Oh no, not again.

why axe the zeta its one of the best things GM has going

whyyyyy?!?!

they should just go with the DTS nameplate and make it a larger CTS, AWD standard

Well This Is Great For Chrysler The Sport Luxury Is Rear Wheel Drive BMW, Mercedes, Infinity, Lexus. This Is A Very Dumb Action To Take, When You Have A Excellent Zeta Platform Ready To Go. RWD vs FWD Is Only A 1- 2 MPG Loss For RWD Especially In A Vehicle Over 3600 Lbs Which Could Be Made Up With Direct Injection, 7 Speed Transmissions, Lighter Weight Materials, Even Hybrid And Diesel Power Plants.

-Sarge

Why??? The Zeta platform is already there, so it can’t be a cost issue. This benefits them in about zero ways as far as I can tell.

I hope this turns out to be a lie. They NEED a RWD car to take on the LS, 7, and S. This would probably be the beginning of Cadillacs returning to FWD platforms (the new SRX is on a FWD platform too).

Of course it will be FWD, AND THATS EXACTLY WHY CADILLAC IS A JOKE. All the true premium cars of the world are RWD, and this kind of shortcut is exacly why nobody in their right mind who understands cars would buy GM products.

My dad used to have a ‘98 Caddy El Dorado.

300bhp + FWD = embarrasing front-wheel spins and ridiculous torque-steer

GM is such a joke.

Too bad. I remember when the STS came out, folks were excited, the car got great reviews. They could own the segment in between premium luxury (MB E, BM 5) and executive saloons (MB S, BM 7)…

After trying so hard with regaining some respect for the brand with the CTS, Cadillac are keen on hitting themselves in the bollocks again with a FWD tug boat!

Back to the future. Why 20 years Caddy was only FWD? Economy of things, stupid. FWD is less costly to produce, modify, and generally requires less fuel to propel; and as Volvo proved it more crash worthy.

FWD or RWD: who cares? Most retirees barely get past quarter throttle even when they’re having a seizure.

FWD More Crash Worthy Volvo Was Just As Crash Worth Prior To Going FWD, FWD Have An Issue Called “Barrier Climb” Which Literally Causes The FWD Vehicle To Climb Over The Barrier Into The On Coming Traffic. So They Are Truly More Dangerous.

-Sarge.

Why would you climb barriers in a Caddy? GM has Hummer division for that.

Oho, well. it was to good to last. I guess it’s back to the old way of things…

A FWD Cadillac is not a Cadillac, it’s a Fadillac.

I agree with most of you . I don’t like FWD. but the article said you can get FWD our AWD.You don’t have to be stuck with FWD.
AWD is a great option to have. Besides how many other makers offer AWD in a luxury car?

Caddy-V yes and no. Most of RWD based cars in North-East are sold as AWD. The reason is few winter days with snow that make RWD not very useful (at any speed). The difference is that platform is usually designed for either RWD or FWD use and has characteristic defined by wheels utilization.
Theoretically it is “easier” to push with rear wheels and just steer with front. This should give RWD better handling. In practice every automotive journalist stated that FWD Mini is 90% of Ferrari fun (RWD). I can’t comment accuracy of 90% of Ferrari fun: last Ferrari I drove was years ago and it was older then current crop. But I could not tell the difference in “fun” coefficient between BMW 335 and MIni – both are fun to drive (with manual).

please-no!

Anyone who still thinks Pontiac’s future “niche” status rests in a small product portfolio of RWD cars better take notice: GM isn’t pursuing many (if any) future RWD projects, not even for what’s supposed to be their flagship luxury marquee. The cancellation of the Alpha platform project will be the next report that I expect to see (concerning RWD and future product plans). Just like the proposed Zeta projects that never materialized, the future of the Alpha platform has started with a delay announcement that will more than likely evolve into a complete cancellation. It wouldn’t surprise me if GM cancels Sigma too and moves the CTS (which will apparently be the only remaining Sigma based product after the current STS/SLS reaches the end of its model cycle) to Epsilon also. I seriously doubt GM will keep Sigma alive for just one product line. The G8 sedan and Solstice roadster/coupe are the last of a dying breed. Except for trucks and possibly the Corvette (if no one tries to pull the plug on it too), RWD will be almost nonexistent in GM’s future. I think it’s unfortunate and unnecessary, but it seems to be the direction the corporation has chosen to take. This is why I think that any people who are clinging to the hope of any future RWD Pontiacs are only fooling themselves.

