
Seems interesting... can't wait to see some concept renderings :)
And a LS7 powered BLS-V would be nice to spank some M3, C63, RS4 butt!!! Just try to keep the weight down GM...
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Serge 4:39PM (9/15/2008)
I meant more recent rendrings... this one is pretty old if I rember correctly.
HotRodzNKustoms 4:43PM (9/15/2008)
Just to compete a "BLS-V" would need a LS3 with 430hp, but when has the General ever been happy not obliterating the competition with a huge power gap?
Brian 6:11PM (9/15/2008)
LS7 powered 3 series competitor! You hit it right on the money. That would spank the M3. And this will be an 3 series competitor. I hate it when people compared the CTS to the 3 series. Just because its in the same price range doesn't make it the competitor. And I still think the 1 series is a joke. And is horridly ugly.
naggs 8:45PM (9/16/2008)
that is the beauty of the CSB, it can fit anywhere an OHC v6 can. an ls7 powered 3 series fighter would rule all
stevereportdotcom 4:36PM (9/15/2008)
Cadillac shouldn't waste money trying to compete with the 3-series. WWII has been over, and no company has came up with anything that can compete with it. However, just because a company doesn't produce a 3-series killer means its a bad auto company.. So just give it up and enjoy the CTS sales.
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Serge 4:41PM (9/15/2008)
Why shouldn't Caddy build a competetive compact sport-luxury car? It's a pretty big market for those things, even more so than the CTS... Last time I checked the 3 was the class leader, only natural for GM to go after it :)
Chase 5:18PM (9/15/2008)
The 3 series is too hyped. The base 3 is great, but its not the driver's car it used to be -- and that was the main thing it had going for it. The interior is merely acceptable by today's standards (its not as nice as a VW's in my opinion), the styling isn't going to win any contests, the base motor isn't up to par anymore, and it is very expensive. Though it might not sway BMW enthusiasts, to an unbiased person, the current G35 is a much better car than the 328i.
That said, BMW still does make great a driver's car. After driving a 135i, I can honestly say it was about as much fun to drive as a Carrera S. The 135i's motor was more exciting, while the 911's controls were so very intuitive and perfect.
Yar 5:59PM (9/15/2008)
"WWII has been over"
Yes, WWII is over, and we won.
Now, what does that have to do with anything?
the vegas style guy 2:11AM (9/16/2008)
After reading your comment I hope that Caddy builds a car that punks The 3 and sends it home crying.
RG 4:42PM (9/15/2008)
So if the CTS is priced against the 3 series, would it be safe to assume that this baby Caddy would be 3 series sized and TSX priced ($32k fully loaded)?
That could be a very nice car indeed.
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Torrent 5:33PM (9/15/2008)
They don't even need to make a whole new car. Just import the BLS for 2010 and we're all happy! YAY!
*balloons* *confetti* *beer*
Chase 5:53PM (9/15/2008)
I'll wait on an alpha-platform version, thank you. Saabs aren't my thing.
montoym 5:58PM (9/15/2008)
Sorry Torrent, that won't work.
The whole point is to replace the BLS with a competitive car. The BLS is just a re-skinned Saab and as such, is also FWD. If Cadillac wants to be taken seriously against the others in that class, they must also move to RWD and be more than a Saab with a different body.
This was all even mentioned in the story, did you not read it all?
Torrent 6:29PM (9/15/2008)
@ montoym:
I did read it, but I have to say that a small FWD car that gets good fuel economy would be great right now, but I see what you mean. All they have to do is put the new small Caddy on the CTS coupe's platform- since it's already shortened enough. Put Pontiac's G8 GT engine in it and you got a 361 horsepower _ _S-V.
LMBVette 4:45PM (9/15/2008)
I would be all over this!! Please build it....and get it to market ASAP!!!!
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SGV 4:46PM (9/15/2008)
" . . . to zig alongside the benchmark 3 Series . . . " ZIG? you really wrote the word ZIG? Just what the world needed, another Cadillac that Zigs!!
Whatever happened to the BLS, anyway? Is it really THAT bad?
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cbraundesign 4:48PM (9/15/2008)
This makes me really excited. I'm nearly in love with the new CTS and I'm a current 3 series driver. I'd love something smaller with the handling of a 3 and the styling of the CTS. It would also be nice if it were about $26,000 instead of $36,000 like the new 3er.
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MikeofLA 4:47PM (9/15/2008)
Awesome! I don't know about anyone else, but i am excited about the new small RWD car revival. Respectable power, efficiency and weight is a fantastic combination.
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tom 10:57PM (9/15/2008)
+1 compact RWD cars FTW!