This is what I think is wrong with GM and Cadillac. Designing cars for other markets then selling them in America thinking its what America wants and what Americans expect in a Cadillac. The reason the CT6 is kind of a weird size, larger than a Benz E-class and smaller than the S-class, its what the Chinese market wants. America, its go big or go home IMO, both in flagship sedans and SUVs(Cadillac at least gets that one right in the Escalade). The Benz S-class dominates this segment, even though its the most expensive. Its a huge car titled towards luxury, its brash, it makes a statement, it has several honking 400+hp turbo V8 and turbo V12s to choose from, it brings new levels of technology and the fit/finish on this newer generation is pretty comparable to a Bentley or Rolls Royce that costs WAY more. Cadillac isn't even on the same page with the CT6.

Cadillacs smaller cars, they're designed around what a BMW was all about back 10-15 years ago. Granted stuff like driving dynamics might really sell cars in Europe, but in the US nobody associates Cadillac with sport sedans, and people really don't want cars that ride that stiff in this country. BMW softened up the ride and slopplied up the handling of their cars and started building 7 different SUV/not quite a wagon variants, sales have never been better.

 

Good news, they learned 4 cylinders don't belong in flagship luxury cars, they don't belong in mid level luxury cars either. They should have given the CT6 a nice V8 option for not too much money instead of a 4 cyl standard. It is a really nice looking car, interior not so much.

 

Been carping on this forever, Cadillac needs some corporate LS series V8 love at affordable prices. These are the best engines GM makes, they should be an option in every Cadillac, even mid-level, reasonably priced trims of the ATS, CTS, CT6, and XT5. I know people think XT5, transverse engine, FWD car based, LS V8 won't fit/work. GM did LS V8 engine variants of the mid 2000's Pontiac Grand Prix, Chevy Impala and Monte Carlo.

Right now if you want some LS V8 in your Cadillac, you have two choices, a huge $90,000 Escalade, or a completely ridiculous to most people 650hp 4 door Corvette Z06 called the CTS-V, which is also $90,000. And price those V8 ATS and CTS cars in that sweet spot of the $45-55k range with no options. They don't have to be total monsters, but a 400hp V8 for the same price as your competitor's 4 or 6 cylinder, well there is your real market differentiation, something to get people talking about Cadillac.

 

The real oddity is that we had a 2015 Suburban rental with a 5.3L V8 for just under a week once, and that thing got a bonafide 24-25 on the highway (it was in AWD mode and I suspect cylinder management was helping). Although it was difficult to maneuver and the cargo was less than expected. My suspicion is that this motor would last a lot longer than a V6 or a turbo V6 or turbo 4.

Again, my feeling with GM is they always take the exact same motor (like that 3.6 V6) and tune it differently, so they can advertise HP. The torque is at some low plateau, but that is not advertised, the HP at some unusable rpm is...

 

China is now the largest market for Cadillac (and will soon be for many brands). Even for the Mercedes S-Class, the largest global market is China. So I don't think you can blame size on China, they obviously love large S-Classes as well. But yes, the lead market will have a bigger sway over how a product is executed. The Land Cruiser/LX 570 continue to exist in the way that they are (old Body on Frame) because that's what the Middle East lead market tends to want and value. Yes, the automaker needs to try to meet local market needs and preferences as much as possible with specific suspension and dynamic tuning, technology, option packages and trims, etc, but it's hard to do if preferences are vastly different with the push for global platforms and commonality. Toyota/Lexus struggle with this because Japanese Domestic Market wants (tiny kei cars, etc) and needs are largely opposite of what the U.S. prefers (LARGE!).

As for Cadillac's size strategy, I don't know what to tell you, I think they somewhat concede that they can't go head to head with the German flagships. Hence maybe trying to come up with some "white space" in which to launch something. In between 5 and 7 Series with CT6. I feel like this strategy worked with the previous CTS, which was a size straddle between a 3 and a 5 series, with pricing more like 3 Series.

In the trucks it's what Nissan was trying to do with the new Titan XD (HD capabilities with Light Duty comfort/drivability). Problems were that the American light duties are almost as capable, or sometimes more capable and better driving than the Titan XD.

 

Yep, it would be a huge selling point for Caddy's to offer a affordable V8 especially since their cars handle so well and fewer makers offer a affordable, or at least somewhat affordable V8 anymore.

 

Come to think of it, I've always admired GM cars. Usually older brothers (and sometimes sisters) of friends growing up. Can't remember if I told this story, this rich kid had a 10th Anniversary Trans Am (I wasn't even close to being of driving age so I was blown away and in total awe, I began drawing cars with the screaming eagle on the hoods). I emailed him on linkedin and he was like holy **** you have quite a memory (I don't even think he remembers me and I bet he's like 60 hahaha, no not really maybe 54? and probably thinks I'm a stalker lol). Then I remember a b/f of a friend's older sister taking us to a fair in a sweet red Camaro. Also rode in a loaded rich kid's Camaro with some crazy stereo and I remember him cranking Van Halen's Dancin' in the Streets and it felt like the doors were gonna shake off.

No, never owned a Roadmaster. I test drove a Buick Estate Wagon that was really, really, old, when I was 19, and my friend said I have no idea why you would want this? GM represents something in my mind, an era maybe that I was never part of. But I don't think that their products live up to what I want them to....there is no doubt in my mind people do love Caddy and Corvette. Will these be around 15 yrs. from now? I think the products need to be worthy of continued patronage...