Cadillac already sells a small BLS sedan (pictured) in Europe but so far the car has suffered from dismal sales due to Cadillac’s poor brand image and lack of competitiveness with luxury powerhouses such as BMW and Mercedes-Benz. While the current BLS is built on the Saab 9-3 platform, the next-generation Cadillac small car will be built on General Motors’ upcoming Alpha architecture and may not even be called a BLS. There's also the chance that both a coupe and cabrio versions of the car could be offered as well.
The name of the new small sedan is not the only issue in contention, with managers still debating on whether or not to offer a six-cylinder engine as an option or not. Cadillac general manager Jim Taylor explained to Automotive News that a portion of the Cadillac team was thinking that they “ought to go all the way, say, to fours.”
The majority, however, is resisting the idea of only offering a four-cylinder engine with Taylor suggesting that the engine a four-cylinder Cadillac would be unpopular with most Americans. “I don’t think Americans are going to become un-American that fast,” he stated.
The car will eventually be sold in Europe as well.
As for Cadillac’s other models, Taylor confirmed that the single STS/DTS replacement has been put on hold along with the replacement for the XLR roadster. Instead, Cadillac is considering adding a plug-in hybrid vehicle based on the Chevrolet Volt platform but such a car wouldn’t arrive until at least 2012, Taylor revealed.
Reader Comments
Mon Aug 25 2008 8:22 AM
mlevere1992 says
Boy, I hope this isn't the return of the K-Car Caddy.
Mon Aug 25 2008 8:43 AM
Chris says
offer the 2.4L turbo and the 3.6L V6 and see which engine people prefer.
its the same thing i say to ford.. offer the 4.6L v8 and then 3.5L ecoboost v6.. see what people prefer.
Mon Aug 25 2008 9:31 AM
dan says
Cadillac, is one of the top preforming autos in the world. I think they can build a small car that handles as they did with the current CTS. Gas mileage is critical to US costumers believe it GM!!!!
Mon Aug 25 2008 10:41 AM
Titanosaurus says
Looks like the TSX will start getting some competition in its niche market.
Mon Aug 25 2008 10:57 AM
NaBUru38 says
The A6 / 5er / E-Klasse trio has only two decent European rivals: the XF and the S80/V70. The other European brands either sell archaic executive cars (Alfa 166, Saab 9-5) or lack big car image (Citroën C6, Lancia Thesis, Peugeot 607, Renault Vel Satis). Leaving European carmakers aside, the German luxury carmakers should worry only about Cadillac, Lexus and Infiniti.
Mon Aug 25 2008 10:59 AM
NaBUru38 says
I forgot to say I'm talking only about the Euroopean market.
Mon Aug 25 2008 4:02 PM
NoNameDenton says
Make the 4 cyliders standard and make a super or turbo V6 as a V-series
Mon Aug 25 2008 4:13 PM
bgd73 says
alpha body. Hmm. Make it a classic romeo and put a 3 main boxer in to compete with the toyota using the crazy 5 main...Come on america. Take the reigns again like a hetero man would. Be a real alpha..without the animal
Tue Aug 26 2008 5:04 AM
Drover says
Offer the 2.0 turbo currently in the Solsitce GXP/Sky Redline/Cobalt SS and this little bruiser will immediately go on my shopping list.
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