Autoblog

Cadillac moves to trademark LTS, is it for a rear-drive flagship?

Jonathon Ramsey — Thu, 14 Jun 2012 15:58:00 EST

Car and Driver is back with more info on the potential future of Cadillac, having discovered that our finest domestic luxury brand has filed a trademark application for the name "LTS." The reasoned speculation: that since Cadillac tends to use the names it files to protect, LTS could be applied to one of the two rear-drive sedans expected to arrive soon - either the eventual successor to the just-introduced XTS or an Omega-platformed top-tier flagship. Another possibility is the name XLS.

More interesting are the dimensional roles that Car and Driver predicts for the coming lineup. With the CTS growing in order to put some girth between it and the ATS, making it a straighter comparison to the BMW 5 Series, the XTS replacement would fit between the 5 Series and 7 Series, and the flagship "would exceed even the long-wheelbase 7 in size." That might leave the flagship no larger than the current DTS, which is already 2.4 inches longer than the 760Li, but if the report is correct it will be interesting to see how Cadillac differentiates that middle sedan from the other two.

Cadillac moves to trademark LTS, is it for a rear-drive flagship? originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 14 Jun 2012 15:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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More details emerge about new RWD Cadillac flagship

Jonathon Ramsey — Thu, 10 May 2012 13:30:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Sedan, Cadillac, Luxury

Every single Cadillac XTS post ends up with comments deploring the sedan's FWD - even a post that speaks of nothing more than the iPad buyers will get with the car. For those folks especially, Car and Driver has loaded the hopper with news on the possible treats coming from the Wreath and Crest. Examining uses of the Omega platform, C/D says "a proper rear-drive sedan" will arrive in "a few" years and take the top spot in the lineup. Predictions are that it will have a rakish roofline and the 310-horsepower, 3.6-liter V6.

GM's Omega platform is said to have been engineered to accommodate this new RWD flagship, though the chances of it actually coming to fruition are about as likely as winning the Mega Millions. The only trifles, according to C/D, are that the program hasn't even been approved, and if it is, would Cadillac have an engine good enough to serve in such a car or would it need to develop one. But said flagshp does, we repeat, it does, have a platform. Still, since the Cadillac Sixteen concept is from a time when "Gaga" is what babies said, you should probably stick to the Mega Millions for now.

More details emerge about new RWD Cadillac flagship originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 10 May 2012 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Cadillac likely to approve flagship, more hybrid models

Zach Bowman — Tue, 30 Aug 2011 15:31:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Convertible, Hybrid, Sedan, Cadillac, Luxury

According to The Detroit Bureau, Cadillac is aiming to produce a new high-end flagship on the massive Omega platform. The news comes in the wake of the exuberant public reaction to the company's Ciel Concept, and General Motors says that a hard-top version of the lengthy convertible is already in the works. We may see that concept in as little as a few months. While General Motors is being fairly tight-lipped about the vehicle's actual production schedule, The Detroit Bureau reports that the new Omega may land in dealerships by 2015 at the latest.

But that's not the only news from Cadillac. The company has also made it clear that buyers can expect to be able to snap up a range of hybrid vehicles from the luxury automaker. While that includes efforts like the upcoming Volt-based ELR, the brand intends to flex its tech muscles with multiple hybrid technologies in the near future. The Detroit Bureau hypothesizes that Cadillac may dabble in incredibly efficient vehicles as well as high-performance hybrids similar to what Porsche is currently producing.

Cadillac likely to approve flagship, more hybrid models originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 30 Aug 2011 15:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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New flagship Cadillac sedan given green light

Chris Shunk — Wed, 13 Jul 2011 11:29:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Cadillac, GM, Rumormill

Cadillac XTS Platinum concept - Click above for high-res image gallery

Recent spy photos show us that the all-new Cadillac XTS is already well on its way. But while the XTS will be the biggest Cadillac sedan in years, it won't be the top dog in the Wreath and Crest lineup for long.

