Motor Authority - blog Category: DTS

Rumors about what Cadillac is planning for its next-generation flagship sedan have been flying around the web for years now. Guesses have ranged from a Zeta-based vehicle sharing Pontiac G8 heritage to the most recent reports of a still-murky XTS-badged RWD sedan. Today, a new report confirms the program to build a new flagship Caddy is back underway.

The range-topping Cadillac had been derailed by the financial crisis and then bankruptcy General Motors has so famously dealt with over the last year, but now that the New GM is running the show, the DTS/STS replacement is go, reports Motor Trend.

The report indicates that the Zeta-based... Rumors about what Cadillac is planning for its next-generation flagship sedan have been flying around the web for years now. Guesses have ranged from a Zeta-based vehicle sharing Pontiac G8 heritage to the most recent reports of a still-murky XTS-badged RWD sedan. Today, a new report confirms the program to build a new flagship Caddy is back underway. The range-topping Cadillac had been derailed by the financial crisis and then bankruptcy General Motors has so famously dealt with over the last year, but now that the New GM is running the show, the DTS/STS replacement is go, reports Motor Trend. The report indicates that the Zeta-based solution won't be used, however, and that instead the new flagship will ride on a lengthened version of the Sigma platform used for the CTS. How that stretching might affect dynamics is anyone's guess, but it's within reason that the extra wheelbase and rear-seat room necessary for a full-size executive sedan could change things from the familiar - and fantastic - CTS. Rather than contradicting our report from earlier this month, the new report merely fleshes out what's to come for the next-gen car, presumably to be named the XTS. Whatever is to come of the top-end Cadillac model, however, don't expect to see it on the road until very late in 2011, though it will likely make an auto show debut sometime before that. The plant where the car is expected to be built - GM's Oshawa, Ontario plant - isn't going to start on the XTS until December 2011. The next-gen Buick Regal will also be built there, as will the next Chevrolet Impala. The 2010 Chevrolet Camaro is already being built there. The Regal - which may be re-named Invicta for the U.S. - could end up being the most interesting car out of that rather attractive group, however, with a potential 2.0L four-cylinder turbo, a hybrid version and the 2.4L-3.6L range found in the 2010 Buick LaCrosse all gearing up for use. We'll keep you on top of the details as they break, but in the mean time, you can read up on our experience with the 2010 LaCrosse if you haven't already. Read More

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... 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. Read More

In late 2007 Cadillac general manager Jim Taylor revealed that the current STS and DTS models would be dropped at the end of their respective product cycles in favor of a single luxury sedan. While General Motors’ financial woes led many to believe that the new Caddy flagship model had been put on hold, the luxury division’s marketing chief has revealed that the STS/DTS replacement is still in development but will be preceded by a sub-CTS model.

Speaking with TheDetroitBureau, GM exec Steve Shannon explained that the elimination of Hummer, Saab, and Saturn will be beneficiary for GM’s other brands as it will leave extra... In late 2007 Cadillac general manager Jim Taylor revealed that the current STS and DTS models would be dropped at the end of their respective product cycles in favor of a single luxury sedan. While General Motors’ financial woes led many to believe that the new Caddy flagship model had been put on hold, the luxury division’s marketing chief has revealed that the STS/DTS replacement is still in development but will be preceded by a sub-CTS model. Speaking with TheDetroitBureau, GM exec Steve Shannon explained that the elimination of Hummer, Saab, and Saturn will be beneficiary for GM’s other brands as it will leave extra resources for them. In the case of Cadillac, we will see the launch of the new SRX, CTS SportWagon and Coupe, as well as the eventual sub-CTS and flagship models. The "sub-CTS" would be a 3-Series contender slotted under the CTS and would likely be Cadillac’s highest volume model, Shannon explained. This won’t be a just another BLS but a brand new global model with “dedicated architecture and content.” The new car is tipped to be based on a compact RWD platform currently development at GM called Alpha. Shannon went on to reveal that the compact four-door sedan could be on sale within the next “24 to 30 months” and may spawn hatchback and convertible versions. A diesel version is also being considered for the U.S. As for the STS/DTS replacement, Shannon said the car would need to be bigger than the STS though it still needs to be fuel-efficient and meet toughening global standards for fuel economy. He wasn’t willing to give a release date for the car but with the STS and DTS being withdrawn from the market in the near future the new Cadillac flagship should be on sale early next decade. Read More

With president-elect Barack Obama soon to be sworn in as the nation’s leader, a new presidential limousine was in call for and once again General Motors was assigned the task of building it. Nicknamed ‘The Beast’, the limo is based on a number of GM platforms and shares components with several different vehicles.

