Cadillac XTS and Buick Regal Confirmed!

[wescoent]

Originally Posted by MonaroSS

I'm one who equates luxury with RWD. I've argued to Lutz that to appease the US unions they should make a Buick version alongside Camaro and send it to China in exchange for the Chinese Park Avenue. This would get more use out of Zeta's RWD and add to Buick's luxury image.

Interesting thought.

Raise the roof about 3 inches (current Camaro is abysmal in that department), lengthen the wheelbase by 3 as well, throw on a more formal C-pillar, and we have our new Grand National.

[tbirderic]

Originally Posted by mgescuro

No. They weren't "really great" luxury cars. But Cadillac's image and prestige were still pretty much intact in the mid-1980's. And they sold on the image of what Cadillacs were.

Luxury is a lifestyle. Cadillac catered to that lifestyle... at least back in 1985.

Exactly. The image transcended the product. In my opinion Lexus is the same today.

[SierraGS]

Originally Posted by MonaroSS

I'm one who equates luxury with RWD. I've argued to Lutz that to appease the US unions they should make a Buick version alongside Camaro and send it to China in exchange for the Chinese Park Avenue. This would get more use out of Zeta's RWD and add to Buick's luxury image.

Never thought a Buick version of the Camaro would look that good, but that is a great looking car.

Of course the Camaro has a touch of a luxury look to it in the right colors, and was the first thing that struck me when I saw my first Camaro on the road this week (Red Jewel SS with polished 20"), it had a "presence" on the road that the past few Camaros did not have.

As for the Park Avenue, after test driving the G8 GT 2 weeks ago GM must do whatever it takes to keep some version of the Zeta sedan available in the U.S. market (maybe like offering a 2010 G8?). Don't care if it is a 2010 G8, Grand National, LeSabre, Park Avenue or Impala SS.

How do the Stateman/Caprice compare to the Commodore in ride/handling?

Do they retain the sport feel or lean more to soft luxury ride?

[LeSabre]

Originally Posted by MonaroSS

I'm one who equates luxury with RWD. I've argued to Lutz that to appease the US unions they should make a Buick version alongside Camaro and send it to China in exchange for the Chinese Park Avenue. This would get more use out of Zeta's RWD and add to Buick's luxury image.

What did Lutz say or didn't/hasn't he respond/ed??


!!

[mgescuro]

Originally Posted by tbirderic

Exactly. The image transcended the product. In my opinion Lexus is the same today.

It is exactly what Lexus is today. It took Lexus 20 years to get that kind of aura. It will take Cadillac about as long ... assuming product is consistently above par and the brand has a focus. Both of which aren't at Cadillac at the moment.

[MonaroSS]

Originally Posted by LeSabre

What did Lutz say or didn't/hasn't he respond/ed??


!!

Hasn't said anything about this car in China, but agrees with you on selling in NA. They don't want to badge engineer anymore....

[MonaroSS]

Originally Posted by SierraGS

How do the Stateman/Caprice compare to the Commodore in ride/handling?

Do they retain the sport feel or lean more to soft luxury ride?

Depends on setup. Statesman is more plush, Caprice more drivers car, HSV Grange probably tighter than G8GT.

Like any car that has a longer wheelbase and more mass they are not as nimble compared to the same suspension setup in the SWB, but most people in normal driving wouldn't notice unless they pushed 8/10ths or more.

[Dr. Show-Me]

I really like the idea of a China-only Camaro-based Buick built in North America and sold in China. There must be tons of container ships going back there empty, and that could easily accommodate 2000 Camaros a month. And likewise, why not send the Camaro to China as well? If "free trade" were truly free, then it would work. And if China refused to do it, then we should limit China imports to that that are "co-owned" by American companies. How long are we going to accept being dumped on?

[SierraGS]

Originally Posted by MonaroSS

Depends on setup. Statesman is more plush, Caprice more drivers car, HSV Grange probably tighter than G8GT.