GM Inside News reports that sources familiar with General Motors' product plans claim that a rear-drive flagship Cadillac has been approved for production. The green-lighted rear-wheel-drive platform has reportedly been given the internal name "Omega," playing off of the "Alpha" designation for the smaller rear-drive platform set to underpin the ATS and the next-gen CTS. The top-dog Caddy, which we've heard about plenty of times over the years, will reportedly receive plenty of Zeta bits, while at the same time using plenty of lightweight materials like aluminum. GMI also speculates that the fifth generation small-block V8 could find its way underhood, though we think powertrain speculation is a bit premature at this time.

The next generation Caddy flagship will reportedly see the light of day between 2015 and 2017, and GMI claims that the model may replace the forthcoming (front-drive based) all-wheel drive XTS. GMI says that its sources claim that current management isn't all that thrilled with how the XTS is shaping up, though we should point out that we haven't heard anything along those lines.

A big, luxurious rear-drive Cadillac sounds plenty good to us, but 2015 is a long way away...

New flagship Cadillac sedan given green light originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 13 Jul 2011 11:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rumormill: Mooted Cadillac flagship could be mid-engined sports car

Jeff Glucker — Fri, 07 Jan 2011 11:01:00 EST

Filed under: Cadillac, GM, Rumormill, Luxury

2010 Cadillac XTS Platinum Concept - Click above for high-res image gallery

Car and Driver is reporting that the often-reported Cadillac flagship is at a crossroads. There have been many rumors that the planned range-topper will wind up as a rear-wheel drive, high-end luxury sedan slotting above the production version of the XTS Platinum (the concept version of which is shown above). Now C/D has apparently been hearing whispers that it may in fact show up as a mid-engined sports car.

While the thought of a luxurious, mid-engined ZR1 sounds appealing, we'll file this in the don't-hold-your-breath category. Although, if the company is brassy enough to build the ultra low-volume CTS-V Sport Wagon, then perhaps anything is possible.

Gallery: Detroit 2010: Cadillac XTS Platinum Concept

[Source: Car and Driver]

Rumormill: Mooted Cadillac flagship could be mid-engined sports car originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 07 Jan 2011 11:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rumormill: Rumblings of Zeta-based family of rear-wheel-drive GM sedans persist

Jonathon Ramsey — Fri, 24 Sep 2010 14:26:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, Rumormill, Luxury

The ongoing yarn about General Motors fielding a brace of rear-wheel drive flagship sedans based on a new generation Premium Zeta platform has hit the big time, with Motor Trend reporting that the platform will underpin a sport sedan for Chevrolet. Last month, the rejigged Zeta was touted as the basis for a flagship Buick that would finally, and properly, challenge Lexus. MT's report says there will be two wheelbases for this new Zeta, and that those two variants will do duty under a Cadillac, a U.S. Buick and potentially a Chinese-market Buick, and several Holden models along with the aforementioned Chevy.

As the basis for premium sedans, General Motors could spend the money to make it properly light and strong through the use of high-strength steels. The Chevy sport sedan mentioned would be "a kind of four-door Camaro" - Pontiac G8 GXP redux, anyone? - while the Buick only gets described as "cushier," and both would go on the shorter wheelbase Zeta.

The most interesting tidbit could be Cadillac's use of the long-wheelbase platform. MT prices a Cadillac flagship at between $125,000 and $140,000 and says the Zeta-based Cadillac, Whitacre's S-Class rival for the Crest-and-Wreath brand, will sit beneath it. If it all comes to pass, that would give Cadillac a larger CTS, then an XTS, then a properly sporting high-end luxury competitor, then a one-Caddy-to-rule-them-all ne plus ultra model by 2014 or so. Hat tip to Joshua!

[Source: Motor Trend]

Rumormill: Rumblings of Zeta-based family of rear-wheel-drive GM sedans persist originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 24 Sep 2010 14:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: Whitacre wants a flagship S-Class rival for Cadillac

Noah Joseph — Thu, 12 Aug 2010 08:59:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Cadillac, Rumormill, Luxury

Cadillac Sixteen concept - Click above for high-res image gallery

There was a time, not so long ago, that if you wanted a proper fullsize luxury sedan (short of a Bentley or Rolls-Royce, at least), your choices were "largely" limited to the German three: the BMW 7 Series, Audi A8 and Mercedes-Benz S-Class. But that was before the Lexus LS came along, the Infiniti Q45 came and went, when Jaguar's XJ was still a tight fit (and an unreliable one at that) and the Maserati Quattroporte didn't really factor into the equation. Don't even get us started on underdogs like the Volkswagen Phaeton and Hyundai Equus, but you get the point. Volvo recently became the latest rumored to be joining the fold, and now it looks like Cadillac could as well.

