Cadillac XTS and Buick Regal Confirmed!

[zete]

Originally Posted by johnstarnes

Couldn't the Alpha have been used to create a brand new Firebird?

I'm sure it could, if Pontiac were to remain.

I had hopes, now dashed of course, that Pontiac would survive the bankruptcy as effectively 3 cars:

• Solstice (moved to Alpha)
• G6/Firebird (on Alpha 4-door/2-door variations)
• G8/GTO (on Zeta 4-door/2-door variations)

I figured it was doable for one particular reason: gravy for the various platforms. Pontiac sales would not be the reason for having the platform, but additional sales for a given platform. Thus, Pontiac would be a true niche brand.

Alas, 'tis not to be.

[AdmiralViscen]

I just don't understand why Sigma or Zeta can't be used. This is an expensive, high margin, low volume vehicle. That should ease concerns about both cost and CAFE.

[ponchoman49]

XTS! The letter names keep getting more ludicrous.

[Quickening]

Originally Posted by Sal Collaziano

Do you REALLY think it's more likely that the XTS will compete with the Audi A8, Mercedes S550, BMW 750i or anything like it? Or the Lincoln MKS, Acura RL and Hyundai Genesis? I know the answer to my question. :p

Its called, being hopefully. Its hard to do, but I'm TRYING.

[Sal Collaziano]

Originally Posted by Quickening

Its called, being hopefully. Its hard to do, but I'm TRYING.

Hehe! I hear ya.. Me too.. I'm just not trying as hard as you are. I've kinda givin up.. I'd love to have a Cadillac that fits my needs as a young guy - but it looks like I may not get my wish until I'm the typical aged Cadillac owner. I have a feeling this XTS will be a step in the right direction. I'm sure that it'll at the very least compete with the Lincoln MKS and Acura RL. However, the MKS with ecoboost and Hyundai Genesis are probably going to be far too powerful to compete with. Unless the XTS gets a good v8 - but I have a feeling it won't...

In any event - I think this will be a stepping stone and that the NEXT model - whenever that comes around - will be a true "2009" S550, 750i, LS460 and A8 competitor.. Which would be good enough for many people. And THEN, when the next new model comes into play - hopefully it'll be more aligned with the rest of the world's full-size luxury flagships...

One can hope.. Right?

[JiveMonkey]

I think we're all in agreement at the very least Cadillac should not be FWD. I totally agree. I'd really like to see Cadillac be the pinnacle again for luxury. Too bad GM or maybe it's the car czar, won't give them the freedom to who they should be. Sometimes I wonder if GM can't decide who's the luxury brand, Cadillac or Buick. I have a hard time putting Lexus in the same category M-B, Audi, and BMW. Cadillac should be competing/exceeding them. Buick can wrestle with the rest of them.

Originally Posted by Sal Collaziano

One can hope.. Right?

Absolutely, I know I'm hoping so. But I suppose if the definition of insanity is continually doing the same thing expecting a different result . . . GM keeps doing the same old thing and so do I because I keep expecting them to far exceed their capabilities. Too bad they settle, if that's what you can call it.

[GMusa]

Originally Posted by ChevyRules

Ugh, FWD XTS. Screw you GM for ruining Cadillac again.....

Thats what im saying! they are turing Cadillac into a Lexus fighter. that is Buicks job. Cadillac needs to be comparable to BMW, M-Benz and Audi!!

[megeebee]

Originally Posted by TruckMan

I'll call it now, if this Cadillac "flagship" is FWD, it's a huge FAIL!!!

Holy Mother of...............


Will everyone please just STOP using the "F" word.

Cadillacs "flagship" is the CTS-V!!!!!! And there are many automakers around the world that wish they had a car as good! It may not be the largest, but it is the most expensive, exclusive, and capable sedan in the Cadillac line.

The new sedan is NOT going to be priced anywhere near the CTS-V and will not even pretend to be as capable. It will be a superb, luxurious sedan for people that want just such a car, and there are alot of those people. If it offers all wheel drive, is beautiful to behold, and has an interior and features that rival its comeptition, then what is wrong??????????

.

[emh]

I see nothing worth getting excited about in this article.

The XTS is just a DTS replacement for the same folks that now buy the DTS.
The Regal is way too late. 2nd half of 2011!! WTF??
Current impala until 2013? It was outdated years ago already.

