Posted on Wednesday 21 March 2007
At the recent Chicago Auto Show, General Motors’ vice chairman Bob Lutz hinted at the possibility of using an extended version of the Camaro platform to build an all-new ultra-luxury vehicle for the Cadillac division. The car, which would be a potential rival to popular saloons such as the BMW 7-series and Mercedes S-Class, would most likely be powered by an engine “with more than eight cylinders” he said.
Automotive News is now reporting that Cadillac is developing the mechanicals for a V12 powered flagship, which it says will take design cues from the Cadillac Sixteen concept car that was displayed back in 2003. The model’s introduction is part of Cadillac’s overall plan to establish itself as full line luxury brand, and at the same time ties in perfectly with GM’s decision to build more of its vehicles on fewer but more flexible platforms.
In an interview last week, Lutz confirmed that development work of a new V12 engine is well underway in Australia. Engineers will join two of the locally made 60-degree, 3.6L, V6 engines on a single crank to form a monster 7.2L V12 motor that should develop about 600hp with torque up around 540lb-ft. Thanks to direct injection and cylinder deactivation technology, the new Caddy motor would not only be extremely powerful but fuel efficient as well.
Cadillac is back…and the arrival of the V12 makes that a reality. “We” Americans won’t have to make excuses anymore as to why we are not competing in the top rank of the marketplace.
When Rolls-Royce engineers Ernst Hives and Aurthur Sidgreaves saw what Cadillac was offering with their V12 and V16 in 1929-30, it forced them to design the Phantom III V12 in response…. The ball has come full circle, and now we have rejoined the top rank when this car comes to light. Perhaps Mr. Klegon and Chrysler will consent to build Imperial in response…for sadly Lincoln is all but dead at Ford Motor.
So Cadillac must carry the chalice laid down by Henry M. Leland, the Master of Precision, & founder of Cadillac, bringing Cadillac back to being the “Standard of the World” it once was. On that day Cadillac can reprint the “Persuit of Perfection” advertisement that set the standard. The cars will finally match the words…
DouglasR
Comparing this car with Rolls-Royce… Yeah right… Roller rules !!!