The future of the CTS, and perhaps the STS or DeVille

[Tornado]

Report: Caddy serious about CTS coupe, wagon; Sixteen won't happen


General Motors is "seriously considering a plan" to expand its CTS lineup to include a coupe and wagon, according to Automotive News. GM has long been known to be mulling a CTS coupe, but this latest report suggests the automaker is ready to make it a reality.

The 2008 sedan — due at the Detroit auto show — will remain the volume leader in the CTS line, with niche coupe and wagon models targeting consumers with different needs. A wagon could help increase the popularity of the CTS in Europe, where Cadillac is struggling to establish itself.

Auto News also says Cadillac might dump either the STS or the DTS sedan. Executives reportedly feel the company only needs one $50,000 sedan. A competitor to the Mercedes S-Class is not likely any time soon, and a production version of the Cadillac Sixteen won't happen, the report said.

While it sounds like a wonderful idea (it would be like the 300C Touring that isn't sold here), I must wonder how well the styling of the CTS will fit into wagon form. A coupe is a great idea that should have been done way back with the original Catera, too.

About the $50,000 car being dumped, I'm torn. The DeVille is no doubt the money-maker in the same vein as the Crown Victoria (with the development costs being taken care of in 1994). However, it existing ruins Cadillac's fight to become a BMW beater, both in practice and in theory. On the other hand, I can't see Cadillac as Cadillac without some large boat for old people to buy. That being said, I see no reason for Cadillac to dump the STS, as it is a fine car in it's own right, so there you go. A difficult decision, but I say keep 'em both.

On the topic of the Sixteen, I can't say I'm surprised. Cadillac is no where near ready to challenge the S-class, and the concept showed that in itself.

 

[V1P3R]

A coupe CTS... ? erm.. XLR?

 

[McLaren]

A coupe CTS... ? erm.. XLR?

, my thoughts exactly. Well, maybe it'll at least be worth the $70,000.

 

[Slicks]

Executives reportedly feel the company only needs one $50,000 sedan.

Now this doesn't make sense. The DTS, while outdated, isn't costing the company any money to keep. It still sells reasonably, and more of the MSRP is a money-maker than with newer cars because it is already fully developed. There will always be a market for the DTS and Crown Vic alike, for people who don't know the difference between them and a newer design, or simply don't care.

It isn't viable, on the other hand, to dump the STS either. It is a new design (Newest design in Cadillac?), and it is competitive in its' class. Compared to BMW, Mercedes, and the rest of its' class, it still is a good alternative. While I'm unsure how well sales are going for the STS, I'm sure they aren't bad enough to warrant cutting the car off the lineup. I think it's still got lots of life left in it, as it currently is.

 

[Pebb]

I bet the model name DeVille means, the car will be very vile to drive, in other words it will fall apart and drive dreadful.

 

[harrytuttle]

While it sounds like a wonderful idea (it would be like the 300C Touring that isn't sold here), I must wonder how well the styling of the CTS will fit into wagon form.

Isn't the 300C Touring simply a Dodge Magnum with Chrysler badging? Or is that kind of your point? I don't know how well Cadillac's edgy styling would look on a wagon, either, but maybe the Magnum is a good place to start, if just to get an idea.

About the $50,000 car being dumped, I'm torn. The DeVille is no doubt the money-maker in the same vein as the Crown Victoria (with the development costs being taken care of in 1994). However, it existing ruins Cadillac's fight to become a BMW beater, both in practice and in theory. On the other hand, I can't see Cadillac as Cadillac without some large boat for old people to buy. That being said, I see no reason for Cadillac to dump the STS, as it is a fine car in it's own right, so there you go. A difficult decision, but I say keep 'em both.

I would say keep the CTS where it is (if it can truly be considered 3-Series sized), keep the STS where it is (about 5-Series sized), and move the DTS up to 7-Series size. That should match right up with the 3/C-class/A4, 5/E-class/A6, and 7/S-class/A8 markets all at once. Or you could reverse the DTS and STS; either one should work, as long as Cadillac keeps going with their current track record of producing better cars this year than last year.

On the topic of the Sixteen, I can't say I'm surprised. Cadillac is no where near ready to challenge the S-class, and the concept showed that in itself.[/SIZE][/FONT]

The Sixteen seemed to leapfrog the S-Class and move into Maybach/Rolls Royce territory, a place Cadillac hasn't really belonged to in more than 60 years. Maybe in another 10 years they can re-visit this market segment.

A coupe CTS... ? erm.. XLR?

Think 3-Series coupe vs. Z4M.

 

[YSSMAN]

Well it is good news for me as a GM guy, but overall, nothing particularly surprising. The current CTS is a great car, and really was a competitor against the old G35 and IS300. But now that everyone is having their updates, it is time for a new CTS, which does signal the entrance of a new direct-injection LY7 V6, new six-speed transmissions, a new platform (Sigma II), and a new bodystyle.

Adding the wagon and the coupe, IMO, only make sense. If Cadillac is to be as competitive with Mercedes and BMW as they wish to be (Lexus has been left to Buick, it appears Pontiac gets Infiniti or Acura), they need these models. A wagon version, IMO, only makes sense as people begin to back away from crossovers and SUVs. The "Art and Science" look should fit well with the CTS Wagon, GM has gotten pretty good at making cars look great over the past few years. As for the Coupe, well this is something that has been debated for some time now, and it is about bloody time it happens... Especially when we are talking about the CTS-V (now rumored to have a 515BHP version of the LS7, due late 2008).

As for the STS vs DTS question, I'll be taking the Sigma-based STS any-day over the DTS. It isn't necessarily that the DTS is a "bad car," it is actually quite nice, but it just isn't what the brand needs to be competitive with the foreign brands. The DTS is a good comfort sedan, but it's sister car, the Buick Lucerne, is a better buy. And if you are still looking for a Cadillac, you can always order the rather "soft" STS with the Magnaride suspension.

There has been talk at GM of having Cadillac receive a derivative of the Zeta platform for use on a DTS replacement. Think Holden Caprice, and you get the idea. Only you have to add a Northstar V8, six-speed automatic, and the "Art and Science" styling, and you've got a rather cheap 7-series or A8 fighter, but they will need something far-better if they are going to take on the S-Class.

The Sixteen, or ULS, could happen, but not at the current state of GM. GM needs to have more money invested in R&D to get the car done, to get the quality levels needed, etc. I could really only envision the car with a V12 (based on the LS-class V8), 6-speed Allison automatic, all-wheel-drive, and a hand-made interior to match. Prices would probably be pretty high, say north of $100K, but if they are building fewer than 500 a year (no more than 2000 total), there would probably be enough people to buy them.

...

But considering what will happen to the CTS over the next year, things may get a bit tight for the Germans. The direct-injection version of the LY7 should push out north of 300 BHP, and matched to the right transmission and suspension, Cadillac could take a shot at the BMW 335i. That is assuming that Sigma II keeps the weight down, strength up, and allows for plenty of fun...

...Otherwise we may have to wait for the upcoming smaller RWD platform from GM that will reportedly make the Pontiac G5 and G6 RWD by the end of the decade...