“Cadillac is honored to again provide a new Presidential Limousine,” said Mark McNabb, North America vice president, Cadillac/Premium Channel. “This is a great American tradition that we’re delighted to renew with an all-new car featuring the best of Cadillac’s dramatic design and... With president-elect Barack Obama soon to be sworn in as the nation’s leader, a new presidential limousine was in call for and once again General Motors was assigned the task of building it. Nicknamed ‘The Beast’, the limo is based on a number of GM platforms and shares components with several different vehicles. “Cadillac is honored to again provide a new Presidential Limousine,” said Mark McNabb, North America vice president, Cadillac/Premium Channel. “This is a great American tradition that we’re delighted to renew with an all-new car featuring the best of Cadillac’s dramatic design and technology.” Its exterior is styled around the Cadillac STS and DTS but underneath the sheet-metal the vehicle is built on a medium-duty truck chassis. The limo has recently been seen testing in prototype form alongside several GMC Topkick pickups, and according to onlookers the wheels and tires on the limo are almost identical to those on the trucks – 19.5in Goodyear Regional RHS tires. The rest of the exterior includes parts from several Cadillac models, such as headlights from an Escalade, and the grille and taillights from an STS. The panels are comprised of dual-hardness steel, aluminum, titanium and ceramic material to help break up projectiles aimed at the car. Inside, the car features the same cut-and-sewn handmade leather upholstery found in the CTS. The rear passenger area includes an extensive executive compartment with ample seating space, outward visibility and useful mobile office features. An embroidered presidential seal is positioned in the center of the rear seat back panel, as well as on each rear door trim panel. Presidential seals are also affixed to the exterior rear doors. Other safety and high-tech features include 8in thick armor-plated doors (each weighing the same as a cabin door on a Boeing 757), an independent oxygen supply and advanced fire-fighting system located in the boot, pump-action shotguns, night-vision cameras and tear-gas cannons, Obama’s own personal storage of blood, Kevlar-reinforced tires that are puncture and shred-resistant, and special steel wheels that can drive without the tire attached. All of this comes at a heavy weight penalty, with top speed rated at 60mph (96km/h) and fuel-economy expected to be about 8mpg. Obama will first use the limo when he travels along Pennsylvania Avenue in Washington after his inauguration.Barack Obama's Presidential Limousine by Cadillac Read More

Tough CAFE standards, even tougher economic conditions and high oil prices have conspired to lay the ultra-luxury Cadillac XLS and its V12 engine to rest. Never officially confirmed for production, there had been rumors that it was being worked on internally. At the same time, Cadillac's on-again, off-again DTS/STS replacement, though on hold, is still being considered.

The now-defunct XLS was expected to take cues from the even more extravagant Cadillac Sixteen concept car (pictured), which was shown in 2003. The XLS had been envisioned as the halo model to rally Cadillac's return to the top of the full-line luxury ranks. Now, with the... Tough CAFE standards, even tougher economic conditions and high oil prices have conspired to lay the ultra-luxury Cadillac XLS and its V12 engine to rest. Never officially confirmed for production, there had been rumors that it was being worked on internally. At the same time, Cadillac's on-again, off-again DTS/STS replacement, though on hold, is still being considered. The now-defunct XLS was expected to take cues from the even more extravagant Cadillac Sixteen concept car (pictured), which was shown in 2003. The XLS had been envisioned as the halo model to rally Cadillac's return to the top of the full-line luxury ranks. Now, with the project on the shelf and the DTS/STS replacement in a holding pattern, the brand is more or less left without a true range-topper. The V12 engine that would have powered the XLS was expected to be based around two 3.6L V6 engines fused together. That combination would have proved good for an estimated 600hp (447kW) and 540lb-ft (730Nm) of torque. Cadillac was also expected to include direct injection and cylinder deactivation to make the most of the big engine's efficiency, warding off CAFE-related fears. Regarding the DTS/STS replacement, the company is reportedly still in development, according to Edmunds. The car that will eventually take the top sedan spot, known internally as the DT7, will still ride on a RWD version of the Zeta platform, but won't come along until late 2011 or 2012 now. That will give the company enough time to run out the existing DTS and STS models, deplete any remaining stock, and leave a brief gap before the new car's introduction. Read More

We now have official shots of the long-wheelbase version of the Cadillac’s DTS sedan. The extended version, dubbed the DTS-L, will hit showrooms early next year and will be powered by the same 275hp 4.6L Northstar V8 from the standard version. Key changes are the extra 8 inches in length and Cadillac’s “VIP privacy” rear seating that hides passengers behind the car’s c-pillar.

The stretched DTS will be assembled alongside the standard model at General Motors’ Hamtramck plant in Detroit, and should help maintain Cadillac’s sales lead for the DTS until the new Zeta-based model arrives in 2010. We... We now have official shots of the long-wheelbase version of the Cadillac’s DTS sedan. The extended version, dubbed the DTS-L, will hit showrooms early next year and will be powered by the same 275hp 4.6L Northstar V8 from the standard version. Key changes are the extra 8 inches in length and Cadillac’s “VIP privacy” rear seating that hides passengers behind the car’s c-pillar. The stretched DTS will be assembled alongside the standard model at General Motors’ Hamtramck plant in Detroit, and should help maintain Cadillac’s sales lead for the DTS until the new Zeta-based model arrives in 2010. We should see the DTS-L at the LA Show at the end of this month. Chrysler is rumored to be launching its own LWB version of the 300. Read More