Cmicasa the Great

I said it before and I'll say it again WE FAILED CADILLAC. Well I didn't cause I actually went out and bought every iteration of Art and Science since 2005 to 2016. Performance was their focal point and many BITCHED AND COMPLAINED.. Cadillac cars are exceptional performers.. possibly the best in the world. CTS, ATS. CT6... come on.. Even the XTS was a helluva performer.. WE BITCHED. Where are the sales? The sales came tho.. they came in the form of the XT5.. and Cadillac... on the brink at one point, is looking to emulate that success. The vehicle will most likely bring in new conquest buyers. How much?? I'm betting, considering the XT5 starts at $41K.. this will undercut the GLE by about $6K and start at $48K. the AWD version will come in at about $53K or about the same as the Avenir Enclave. I could be off by about $1000. We knew what this was. We did. Its a longer version of the XT5.. The Lincoln Aviator is a better vehicle in technical presentation.. but I think that this is the better vehicle for sales. U can not have your cake and eat it too. We saw this with the cars. Lexus and Mercedes prove this with appliance vehicles and some performance on the fringe. Cadillac's EV announcement is going to be their fringe. BlackWing will be their other. I also bring attention to the fact that the MKC, MKX, and MKT sales results don't even beat the singular XT5. The lauded CONTINENTAL has failed to outshine the CT6, despite the fact that the CT6 wasn't even the real competitor to it on Caddy's lot.. that always being the XTS, which certainly has outsold it. We'll see.. but its a strong possibility that GM is actually doing the right thing in its move to be different. My only real unexpected disappointment with this is that it doesn't at least debut with any WOW ENGINE when Caddy has them on shelf. The 3.6LTT from the XTSVSport should have been optional from the start of the press release. I'm not even thinking the Blackwing.. I saying that the XT6 should have debuted with the base engine and the LF3. That simple. That simple. That simple. Exterior looks are very nice IMO. One of teh best looking in the segment. Far better looking than a GLE or GX.. Damn sure better looking than an MDX. The interior comments are ridiculous. Even if the transplanted the XT5's interior its still a very nice interior to be. Some writers are full of $#!+ . The XT5's interior has been praised many times over. I expect 60K XT4, 55K XT5, and 45K XT6 sales.. Escalade remaining in the 35K range.

I could've sworn I predicted this back in November. That perhaps the death of the CT6, or change over of the CT6 was to make way for some sort of EV replacement.. and that Cadillac was preparing for a move to take on Tesla... that another large sedan is replacing it (CT6).. a full size vehicle, that is a direct competitor, but obviously more luxurious than the Model S, which unless U spend serious coin, has a very basic interior. The plan also called for a large majority of the upcoming GM EVs to be Cadillacs. If that plan is still in play.. with the only surprise for Cadillac upon the announcements laid out was the North American death of the aforementioned CT6.. it stands to reason that it is not the Germans, nor Lincoln that Cadillac is looking to emulate.. but Tesla? Difference being.. with the full force of a profitable GM, comprised of Chevy, Buick, GMC, and a plethora of Trucks and SUVs to fund this venture.. Cadillac's "Tesla" will be actually profitable from git.

