Photo: Cadillac
With recent products like the all-new ATS and the third-generation CTS, Cadillac has put itself in a great position to take on its key rivals from Germany. Unfortunately, it still lacks a competitor in the relatively new and very popular subcompact luxury segment, but it sounds like that might be changing very soon.
According to a report from Car and Driver, GM’s luxury division is working on a new sedan that will slot in below the Cadillac ATS to compete with the likes of the Audi A3 and Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class. Details behind this new model are slim, but Uwe Ellinghaus, Cadillac marketing chief, seems to indicate that it will almost certainly feature a rear-wheel-drive layout.
Presumably riding on the Alpha platform that underpins the ATS and next-gen Camaro, Ellinghaus told Car and Driver that this new Cadillac model would likely use rear-wheel drive to “offer the proportions for a better-looking and better-driving car.” Both the Audi and the Mercedes-Benz in this market are front-wheel drive, but while more expensive to develop and usually more cramped in terms of packaging, Ellinghaus’ statement seems that Cadillac is looking to be a styling and performance leader in the segment rather than a pricing leader.
While known for their optimal performance, the platform and drivetrain of rear-drive vehicles takes up more passenger and cargo space, but one way Cadillac could be looking to combat this is by making the small interior roomier by using a 2+2 seating configuration. As far as a time table goes for the addition of such a model, the report says that with four new models launching next year (ATS-V, CTS-V, LTS flagship and all-new SRX), this new sedan might have to wait until the 2016 calendar year for its time to shine.
Of course, with the introduction of a new sedan slotting in under the ATS, the problem then becomes what name such a model would wear. If Cadillac keeps with the _TS naming, there are seemingly few remaining letters after ATS, CTS, LTS and XTS that would sound good for a cars name. Deep down, we’d love to see Cadillac president Johan de Nysschen bring back real names, but since we don’t see that happening, rehashing the STS name could fit for a sporty and stylish sedan.
Presumably riding on the Alpha platform that underpins the ATS and next-gen Camaro, Ellinghaus told Car and Driver that this new Cadillac model would likely use rear-wheel drive to “offer the proportions for a better-looking and better-driving car.” Both the Audi and the Mercedes-Benz in this market are front-wheel drive, but while more expensive to develop and usually more cramped in terms of packaging, Ellinghaus’ statement seems that Cadillac is looking to be a styling and performance leader in the segment rather than a pricing leader.
While known for their optimal performance, the platform and drivetrain of rear-drive vehicles takes up more passenger and cargo space, but one way Cadillac could be looking to combat this is by making the small interior roomier by using a 2+2 seating configuration. As far as a time table goes for the addition of such a model, the report says that with four new models launching next year (ATS-V, CTS-V, LTS flagship and all-new SRX), this new sedan might have to wait until the 2016 calendar year for its time to shine.
Of course, with the introduction of a new sedan slotting in under the ATS, the problem then becomes what name such a model would wear. If Cadillac keeps with the _TS naming, there are seemingly few remaining letters after ATS, CTS, LTS and XTS that would sound good for a cars name. Deep down, we’d love to see Cadillac president Johan de Nysschen bring back real names, but since we don’t see that happening, rehashing the STS name could fit for a sporty and stylish sedan.
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