Cadillac flagship to use stretched CTS platform, two new Buicks on the way?
Cadillac's on-again, off-again plan to replace the aging DTS and STS with one flagship product – which may or may not be known as the XTS – is reportedly back on track. According to Motor Trend, the original plan to use the Zeta platform of the Holden Commodore and Pontiac G8 has been shelved in favor a stretched version of Cadillac's own Sigma chassis that underpins the smaller CTS. If there's any truth to these rumors, we should expect to see the new Caddy for the 2012 model year.
The demise of the DTS also spells impending doom for the Buick Lucerne since the two vehicles are built atop the same platform at the Detroit Hamtramck assembly plant. MT reports that Buick will get two new models to replace the Lucerne, one of which may revive the old Invicta name from the 1960s. That mid-size sedan would replace the canceled Saturn Aura and be based on the Opel Insignia, which uses the same Epsilon II platform that's used by the 2010 Buick LaCrosse.
The second new Buick will reportedly be a notch smaller and will share its compact Delta guts with the Chevrolet Cruze but be fitted with the suspension adjustments pioneered on the Opel Astra. We'll just have to wait and see how that car goes along with Fritz Henderson's proclamation that he's 'not a fan of rebadging' if it ever sees the light of day.
[Source: Motor Trend]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Adam Gheybert 8:14PM (7/20/2009)
Why do half of all Autoblog post titles end with a question mark?
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sunz 3:42PM (7/20/2009)
Wow .. this compared to the new honda(s) and Lexus(s) .. hmm...not a buick fan but i see good design shifting to domestics ...
-sun
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Venom 3:46PM (7/20/2009)
This is not hard Cadillac.
Just make a big version of the CTS and you will have a winner.
Just do it.
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BrianFL 5:29PM (7/20/2009)
Agreed. The Sigma is good smooth platform already. Why change it. Maybe they should make a flagship buick while their at it to compete with the Genesis
Sean 3:48PM (7/20/2009)
The STS, original SRX, and original CTS were/are Sigma I, so It makes sense to build the new STS on Sigma II like the new CTS. I like the Idea of a compact buick, but I hope it is differentiated from the Cruze (Soft ride, high quality interior, more powerful engine) If Fritz says "I'm not a fan of rebadging" one more time I might go insane...
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Aki 3:49PM (7/20/2009)
A bigger version of the CTS could look very nice. Love how the CTS looks.
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Taglane 3:51PM (7/20/2009)
AND we have hope for the XTS!
I srsly hope we get RWD. oh and a V.
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Sal Collaziano 4:18PM (7/20/2009)
The XTS is still on as the ES competitor.. The STS/DTS replacement (no longer DT7) is a different car altogether..
Sal Collaziano
http://www.cadillacforums.com
Sean 5:57PM (7/20/2009)
But the lacrosse is the ES competitor, is GM planning to compete with itself again?
P.V. 6:15PM (7/20/2009)
Very true. The XTS is mid-size Epsilon-based ES-competitor, while the flagship is a stretched-Sigma-based 7 Series-competitor.
I think someone at Cadillac started reading the forums, which is a very good thing.
That said, I seriously want to badly injure Fritz Henderson, as he said he's "not a fan of rebadging", yet the only differences between the Cruze and its Buick counterpart will be (and then only somewhat) the front and rear ends (i.e. the entire middle section will be identical) and SOME interior parts.
AAAAAARRGGH!
Taglane 6:49PM (7/20/2009)
P.V.:
Have you seen the "Buick Cruze" spy shots? The whole body is different. Sure it looks similar in the beltline, but so does the Astra. Expect completely different Styling. (think Traverse vs. Enclave- they share basic styling cues, but overall they're dramatically different)
....Unless I missed an article that says they will get a Cruze body and stick a waterfall grille on it (umm.. article picture.)
inline6 3:55PM (7/20/2009)
While I find MT to be about the worst source of upcoming product info ever, I will say this:
Cadillac needs to get ANY ideas of FWD Epsilons out of its head. Doing a stretched CTS to replace the STS (already a stretched CTS) will be good, but they've GOT to learn from the failure of the current STS.
I don't buy the idea that Buick will be getting a retrimmed Insignia. No matter how good the Insig is, it's a silly idea since they're going to the effort to put a 2.4L DI I4 in the - only a little - bigger LaCrosse.
I also don't see how two cars that are smaller than BOTH the LaCrosse and Lucerne will replace the Lucerne. But that's beside the point.
We know that Buick will probably be getting a Delta-based car soon - whether it's modeled more closely on the Cruze or the Astra, we don't know yet.
But in my opinion, Buick's 4th model (after Lucerne goes away and the Delta-based car debuts) should be a Buick-ified Opel/Vauxhall Zafira with Chinese Business Concept cues. It'd be the perfect little brother to the Enclave, while keeping from competing directly with the SRX or Equinox/Terrain, and offering 7 seats, which none of the 3 do.
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jgp 3:56PM (7/20/2009)
So, what will the difference between the LaCrosse and Invicta be?
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Tomac 4:07PM (7/20/2009)
Forget RWD, it's not going to happen. And if it does, trust that it will be ridiculously benign (try to conjure up a Grand Marquis with a Buick badge). Honestly, who--except for China and sexagenarians-- truly cares about Buick?
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The Other Bob 4:02PM (7/20/2009)
"Buick will get two new models to replace the Lucerne, one of which may revive the old Invicta name from the 1960s. That mid-size sedan would replace the canceled Saturn Aura and be based on the Opel Insignia, which uses the same Epsilon II platform that's used by the 2010 Buick LaCrosse. "
In other words, the LaCrosse replaced the Lucerne.
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The Other Bob 4:03PM (7/20/2009)
4 inches.
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JZeke 4:09PM (7/20/2009)
A Cruze might be one size too small with its anticipated 105.9" wheelbase. The Lexus ES is the proven "just right" size for many near-luxury intenders, with 109" between the wheels to provide a smooth ride and comfort for 4. Even the 3 Series is a healthy 108" between the wheels, yet can feel a bit cramped.
Unless it gets lengthened, a Cruze-based Buick might come off as too sporty, or too economy minded - undermining the brand in the middle of its rebirth.
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dp 5:58PM (7/20/2009)
Bring on a smaller Buick so I can get rid of the overpriced and highly problematic Audi a-4!!
By the way there is a 6 inch difference between the LaCrosse and Insignia
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paul34 4:29PM (7/20/2009)
Is there anyway we can get a RWD four door, the 6-speed stick from the 09 CTS-V, and a "quite nice" powertrain? Basically, a G8 GXP, but we don't have to call it taht... please? Meh who am I kidding. Only in my dreams.
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trax4wax 4:32PM (7/20/2009)
looks like a 5 series to me
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