RWD large Cadillac is back on
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RWD large Cadillac is back on
http://www.motortrend.com/features/a...ans/index.html
First and foremost, the program to converge the DTS and STS into a new, rear-drive flagship Cadillac sedan is back on track after a one-year hold. The program has been renamed, however (we don't have the new name, yet), and the DT7 program designation has been shelved. That suggests Cadillac also has shelved plans to build the converged DTS/STS off Australian Brand Holden's Zeta RWD platform (Commodore/Statesman, Pontiac G8 and Chinese Buick Park Avenue). Cadillac will likely use its own Sigma (CTS) platform instead, which can be stretched long enough for a large, Mercedes S-Class competitor.
Before the project hiatus, the DT7 was set to premier some time next year as a 2011 model. It now looks like the new Cadillac flagship will be MY12, although the one-year off doesn't necessarily translate to a full one-year delay. It depends on how much design and engineering work can be translated to a probable shift from Zeta to Sigma.
Before the project hiatus, the DT7 was set to premier some time next year as a 2011 model. It now looks like the new Cadillac flagship will be MY12, although the one-year off doesn't necessarily translate to a full one-year delay. It depends on how much design and engineering work can be translated to a probable shift from Zeta to Sigma.
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Interesting, and it gives me hope that RWD will not be abandoned at Cadillac (save CTS... and possibly Alpha) with all this FWD Escalde talk, upcoming FWD sedan talk, and the new SRX moving from RWD to FWD.....
So, is this new full size sedan assumed to be sized between DTS and STS, since it is apparently intended to replace both of those nameplates?
So, is this new full size sedan assumed to be sized between DTS and STS, since it is apparently intended to replace both of those nameplates?
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Car and Driver reported something similar, for what's its worth.
(And it makes sense because Sigma is here today, while the other rumored replacements are not. Just restyle and stretch the existing car, add an LS engine option, and done.)
(And it makes sense because Sigma is here today, while the other rumored replacements are not. Just restyle and stretch the existing car, add an LS engine option, and done.)
Last edited by flowmotion; Jul 20, 2009 at 03:00 PM.
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Motor Trend is an unreliable source of information. I wish people would stop linking to this rag. We already knew about Buick getting a small car and the Insignia, and I don't believe a word of this rumor about the RWD flaghip.
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I think this is probably pretty accurate.
GM really has no other direction to go but SLS/Sigma. I don't buy all of this XTS talk as the DTS/STS replacement. If anything, the XTS is to slot below/around CTS in case Alpha croaks. Not to mention, I have a hard time thinking Cadillac could get "flagship" prices for Epsilon II technology.
Just MHO.
As for the Escalade... AFAIK, it is confirmed to be on Lambda next time around. I'm not sure if that's a good thing or not.
GM really has no other direction to go but SLS/Sigma. I don't buy all of this XTS talk as the DTS/STS replacement. If anything, the XTS is to slot below/around CTS in case Alpha croaks. Not to mention, I have a hard time thinking Cadillac could get "flagship" prices for Epsilon II technology.
Just MHO.
As for the Escalade... AFAIK, it is confirmed to be on Lambda next time around. I'm not sure if that's a good thing or not.
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From: Chicagoland IL
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Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 16,176
From: Chicagoland IL
I think this is probably pretty accurate.
GM really has no other direction to go but SLS/Sigma. I don't buy all of this XTS talk as the DTS/STS replacement. If anything, the XTS is to slot below/around CTS in case Alpha croaks. Not to mention, I have a hard time thinking Cadillac could get "flagship" prices for Epsilon II technology.
Just MHO.
As for the Escalade... AFAIK, it is confirmed to be on Lambda next time around. I'm not sure if that's a good thing or not.
GM really has no other direction to go but SLS/Sigma. I don't buy all of this XTS talk as the DTS/STS replacement. If anything, the XTS is to slot below/around CTS in case Alpha croaks. Not to mention, I have a hard time thinking Cadillac could get "flagship" prices for Epsilon II technology.
Just MHO.
As for the Escalade... AFAIK, it is confirmed to be on Lambda next time around. I'm not sure if that's a good thing or not.
The XTS, (or whatever it's name will be) is on. It will be in a completely different slot than Alpha.
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The report concerns me in regards to the direction GM are taking with its RWD plans.
GM must find a less expensive way to make RWD available for Chevrolet. RWD should not be a premium platform reserved exclusively for Cadillac. If Holden can build RWD sedans and make money for Australia's petite market, there's no excuses why GM can't churn out profitable RWD sedans for the NA market... even with the newer fuel economy constraints imposed on them.
Just my 2c.
GM must find a less expensive way to make RWD available for Chevrolet. RWD should not be a premium platform reserved exclusively for Cadillac. If Holden can build RWD sedans and make money for Australia's petite market, there's no excuses why GM can't churn out profitable RWD sedans for the NA market... even with the newer fuel economy constraints imposed on them.
Just my 2c.
