Cadillac Omega Thread (Updated)

[sfbreh]

There's no thread dedicated to an extremely important product for both Cadillac and, consequently, GM, the Omega platform: the platform, on which, Cadillac will hopefully begin its true resurgence into the arena of full-size ultra luxury.

I figured it'd be a good idea to have a thread, in which information and speculation can be posted. Everything from development to pertinent micro-developments of technologies.

For the sake of relevancy, I don't think product details pre-2011 are of any relevance.

With that in mind, we've been told the following:

• "DESIGNED" (primarily) in the USA; ENGINEERED (primarily) in China. Sorry...

• The Omega is going to have the 3.6-liter standard. [...] the 3.6-liter will be the all-new variant due out in about 1.5 years. Needless to say, I suspect it will do more than 310 hp.

• There is no TTV6 slated for it at this time.

• The flagship will have a unique engine. A V8.

• I honestly do not know anything else about the V8 other than it is not going in any other product than the Cadillac flagship. My gut feeling is that it is a variant of Gen V, but I do not know for certain.

• Additionally it will have a PHEV option and the optional V8.

• A coupe is under consideration, but is NOT a done deal yet. Expect a lot of Ciel Concept if approved.

• Regarding the V8 being an LT variant...

  Always a possibility. There is a DOHC version of the Gen 5 already developed and on the shelf.

• the Omega-being-developed-China story which proved to be completely wrong - as Holden guys told me two years ago.
  
  It looks like you are going to get a V8 only in Omega - which will probably share not a little underfloor DNA with Zeta II. And of course, some of that engineering will be based on work for Sigma-Zeta-Alpha-Zeta II progression. Because all that FEMS virtual-modelling has been done, hours and hours, hundreds of thousands of dollars of computer time and prototyping. Why waste it?

• Everything that we're hearing about Omega has it pegged as a large car. It will supposedly be developed in China

• If the unique DOHC V8 gets cut, it will not offer a V8.

• Cadillac Flagship vehicle program is being referred to as OMEGA slated for 2016MY.

• Engineering for the Omega platform was returned to the US last year, even though the primary market for the car remains China. That was good news...

• First "mule" vehicles are targeted to be built in March/ April '13.

• Staff Engineer
  General Motors
  
  •Omega O1SL (Details can not be public at this time)
  •Omega O1LL (Details can not be public at this time)

Take the following with a grain of salt, as I can't (and won't) vouch for the veracity of these statements:

• July 25, 2012 at 9:32 am
  
  There will be diffterant items taken from several of the latest caddy prototypes. that said the powertrain will be the most advanced powertrain in the GM stable all options are open with new powertrains I cannot give too much out on this project but it will impress all with its looks and powertrain advancements. interior will be up to all the standards in this class of cars and more. caddy will best all in this race to the flagship leadership. design is locked and the looks are fantastic and will showcase the best in design GM has as well as show how it can lead and not follow.

• Cadillac's rumored flagship sedan could show up as a 2016 model. GMI has been told the car is based on GM's Omega rear-wheel drive platform, which will leverage extensive use of aluminum to reduce mass. The car is also expected to be a conduit for GM to launch several new technologies, including a new self-parking feature.

Feel free to add more, and I do hope I'm forgiven for the heavy quoting.

Now, some speculation.

From our very own:
LAIAS: Cadillac Urban Luxury Concept

Engineers have equipped the ULC Concept with a hybrid powertrain that includes a turbocharged 1.0 liter three-cylinder engine that utilizes electronic assist, engine start-stop technology, regenerative braking, and a dry dual-clutch transmission. These technologies could enable the ULC having great fuel efficiency of 56 MPG in the city and 65 MPH on the highway.

The ULC Concept brings a new interactive technology. A pair of projected readouts flanks a large and prominent speedometer, HD HUD, and capacitive multi-touch switches through out the interior. The unique touchpad is integrated into the steering wheel to deliver real-time feedback for an efficient commute. The right-hand touchpad is hidden until deployed detached by a passenger who can interact with the system without distracting the driver. It also features Onstar's advanced voice recognition system further decreasing the distractions the driver has to deal with.

Advanced HUD debuting in Omega?

http://news.discovery.com/autos/lase...rs-120501.html
http://www.ubergizmo.com/2012/04/mic...n-windshields/
http://www.technologyreview.com/news...he-road-ahead/
http://www.tgdaily.com/hardware-feat...le-windshields
http://www.motorauthority.com/news/1...ving-very-soon
http://media.opel.com/media/intl/en/...rix_Light.html
http://blog.caranddriver.com/cadilla...ing-discussed/

The ULC Concept brings a new interactive technology. A pair of projected readouts flanks a large and prominent speedometer, HD HUD, and capacitive multi-touch switches through out the interior.

Major carmakers in Detroit are also planning to integrate the technology into their vehicles by 2016, says Lance Evans, a director of business development at the company [Microvision].

"We're looking to create enhanced vision systems," explained GM group lab manager Thomas Seder.

Although the full windshield head-up system has not yet been chosen for a specific GM car, Seder says some of the supporting technologies could end up in GM vehicles in the near-term future.

Touchpad tech in Omega?

The unique touchpad is integrated into the steering wheel to deliver real-time feedback for an efficient commute. The right-hand touchpad is hidden until deployed detached by a passenger who can interact with the system without distracting the driver.

Super Cruise

Appearing at the Driverless Car Summit in Detroit yesterday, Gary Smyth, executive director of GM's North American Science laboratories--the company's R&D arm--said the "SuperCruise" function shown earlier this year would be something "we will be introducing in the near term."

Full LED headlights?

Opel is currently the first car maker to road-test a fully integrated matrix light in prototypes.

