Report: Cadillac XTS to replace DTS as full-size sedan

Rumors of a replacement for Cadillac's aging DTS sedan have circulated the web for ages now, but today brings a report of what's finally going to happen. The new Caddy will get an XTS badge and will be designed to compete with BMW, Audi, Mercedes-Benz and Lexus in the full-size segment. Currently the CTS is doing its duty in the mid-size sedan sector, holding its own in reviews and reliability surveys as well as sales. But the DTS isn't, since it's still based on the last generation of General Motors luxury sedan technology and design. Getting a replacement together was obviously derailed somewhat by the economic downturn and GM's subsequent (and ongoing) bankruptcy, but with the market possibly poised for a turnaround and the New GM getting ready to hit the ground running, a new luxury flagship could be just what the General needs. Of course, it won't be coming right away - production isn't slated to start at the Oshawa, Ontario plant that will build the car until December 2011, reports the National Post. Joining it among the cars to be built at Oshawa will be the next-gen Buick Regal, expected to be essentially a ported version of the Opel Insignia. The Camaro and next-gen Chevrolet Impala will round out the Oshawa plant's models. Still waiting for confirmation or details is the sub-CTS model previously confirmed by GM.

by NoNameDenton #1, Posted: 7/2/2009

Just what Caddy needs, an Epsilon based model
by Michael D #2, Posted: 7/2/2009

Now the answer is more fully out.

This could really be a good thing, looking at the well-engineered and flexible Epsilon-2, which can be resized and can even accommodate a V8 (mounted transversly) and AWD.

Of course, you have the smaller Epsilon-2, which is the Insignia, which would have arrived initially in the USDM as a new-generation Saturn Aura, but is now confirmed to be a Buick Regal for the USA instead, as it already is for China. You also have a LWB version, which is used for the beautifully designed new-generation Buick LaCrosse, and the similiarly sized, 5-meter, upcoming new-generation Saab 9-5 (which is owned now by Koenigsegg), and I believe that the next-generation Chevrolet Malibu (currently based on an Epsilon-1), from what some reports have indicated, will be based on the LWB Epsilon-2, which would put it to the size of the new LaCrosse.

Now, getting to the just announced Cadillac XTS Epsilon-2 based large sedan, I figure (unless I'm corrected and/or proven wrong) that this model, being a Cadillac, would probably be on a further expanded version of the Epsilon-2 chassis, perhaps sized overall to the Lincoln MKS, which to me appears to be a main competitor. It could likely sport a 304 or so HP 3.6L D.I. V6 as a base powerplant, and with standard FWD, and have a likely upgrade to an LS V8, putting the power to AWD, and this would be a great competitor to the Lincoln MKS with EcoBoost! I see that configuration for it is a flagship, and would have to also stand up against European and Asian competition, which is RWD-bias.

I'm sure that the styling will be expressive and bold, taking the new SRX crossover into account (I saw it at NYIAS-NY last spring and it's beautiful in person) and it would likey be a tall and stately sedan with perhaps hints of tailfins as the SRX carries. I feel that this could work out very well and beautifully succeed the aging DTS, which would not likely be missed, and I don't really know the case of the STS.

As far as an Impala successor, to also be an Epsilon-2, now we know more, but it shouldn't be so long in waiting, I would point out. The current Impala is so Jurassic, based on an ancient chassis which started life as a GM-10 in MY1988. It appears to be primarily a fleet car as it is, an answer of sorts to the Ford Crown-Vic, and overshadowed by the current Malibu.

If the next-generation, Epsilon-2 based Malibu is based on the LWB version, than the next Impala would have to be upsized to the XTS's size, and it would also be a great comeptitor the the highly-acclaimed new-generation Ford Taurus. I could also see a higher end edition sporting an LS V8 with AWD, an Impala SS, which would pit well with the Taurus SHO!

This is based on my own take and perception, but, I find it pretty credible and logical. I'm sure well hear more reports as time goes on.
by uragan #3, Posted: 7/2/2009

I read the first two lines of your comment, but it is way too long.