I want to be optimistic, but there's nothing there.

[Sal Collaziano]

Cadillac lost focus on what a luxury flagship should be. Who else has a midsize luxury flagship that feels like it's riding on rails?

Originally Posted by megeebee

Holy Mother of...............


Will everyone please just STOP using the "F" word.

Cadillacs "flagship" is the CTS-V!!!!!! And there are many automakers around the world that wish they had a car as good! It may not be the largest, but it is the most expensive, exclusive, and capable sedan in the Cadillac line.

The new sedan is NOT going to be priced anywhere near the CTS-V and will not even pretend to be as capable. It will be a superb, luxurious sedan for people that want just such a car, and there are alot of those people. If it offers all wheel drive, is beautiful to behold, and has an interior and features that rival its comeptition, then what is wrong??????????

.

[-World Class-]

What's wrong with the XTS name?

STS was Seville Touring Sedan
DTS was Deville Touring Sedan
XLR was (IMO) eXtreme Luxury Roadster
XTS will be (IMO) eXtreme Touring Sedan

I like it. It sounds top-notch.

In the future the entire lineup would be ATS (3-Series), CTS (5-Series), XTS (7-series), ETC (Converj 6-Series), SRX (X3/X5), Escalade (in a class of it's own), and hopefully *dreaming* a Cadillac XLS/ULS range-topping Maybach/Rolls Royce competitor.

I'm happy about the Regal too.

[GMusa]

Wait a minute everyone Fritz Henderson, said he is not a fan of rebadging and that is the reason why we are not getting a Zeta/G8 based Impala!!!!! But yet we are going to have a rebadged Cadillac of a Buick?!?!?!

[megeebee]

Originally Posted by AdmiralViscen

I just don't understand why Sigma or Zeta can't be used. This is an expensive, high margin, low volume vehicle. That should ease concerns about both cost and CAFE.

You answer your own question, in a way. Sigma is expensive to build and does not return a profit on low-volume production. High margin? GM wishes. If the CTS had been more succesful outside the US, things might have been different.

Zeta has been axed because of its weight. Increased CAFE standards are still in place and will be in effect soon. GM needs to balance it's trucks fuel consumption and get higher MPG passenger cars out to meet those standards.

[tbirderic]

Originally Posted by Quickening

The XTS needs to benchmark the A8 in every way and MORE. As the A8 is due for a new version and we all know Audi will be bringing their A-game.

If the XTS isn't shooting for the A8, than Cadillac shouldn't even bother. A8 is the only AWD flagship that truly competes with the 7 Series and S Class.

They should. But most likely they won't.

Originally Posted by Sal Collaziano

Don't worry. This car isn't going to compete with the S-Class, 7-Series, LS or any of that. It WILL compete with the Lincoln MKS, Acura RL and Hyundai Genesis, however...

The truth always hurts, Sal.

[megeebee]

Originally Posted by GMusa

Wait a minute everyone Fritz Henderson, said he is not a fan of rebadging and that is the reason why we are not getting a Zeta/G8 based Impala!!!!! But yet we are going to have a rebadged Cadillac of a Buick?!?!?!

No. its MPG, and cost issues. The Impala is a very successful car, even as it is. Why throw that all away on a heavy, expensive, RWD sedan???

And stop calling the new Cadillac a rebadge. There wont' be a single panel in or out that will be shared with LaCrosse. The Lexus ES shares a platform with the Camry but it's not a rebadge. The Fusion and the Milan, now THAT'S a rebadging.

Originally Posted by nsap

No.

You also forget that this SAME EXACT SCENARIO is what brought us Zeta. Holden started work on Sigma back in the day, Cadillac saw it and cried until GM gave it to them to development. Holden quietly continued working on it, revising it to their needs...and bam, Zeta was born.

The same thing is happening with Alpha. They will be two different platforms in the end (like Sigma and Zeta were). One can be used on $20-30K cars and one will be used for luxury products. To me that makes sense. We bitch about Cadillac not having what it takes to run with the Germans...but yet criticize them for developing a luxury RWD platform?

As for "half-assed," do you consider Zeta or Sigma "half-assed" platforms? I would say not...

"SaaaNNNAP".

Thank you for this.