“If I had asked people what they wanted, they would have said faster horses.” Henry Ford Had not been for the supposed cancellation of the CT6 after getting a brand new lease on life with the BlackWing, I don't think that people would have worried so much. But in truth we really haven't the slightest idea if the CT6 is really leaving, as there is a possibility that Detroit-Ham may still be kept open, or if the BlackWing is simply being offered in the CT6 before Cadillac gets a different car based flagship. Let's be honest... as great as the CT6 is, Caddy really hobbled it with that name. It could be simply a diversion to a new name.. or naming scheme all around. GM has spent billion recently tho, on not only the 4.2L, but the new Truck engines.. a new Vette engine.. updated architectures on its V6s and 4cylin.. so I don't think that they are going anywhere completely in the next decade.. BUT!!! We now have Tesla, Rivian and Atlis. All working on introducing EV trucks in the next few years. That last one.. Atlis is offering 500 miles, 15 minute full charge, and 20,000 tow capacity ATLIS LINK. Why would GM or Ford.. or VW.. want to be left on the sidelines for the sake of the enthusiast.. who is quickly becoming a rarity anyway. Just an example of that is that my business is an IT company with a division that also does custom PCs. Gaming systems are a growing sector.. I have 20 something and 30 something Gamers contracting with us for $5K-$9K computer systems, but they own a used 8 year old Honda Civic or catch Uber everywhere. This is a fact. So the biggest thing I see is that GM is not killing the ICE alone. We are. Our changing needs, and the simple fact that growing populations all over the world are buying dirty cars that are polluting the air. Have U seen China? FUKK that place. Plus.. When U get down to it, the reality is that the technology is evolving to a state that within the next 5 years one can easily see charging taking place in the same time as a fill-up. None of us know the pains and great compromises that these people make being "car guys" while being beholden to Gov't mandates, Stock-Holder desires, employee job security, and actual consumer demand. I consider myself a "Car Guy, a level above most," but at the same time I throw in, when playing "Fantasy Car Company God," throw in the Minivans, which I despise, hatches, which I loath, CUVs which do little for me, Hybrids, which make me cringe.. with the 1000hp wedge shapes lined in leather and able to phase thru solid objects or at the very least, when traffic presents itself, turn wheels into flippable thrusters to lift me up a 100ft in the air and jettison me to my destination at the speed of light. (Think that Delorean at the end of Back to the Future) Then reality kicks in, and I realize that I need to build vehicles that the actual buying public wants. Witness a few things that happened this year over at GM, and despite what some may say, they have actually done a damn great job at keeping the ship, not only afloat, but moving full speed ahead. They are currently sitting at about $7 Billion in profits, not even including Q4 for 2018. Just a decade ago, who would have thought. All the enthusiast vehicles Bob and Rick signed off on pre-BK did nothing to save GM from going to Washington on Jets and asking for a loan. I think Reuss and Barra have the right idea. They are attempting to move GM into a future that doesn't depend on oil. They are delving deep into new technologies.

#1 its ugly as FuKK. #2 There is zero that says that thing is luxury inside or out.. In fact it really does look like an uglier version of the Cruze. Hell.. it might have the Hyundai Elantra beat for ugly.. No.. To me it looks like Mercedes was trying to muscle in on the Corolla's buyers

Actually.. a great deal of their learning also came from Haldex and their time offering it in the Saab division. The current AWD system in the CT6, for example, is one of the most advanced in the car world.. while the system in the trucks/SUVs as certainly one of the best in the truck world

Oh I forgot about the HHR SS.. But Yeah.. anyone really looking to get pissed off early this morning can look no further than Chevy South America where they are introducing and keeping the Cruze SS with a 1.4L Turbo at 296hp

AT one point in time.. due to Bob Lutz.. there was a Cobalt SS, Malibu SS, Impala SS, Trailblazer SS, Silverado SS, and an Aveo SS... (just jking)

STOP!!! Come on man... if Cadillac made the Cruze into a CT1 I'd be done with them I think.. and roast the feces outta of them. U cannot tell me that U are OK with this.. if U are.. U are truly the greatest shill since Wingnuts

Well that's what Dodge is capitalizing on.. and GM and Ford only pay attention to in high profit trucks and SUVs. (why is it that no one understands how profitable a Silverado is if they can offer $10K off out the gate) . Anyway.. this is where Cadillac could capitalize big time. A&S in the beginning did. It offered something different in luxo. It still does to a degree, but I fear that the Lexus NX is more radical to look at than the XT5, while the Infiniti Q70 is more radical than the CTS. In off-roading.. GM is screwing up not just resurrecting the damn Hummer name they keep renewing the trademark on. If for no other reason than to attach to a Hummerish looking Canyon/Colorado SUV and a Hummerish looking Pick-Up

I agree on the lunacy of staggered entry. The world moves too fast these days due to globalization and social media/internet. Introduce all at once.. as many choices as possible.. No way the CT5, for instance, should debut on stage without the CT5-V right next to it.

Its always been a ridiculous argument.. 98.9999% of the buyers of this segment can't stand to see dirt on their vehicles let alone go out off-roading a BRAND NEW FUKKING CAR THEY ARE MAKING PAYMENTS ON. Its as silly as people claiming that the reason why they would buy a Range Rover over an Escalade is because the RR is more known as a off-road vehicle in the jungles of Africa. Who are the real complainers???The ones waiting for the 10 year old used "hand me down" Only one I have a real issue with losing .. maybe two.. and they should be together on one platform curing any issues as far as sales of said platform. CT6 and IMPALA on Omega. Global. Done and Done