I do have a question: What the heck does the meaningless alphanumeric “DT7″ moniker supposed to represent?

If GM does this, then let them die, i will continue to buy foreign rear wheel drive cars. I hate and detest front wheel drive, and ints absolutly unacceptable in a luxury car.

Of course people on an auto enthusiast website will dismiss a FWD Cadillac. Of course, we don’t represent the demographic to whom Cadillac is catering with such a car. I applaud Cadillac for continuing to offer a FWD DTS. I’m pretty sure my Dad is Cadillac’s target demographic: he has owned 4 full-size caddys in the past 25 years, and I’ve just helped him order a new ’09 DTS (he’s currently driving an ’04). My dad doesnt really care about cars and doesn’t see the merit in spending an extra 30-50% on an import. He wants a car that will handle well in the snow, look good, have all the luxury features he would ever need, drive smoothly, have a trunk big enough for 3-4 sets of golf clubs, and not break the bank. For the driving enthusisast, the Cadillac DTS is a laughable proposition. For it’s intended purpose, however, the Cadillac DTS is unbeatable. Keep it up GM.

front wheel drive?? haha thats funny!! its like making the new s-class front wheel drive……its gonna be SH!T

“If GM does this, then let them die, i will continue to buy foreign rear wheel drive cars. I hate and detest front wheel drive, and ints absolutly unacceptable in a luxury car.”

You sound like an idiot. Cadillac, Lincoln, Acura (if you consider them luxury), Lexus, Volvo and Audi have made or currently make FWD luxury cars. On top of that any car this large with a lot of hp is going to be AWD like Audis, not FWD. Get used to it folks. CAFE is on the way and big hp and RWD are going to decline moving forward. What world are you people living in? Ever since this project was delayed the possibility of FWD/AWD has been there. Zeta is being phased out after the current generation. The CTS will remain RWD and the Alpha platform will be RWD.

FWD? why not put an outboard motor on the back so that the Cadillac drivers I see with captains hats on can really drive a boat. Plus they are hauling around whales in the passenger seats, kinda seems fitting with the nautical theme going

Dunno, but here in Europe the Audi A8 has a 2.8l V6 as a base engine, FWD – and it’s still a credible luxura sedan.

VW’s Bentley Continental/Flying Spur duo is based on the Phaeton’s FWD architecture with 26% interchangeable parts. They’re using the Quattro AWD too, but the general layout is FWD based.

If Caddy can make a decent AWD sedan, I can’t see anything wrong with the idea.

I agree; if dry weather performance is not a top priority, neither RWD nor AWD are necessary. Anyone who insists otherwise is drinking the Kool-Aid without reading the ingredients.

Terrible if true. Isn’t the LaCrosse already a stretched Epsilon II? Cadillac’s best sedan is going to have the same cheap proportions? Cads are now supposed to appeal to people with style, these people will see the front wheels right at the firewall and assume its another cheap FWD Cad for the rental fleets. Don’t do it GM.

@enzodually: true, the big-boat FWD is an old-school concept and it is at odds with the sporty CTS, but as long as there are limo companies and blue-haired septugenarians in Florida, there will still be a market for a big, affordable, luxurious, comfy, FWD Cadillac. Until those two markets disappear, Cadillac still has a viable business case to build these cars.

