Upcoming Cadillac Flagship Will Share FWD Platform With Buick LaCrosse

I disagree that the DTS is pointless. I see far more of them they I do the STS.

They seem to really appeal to older traditional Cadillac owners.

As for the XTS, by choosing a front drive platform for it's flagship, Cadillac will have a uphill battle with automotive writers and "performance drivers". No matter how good it is, they will start with a negative opinion.

Let me get this straight. The Cadillac FLAGSHIP will have a higher compromised chassis vs the mid level CTS yet the CTS will remain RWD along with a smaller, compact RWD sport sedan (direct 3 series fighter)? Sounds like Cadillac may be coming down with a condition known as Acuraitis.

I certainly don't have an issue with platform sharing as long as the vehicles in question somewhat share a similar demographic target or similar dynamic capabilities. However, a luxury FLAGSHIP should share little to nothing (base drivetrains are the exception) with much lesser car. Dont let the penny pinchers ruin Cadillac.....again.

Given the great dynamic execution of the current CTS, and the fact that Cadillac wants to be considered a world class producer of sport/luxury vehicles I think Cadillac could and should start out with a platform that a true flagship deserves. A flagship is the type of car that a brand throws everything it knows into.

The highest level of craftsmanship, materials, technology, features, capable/safe dynamics ETC ETC with very little compromise is expected. World class flagships such as the Lexus LS, Mercedes S-Class and BMW 7 are fine examples of the measures that need to be taken to produce such a car.

I may be underestimating the modified Buicks chassis potential but from the information received it just doesn't seem like the best foundation for the performance expectations for a sport/luxury flagship especially considering Cadillacs lofty yet attainable goals and the fact that the "lesser" CTS uses a more sophisticated chassis.

WHAT THE F@#$CK?! This is why GM is screwed up. They really can't pench enough pennies elsewhere to make 1 MORE rwd car? It's the Caddy flagship!!! It HAS TO BE FWD to be successful. GM has officially screwed up.

And correction: the furure 3 series fighter will be FWD.

Told ya.

GM has a large car in Australia or China called the Statemen. It's based off the G8 platform. How come they couldn't use that? Or even just langthen the wheelbase on the G8? Add the design technology styling and the Escalade's 6.2 liter V8, and the new high class interior in the CTS and SRX. Also, from my understanding, the Lacrosse rides on a fwd version of the G8 platform...maybe that's what they meant by the "XTS" riding on a modified version of the LAcrosse platform.

"It HAS TO BE FWD to be successful"
I meant to say it has to be RWD to be successful. But I guess the Audi A8 is essentially a FWD platform. All I know is this better be a world class execution from Cadillac if it ever wants to be a relevant luxury brand again.

This is a horrible move by GM, and I worry a sign of "business as usual" and more of the same culture and mindset that got them into trouble in the first place. If Cadillac is going to be FWD rebadged Buick yachts, what is the point of Buick? And how does Cadillac really expect to compete with the best of Europe and Asia with a FWD-based flagship. Audi may be able to get away with its AWD because it has developed its system to be a signature feature and well-respected. Cadillac doesn't have that luxury.

I'm still doubtful Alpha (Cadillac's 3 Series fighter) will ever happen, or be competitive if it does, and I fear Cadillac will continue to be nothing more than 1 good model and a couple crappy ones hanging on.

OK scratch that last part, I just read a few stories up that GM confirmed the ATS, but no mention of FWD or RWD. I'm betting $20 right now on a FWD model off a shrunken Malibu platform. If it is FWD and on the Delta II platform, I'll take back every nice thing I ever said about GM. Calling it now.

It looks like Cadillac showrooms will once again vie with Buick showrooms for the honor of being known as "God's Waiting Rooms". All the FWD sleds with marshmallow suspension tuning should be notably absent from the Cadillac lineup.

People...I'm sure if GM never allowed themselves to get into the situation they're in now, they wouldn't be making, or "threatening" to make a FWD flagship car. I mean, the G8 is dead, and that was a good car with the potential to become a truly GREAT car. Even in Caddy's own house
killed the original SRX formula because, apparently, it wasn't selling (whether the tranmission or styling was to blame, who really knows?).

Let's just hope and pray they go to a solid rear biased AWD platform. At the very least, I hope they'll still drop a nice V8 in the top line model, with the DI V6 as a base...

"Let's just hope and pray they go to a solid rear biased AWD platform."

Darkman, Im not as interested in its AWD system as I am in the layout of its drivetrain as that's more important for superior driving dynamics/feddback vs the bias of its AWD system.

