Cadillac will be making a couple of changes to its lineup as they get serious about their place in the luxury market in the future. With the new redesigned 2008 Cadillac CTS, Cadillac is seriously considering revamping its entire lineup. So what’s in the works?
Remember the baby rear-wheel-drive Cadillac we’ve been talking about? Well that has been confirmed with the published summary of UAW’s labor contracts with GM. The new small rear-wheel-drive car will give Cadillac more ground to compete with the 3-Series and C-Class. A Cadillac CTS coupe and wagon variant have also been confirmed for 2009.
In September we were told that Cadillac will drop the DTS and STS and replace it by a premium-luxury sedan. Well that car will be built on GM’s new rear-wheel-drive architecture called Alpha.
Alpha “is really critical to Cadillac becoming more global,” says one source familiar with GM’s product plans. The Alpha architecture will also be used on the small rear-wheel-drive Caddy that will be positioned below the CTS.
Latest rumors have been saying that GM will not use the Chevrolet badge on its new plug-in hybrid called the Volt. Well according to new findings by Automotive News, GM will go ahead with the Chevrolet Volt but is also considering a fuel-cell version of the E-Flex plug-in hybrid powertrain for a new Cadillac.
Let’s not forget Cadillac is also considering hybrids for its entire lineup.
We had an opportunity to drive the new 2008 Cadillac CTS the other day at a GM event out in Milford at the General's test center. While we were impressed with the ride, interior and the performance -- it still had us wanting for more power. Specifically, we wanted to know what a V-series of Caddy's newest entry-level sedan would be like. It now looks like we'll be waiting until 2009 to see the new Cadillac CTS-V. At least that's what we're to understand in the following spy report and shots from Brenda Priddy's made man, Chris Doane. The details include a new supercharged small-block V8 good for at least 500 HP, with a number of between 515 and 525 HP not only possible but our sources tell us, probable. What we're also hearing is the new CTS-V will feature a supercharger integrated into the intake manifold, the same setup we'll be seeing on the upcoming Corvette ZR1. Production's set to start on this new supercharged Caddy in September of next year. Full report from Chris after the jump.
Spy Photos - 2009 Cadillac CTS-V
The 2009 CTS-V will use the "LSA" motor. This is another new supercharged, small block V8. This new blown V8 will be good for at least 500hp. A number of 515-525hp may even be possible, and even higher numbers have been rumored.
The CTS-V will feature a supercharger integrated into the intake manifold. This is the same setup the upcoming Corvette SS / Blue Devil will have with its LS9 motor. However, while the Corvette SS motor will be hand built at the Performance Build Center in Wixom, MI, the Cadillac's LSA motor will be built in a conventional motor plant.
Automatic and manual transmissions will be available, and an optional paddle shift feature is also anticipated.
Production on the new CTS V-Series will start in September of 2008, and will be limited to about 7000 units annually. Internally, GM is referring to the car as "GMX322 V S/C."
In the past, the current CTS-V has suffered from rear-end problems. Specifically, wheel hop. The 2009 CTS-V will feature a completely re-done rear end with a much better rear axle. Sources say this has eliminated the wheel hop issue altogether.
The '09 will continue to utilize a massive set of brembo brakes up front and in back. While the wheels on this prototype are not production spec, the wider tires and larger exhaust pipes certainly are.
Source: Automotive News (Subscription Required)
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