Cadillac XTS and Buick Regal Confirmed!

[camaro_freak]

The Chevrolet Impala has for years been one of GM's high-volume, bread-and-butter cars, a model it can throw up against Toyota Motor Corp.'s Camry or Honda Motor's Accord. The next-generation Impala will start production in February 2013, according to the latest timetable communicated by the company to suppliers. The current model, in production since 2005, will be more than seven years old by then. That is an unusually long stretch for a vehicle without a revamp, but GM lacked the money to redo it.

humm I thought the Malibu was supposed to compete with the Camry and Accord. So explain why we have the Malibu and Impala so close together in size again?

Impala should have gone on ZETA using the G8 as a STOP gap until this new vehicle emerges in 3 years...

yikes

[gagt02]

Originally Posted by A.J.

FWD, FWD, FWD. What is the problem?!?

Has anyone even read the reviews of the new, FWD-based SRX? The SRX beat out the Lexus RX because of what? Oh yeah, driving dynamics! Is the new XTS/DTS being FWD some horror story in the making, just because of the luxo-boat G-Body platform? We're not talking about the G-Body platform - we're talking about the Epsilon II platform!

If the XTS/DTS is offered only with AWD while still being on a FWD-based platform, then who cares? The general public can't tell the difference! Look at the Audi A8! As long as the XTS/DTS matches the A8/7/S in technology, comfort, and driving dynamics, what does it matter? So it won't be as fast as a Z06 or the "super-amazing" Sixteen concept. An ultra-luxury car doesn't have to be insanely fast or have super-amazing handling to be an ultra-luxury car. It's not an ultra-performance car, you know. Why do you think the S8/S-AMG exist?

GM doesn't have the money to develop a brand new Alpha or Zeta right now. It's better to make the XTS/DTS FWD than to not make one at all. I'd rather have a perfectly executed Cadillac than to have a rushed one. GM can't afford to screw it up, and FWD/AWD is the best option right now. Sorry I-want-a-totally-RWD-Cadillac fanboys. Go ahead and take a ride on the "I'll never buy GM again" boat with the Pontiac fans. We don't need you.

[/rant]

The SRX didn't "beat" the RX. It simply contends with it. Articles also show, that the SRX is obese compared to it's competition. And with the 3.0, it's the slowest. Even slower than the RX. The SrX sporty? just because it's a bit more stiffly sprung than the RX? The RX still beats the SRX in every other category, that even you say is primarily what people shopping for these kind of vehicles want... Refinement and technology. SRX IS A FAIL. And further reviews and road tests will prove it.

[CUtiger08]

Originally Posted by vcs2600

True, but the majority of posters here couldn't afford an XTS, and wouldn't buy one even if they could. This RWD versus FWD battle is largely dink-waving about perceived status.

How many customers GM would lose/gain by making a RWD flagship sedan is the kind of question that could only be answered by market research. Everything else is just postulating.

Yeah, you're right... not many here could afford an XTS.... but I bet more than a few (including some of its more vocal detractors) could swing an SRX... and plenty can afford a RWD Pontiac.

And in some ways it's more about making use of their existing RWD platforms versus going out of their way to add a FWD vehicle. If GM simply didn't have anything RWD larger than the CTS or Camaro it would be on thing to use the large FWD platform... but they do. And assuming this XTS ends up any kind of decent for whatever wheels it uses, it will take at least as much work to transform the Lacrosse into a proper Cadillac as it would to do the same to a Statesman/Park Avenue.

Finally, speaking as someone who can't afford any new car now, but will be able to in the future: every dumb move by GM now is one more reason for me to visit a non-GM brand's dealership once I am able to do so. And GM fans, if not GM themselves, saying "we don't need you" certainly isn't helping in that department.

[ejfx]

Finally.

Cadillac's proper place is at the Ultra-Lux level...it should be the line that most of us cant afford, but wish to own.


Buick should move up to the old Caddy space...
Pontiac ...oh wait never mind...
Chevrolet resumes the entry level line.

[A.J.]

Ah yes, people are already bashing me for my rant and it hasn't even been twelve hours! I guess I'm extremely controversial, huh?

I still don't understand how everyone hates Cadillac. There have been more haters than fans on GMI lately...

Don't you think it would make more business sense to keep the car FWD-based? GM can use the saved money to make the car better (or attempt to get themselves out of bankruptcy).

[mbukukanyau]

Originally Posted by CUtiger08

Yeah, you're right... not many here could afford an XTS.... but I bet more than a few (including some of its more vocal detractors) could swing an SRX... and plenty can afford a RWD Pontiac.

And in some ways it's more about making use of their existing RWD platforms versus going out of their way to add a FWD vehicle. If GM simply didn't have anything RWD larger than the CTS or Camaro it would be on thing to use the large FWD platform... but they do. And assuming this XTS ends up any kind of decent for whatever wheels it uses, it will take at least as much work to transform the Lacrosse into a proper Cadillac as it would to do the same to a Statesman/Park Avenue.

