Can Cadillac's sub ATS model be front wheel drive?

[Z284ever]

Susan Docherty is only the latest GM official to indicated that Cadillac needs a sub-ATS model to compete in Europe and Asia. Simple question. Can it be done successfully with a front wheel drive platform?

[Dr. Show-Me]

The smaller a car gets, the more important space and compactness of a powertrain becomes. A small fwd done properly could work. However a smaller 130R with awd would work too.

[63GrandSport001]

Considering the other car makers are doing this in a FWD platform then I would have to say yes it can be done on a FWD platform however if it was RWD I feel that it can have a little something extra for those who want it. Instead of trying to chase sales try to produce a product in which a group of people (a niche) are willing to pay a prem. for over and over.

[ChevyRules]

Cadillac should go no lower than what the current 1 series is.....

[Z284ever]

I think that GM really missed an opportunity while it owned Saab. Well, water under the bridge. I believe a FWD could work in this segment, but you've got to hit everything just right. Keep in mind that we are talking about engine displacements below 1.6 liters with three and four cylinders. It would need it's own unique sheetmetal (no regrilled Sonics) and a phenomenal interior.

[VS Ute 5Litre]

Rebadge the Verano for Europe and call it a day

In NA Caddy needs to go no smaller/cheaper than what it already has that's what Buick is for

[Copcarz]

They can do it! I've even got one of those cool retro names for it. CIMMARON!!

[Z284ever]

I sort of picture the style and interior appointments of an ELR, but in a smaller package.

[LeSabre]

Cadillac should only offer a RWD/R-AWD/(4x4 Escalade) vehicles.
A sub-ATS model should be an SLK/Z4 competitor.
I don't see that a 1-series competitor necessary.

!!!

[mchicha]

GM has Buick , Holden Opel and Chevrolet to do these sorts of things. Cadillac needs to stay at ATS and Above.

[oklapike]

Cadillac should only offer a RWD/R-AWD/(4x4 Escalade) vehicles.
A sub-ATS model should be an SLK/Z4 competitor.
I don't see that a 1-series competitor necessary.

!!!

You know, 99% of the time, I disagree with you just as a matter of principle. This one time though, I'll give credit where credit is due. In fact, Kappa would have been perfect for this application. Sold as a Cadillac, I really think GM could have commanded a high enough price point to justify (and recoup) the expense of the platform itself.

[Z284ever]

Kappa could only be a two seater and it's limited production volumes would be a constraint. In other words, Kappa would be awful in this application.

[63GrandSport001]

I do think that GM should produce a sub ATS vehicle even if to only offer it in Europe and Asia at the moment as the market for said vehicle in the states probably isn't that big at the moment. However in the future if there is suddenly demand for such a vehicle in the states they will already have an established vehicle to bring here.

[Z284ever]

To put things in some perspective, Cadillac's Urban Luxury Concept from a couple of years ago was 151" long and was powered by a 1 liter turbo 3 cylinder.

[Tone]

If it is to have a sub-ATS sedan, if it to have enough usable room, it pretty much needs to be FWD. The trick is to make the car small and light enough -- and to spend enough on the suspension, to make it a solid performer without needing huge amounts of power. A 2500 lb, 200 hp hatch would have a similar power-to-weight ratio as an ATS 2.0T, and be very capable on a backroad. If the point is a smaller Cadillac for dense urban areas, I have no problem with that.

But, if the goal is a cheaper Cadillac, I think that's a bad idea. Mercedes and BMW are under pressure to attain scale through larger volumes; GM already has scale -- it doesn't need to chase volume with Cadillac. What GM DOES need to do is build a credible luxury brand capable of generating solid profits from smaller volumes. So, yes to the ATS, a new CTS and a flagship ... no to an 'entry level' below the base ATS.