Substantiating earlier reports, the latest batch indicate that the call for a fullsize Caddy to battle the German stalwarts came right from the top, from GM CEO Ed Whitacre. And why shouldn't it? After all, if the head of one of the largest corporations in the world needs a new ride, he shouldn't have to look to a competitor like his Japanese counterpart Toyoda-san was spotted doing.

As is often the case with such rumors, few details are known at this point. But the project is expected to slot above the upcoming XTS - the model that's slated to replace both the STS and DTS sedans - with a rear- or all-wheel-drive setup and arrive no sooner than 2014. So we've got a while to wait before we find out if there's anything to these reports. But they certainly are intriguing.

Gallery: Cadillac Sixteen Concept

[Source: Automotive News - Sub. Req'd]

Report: Whitacre wants a flagship S-Class rival for Cadillac originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 12 Aug 2010 08:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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C/D: Cadillac to get new range-topping rear-wheel-drive flagship

Chris Paukert — Fri, 11 Jun 2010 16:28:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Cadillac, GM, Rumormill

According to Car and Driver's Jens Meiners, Cadillac is poised to get a new full-size, rear-wheel drive sedan to slot in above the forthcoming XTS - a model that itself will sit above the CTS when it bows to serve as a combined replacement for the STS and DTS.

To hear C/D's moles tell it, the flagship sedan is still in the early planning stages, but the model is being built at the directive of none other than GM CEO Ed Whitacre. If the rumor is accurate, the forthcoming model is apparently likely to be derived from a stretched Sigma platform, the same architecture that underpins the CTS family. Meiners dismisses thoughts that the car could be built on the much-used Zeta platform that underpins the Chevrolet Camaro, suggesting that it's too heavy and old to support such a vehicle.

With word that a Lambda-based three-row crossover and the BMW 3-Series fighting ATS are on the way for General Motors' Wreath and Crest division, it's becoming increasingly clear that the boys down at The Tubes have hit the product accelerator pedal for their luxury brand. We just hope that this mystery offering means that Cadillac is finally going to cook up something that looks like 2003's showstopping Sixteen concept (above), albeit likely in a scaled-down format.

[Source: Car and Driver]

C/D: Cadillac to get new range-topping rear-wheel-drive flagship originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 11 Jun 2010 16:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Autoblog Podcast #137

Dan Roth — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 17:45:00 EST

Filed under: Podcasts, Hybrid, Etc., Acura, Audi, Cadillac, GM, Honda, Jaguar, Lexus, Porsche, Volkswagen, Diesel

Click above for the Autoblog Podcast in iTunes, RSS or listen now!

Episode #137 of the Autoblog Podcast has arrived. Chris, Sam, and Dan are back, chewing the fat over the Acura ZDX, Death Valley spy shots of the Jaguar XJ, what will underpin Cadillac's new flagship model, Electric Lexus pricing, the ongoing Volkswagen/Porsche soap opera, and Honda's swearing off of V8s and RWD. Wrap it all up nice and tidy with some of your questions, and 82 minutes later, you're done. We apologize for the poor audio quality on Dan's track for some of this week's podcast. It only lasts through the end of the Autoblog Garage segment, and then we're back to full-fidelity. Getting a show out to you quickly was important to us, so we went with what we had. 23 minutes in is the magic point where the audio clears up. Let us know what you think, drop us a line at Podcast at Autoblog dot com. Thanks to all who have taken the time to fill out our survey; hit the jump to listen or subscribe to the Autoblog Podcast. If you like what we're doing, check out some of our sister blog podcasts like Engadget and Joystiq - you can never have enough listening material!

Continue reading Autoblog Podcast #137

Autoblog Podcast #137 originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 22 Jul 2009 17:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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