The new matrix light concept will be gradually rolled out across Opel’s car lines in the next few years

Hybrid offering?

With GM’s longitudinal dual-mode hybrid technology presently tied to a long-in-the-tooth four-speed automatic, there are rumblings the system will be reconfigured with the upcoming eight-speed. Although it is unclear if a hybrid is planned for the first Omega product, the platform has been designed to accommodate the batteries and ancillary bits of GM’s gas-electric systems.

Speculative interior details

There will be diffterant items taken from several of the latest caddy prototypes [...] it will impress all with its looks [...] interior will be up to all the standards in this class of cars and more. caddy will best all in this race to the flagship leadership. design is locked and the looks are fantastic and will showcase the best in design GM has as well as show how it can lead and not follow.

Transparent gauges deliver their information within a detailed, brushed-aluminum housing that has the intricate depth of a high-quality chronograph.

Possible dimensions

[RedSkyBlackDream]

Cadillac's Omega with a unique V8? Maybe a unique Cadillac specific "output" V8 but not a completley unique V8. I'm a HUGE Caddy fan and I would love for that to happen but I don't think so. Since the lack of Cadillac specific engines has been defended before why the change now? Cadillac should be more interested on aligning or one upping its technology on the Omega with the new S class instead.

#sidenote: Is the 2014 S class really going to be the worlds first "bulb-less" vehicle? It's 2013! No other automaker has done this?!

It's small details like that Cadillac can't afford to miss. Forget about the unique engine for now unless its a V10 or a TT version of the new LT1 to do battle against MB, BMW, and Audi's top flagship motors.

[jgill16]

Unique V8, maybe the Northstar Ultra is back on the table. Wasn't that in the works but then canceled. I would love to see a nothstar with DI.

[megeebee]

Unique V8, maybe the Northstar Ultra is back on the table. Wasn't that in the works but then canceled. I would love to see a nothstar with DI.

I remember seeing an interview with Tom Stephens, former head of powertrains for GM, saying that is was "tied up in a ribbon", which said to me that all that was needed was tooling to produce them. This was about the time of the bankruptcy and many, many projects were shelved along with what was called the Ultra V8.

In any case, I would hope this happens if only for bragging rights. I would also hope that some form of the engine might find its way into the upper models of the CTS.

[mchicha]

The Escalade is the only Omega Cadillac for now

[MyImpalaSS]

The Escalade is the only Omega Cadillac for now

Huh?

[mgescuro]

#sidenote: Is the 2014 S class really going to be the worlds first "bulb-less" vehicle? It's 2013! No other automaker has done this?!

You kidding? A Bulbless car is the least of it!! The S-Class will have the most advanced headlamp system in a car today, all for the cost of a standard Bi-Xenon system. The car will be able to auto-dim the intensity of the lights, depending on the time of day, so you won't have full power flashers or brake lights in the evening.

The new S-Class also has enough technology packed into it, that S-Class has been tested by Mercedes in Autonomous Driving Mode. However, Mercedes is not launching the new S-Class with that technology. It is, however, in prototype S-Classes today. The question is whether or not Mercedes could do it, but the potential litigation after the fact, if a system fails. The new S-class has a ridiculous amount of cameras, sensors, and radar systems tied into the new Distronic Plus System.

Oh yeah, and the S-Class has inflatable seatbelts to reduce upper body injuries in the event of a crash.



There is a reason why S-Class is the standard of the world.

[sfbreh]

The new S-Class also has enough technology packed into it, that S-Class has been tested by Mercedes in Autonomous Driving Mode. However, Mercedes is not launching the new S-Class with that technology. It is, however, in prototype S-Classes today. The question is whether or not Mercedes could do it, but the potential litigation after the fact, if a system fails. The new S-class has a ridiculous amount of cameras, sensors, and radar systems tied into the new Distronic Plus System.

More likely the problem:

There will also be regulatory hurdles that will have to be negotiated, country by country.

A system like SuperCruise cannot be certified for sale today in Germany, according to Luca Delgrossi, director of driver assistance programs at Mercedes-Benz Research and Development North America.

http://www.motorauthority.com/news/1...ving-very-soon

not for the 2013 model year but possibly for 2014.

Could Cadillac perhaps beat Mercedes-Benz to the punch in offering an automotive safety system? That would be news indeed.

Oh yeah, and the S-Class has inflatable seatbelts to reduce upper body injuries in the event of a crash.

http://media.ford.com/article_displa...ticle_id=31360

There is a reason why S-Class is the standard of the world.

[megeebee]

The Escalade is the only Omega Cadillac for now

What?

Explain, please.

[sfbreh]

The Escalade is the only Omega Cadillac for now

Well, no. There is no Omega Cadillac... at all.

[sfbreh]

What?

Explain, please.

I think he means it's the only flagship.

[mgescuro]

http://www.motorauthority.com/news/1...ving-very-soon

Yes. But the thing is, Mercedes has the systems installed today. There's nothing that advanced in any Cadillac today. Mercedes just needs to tie in the features.
It would be a coup for Cadillac to beat Mercedes to the game... but not likely.

http://media.ford.com/article_displa...ticle_id=31360

Oh yeah. I forgot about them.

[sfbreh]

Yes. But the thing is, Mercedes has the systems installed today. There's nothing that advanced in any Cadillac today. Mercedes just needs to tie in the features.

What systems? Cadillac has most of these on the XTS already. It, too, mostly just needs integration.

[germeezy1]

Remember if you will that Opel (yes that Opel the GM subsidiary ) already has the most advanced headlights in the world in development and regulatory issues are more the problem than engineering issues.

[ral1960]

So when does this fool Detroit show start?