Cadillac developing small rear-wheel drive sedan with four-cylinder power for 2011
08/25/2008, 11:26 AM
By Drew Johnson
The Cadillac Cimarron is widely regarded as one of the worst mistakes in automotive history, but General Motors’ luxury brand is hoping to side step any comparisons as it develops a new four-cylinder, rear-wheel drive sedan for launch in 2010, a new report finds.
The new sedan is set to hit the U.S. market in 2010 as a 2011 model, but its final powertrain offerings remain up in the air. A four-cylinder will definitely be part of the mix, but there is still an internal debate within Cadillac if the new small sedan should be available with a six-cylinder engine.
“There is a big debate as to whether it is four only. I think that is a bridge too far,” Cadillac General Manager Jim Taylor told Automotive News. “There is a piece of the team who is thinking, ‘Well, with this whole fuel economy and gas thing, we ought to go all the way, say, to fours.’ We are resisting that at this stage.”
Some within Cadillac argue that the typical Cadillac buyer isn’t willing to sacrifice power, even if gas prices are near record highs. Taylor even added that he doesn’t think “Americans are going to become un-American that fast.” However, newly passed CAFE regulations take effect in 2011, so Cadillac has to keep a close eye on fuel economy.
And with a new focus on turbocharging within the industry, it’s completely possible to get six-cylinder power out of a four pot engine. For example, GM’s 2.0L turbocharged and direct injected four-cylinder makes 260 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque, which would provide more than adequate performance in a small sedan.
Whatever powertrain offerings Cadillac decides to go with, the new sedan will slot below the CTS and will likely draw second looks from BMW 1-series shoppers. GM hasn’t decided on a name for the new sedan yet, but the European BLS nameplate appears to be the front runner.
08/25, 11:43 AM
posted by:
Madcapp
Ohhhhh, don’t be so mean about the Cimmarron. It was supposed to be a 3 series fighter. Who wouldn’t have preferred a rebadged Chevy Caviler to an E30?
08/25, 11:46 AM
posted by:
jumpoffit
interesting………. but i’ll tell you what’s more interesting, take a look at someone who just wrecked their Tesla lol, LLN why haven’t you mentioned this yet?
http://www.wreckedexotics.com/newphotos091/exotics/2tesla_20080729_001.shtml
08/25, 12:07 PM
posted by:
Z06ified
Just because a car has 4-cylinders does not necessarily means it gets good fuel economy. There are endless numbers of turbo 4-bangers that get horrible fuel economy today – Subary WRX STi, Mitsubishi Lancer Evo, Mazda CX-7, Acura RDX, just to name a few. They all average well below 20 MPG, some as low as the mid-teens.
08/25, 12:10 PM
posted by:
zeeck
wow jumpoffit, that guy looks like he didn’t deserve it anyways, slamming into the car in front of him, oh well
08/25, 12:10 PM
posted by:
RaineMan
Hmm… a small Caddy with the LNF… very very interesting.
08/25, 12:13 PM
posted by:
howsmydriving
Cadilliac needs to learn the art that Audi has mastered: charging big bucks for wheezy four cyclinder engines.
08/25, 12:14 PM
posted by:
inline6
BMW can build small cars and no one whispers “Isetta”. The Cimarron was canned 20 years ago. And its problems were that it was a lightly rebadged Cavalier that cost twice as much. It was a really, really dumb decision. A small, RWD turbo 4 Cadillac would work really well today. They should do it.
08/25, 12:25 PM
posted by:
fuk-u-asshole
Cadilliac needs to learn the art that Audi has mastered: charging big bucks for wheezy four cyclinder engines.
Comment by howsmydriving,
if thats the case no one is asking you to buy one.
If caddy does every offer a 3-series,a4 rival it will be no class leader + it would be intended mainly for euro market. BIG FAILURE.
BLS anyone?
08/25, 12:29 PM
posted by:
ktulu
Nooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!
“The Cadillac Cimarron is widely regarded as one of the worst mistakes in automotive
history.” The only bigger smustake would ve naming this cat yhe Cimarron.
this is a bad idea, but maybe a supercharged 4 qweill softern the blow.
but the can NOT share rthgus plat4m w/ any other ÷
“Who wouldn’t have preferred a rebadged Chevy Caviler to an E30?” exact;y. that’s Y it’s
failure wAs csuch asurprise.
Mazda CX-7 & Acura RDX R suvs, so U don’t expect as good mpg as from a 3 or civic.
08/25, 12:32 PM
posted by:
johnnycanuck
This is not where Cadillac needs to go. With the uncertain future of the STS and DTS they need to worry about what they’re going to slot above the CTS, not below it. If they’re that curious about how a 4 cyl Caddy would be accepted bolt a slightly tweaked version of the 2.0 turbo in the CTS and see if anyone bites.