"Sounds like Cadillac may be coming down with a condition known as Acuraitis."

Um, no. Cadillac already makes two RWD products and the small ATS will be RWD. Acura has ZERO RWD cars. They are not the same.

The small car will be RWD- its on a platform known as Alpha. This is not new information. Many wondered if GM would proceed due to financial problems but the platform has been discussed for years now.

"Darkman, Im not as interested in its AWD system as I am in the layout of its drivetrain as that's more important for superior driving dynamics/feddback vs the bias of its AWD system."

it will have transverse engine if its based on Lacrosse EP2 platform. The new AWD system is like SH-AWD meaning it can send torque to each side of the car.

"All the FWD sleds with marshmallow suspension tuning should be notably absent from the Cadillac lineup. "

Yes because every FWD car is soft riding and lacking handling. This car will be AWD and will have nothing to do with the DTS. You can expect the dynamics to be appropriate for a Cadillac. BEfore anyone actually tested the SRX we were warned how its handling would be severely compromised by leaving the sigma platform. Now we know the SRX is just as nimble as its RWD or AWD counterparts.

Come on. F-ing hell, why can't Cadillac make an entire fleet of proper cars. First of all, why didn't they make the XTS on the Zeta Platform. Wy can't those dumb-ass GM executives make a good decision. I think of Cadillac make a good fleet of cars, them people who usually buy the German big three might buy a Cadillac next time. They should have made on the Zeta platform, S-Class size, but slightly cheaper to attract buyers. They should have used the LS9 engine in the top-of-the-line car and the two smaller Corvette engines on the lesser models. (The engines from the C6, ZO6, and ZR1) And to really, really top it off the XTS-V should have the same 7.5 L V-12 from the Cien concept. I hope the XTS unveiled tomorrow is an advanced, updated version of the Sixteen, seen way back in 2003. I think the next step in the proper Cadillac revival would be to completely, I mean COMPLETELY revamp styling and engineering and handling to match up with German counterparts.
So the proper Cadillac line would look like this:
XTS
XTS coupé and convertible
CTS, redesigned and made bigger to
better compete with mid-size german category.
CTS coupé/convertible
revamped XLR, make it a supercar, light, taught, and expensive.
redesigned Escalade
"Alpha" line of small 3-Series competitors
eliminate the SRX crossover

The SRX is new. It wont be going anywhere. I dont think any V16 cars are coming either. Just a hunch. Forget about dream lineups, what you will get are:

RWD compact
CTS- 3 styles
SRX
Escalade
XTS

ATS is an awful name for a vehicle. It doesn't flow at all. I hope they come up with something better. I understand that it fits with CTS, DTS, etc, but.....still, I think its a poor name. Just imo.

"Um, no. Cadillac already makes two RWD products and the small ATS will be RWD. Acura has ZERO RWD cars. They are not the same."

1487, my Acura/Cadillac reference was in relation to their flagships not the lineup as a whole. The Acura flagship (if that's what you want to call the RL) is FWD based with SH-awd and Cadillacs will be similar in layout, yet larger, with a torque vectoring AWD system.

A new, larger variation of the CTS platform (if that's possible) would seem to be a better foundation for the Caddy flagship as the RWD platform would have a significant advantage in weight distribution. That configuration could FULLY exploit the capabilities of the proposed torque vectoring AWD system.

To my knowledge there isn't a RWD sport/luxury sedan available with an AWD system of that kind although BMW/ZF offers such a system that's currently available on the X6. Id look for that system to spread and/or replace the existing BMW AWD system.

Don't forget AWD is an option, so by default this pathetic excuse for a flagship is FWD. Maybe it will be sporty, but there is only so much you can do with a platform primarily designed for A-B transportation-appliance family sedans.

And ATS is not a good name. Fine, it fits with the #TS scheme, but that just demonstrates what a stupid naming scheme it is.

If GM puts its top Cadillac on a front wheel drive platform again (even all wheel drive sounds like a bandaid of a dynamically deficient front wheel drive chassis), then they'll lose a lot of the ground that Cadillac gained in recent years.

After years of trying to make their FWD Cadillacs be competitive with the RWD designs of the Europeans during the '80s and '90s, GM finally got wise and converted Cadillac to rear drive (except for the DTS). So now, going to back to FWD is a big step backwards, even with today's improved technology. A car shouldn't need tons of technology to have good inherent handling - technology can enhance, but not negate the laws of physics.

I suppose its mildly disappointing, but I'm not sure I care enough about Cadillac to get very worked up about this. There are many other car companies out there making superior products.

Large luxury sedans are not sport sedans. In that class you are not buying for sportiness.

