U.S. : Cadillac needs flagship not in current range – Jim Queen
04-19-07 | 10:06 AM
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U.S. : Cadillac needs flagship not in current range – Jim Queen
EXCLUSIVE: US: Cadillac needs flagship not in current range – Jim Queen
17 April 2007 | Source: just-auto.com editorial team
GM's head of global engineering, Jim Queen, has said that Cadillac needs a flagship model not currently in the range. When asked about the possibility of a Holden developed V12 engine for such a vehicle, he chose his words carefully, writes Dave Leggett.
As part of its 'global vehicle development programme' that assigns responsibility for GM vehicle development to different regions according to their expertise, Holden in Australia has been allocated responsibility for engineering the architecture for GM's large RWD cars.
GM vice-chairman Bob Lutz was recently quoted as saying that development work on a flagship Cadillac, a car that would be competing with the likes of the Mercedes S-class, was well under way in Australia.
Reports have also suggested that development work on a new engine for a flagship Cadillac is based on combining two Commodore 3.6 litre 'Global V6' engines to produce a 7.2 litre V12.
"We need to provide Cadillac with a flagship that is not yet in the portfolio," Queen said, speaking to just-auto at the SAE show at Cobo Hall, Detroit.
"We showed the Cadillac Sixteen [concept] a few years ago and that signals that there is a need to continue to move that brand upstairs and one of the mechanisms for doing that is a flagship vehicle not in the stable right now."
And would a flagship Cadillac need a suitably flagship engine?
"Perhaps," said a smiling Queen.
Dave Leggett
17 April 2007 | Source: just-auto.com editorial team
GM's head of global engineering, Jim Queen, has said that Cadillac needs a flagship model not currently in the range. When asked about the possibility of a Holden developed V12 engine for such a vehicle, he chose his words carefully, writes Dave Leggett.
As part of its 'global vehicle development programme' that assigns responsibility for GM vehicle development to different regions according to their expertise, Holden in Australia has been allocated responsibility for engineering the architecture for GM's large RWD cars.
GM vice-chairman Bob Lutz was recently quoted as saying that development work on a flagship Cadillac, a car that would be competing with the likes of the Mercedes S-class, was well under way in Australia.
Reports have also suggested that development work on a new engine for a flagship Cadillac is based on combining two Commodore 3.6 litre 'Global V6' engines to produce a 7.2 litre V12.
"We need to provide Cadillac with a flagship that is not yet in the portfolio," Queen said, speaking to just-auto at the SAE show at Cobo Hall, Detroit.
"We showed the Cadillac Sixteen [concept] a few years ago and that signals that there is a need to continue to move that brand upstairs and one of the mechanisms for doing that is a flagship vehicle not in the stable right now."
And would a flagship Cadillac need a suitably flagship engine?
"Perhaps," said a smiling Queen.
Dave Leggett
04-19-07 | 10:23 AM
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Caddy has an image problem and their executives acknowledged it in CAR a few years ago. Funny how Caddy REFUSED to rebadge a SUV initally but TODAY, in all honesty, you think Caddy, you think ESCALADE. It is the brand.
Then you still have the old image of floaty ride and big fins and huge cars, even with the new competative CTS and STS and even with the V-series cars.
A flagship is always thought of as the "fix" but they have to work on their image b/c the upper crust might not want to be associated with the brand.
I DO hope they make a true flagship or just make the DTS a true flagship. The STS and DTS muddy things and they need to clarify those 2 cars. I would love for an American brand to truly be a global presence.
Then you still have the old image of floaty ride and big fins and huge cars, even with the new competative CTS and STS and even with the V-series cars.
A flagship is always thought of as the "fix" but they have to work on their image b/c the upper crust might not want to be associated with the brand.
I DO hope they make a true flagship or just make the DTS a true flagship. The STS and DTS muddy things and they need to clarify those 2 cars. I would love for an American brand to truly be a global presence.
04-19-07 | 11:21 AM
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I thought we just saw articles in the last week or two with Lutz saying all RWD projects, including caddy flagship, are being put on hold...besides the Camaro because its too far along already.
04-20-07 | 12:09 AM
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Confusion ... I mean business as usual at GM.
First Lutz "hinted" at the idea that Holden was developing a V12 for a "super-Caddy". Holden then officially denied this, and were confused as to where Lutz got that idea from. So *now*, Holden is hinting at this same rumour again?
I'm sorry for the vulgarity, but who's running that circus?
