Yeah, but Sigma is pretty damn flexable. Everything from a V6 powerd entry level sedan to a V8, AWD SUV. I agree that Zeta will be very flexable. Thats the way Holden wants it. I look at Holden, and see the possible future products for GM. Cross overs, Trucks, Coupes, Sedans and in RWD, AWD, HF V6, HV V6, Gen IV small blocks, and 6spd auto and manual.

 

Actually, I wouldn't be surprized if Zeta replaces Sigma. Zeta is more flexible, a bit cheaper, offers the same qualities, and is essentially based on the Sigma by all accounts.

Also, it's interesting that the next CTS will be out at the same time the Zeta is due to go into production here in the US.

I suspect it ranks far more than just a "supposedly" there Darth:

(Businessweek magazine article, February 10th, 2003) http://www.businessweek.com/magazine...6/b3819001.htm

BTW: If anyone is wondering how the Corvette "Blue Devil got it's name (yes it's a real car), this is from the same article:

Quote:

He picked up a rabid devotion to Duke University basketball from his father, George, an accountant at Eskimo Pie Co. Wagoner got a chance to play for the Blue Devils as a walk-on. He demonstrated a deft shot but learned the limits of his athletic ability. "The knock on Rick was that you couldn't slide a phone book under his jump," says roommate Charles H. McCreary III. The devotion to alma mater remains, though: A few years ago, he ordered a custom "Duke blue" Suburban SUV.

 

Its kind of stupid to think that Caddy could go without a midsized coupe. Something in the CLK range.

 

OK, so we kow that Zeta is based on Sigma and is indeed designed to be a flexible, higher-volume, lower-cost platform than Sigma but.... GM spent a crapload of money (no doubt) developing the very modern Sigma platform and given the longevity of such staples a the B, J, N, G, H, F and W bodies, - I suspect that Sigma will be around for a little longer than 5-6 years - no(?). I know that no one here is knocking the Sigma platform but I just don't see it going away... by say 2008.

GM cannot possibly regain their investment in Sigma that quickly since it is the premium platform and therefore expensive to build and ostensibly sold in relatively small numbers compared to other divisional offerings. Since Cadillac has been so stingy/defensive in the sharing of the Sigma platform with other divisions are they not therefore married to it (so to speak) for the duration - for better or worse until it runs it's course?

I may be wrong and off-base here, and that's OK, I'm fine with that. I'm also not arguing that Cadillac won't offer Zeta based cars. I am just speculating that Sigma may not be so short-lived a project despite the existence of Zeta.

 

At the very least, you'd think they'd keep Sigma (or at least call what they use Sigma if Zeta is in fact very close to Sigma) to give Cadillac that "exclusive" and the prestiege that comes with it by being seperated from "common" GM cars....

The whole competing with BMW and Mercedes thing almost requires this, you would think.

Cadillac has come so far so fast, you'd hate to see them drop the ball.

 

Exactly. There has to be some residual exclusivity and reason d'etre for Sigma even if Zeta has a lot of Sigma DNA within it - since it is/was Cadillac's jealously guarded baby. I think that shrinking away from Sigma so soon after it makes it full-blown entry into the market would be a step backward for Cadillac - even if the vast majority of the car buying public is unaware of platform-ese peculiarities. There has to be some real and intangible qualites that Sigma offers that put the cars based on this platform into the stratospheric company of BMW and MB offerings that Zeta cars must lack given their more value conscious underpinnings.

 

So what about the existing limited edition cars like the Fred Gib Super Camaros and upcomming Dick Harrel's. The later is going to be a 600 HP monster. So why not a special 600 HP CTS V? Makes sense to me that if the former cars exist, there could easily be a special CTS .