Like any car that has a longer wheelbase and more mass they are not as nimble compared to the same suspension setup in the SWB, but most people in normal driving wouldn't notice unless they pushed 8/10ths or more.

So this Buick "Camaro" for Park Avenue idea would work out, not be a "Re-Badge" since the Statesman/Caprice have never been sold here and is a unique model for China. The Park Avenue would be larger than the LaCrosse so the Buick dealers cannot complain "it is the same size" It would also allow Buick to drop the Lucerene early and free up the plant for Volt production as well as allow GM to close the Northstar engine line earlier.

GM can offer a world class Buick luxury car for next to nothing, expand the Buick lineup just when it needs as many vehicles as possible while giving prospective G8 buyers a car to buy in B-P-G dealers.

Let's see:

• Increased high profit sales in China (Buick "Camaro")

• Low cost of development ("Buick Camaro")

• Image changing product ("Buick Camaro")

• Better plant utilization (Oshawa)

• Increased high profit sales in U.S. (Buick Park Avenue)

• Low cost of development (Buick Park Avenue)

• Image changing product (Buick Park Avenue)

• Better plant utilization (Holden)

GM could also just sell the Camaro as is in China, but it might be interesting to see how a Buick version does.

Sounds like a great plan to me.

[megeebee]

Originally Posted by Xenon

I was referring loosely to the "Standard of the World" mantra that Cadillac used to chirp about.

Sad though it is, the last time that slogan appeared in official Cadillac parlance or literature was 1974.

Did I miss a press release? When did Cadillac even pretend to reclaim this title? When did anyone at Cadillac even refer to it?

It's interesting to me how that slogan has literally out-lived itself. So many people here and elsewhere keep prattleing-on about it. Cadillac keeps getting beaten with its own stick. A stick that they themselves abandonded thirty five years ago. Before many of those that hang out on web forums like this one were born.

Rolls Royce used to use the slogan: "The Best Car In The World". Would you agree?

.

[megeebee]

Originally Posted by FoMoCo Fan

So basically the CTS is now the new STS. The DTS becomes the XTC, er XTS (what happened to DT7?). A new baby Caddy eventually comes to slot below the CTS, maybe?

I think this is essentially correct. The wheelbase of the STS and CTS are only 3 inches apart in size now. Sales of the STS have been microscopic for quite a while. I think the plant capacity is better spent building the wagon and coupe versions of CTS.

DT7 has, I believe, been trademarked by Cadillac. But that doesn't obligate them to use it. Perhaps they're keeeping it in reserve for the next upper market car that we all hope they'll do just as soon as they can?

And yes, I hope for the RWD Alpha cars to come to life for an entry-level Cadillac.

[johnstarnes]

Anticipation is one of my favorite emotions, so I look forward to seeing the concept for the XTS in hopes that it will be at LEAST as stunning as the Converj. I hope they pull out the stops and make it breathtaking, based on Converj design themes, AND give it fins!

[Exploder]

And yes, I hope for the RWD Alpha cars to come to life for an entry-level Cadillac.

And hopefully not just entry-level ones.

[Dr. Show-Me]

How many generations of Deville have there been?
Maybe they should name it D6(for 6th generation if that is the right number), D6T(ouring) and D6-V(elocity) if there were to be a "V" version.

[Astra RL]

Make it stunning Cadillac.

Take the A8 and benchmark it, try to get it to a level above the current A8, because a new one is due this fall. I really like the A8 and Audi in general because it has the ability to not say, I'm a lawyer, BMW, I'm a doctor Mercedes Benz, or 10 years ago I drove a Taurus, and I got this on lease really cheap, Acura/Lexus.

There are some pretty reputable rumors that the A6 will be growing to 5 meters in its next product cycle due next year. So I hope it is even able to beat the A6 from the class below it.

If it comes with enough features to attain a base price of $59,000 then I will be happy anything less and it is pointless, as it falls right into the midsize class where it will not belong.

Do not screw this up.