First Lutz "hinted" at the idea that Holden was developing a V12 for a "super-Caddy". Holden then officially denied this, and were confused as to where Lutz got that idea from. So *now*, Holden is hinting at this same rumour again?
I'm sorry for the vulgarity, but who's running that circus?
04-20-07 | 07:26 AM
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I really hope the XLR is their flagship. They need to clarify that. They don't have a 4-door sedan that is comparable to the XLR or XLR-V in price or exclusivity. I think the DTS is going to be relegated to the older buying population who still prefer the floating Caddy ride. I don't think associating Caddy with fins and large expanses of metal is such a bad thing. The old Eldorados were/are classics and some of the most cherished icons of American history. You know, back when people actually desired to buy a Caddy when people actually believed they were the standard of the world. The cars they need people to forget are the 80's junk they threw out like the Cimmaron and the crappy little front wheel drive Deville and Sevile. Unfortunately most of us here are of an age where we do remember that crap. I see a lot of kids (well, not a lot, but way more than at any other time in my life) tooling around in Caddy's now, the CTS and Escalade in particular. If Caddy can bring something out that really enthralls them, then they may have a future cutomer base. My father grew up in a time when German marques were gaining reputation and popularity. I grew up in a time when Japanese marques were gaining popularity and America was failing. I don't want to see America's companies fail and I'm all for Caddy's revival. Hopefully they bring out desireable, compelling products.
04-26-07 | 12:28 AM
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I really hope the XLR is their flagship. They need to clarify that. They don't have a 4-door sedan that is comparable to the XLR or XLR-V in price or exclusivity. I think the DTS is going to be relegated to the older buying population who still prefer the floating Caddy ride. I don't think associating Caddy with fins and large expanses of metal is such a bad thing. The old Eldorados were/are classics and some of the most cherished icons of American history. You know, back when people actually desired to buy a Caddy when people actually believed they were the standard of the world. The cars they need people to forget are the 80's junk they threw out like the Cimmaron and the crappy little front wheel drive Deville and Sevile. Unfortunately most of us here are of an age where we do remember that crap. I see a lot of kids (well, not a lot, but way more than at any other time in my life) tooling around in Caddy's now, the CTS and Escalade in particular. If Caddy can bring something out that really enthralls them, then they may have a future cutomer base. My father grew up in a time when German marques were gaining reputation and popularity. I grew up in a time when Japanese marques were gaining popularity and America was failing. I don't want to see America's companies fail and I'm all for Caddy's revival. Hopefully they bring out desireable, compelling products.
Good point, the XLR is the flagship no? Hell it costs 100k (but no one wants one)
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04-26-07 | 06:28 AM
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I also agree with TOKed that it is a mistake for Cadillac not to have a BIG, soft-riding, bling-mobile in their lineup any more....that basically went out with the demise of the 1996 Fleetwood. Those big, luxury-car customers kept Caddy going through many of its down-years when no one else was buying them, and now, with its emphasis on BMW-type sport sedan engineering, sharp handling, low-profile tires, etc.....Cadillac had all but completely ignored them, even in the DTS, which today is far more of a BMW than just a few years ago.
Last edited by mmarshall; 04-26-07 at 06:33 AM.
04-26-07 | 06:39 AM
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Well, if they did what Ford did with the Mustang and Dodge is now doing with the Challenger and built something like they did 40 years ago, .....................
I myself like a big heavy car with a soft ride, but in today's traffic and congestion it would be hard to manuver and park.
Those of you who know me also know that I've become a convert to Subie AWD's....I currently think they are some of the best daily drivers in the marketplace.
I myself like a big heavy car with a soft ride, but in today's traffic and congestion it would be hard to manuver and park. Those of you who know me also know that I've become a convert to Subie AWD's....I currently think they are some of the best daily drivers in the marketplace.
04-26-07 | 07:58 AM
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Well, if they did what Ford did with the Mustang and Dodge is now doing with the Challenger and built something like they did 40 years ago, ..................... I myself like a big heavy car with a soft ride, but in today's traffic and congestion it would be hard to manuver and park.
Those of you who know me also know that I've become a convert to Subie AWD's....I currently think they are some of the best daily drivers in the marketplace.
I myself like a big heavy car with a soft ride, but in today's traffic and congestion it would be hard to manuver and park. Those of you who know me also know that I've become a convert to Subie AWD's....I currently think they are some of the best daily drivers in the marketplace.
04-26-07 | 09:28 AM
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