smk4565

cheaper to build. This sums up Cadillac, not "standard of the world"

Considering a 2008 M3 had 420 hp, I hope a 2014 ATS-V can muster up more than 380. And why is it that Chevy gets V8s, but GM seems to want to take every V8 out of Cadillac, save for the Escalade, which is a Chevy. The report is already out that the XTS will have a 4-cylinder as the base engine, this future engine lineup isn't looking too promising.

50% of F150 sales are V6. Chevy doesn't have 420 lb-ft @ 2500 rpm and 21 mpg. You have to pony up to an LTZ Silverado to get the 6-speed to get 21 mpg, but you only get 338 lb-ft @ 4400 rpm. And in base form, the Silverado gets 18 mpg, the F150 23 mpg, and the Ford has more horsepower.

But the Cruze is heavier than most in it's class, and the Focus has 160 hp standard. Civic Si has 200 hp, the Elantra and Focus are both getting turbo models shortly, and VW has some 170+ hp engines for around 20k. Mazda 3Speed puts out some big power too, albeit a bit pricier than a Cruze. It is good for GM that it is doing, well, it is a bit bland for me, and I hated the seats when I sat in one. So while it isn't my type of car, being bland and boring is what the Corolla and Civic live on, the Cruze seems to have hit that demographic.

A way to do it will be to build a 60 deg V8 of 4.8 liters using the HF V6 architecture. You can build it on the same lines, they'll used the same pistons, rods, valvetrain parts, etc. A balance shaft can be used to smooth out the 60 deg configuration (ala Volvo's Yyamaha built 4.4 V8). It'll be a DOHC 32v engine making about 420~430 hp. But, again, such a V8 will be a heck of a lot more work and money than a variant of the LFX V6 with different pistons and a cam grinds. What about a 90 degree V8 from scratch, or by using blocks of the 2.0, 2.4 or 2.5 liter ecotecs? The Germans seem to come up with a new V8 every other month, Cadillac had the Northstar for 18 years and now nothing.

I'm fine with a twin turbo V6, but 380 hp isn't going to get it done against the M3 and C63. And "lightweight" and "GM sedan" usually don't go together, so I guessing they don't plan on undercutting the M3 in weight by significant margin to make up for the lack of power.

Performance version of what? Lincolns are just a fancy Fusion or Taurus, they already are about maxed on the power they can put in those FWD platforms, and regardless of power, you can't make a Fusion platform handle like a CTS, much less a BMW or Infiniti.

Hyundai is rolling. So many automakers complained about 35 mpg CAFE in 2015, in 2011, Hyundai already did it. #1 in fuel economy, #1 in warranty, and good value, they are a force right now.

Good month, the Cruze did really well. That surprises me a little because it is pricy when optioned up and has so little power. However the Corolla is the Impala of the compact class, and the Civic, Focus and some other models are aging. The test for the Cruze will come when the new Focus and Civic are both on sale. The gas guzzlers are starting to drop, once regular is over $4 a gallon for a sustained period of time, those vehicles are in trouble.

How about their own V8?

You guys want to talk smack on the S-class, but what does Cadillac have? The upcoming 4-cylinder, front drive XTS as their range topper? The S-class is probably the most successful luxury car line of all time. It is why Mercedes has a better image and reputation than its competitors. Cadillac would be wise to study how Mercedes did it, and follow that path of relentless engineering, and make the best car in the world, regardless of cost.

They do when it's the Mercedes S-class. Problem is Cadillac needs credibility, which could be gained with a successful flagship, however, the flagship probably won't sell because of their brand image. They are sort of in a lose-lose. The S-class pays the bills by being a Taxi, Rental car fleet, and business airport car fleet whore..... the same way the Towncar does. It pays the bills, and it is a better status symbol than any car BMW, Audi, Jaguar, Lexus or Cadillac has. All those brands wish they had the S-class, it's image, it's history, and it's revenue.

A convertible is needed, something with a back seat like the 3-series and A4 is the way to go. I think a roadster like the Z4 or SLK will be too much extra development cost and not sell enough units.

