Andy
04-28-2009, 09:19 PM
Filed under: Sedans/Saloons (http://www.autoblog.com/category/sedans/), Cadillac (http://www.autoblog.com/category/cadillac/)
http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/04/frank_bls.jpg (http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2008-cadillac-bls-wagon/395142/) 2008 Cadillac BLS Wagon - Click above for a high-res image gallery
Just a year ago, the future of Cadillac's line-up looked pretty bright. By 2010, the CTS would spawn coupe and wagon versions, the "super-Theta" platform SRX would replace its Sigma-based predecessor, the Escalade would get a Lambda-based replacement and the Converj would come to market. Cadillac was also tipped to launch a new small sedan to slot in below the CTS using the new rear-drive Alpha platform, plus a new larger sedan to replace the aging DTS and STS models (http://www.autoblog.com/2009/04/10/report-cadillac-pinning-its-hopes-on-sub-cts-model-and-new-fl/). However while the CTS derivatives (http://www.autoblog.com/2009/03/20/cadillac-cts-sport-wagon-production-to-begin-early-may-cts-coup/), the new SRX, Escalade and Converj are all still in the works, drastic cutbacks at GM have meant the Alpha and DTS/STS successor have been canned. In their place, the next-gen. CTS is expected to grow larger, while a new front/all-wheel-drive sports sedan is now tipped to enter into the mix.
In order to make the Alpha compact rear-drive platform feasible, GM would have needed to spread development costs across several of its divisions, but many of those brands - chiefly Pontiac and Saturn - are now facing the axe, while its European assets Saab and Opel are on their way out the door. So what is a downsized GM planning for Cadillac instead? Using the next-generation Epsilon II platform, the replacement for the European-market BLS is tipped to come home to roost, positioned between the new Buick LaCrosse and the Cadillac CTS. With its advanced turbo-diesel programs also on hold, the General realizes it lacks the resources to produce a serious contender for the European market (http://www.autoblog.com/2009/03/27/report-cadillac-pulling-out-of-half-of-europe/), so expect a decidedly more American approach when the new small Caddy hits the market late in 2011 as a 2012 model with a price tag of around $35,000.
[Source: Motor Trend (http://www.motortrend.com/features/auto_news/2009/112_0904_cadillac_epsilon_sedan_will_slot_below_ct s/index.html)]REPORT: Cadillac to base new sub-CTS on front-drive Epsilon II platform (http://www.autoblog.com/2009/04/28/report-cadillac-to-base-new-sub-cts-on-front-drive-epsilon-ii-p/) originally appeared on Autoblog (http://www.autoblog.com) on Tue, 28 Apr 2009 16:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds (http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/).
Read (http://www.motortrend.com/features/auto_news/2009/112_0904_cadillac_epsilon_sedan_will_slot_below_ct s/index.html) | Permalink (http://www.autoblog.com/2009/04/28/report-cadillac-to-base-new-sub-cts-on-front-drive-epsilon-ii-p/) | Email this (http://www.autoblog.com/forward/1530661/) | Comments (http://www.autoblog.com/2009/04/28/report-cadillac-to-base-new-sub-cts-on-front-drive-epsilon-ii-p/#comments)
More... (http://www.autoblog.com/2009/04/28/report-cadillac-to-base-new-sub-cts-on-front-drive-epsilon-ii-p/)
http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/04/frank_bls.jpg (http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2008-cadillac-bls-wagon/395142/) 2008 Cadillac BLS Wagon - Click above for a high-res image gallery
Just a year ago, the future of Cadillac's line-up looked pretty bright. By 2010, the CTS would spawn coupe and wagon versions, the "super-Theta" platform SRX would replace its Sigma-based predecessor, the Escalade would get a Lambda-based replacement and the Converj would come to market. Cadillac was also tipped to launch a new small sedan to slot in below the CTS using the new rear-drive Alpha platform, plus a new larger sedan to replace the aging DTS and STS models (http://www.autoblog.com/2009/04/10/report-cadillac-pinning-its-hopes-on-sub-cts-model-and-new-fl/). However while the CTS derivatives (http://www.autoblog.com/2009/03/20/cadillac-cts-sport-wagon-production-to-begin-early-may-cts-coup/), the new SRX, Escalade and Converj are all still in the works, drastic cutbacks at GM have meant the Alpha and DTS/STS successor have been canned. In their place, the next-gen. CTS is expected to grow larger, while a new front/all-wheel-drive sports sedan is now tipped to enter into the mix.
In order to make the Alpha compact rear-drive platform feasible, GM would have needed to spread development costs across several of its divisions, but many of those brands - chiefly Pontiac and Saturn - are now facing the axe, while its European assets Saab and Opel are on their way out the door. So what is a downsized GM planning for Cadillac instead? Using the next-generation Epsilon II platform, the replacement for the European-market BLS is tipped to come home to roost, positioned between the new Buick LaCrosse and the Cadillac CTS. With its advanced turbo-diesel programs also on hold, the General realizes it lacks the resources to produce a serious contender for the European market (http://www.autoblog.com/2009/03/27/report-cadillac-pulling-out-of-half-of-europe/), so expect a decidedly more American approach when the new small Caddy hits the market late in 2011 as a 2012 model with a price tag of around $35,000.
[Source: Motor Trend (http://www.motortrend.com/features/auto_news/2009/112_0904_cadillac_epsilon_sedan_will_slot_below_ct s/index.html)]REPORT: Cadillac to base new sub-CTS on front-drive Epsilon II platform (http://www.autoblog.com/2009/04/28/report-cadillac-to-base-new-sub-cts-on-front-drive-epsilon-ii-p/) originally appeared on Autoblog (http://www.autoblog.com) on Tue, 28 Apr 2009 16:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds (http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/).
Read (http://www.motortrend.com/features/auto_news/2009/112_0904_cadillac_epsilon_sedan_will_slot_below_ct s/index.html) | Permalink (http://www.autoblog.com/2009/04/28/report-cadillac-to-base-new-sub-cts-on-front-drive-epsilon-ii-p/) | Email this (http://www.autoblog.com/forward/1530661/) | Comments (http://www.autoblog.com/2009/04/28/report-cadillac-to-base-new-sub-cts-on-front-drive-epsilon-ii-p/#comments)
More... (http://www.autoblog.com/2009/04/28/report-cadillac-to-base-new-sub-cts-on-front-drive-epsilon-ii-p/)