Hey, guys. I've been reading this board for a while but rarely post. But today I just realized something (maybe it's been discussed before).

BMW's 5-Series and Mercedes' E-Class, they both are both competitors to the SeVille and the 7 and S-Class are both competitors the the DeVille (size wise at least). Well I was thinking that about 85% of these European cars on the road I see are NOT top of the line V-8 powered models. For the most part they are either an E320, 525i, 530i.

This brings me to my point, perhaps Cadillac should think about offering a V-6 option in their flagship sedans to increase market share. I haven't checked the numbers but I'm pretty sure that last year's 5-Series outsold the SeVille by a healthy margin. So perhaps if Caddy decided to offer the new HFV6 tuned to 275 HP and the new Northstar at 315 HP in the upcoming Villes it might lure younger buyers to these traditionally "old-man" cars by chopping the price by 5-6K. They are doing it with the new SRX on Sigma, so I'm sure there won't be any problems with doing this on the upcoming RWD SeVille. What do you guys think?

 

GM moves over 100,000 Devilles a year I think (Mostly Limos and Hearses). I dount BMW sells that many 5 series...

 

Worldwide, BMW sold 172,000 5-series in 2002 compared to 85,000 DeVilles (US only, though I doubt exports bring that number up much).

 

http://www.autointell-news.com/News-...l-02-03-p1.htm

"In its last full calendar year of sales, the 5 Series set an all-time sales record of nearly 41,000 units in the U.S."

Deville alone sells more than double the BMW 5 series here in the US, so I don't think sales wise Cadillac is looking over it's shoulder, or has much incentive to broaden it's appeal, let alone using V6 engines Maksik7. Taking the position of using size as the only guideline for what's in a vehicle class, one may as well throw Impalas & Buicks in there too.

Just the same, Cadillac is looking to become a global brand. Currently, using a chassis shared with other lower cost GM cars, makes Cadillac a big profit maker within the US market. Going global with a chassis comparable to to other overseas brands will give Cadillac a bigger market & bigger still profits.

BMW & Mercedes tend to have sky-is-the-limit development budgets, while Cadillac won't. If GM actually does get world class Cadillacs developed on the low, but with prices to match the German luxury brands, Cadillac has the potential to be GM's biggest money making brand.

 

It seems as if every brand wants to be BMW these days. Judging by the recent success of the Cadillac Escalade, that's not where Cadillac should be headed. Cadillac should be all about "Ghetto Fabulous." Think about all of the product placements the Escalade (not to mention the H2) has gotten in hip-hop videos. In comparison, the CTS has been invisible outside of gearhead circles.

Sure the Escalade is pretty obviously a dressed up Tahoe, and the "design and technology" front clip clashes with the borrowed design elements. This SUV is just plain cool, while the CTS is part of a strange Germanic inspired design school, the "frumpen designen" movement.

As an enthusiast, I embrace the arrival of the new CTSv. My instincts as a closet Cadillac admirer draw me more towards the upcoming Escalade V12. With aftermarket 24" rims, this vehicle will have some serious bling-bling. I mean seriously, who wants to drive something with a radiologist image when Escalade screams "rapper."

The V6 DeVille thing is fine and dandy, but such a substitution not only goes against current trends, but would allienate the existing customer base. Even Mercedes has given up selling a 6-cylinder S-class in the United States. The old folks would also shy away from a big Caddy with downgraded power.

I'm left standing here wondering if the HFV6 version of the CTS and SRX were the right move to begin with. Now that ever Nissan from the Altima to the Infiniti FX35 has a high powered V6, this GM motor looks unimpressive. If the old Aurora 4.0 liter Northstar V8 had filled the bottom slot, these cars might have had alot more Cadillac credibility. As it is, there's nothing distinctive about these new wave V6 Caddys, CTSv excepted.

 

I Cadillac simply follows the path they are currently on with their upcoming vehicles, only good things will happen!!

 

The Aurora 4.0 V8 was 250HP the 3.6L V6 is 260HP

This V6 should do fine.

 

Please seek counseling.