It is marketing blather.. but as I pointed out earlier.. It has pushed GM, a company that for 10 years prior to a legendary BK, was losing Billions, $39 Billion in 2007 and $30 Billion in 2008 alone.. to one of the most profitable automakers on the planet. Furthermore their ATPS are actually top dog.. without anything really over $130K MSRP for a mainstream brand. Appliances sell. Many, no most, out there praised Toyota and Honda for their "Frigidaires (ironically once a GM brand) on Wheels, but people want to crucify GM for now doing it. What saves them in my eyes is that their performance vehicles are fukking SICK!!! And I'm lucky enough to be able to afford them. Not a boast, but fact. Alfred Sloan philosophy is being utilized only slightly by GM, while being used 100% by Toyota for instance. Crazy turn of events. The Enclave, Traverse, Acadia, XT6 strategy is BRILLIANT! I don't care what anyone says.. and nor should GM, because the consumers.. the public who don't listen to this banter about platforms and are buying in droves. 345K sales last year of Cxx alone.. GM would be a fool to not continue that practice. The Blazer will add to that, as will the XT6. I'm betting minimal 450K sales 2019 for the Cxx platform in the U.S.

Bottom line is that where GM truly bewilders me and actually fails.. is that for some reason they won't just install their higher hp Turbo V6s (they have three in the 400-470HP range) in vehicles that would be screamers with them. This Blazer RS as an SS with a, LF3, LF4, or LGW would be insane. The XT5, XT4, Acadia, Traverse or Enclave.. Who wouldn't be in line to run any of those with one of those three aforementioned engine choices? The Twin-Clutch AWD system is optimized to allow Rear Wheel bias on the Blazer Premiere and RS... and I'm sorry, but to me this is a far sexier vehicle than a Trailhawk Cherokee.. even in non-RS form

The original question made little sense then. One could easily ask if Lexus and Toyota are necessary... if Infiniti and Nissan.. if at this point.. Porsche and Audi (now that one is a serious one) are necessary in the U.S. since the Panamara and the A8/A7 essentially compete.. the Cayenne and Q5 compete.. the Macan and Q3.. the R8 and 911 T compete. Buick offers a softer side while GMC is still way more rugged. Not to mention that GMC and Buick print money for GM just by offering variants of Chevy products. I know people who won't touch a Sierra over a Silverado and vice versa. This is a real thing.

Perhaps they came to their senses.

What am I missing. The Traverse RS can definitely be had in AWD. Also.. I think U folks should realize that the GM is using a Sales tactic that is designed to automatically make a customer feel like they are getting over on the dealership, or manufacturer. The RS Blazer that I posted is damn near fully loaded is currently MSRP $51K and GM had $3K on the hood already. That's a fact

Oh.. GM decided to discontinue the Cruze so that Mercedes could take it over and make it look blander

Definitely.. Sexy lil whip. Dunno why Chevy just doesn't make only this trim. Wouldn't it some time just make sense to make all your vehicles look the same within a name. Does Mazda really change any of their models from trim to trim

Also. Special note. After reading an article by the Auto Extremest, I have become of like mind with his ranting self. CADILLAC SHOULD KILL THE VSERIES PROGRAM.. Yup.. I said it. Cadillac's Platinum trim should be the top trim in HP as well. The VSeries program as great as it is.. its inconsistent. Unless U are going to have a VSeries on all vehicles.. kill it. All Cadillacs should be great handlers, while still retaining a cloud like ride, via button. In my CTS-V, along with the XT5 and CT6 the driving mode button literally changes the attitude and feel of the vehicle. Touring is the Cadillac ride. Sport and Track are not. Same for the Corvette BTW. As I've said all along.. Cadillac should have always been more like Mercedes than BMW. I think things got cloudy when Pontiac died as at one point the Pontiac brand was supposed to be the BMW competitor to a point. Even the G8 (Commodore) was being compared to the 5Series in Oz, from what I remember. I mean lets face it.. Benz really is what Cadillac once was. And its an easier sell to sell luxury from a known luxury brand than Sport. To be clear. BMW was not originally considered luxury in any real way. Mercedes was the luxury brand, and Audi was kinda like Buick. BMW=Pontiac. Benz=Cadillac. Audi=Buick. Build the CT3 still. CT5 Still. CT6 still. radical styling lifted straight from the concepts of the Ciel, ElMiraj, and Escala. Use those names as well. The CT6 being the Escala . The CT5 being the Ciel. And the CT3 being the Elmiraj. All avail in Convertible and coupe. The Platinum models being the most powerful. The VSeries? Bring in your Corvette Division finally. That is where U compete with BMW and even Porsche. Some will squawk on this but its seemingly what's happening. And truth be told the name Cadillac and Corvette are both highly coveted names, despite issues seen with the latter in terms of marketing the sporting edge. I've just come to except it. My CTS-V, styling (sans the CB spoiler), handling, power.. would all be more acceptable if it just was a CTS Platinum. The upcoming CT6-V really shouldn't be called VSeries. U put a Black-Wing logo on the side and let it do the talking. Same for all upcoming Cadillacs moving forward.