Finally, speaking as someone who can't afford any new car now, but will be able to in the future: every dumb move by GM now is one more reason for me to visit a non-GM brand's dealership once I am able to do so. And GM fans, if not GM themselves, saying "we don't need you" certainly isn't helping in that department.

Plus these types or cars are not about sales per say, but about technical prowess and setting the tone for a brand. For GM to compete here, they cannot afford to be another DTS. The DTS is Cadillacs image now.. a Discount rental.

What I do not understand is why Cadillac is playing with the same type of folks as Buick plays for at this level. It sounds to me like the La Crosse will be cross shopped with this car.

[johnstarnes]

With that 2011 introduction date, might we see these in concept form at the next New York or Detroit auto shows?

[gagt02]

I am a GM fan. I'm just disappointed with the direction that caddy is going. Chevy has amazing product on the way and in showrooms right now. Buick seems to have it's identity in place, and I like the direction it's supposedly going. But what is Cadillac? What's it's identity? it's a bit of everything from lesser gm cars, with more chrome than a buick.

[CUtiger08]

Originally Posted by A.J.

Ah yes, people are already bashing me for my rant and it hasn't even been twelve hours! I guess I'm extremely controversial, huh?

I still don't understand how everyone hates Cadillac. There have been more haters than fans on GMI lately...

Don't you think it would make more business sense to keep the car FWD-based? GM can use the saved money to make the car better (or attempt to get themselves out of bankruptcy).

I don't hate Cadillac... I just wish Cadillac would be better than a FWD Acura/Lincoln, or at best a "budget" Audi/Lexus, fighter. When Hyundai can pull off a proper fullsize RWD sedan while Cadillac, a brand that used to run with Rolls-Royce, is stuck with FWD for its flagship car... something is not right.

Plus, I doubt it will save any real money to rework a midsized FWD chassis to be a proper flagship vs. using GM's existing fullsize RWD platform. And the other major cost is the changes from the lesser cars to a Cadillac-worthy car, and the same changes needed to make a Lacrosse into a decent Cadillac in terms of styling/interior/features/etc... can just as easily be done to the Park Avenue/Statesman.

And I suspect an XTS on Zeta would be able to pull in a higher average transaction price, especially since it could more easily have a LS9/LSA powered V-series model, over an Epsilon to cover any platform-related cost issues.

[johnstarnes]

Can someone remind me why it was considered unwise/impractical for Cadillac to use the Commodore/Statesman/Caprice platform here in the U.S.? It is what that now-cancelled secret Cadillac that was being developed in Australia was based on?

[PistonsFan]

Originally Posted by gagt02

The SRX didn't "beat" the RX. It simply contends with it. Articles also show, that the SRX is obese compared to it's competition. And with the 3.0, it's the slowest. Even slower than the RX. The SrX sporty? just because it's a bit more stiffly sprung than the RX? The RX still beats the SRX in every other category, that even you say is primarily what people shopping for these kind of vehicles want... Refinement and technology. SRX IS A FAIL. And further reviews and road tests will prove it.

Huh?

No. Completely false.

MotorTrend just gave 2010 SRX the "W" over the RX and much of it was due to the more "sporty" and agressive style. The SRX 2.8 is more powerful than the RX.

The two recent reviews from MotorTrend and Jalopnik put the SRX above the RX.

Spread your BS elsewhere.

[ChevyRules]

Originally Posted by PistonsFan

Huh?

No. Completely false.

MotorTrend just gave 2010 SRX the "W" over the RX and much of it was due to the more "sporty" and agressive style. The SRX 2.8 is more powerful than the RX.

The two recent reviews from MotorTrend and Jalopnik put the SRX above the RX.

Spread your BS elsewhere.

As Buick61 put it, slower, less fuel economy, etc. They gave it a win because the SRX felt more sporty. But, MT numbers the RX is faster.

[megeebee]

Originally Posted by johnstarnes

With that 2011 introduction date, might we see these in concept form at the next New York or Detroit auto shows?

I really don't think so. The article stated a December 2011 SOP. That's 2 1/2 years from now. I think it will be NAIAS 2011 before we see it.

Lord, that's a long time from now.

[Sal Collaziano]

The winner is a matter of opinion. If want a more sporty experience with an aggressive style, than the SRX is your winner. If you want a more luxurious experience (softer ride) and a subdued appearance, than the RX350 is your winner. There's no definitive winner here. What's great is that Cadillac finally has something to compete with the Lexus RX...

Originally Posted by PistonsFan

Huh?

No. Completely false.

MotorTrend just gave 2010 SRX the "W" over the RX and much of it was due to the more "sporty" and agressive style. The SRX 2.8 is more powerful than the RX.

The two recent reviews from MotorTrend and Jalopnik put the SRX above the RX.

Spread your BS elsewhere.

[ehaase]

The XTS will probably Cadillac's competitor for the Lincoln MKS.