I consider the Escalade to be the flagship of the Cadillac brand. Keeping that and the CTS up to date and competitive should the the #1 priority.

 

Cars like this are not about volume..or long model runs..they are about showing what a brand is capable of. GM has a head start in that they already have one of the best sports cars in the world at Chevy. If you can make a business case for a $100K+ ZR1..then I don't think a Cadillac version is that hard. Fact is..ZR1 really would have been the perfect car for Cadillac.

XTS should be a Buick..it's that simple.

 

Car and Driver answered that question when they reviewed the new Lambda-based SRX. They said it was definitely impressive for the Lexus RX crowd, it may even exceed that standard. But it is woefully heavy and not nearly as fun to drive as the old Sigma-based SRX.

I suppose the question becomes whether you want Cadillac to be setting benchmarks in performance and driving dynamics, or do you back-burner that stuff for class-leading comfort and luxury.

 

SRX is TE based, not Lambda.

 

Except theres $80-115K corvettes too . I can completely see why the Corvette team "may" feel that way . R8 and cars like it are seen as direct competitors to the Corvette , I would totally get them not wanting to share the spotlight with a Cadillac . I am definately in the XLR was a mistake club . Cadillac has a entire division to hone before it should worry about topping it off with the high end 2-seat sportscar .

 

SRX is Theta

 

You're right, I got them mixed up. Either way, the differences between a car-based crossover (Sigma/Zeta) and an SUV-based one (Theta/Lambda) are apparent.

An Escalade on Lambda? I suppose it would make sense on the surface, but there's something about the true BOF truck that makes the Escalade more appealing to folks. Lambda would have to be made to accept things like 22" wheels (while still looking right doing it) and offer its AWD standard. I also think it would need to accept a V8.

 

I agree with C&D on that. The new SRX is better in every way than the Lexus. It drives better, it handles better, it has a better interior - all of that. The old Sigma SRX was just so more fun to drive though, than the new one.

Where does Cadillac want to go with this? I think Sigma and Alpha will have world class dynamics, everything else coming out of Cadillac ---not so much.

 

STOP! Before the XLR, when in history has Cadillac had a halo vehicle, let alone one that compares to the R8, SLR or LFA, etc?

I concur with others... the Escalade is Cadillac's halo vehicle.

 

While I haven't driven the new SRX, I have driven the old Sigma version. I loved it as well. The Lexus RX is a nice vehicle and I have to admit when I was shopping for one with my mom, I was impressed with it... however I'm just not sold that any Lexus is worth the asking price.

I like the fact that new SRX is less of a "wagon" than the old Sigma SRX; but then I also like the CTS-wagon. The one thing I have against the new SRX is that its not enough of an SUV. I guess if I was in the market, I'd either go with the Escalade or the CTS-wagon, depending if I wanted more of a "truck" or more of a "sedan". The SRX is just too much of a tweener for my tastes.

I guess it all boils down to what is considered a "halo" Cadillac. Perhaps what they really need is a CTS-V convertible.

 

I go back to the point about Lexus. Before the LFA, which isn't out yet, did you know what Lexus was capable of? Say it is only around for 3 years, then what? Do they need to start working on another one? Why doesn't BMW have the Z8 anymore? It has been gone since 2003. What did Audi have before the R8? What compete in this market of ultra fast luxury which doesn't compete well with cars like the ZR1? Does this bring in buyers? Are people going into a Lexus show room looking at the LFA and buy something else because Lexus makes an LFA? Where is Acura's car? What about Infiniti?

First you say they need to compete with the LFA and R8 and SLR, but now it is about what a manufacture is capable of. But honestly, I think people would say this is an answer to a question that no one asked. A really fast Caddy SLR killer isn't really going to help GM or Caddy. I just don't see the business case. They are cool cars to look at, but I am buying none of them or buying one of these brands because of these cars.

I can't find the business case for the vehicle at all. Saying because there is a business case for a ZR1, which I am not sure that there is, doesn't mean that there is one for Caddy. In that case, I guess there is one for Buick as well, since it will compete in the near Luxury segment, it also needs a fast Halo car. While I wouldn't mind seeing Buick with a sporty 2 door convertible, it needs to be something that people want and not just because a manufacture can make it.



On the XTS being a Buick... why? Why can't the XTS be a Caddy? What is so wrong with it? FWD based AWD? I know some people hate it, but unless it makes 450hp and runs off of happy thoughts, some people aren't going to like it. So, what is wrong with it? Buick is getting its good vehicles, I think this one is more expensive than what a Buick would go for and has more features, create comforts, and quality materials.

 

I always saw the Eldorado and DTS as the halo Caddies.

 

 

This is silly. Everyone wants to say "Cadillac can compete with the German's!", "Cadillac is reborn!"

Yet those same people trip over themselves making excuses for why Cadillac does not need the same types of vehicles or powertrains those brands have. Half *** solutions get half assed results.

CTS-V is awesome..so what? How many M Cars or AMG cars do the German's make that outside of power are likely better?

What you guys don't get is Cadillac won't grow by merely making a lame *** attempt to play on the same field as the Germans. All things equal people will buy a Bimmer, Mercedes or Audi based on reputation. For Cadillac to grow, it has to blow the competition out the water.

As soon as you start making excuses for big soft FWD based sedans, or why there is no business case to build a super luxury version of the Corvette, you are going down a rung and competeting with brands like Lincoln and Acura. The problem is that is what Buick is around for.

 

Don't forget the Allante.