Quick point of facts. The Acadia sells. Its obvious. The issue with a 20% drop in sales stems from one major issue that not one of U have even brought up... 2017 and some of 2018 had a mix of two Acadias.. the big one and the lil one. The Big one is no longer avail.. sales drop. go figure. The Envision is bland but it also sells. GM would be foolish to get rid of it because despite its sales it is profitable simply because of the price point and the low labor cost country of origin not utilizing UAW $$$ workers. It is a perfect bridge vehicle between the Encore and the Enclave until something else arrives. The Camaro is a huge worry. And the reality of things is that American buyers have spoken and said plain and clear.. they do not want the best handling mainstream sports coupe on the market and to hell with all that advanced bullcrap. Chevy should literally unmothball the Zeta platform Chevy SS, and for 2020 introduce the Camaro on the Chevy SS bones, size and all, with sleeker styling and AWD optional. The Challenger is a boat in my opinion that resides on a platform that literally goes back to the CLINTON ADMINISTRATION .. I'm talking before we really knu who Britney Spears was.. When Trump was considered cool... The platform for the Challenger was introduced before planes flew into the World Trade Center.. and Americans buy it because its big and has a big engine.. and GM needs to recognize this and understand that Americans cried for Euro handling, but really didn't want it. Except me. I prefer these current cars way more than the straight line bull$#!+ that I grew up with and FCA is currently selling. Cadillac. The XT4 would of course steal some XT5 sales.. ,much to the delight of @smk4565. No different than the GLA stealing sales from the GLC which stole sales from the GLE. Or the NX stealing a few RX sales over at Lexus. GM is doing the right thing by also bring that XT6. Here's the beauty of it.. as long as its executed properly.. THEY ARE ESSENTIALLY THE SAME VEHICLE JUST DIFFERENT SIZES and HEIGHTS. I bet good money that they cost literally no wide difference in cost to build. Anyone else notice that thus far, without Q4 Earning announced that GM has, pulled in about $7 Billion. They seem to be making proper decisions, unlike days of old and listening to us enthusiasts. To the XT6 coming.. What were your expectations? An Omega based CUV? Even if, would it matter? Cadillac didn't fail in this decision. We as consumer did. While Cadillac was building quite possibly the best large sedan on the market under $100K on an advanced RWD based super-lite platform, sales of the FWD based XTS held fast and strong. BTW, I had a chance to take a ride in a new Navigator. Cadillac could simply make a few tweaks to the 5 year old Escalade and again be on top of that one. Nothing special, and when we pulled up to the Costco, I heard a lady tell her BF or Husband how ugly it was compared to the Tahoe.. THE TAHOE, they pulled up in. I felt a little sorry for my friend who had just spent $95K on it. Never hear that in reference to an Escalade, Yukon, or Tahoe.

Wouldn't it be funny as FUKK.. if Cadillac killed the CT6 only to, adhere to GM's EV Plans by releasing the Escala as the CT8 in EV form , with only a Black-Wing Edition to appease the OCNBlu types?

We are also having to remember that GM is an international cocorp. The original international corporation of the modern age. They have markets where the limited vs regular C6.. C6 Z06 was extremely penalized for having a 7.0L.. why the hell would they up the liters for 60HP just to have a naturally aspirated engine? My bet is that a break thru in HP is announced and they up the ante on a 6.2L or even 6.4

OK.. granted, but to go from 6.2L to 6.8L seems a bit far fetched considering that the jump was made under 6.2L guise from 430-465HP just 5 years ago. A 6.4L at best is what I expect

Why are we discussing a 6.8L when the 6.2L can easily be bumped to 500HP with a simple tune? To achieve an additional 25HP and get proper NVH, Fuel economy, and longevity a balanced set up with a more aggressive cam is probably all that is needed

Yeah.. I thought of it, but really at first I was on the fence of just putting an old boom box on the seat next to me ?, so this was a wee bit more than I originally intended. I'm still not cutting the kick boards, dash or door panels to put speakers in them for the front. At worst I might rig these up under the dash for a 4 speaker system. They are 7 inches wide and weight about 5 lbs. The two speakers I wired to the rear, after cutting the metal at the top and securing them in well to avoid rattle.. sound great.. but adding two extra would truly sound even better