Rick Kranz
Automotive News
August 25, 2008 - 12:01 am ET


PEBBLE BEACH, Calif. — Cadillac will introduce a small sedan with a four-cylinder engine in the United States — a prospect unthinkable just 12 months ago.

The rear-drive sedan will debut in late 2010 as a 2011 model. Cadillac executives are arguing over whether to offer a V-6 option.

"There is a big debate as to whether it is four only. I think that is a bridge too far," said Cadillac General Manager Jim Taylor at a press event here.

"There is a piece of the team who is thinking, 'Well, with this whole fuel economy and gas thing, we ought to go all the way, say, to fours.' We are resisting that at this stage."

Also in the equation are new federal fuel economy standards that begin to take effect in the 2011 model year.

The car, whose name has not been announced, will be positioned under the CTS. In Europe, Cadillac markets the BLS, a small front-drive sedan and wagon. It shares a platform with the Saab 9-3 and is powered by a four-cylinder diesel or gasoline engine. Both engines are turbocharged.

BLS sales have been disappointing. Taylor said his team is discussing whether to call the U.S. car the BLS.

He said the V-6 debate centers on whether U.S. buyers would accept only a four-cylinder engine — even if it gets a turbocharger like Saab's.

"I don't think Americans are going to become un-American that fast," said Taylor.

"They still want power. We still have big open roads. People do not want to stop enjoying driving."

 

I believe a 4cyl. Caddy will do well in this economy.. Prestige, style, lower fuel costs, performance in one package.. With the motor & chassis of the Sabb 9-3, this car will be a success in America. Caddy Cimmeron(sp) this will not be..

 

I think people want powerful, big Caddy's still. Never thought the day would come they are talking about abandoning V-8s and bringing I-4s only.

The BLS is a Saab rebadge, its gotten ripped overseas (though I like how it looks).

Styling could sway public opinion.

 

i think an I4 is a good idea (i've mentioned this before, it can go against the A3/1) but I think you still need to be able to opt for a V6 or @ least an I6

making it a rear wheel drive should definitely help the sales tho ... a FWD 4 cyl kinda screams 'i bought it for a to b things' which isn't really a lux idea

 

Caddy can borrow the 280 hp AWD Saab Turbo X as an option

http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do...ticleId=124967

 

I wish Lexus had a 4 banger.

 

This will be a good move, IF GM can get it right...by right i mean:

- turbocharged 4 cylinder a la Saturn Skyy / Pontiac Solstice
- RWD as noted above
- LIGHTWEIGHT! The CTS's are bloated pigs!

If this thing can weigh around or under 3000, have ~280-300hp...it will be a hit since it will offer good gas mileage as well as performance!

 

I think these days a 4 cylinder entry level sporty Cadillac could be successful, A turbo 4cyl from the Solstice would make a very nice optional engine, it currently has 260hp and gets the Solstice 0-60 in the mid 5 second range. While the CTS is nice it is pretty expensive, very heavy, and pretty big for an entry level Cadillac. All manufacturers, even high end luxury and sports cars companies are going to have to find ways of making their cars and lineup more fuel efficient. I don't think we are too far off from seeing 6 cylinder options on future SCs, SLs, 7 series, LSs, S class, A8, CLS, 6 series, etc and 4 cylinder options on more entry level cars from luxury nameplates.

 

ST430, i think you're rite about the weight ... i dont really like that the CTS is 4300lbs (it wouldnt seriously deter me from buying one, but i still dont like it)

but yea 4cyl thingy needs to be closer to say 3200

 

There is no point of putting an I-4 in it for MPG sakes if you turbo it. Might as well put a V-6 in there.
They are not trying hard enough. the IS 250 with a V-6 gets just as good if not better MPG than I-4s. Even BMWs 128/328/528 with an I-6 gets 28 MPG highway, that is pretty damn good.

Has anyone seen RDX I-4 gas mileage? Might as well get a V-8.

I can understand somewhat just an I-4 engine,

 

I guess history does tend to repeat itself.

Cadillac's 80's attempt at the 4cyl, the Cimarron.

 

The RDX is a heavy, awd, not very aerodynamic SUV. It is not getting good gas mileage no matter what you stick in it, even a IS250v6 is not going to give it good gas mileage. The IS250 does not weigh as much, is more aerodynamic, and most are rwd, it has direct injection, and it has a good deal less hp then the RDX engine. A turbo 4 can still get decent gas mileage if done right and the turbo 4 on the Solstice gets decent gas mileage and generally better then GM v6's. A base NA 4 cylinder can get very good gas mileage in a light entry level Caddy and a more powerful turbo option can still achieve good gas mileage like they do on the Solstice, the turbo 4 from the Solstice features direct injection. Turbo engines generally get better gas mileage then a larger engine producing the same power and they generally offer better performance even though they may not be as satisfying to drive in certain situations.

 

The Cimarron was just an awful car all together and was little more then a awful crappy Cavelier or Skylark with a slightly nicer interior trim and cost much more. The 4 cylinder did not make the Cimmaron awful, it was the overall car and what Cadillac tried to pull off on buyers. Cadillac can still make a very good sporty car with a 4 cylinder that will have nothing in common with the Cimmaron.

 

sedans could do well with 4cly engines... any kind of SUV would be pointless.

 

1SICK - a turbo car can have good gas mileage as well as decent gas mileage, if it was tuned / designed correctly . Heck, it can be made to take 87 octane gas as some of the newer 3 banger turbo cars that are going on the market will attest too. 4 cyclinders + turbo are also lighter and generate less torque than comparable v6's thus less stress, and hence less structural / suspension support to accomodate so is a cheaper solution overall. The main drawbacks is in the complexity of plumbing and tuning, thus some reliability questions would be raised (unless you're mitsu / subaru / nissan).

If it was only a 4 banger....my gawd...a Cadillac Malibu is not what GM needs, especially with the good transformation of the Caddy brand back into real prestige status.