Saab is dead. No volume, the lineup is small, they had dated cars for a while. Saab has been dying on the vine for years, the time has come, just close it down already, I don't get why people try to save something that can't be saved, and no one will miss Saab when it is gone.

I pretty much agree with Dwight's tiers but I think they could push the prices a little higher. The ATS should base at least $32k, that is where the A4 and G25 start. CTS should start mid-40s. Cadillac needs to get into the middle of the market, not be the low cost alternative in each segment.

That's basically the same interior with some suede inserts on the seat (which I was never a fan of suede on any seat or steering wheel) and some red stitching on the dash. It's still a bad interior.

[quote name='Z-06' timestamp='1304043789' post='660604' How can those be used in the same topic? Hyundai has ZERO credibility and brand image when it comes to luxury. I was only stating that the Equus has filled in the low end slot of the uber-sedan market. Equus has the $55-65k range, Lexus $65k+, Jaguar, BMW, Audi all come in the $70s-100k, S-class at $93-200k, and the Quattroporte, Rapide, and Panamera at different price points of the 4 door sports car market. Each niche is filled at this point, so Cadillac has a tough decision on where to place their car. And Hyundai when compared to Honda, Toyota, Ford or Chevy is looking like they have a lot of credibility. The Equus isn't really here to sell, it is here so they can sell Sonatas. Although the Equus is better than anything Acura, Lincoln, Volvo, Saab or some of these luxury brands can offer. I mean just look at the Equus vs the ancient DTS or even the XTS. If I'm a competitor, I'm scared of what Hyundai could be in 10 years.

Cadillac ain't Mercedes. Even then the S is still not their profit center. The S-class pretty much is their profit center. In 2011, Mercedes sales are up 13%, but the S-class is up 25%. Pre-tax profit rose 58%, and their post tax profit of $1.75 billion in the first quarter exceeds their entire 2010 total. When the S-class is up, Mercedes profit is up. A couple years ago when the economy took a big downturn and S-class sales dropped, Daimler's profit dropped considerably.

They do when it's the Mercedes S-class. Problem is Cadillac needs credibility, which could be gained with a successful flagship, however, the flagship probably won't sell because of their brand image. They are sort of in a lose-lose.

Get the job and see what your salary is, and then figure out your monthly expenses, plus you want to have some emergency fund in the bank. Then you should know how much disposable income you have. Probably best to not max out on what you can afford to pay on a car, if it means living pay check to pay check or even falling behind. Unless you rarely spend money on entertainment or vacations, etc. I agree with Oldsmoboi, get a used car, much more cost effective.

While fun to speculate about it, the rumors have been going on for 8 years and still no word on if they will actually do it. Part of me thinks Cadillac just wants to keep teasing it so it seems like they are a top tier brand and they want to expand their offerings. Since 2003, the A8 and XJ have improved, the Hyundai Equus came at the low end, and cars like the Panamera, Rapide, and Quattroporte have filled in the high end sports luxury niches. This market is becoming more and more crowded, Cadillac is awfully late to the game. Although that being said, I think Cadillac needs a car in there, and it does need a brand new platform like Omega. Problem is cost. It's too expensive to build, and they won't sell enough of them. The bean counters will hate this car.

I wouldn't buy a compact, but if I had to, it would be the Accent, because it looks like an Elantra, which looks like a Sonata. And the Sonata is the greatest mid-sizer of all time. And the Accent has big warranty. And the Sonic is ugly.

Solid fuel economy figures, but at the same time, the Sonata, Fusion, Altima, and Camry all have full hybrid models that do better. So pricing will be key, they'll have to undercut the hybrids in the segment.

They should start calling it Chevrolet Classic and make it a fleet special by next year if they want to use the Impala name again. When it comes time to replace the W-body Impala, the nameplate will be in about the same position as "Cavalier" was in 2003. Unless they plan to let "Impala" soldier on a couple more years and rename the replacement car Caprice.

More power and less weight is good. I like that the grille doesn't have as much dark gray plastic visible. On the downside though, the grille looks a lot like the one on the STS. Perhaps it is the wheels also, but the car reminds me of the STS which looks dated and designed for the elderly at this point.