08/25, 12:44 PM
posted by:
tripleonefive
Subary WRX STi, Mitsubishi Lancer Evo, Mazda CX-7, Acura RDX, just to name a few.
Most of these vehicles mentioned have turbos
08/25, 1:09 PM
posted by:
Fletch
I get 20/27mpg with my Subaru 2.5L turbo H4 with spirited driving. I’m at STI power levels and I think it’s good fuel economy for AWD and 3400 lbs.
08/25, 1:16 PM
posted by:
howsmydriving
GM should bring back Cimarron, Aztec and Vega. And while they’re at it, they should bring back the Geo and Oldsmobile divisions, and start investing more in the Hummer division.
08/25, 1:46 PM
posted by:
brassmonkey
Mistakes? Let’s count:
-Cadillac Cimarron
-Pontiac Aztek
-Chevy Vega
-Chevy Chevette
-Chevy Citation
-Chevy Celebrity
-Chevy Corsica
-Cadillac Catera
etc, etc, etc.
08/25, 1:50 PM
posted by:
howsmydriving
The thing about Vega is that it was not a mistake from a financial perspective — GM sold tons of ‘em. Cimarron probably made money too.
08/25, 2:02 PM
posted by:
HemiRoadRunner
Does anybody else get the craving for Cinnamon after here so much about the Cimarron?
08/25, 2:02 PM
posted by:
HemiRoadRunner
^ hearing, not here
08/25, 2:20 PM
posted by:
tripleonefive
^no bc we are not all fat f–ks like you
08/25, 2:40 PM
posted by:
mayer_ray_nagin
^ ha! Good one, 1115.
08/25, 2:55 PM
posted by:
RaineMan
A 4-banger CTS would probably be a good start. If Mercedes can do it with the C230 why can’t Caddy jump on the bandwagon?
08/25, 4:02 PM
posted by:
Z06ified
I don’t understand this over-hyping of fuel economy. People who are struggling to pay for gas don’t buy $40k+ Cadillacs. I mean does GM really think potential customers walk into a Cadillac showroom, find they have no 4-cylinders for sale, and walk back out to go shop at a brand who does have 4-cylinders? It doesn’t happen at the luxury level.
Rule #1 of marketing and product placement: KNOW YOUR CUSTOMER!!
08/25, 4:35 PM
posted by:
kgm777
It’ll have the variable cylinder mgt. system where the engine runs on only one or two cylinders at 60 mph. Put the DT7 on hold? Idiots. The only thing needing change at GM is its mgt.
08/25, 6:55 PM
posted by:
olds307
If I had to pay to maintain it, or even do the work myself, I’d take a J-body over a BMW any day.
08/25, 10:26 PM
posted by:
Get Real
I WILL NOW PREDICT THE FUTURE—-
Blown head gaskets and huge warrany claims against GM.
08/25, 11:00 PM
posted by:
bigp
yes but dont over boost it and will be fine, also use and good 6speed ang will do fine
08/26, 12:18 AM
posted by:
mazdaman
I think it’s a smart move for Cadillac. They should develop an entire compact line (sedan, coupe, and wagon). They need a proper flagship sedan too, but this product is probably the priority.
Now, if they would only give Pontiac a compact 3-door/5-door based off this platform with styling inspired by the great looking Torana TT 36 Concept, then we would be in business. To me, this sort of product would be more exciting and youthful than anything Scion claims they offer the youth market.
08/26, 11:33 AM
posted by:
global_lightning
As long as the engine is Cadillac-specific, they could pull it off. I’d see a 2.4L version of the LNF, appropriately refined for a luxury car, and 300 ft-lbs of torque from 1500 RPM. And make sure it’s got room under the hood for the 3.6L DI V6 for the traditionalists. Perhaps a Kappa chassis?
09/05, 12:03 AM
posted by:
speedemon
How much does GM knows about turbocharging??Other than the 231 ci v6 I’d be scared to mess with GM.
11/08, 6:32 PM
posted by:
jackjimturkey
“The Cadillac Cimarron is widely regarded as one of the worst mistakes in automotive history.” that’s surely an understatement.
Let’s not revisit this ideas.
Maybe if this car has a turbo-4 and isn’t a rebadge ….
brassmonkey: Celebrity probably did more fo toyonda sales than the CamCord ever could. Corsica wasn’t a bad little car, bur it was bland enough. Catera was just not right for this market.
Z06ified: “People who are struggling to pay for gas don’t buy $40k+ Cadillacs. I mean does GM really think potential customers walk into a Cadillac showroom, find they have no 4-cylinders for sale, and walk back out to go shop at a brand who does have 4-cylinders? It doesn’t happen at the luxury level.” Good points.