How on earth does it cheapen the Cadillac brand when they have already been building FWD powered luxury sedans for over 40-years?

The FWD XTS fits more in-line with the Cadillac brand than the XLR ever did.

 

I think the point trying to be made (at least the way I am reading it, and also the way I feel) is that since the dawning of the Art & Science era at Cadillac, there was apparently a move being made to take Cadillac to the next level, and be predominantly RWD based with CTS, then the original SRX, the XLR, and the latest STS...

Yes, DTS and other FWD cars were made by Cadillac for 40 years and still soldier on, but it appeared that Cadillac was 'growing up' so to speak, and moving int o the big boy's sandbox and this type of stuff was being phased out in favor of exclusive or semi-exclusive RWD based platforms.

Now, it looks like this plan is basically abandonded, as STS is fading away, XLR is fading away, SRX has moved to a FWD platform basically shared with the entire company, and the XTS is another FWD platform.

This leaves Cadillac with just the CTS line with RWD, though the ATS may bolster that.

Cadillac is giving me a real "Jekyl & Hyde" vibe right now...

 

Are you just being facetious?

Clearly, you are aware that the intent is to move the Cadillac brand noticeably upscale, and that FWD luxury car is not the most efficient way of doing that.

 

While you're 100% correct, I don't think that was the point trying to be made.

Let's not forget that with the dawning of the Art & Science era also began Cadillac's and GM's downfall. Apparently there are a few people left that are at least attributing one to the other. While the Art & Science movement developed some interesting vehicles, it seems that GM is now moving Cadillac in the direction of building vehicles people actually want to buy, like the CTS and future ATS. But how many CTS-Vs are they going to sell, and how profitable will they be? Meanwhile until the announcement of the XTS, they were leaving out the majority of their customers.

CTS is already a winner, so offer a CTS convertible based off the CTS coupe. Also I think a production version of the Converj might actually do better than the Chevy Volt. There's just no need to do another XLR as far as I can see.

 

Is that just your opinion, or is it based on something actually stated by GM?

 

I really like the XTS car. Its full of luxury and features that Caddy needs to use across the boad.
But for the XTS to be a true flagship, despite the platform, it needs to come 95% exactly the concept. AWD with the haladex advanced system, a 3.6 attached to a hybrid system, And not as a platnium trim, all that needs to be standard.
The CTS doesnt have what it takes to be a true midsizer. It lacks basic features that are needed for a car of this class
Radar cruse control, lane depature, adaptive suspension, or even full leather seats instead of "leather seating surfaces". A mid level engine also needs to make its way in there. More options on trim as well.
SRX is now outclassed by the MKX now. GM guys should have been crawling all over that thing at Detroit. MKX's has the same capacitive touch and OLED set up that teh XTS has!! Realize that Linc's CUV has the same features as Caddy's concept car?

XLR needs to return as well. It doesnt have to be better then a Vette, because the Vette beats out most high end exotics anyway. The XLR needs to have a feature-rich cabin. It needs to have more features, and not just a fancy Corvette interior.
XLR didnt fail because its slower thent he Corvette. It failed because Caddy cant put together a SL class car.

 

I don't disagree with much of what you are saying, and I actually would agree that a Y-body based XLR is probably not the way to go with that type of vehicle, for a number of reasons already mentioned, though I do think an distinctly unique XLR-type vehicle would have a place at Cadillac.

As for the XTS, I would have like to have seen it be more of an STS replacement than a DTS replacement (if I am seeing that correctly anyway)... though STS apparently never seperated itself from CTS enough to be considered a success.

I would have also (obviously) liked to have seen the SRX follow this type of path too, but because of the lower price point and more traditional crossover styling, I expect it to sell somewhat better than the 1st generation SRX.

 

Which part?

The part about FWD sedans not being endemic to the highest market brands or highest price points?

Or the part about making the high end brand high end in more than name only?

 

Art and Science began the downfall of Cadillac?

I can't remember any magazine buzz or any perspective buyer under the age of 65 interested in one of these.



More people wanted to buy the 1st CTS than any other car new Cadillac offering in a helluva long time. It certainly generated more fanfare and brand awareness.

I agree that FWD has a certain place within Cadillac. But I personally would not base my most expensive "flagship" model on it.

 

The first point is all speculation. I don't know if the XTS will be offered without AWD, but even if it is, what is the problem? Caddy has been making FWD for decades. They wouldn't be the only offering FWD in cars as well. I also don't understand the Alpha vehicle comment. Alpha should be smaller than this, much smaller. My understanding is smaller than the CTS and maybe a longer version the size of a CTS.

I am not sure I understand the second point. I am not sure that the XTS is "good enough", mainly because I have only seen a concept. Caddy is going after the luxury market. The luxury market has large cars. The XTS is a large luxury car. Seems to fit the bill to me. The features and materials are what is going to make or break this car.

 

I think he is talking about the history of Caddy, which isn't necessarily performance, but very nice large cars, including FWD.

 

I actually think that the 100k Corvette would sell more vehicles than placing a caddy badge on it and selling it for the same price.

Why can't the CTS-V Coupe/Sedan/Wagon be Caddy's performance vehicle? How many performance vehicles does it need? If it is showing what the brand is capable of, wouldn't that fit the bill?

 

I agree. I love the CTS-V sedan and the coupe. They look very sexy and 556 supercharged HP is more than enough for a car its size. I've actually thought about picking up a used CTS-V in a couple years.

 

Thats like asking why the M5 can't be BMW's performance car? It really is simple..either you build badass cars are you don't. Apparently however I am way out in left field. I did not know Cadillac's mission was to build the best FWD cars in the world or that Art & Science was the brands down fall.

 

ot sure if it was mentioned. But it would of been nice to keep the platform going.

Reskin what was the Solstice GXP the Sky Redline's frame/powertrain into a Caddy 2 seat roadster.