Just leave it like it is and make some changes a la Lincoln Town car! Is waste of "our money".

another boring car

"Darkman, Im not as interested in its AWD system as I am in the layout of its drivetrain as that's more important for superior driving dynamics/feddback vs the bias of its AWD system."

Hondaacura, if what you say is true, then I wholeheartedly agree with you. But it seems like most everyone on this post values the position of the drive wheels more than the layout of the engine. IMO, most people won't feel the different effects of engine layout, but a difference in characteristics will be felt from FWD to RWD.

IMO, it'll cost less money to add an rear biased AWD system vs. changing the engine layout. If doing the former enhances the performance to the extent that consumers are saying, "WOW," isn't that what really matters?

People don't forget the A8 is essentially a FWD luxury car with standard AWD and many feel it is better (ie more athletic) than the S-class.

I do wonder why GM just doesn't update the Chinese extended wheelbase SLS??? Struts on a flagship car just don't add up to me though. This is news is very surprising and I wonder what is going to happen to the Sigma chassis. Doesn't seem like it will survive since the SRX has moved to FWD and the STS will disappear. This was clearly GM's best ever platform and likely the most expensive.

People don't forget the A8 is essentially a FWD luxury car with standard AWD and many feel it is better (ie more athletic) than the S-class.

I do wonder why GM just doesn't update the Chinese extended wheelbase SLS??? Struts on a flagship car just don't add up to me though. This is news is very surprising and I wonder what is going to happen to the Sigma chassis. Doesn't seem like it will survive since the SRX has moved to FWD and the STS will disappear. This was clearly GM's best ever platform and likely the most expensive.

"Hondaacura, if what you say is true, then I wholeheartedly agree with you. But it seems like most everyone on this post values the position of the drive wheels more than the layout of the engine. IMO, most people won't feel the different effects of engine layout, but a difference in characteristics will be felt from FWD to RWD."

Dark, I don't know of a RWD vehicle that uses a transverse drivetrain (well the NSX did but it was mid engined) layout so when I speak of RWD I automatically associate that with a longitudinal drivetrain layout. When I speak of FWD vehicles I automatically associate those with a transverse layout with the exception of Audi.

Only a few have used a FWD/AWD setup with a longitudinal layout, Audi and 90's Acura are the 2 brands that come to mind. I'm sure there are some others.

"Large luxury sedans are not sport sedans. In that class you are not buying for sportiness."

1487, I agree with you somewhat however given Cadillac's desire to be considered a world class producer of SPORT/luxury sedans and given the HUGE success of the RWD CTS, the announcement of a compact RWD sporty offering positioned below the CTS... I don't see why (other than penny pinching) Cadillac would take steps backwards and use a Buick platform especially under a flagship. No excuse you can give can change my mind. For large cars the BMW 7 and Audi S8 are very sporty offerings.

A luxury flagship should share little if any major components (drivetrain is an exception) with its badge siblings or a "lesser" car from another brand that isn't considered an equal. A flagship is basically about allowing the designers, engineers ETC ETC to develop a car that shows off their engineering talents. Its about giving the best your best product.

"1487, I agree with you somewhat however given Cadillac's desire to be considered a world class producer of SPORT/luxury sedans and given the HUGE success of the RWD CTS, the announcement of a compact RWD sporty offering positioned below the CTS... I don't see why (other than penny pinching) Cadillac would take steps backwards and use a Buick platform especially under a flagship. No excuse you can give can change my mind. For large cars the BMW 7 and Audi S8 are very sporty offerings.

A luxury flagship should share little if any major components (drivetrain is an exception) with its badge siblings or a "lesser" car from another brand that isn't considered an equal. A flagship is basically about allowing the designers, engineers ETC ETC to develop a car that shows off their engineering talents. Its about giving the best your best product."

I agree 100% with this. The purpose of a Flagship is to offer the best you have, and that will trickle down to the lesser models over time. In the case of the XLS, it is getting a hand-me-down platform from Chevy/Buick, and that just doesn't work. Flagships should introduce new things, not recycle old things.

"Its about giving the best your best product."

That should have said "its about offering your best product".

Maybe I should leave the white zinfandel in the wine fridge until after I post. =)

I believe that if cadillac wants to make either of these products sell very well that they need to put some impressive interior quality,new technology,high tech safety,etc....

But for the XTS i'm really hoping that its not like lincolns sad excuse for a flagship sedan(MKS) they really need to move mountains with this car..........I hope the best

For the ATS I really hope the steering is better than the 3 series handling which is already best in class Overall Again I hope the best for cadillac.