I would hope that Cadillac would make some attempt to make this car something more than a next gen geriatric DTS, regardless of the fact that it is FWD based. The CTS and upcoming SRX (although it is also FWD based) look like solid attempts by GM to move the brand out of its senior-mobile rep. If all of the brand’s future products don’t follow this direction, then the brand will never be viewed as being on par with the rest of the brands in the luxury segment. I would have preferred for this car to have been RWD based, but I don’t automatically resign it to senior-mobile status just because it is FWD based; GM shouldn’t make this assumption or mistake either. The car can still be a credible competitor if Cadillac doesn’t compromise and executes it correctly. As someone has previously mentioned, look what Audi has accomplished with the A8. This car still needs to be engineered and designed to be a proper flagship for Cadillac, not an alternative product for those who find the CTS a little too edgy for their tastes. Buick is there to cater to those who favor understated yet elegant design aesthetics.

Large and FWD.

If that is going to happen by GM it should be a BUICK . DO NOT tarnish what cache CADILLAC has earned by rolling back to this. It was a good start in the 1990s, but MOVE ON and MOVE UP!

Try using some of that HYBRID technology, from the SUVS and trucks, in these larger cars. LUXURY cars are as much about comfort as technology or hasn’t GM been paying any attention. It’s not just about building a fast mid-sized RWD sport sedan; cool as the CTS-V and Coupe are.

This is why RICK WAGONER MUST GO! He is more focused on selling cars than getting cars made that sell.

A big car that gets 30+mpg without sacrificing performance and the higher price of a LUXURY mark will allow the cost to be easily absorbed. Build them as ZETA platfomers anyway and ASAP. People paying $50K for a car are not that concerned with F/econ, but it makes one heck of a selling point.

This is the Company and Division that made a 1000hp 13.8L V16 that could still turn 20mpg cruising, Right? Where is that gusto now?

Cadillac, don’t even bother. Just throw in the towel, and just admit Chrysler won. Before I would watch one of the once-upon-a-time best automakers of the world build a “super” Malibu, I’d rather go and promote Hyundai as the new luxury “standard”.

By sticking with FWD, I really don’t think Cadillac is shooting itself in the foot or impeding the progress and momentum it has built up with the CTS and other subsequent efforts. I’d argue that as long as they follow the rules of product segmentation and market their products effectively to each product’s respective, appropriate demographic (i.e. the CTS towards younger driving enthusiasts and the DTS towards older, value-conscious non-enthusiasts), then the DTS makes sense. To say that a FWD DTS doesn’t belong in their model range because it is incongruous with the CTS or SRX is preposterous, considering Cadillac sells something like the Escalade EXT.

“Before I would watch one of the once-upon-a-time best automakers of the world build a “super” Malibu, I’d rather go and promote Hyundai as the new luxury “standard”.”

WTF are you talking about? The Malibu isnt even on the same platform as the Lacrosse. The new DT7 would be a stretched version of the Lacrosse, not the Malibu. In case you missed it the Lacrosse will be a pretty nice luxury car in its own right. Gm has proven it can make very different vehicles off the same platform so it would be foolish to assume the DT7 would appear to be closely related to the Lacrosse or any other cheaper GM car.

This car will be AWD, just like Audis. How are people missing that fact?

Lexus has a wide range of products from the floaty, made for seniors ES350 to the sporty ISF. Cadillac is no different. cadillac is NOT BMW just because they happen to make the V series cars. The V series cars are just one part of Cadillac’s strategy but it does not mean every car they build will try to go after BMW.

I guess CAFE rules are forcing GM to eke every MPG out of all divisions; hence FWD Caddy’s. What’s next? FWD Corvette? Too bad.

What’s good for General Motors is good for America

Drive American, Buy American, speak American.

GM. An American Revolution

Comparing the rumored FWD DTS to the A8 is missing the point. American market-A8s are AWD-only. The STS and SLS should GM can do it, and also that they have options.

IMHO:

20__ Cadillac DTS:

RWD std/AWD opt
6.2L (from G8 GXP or Camaro SS with quieter tuning of course); 6AT
6.2L supercharged (LSA, for a range-topping Platinum model or V)
4.5L Duramax

CTS-like stying inside and out mixed with more cues from the Sixteen. I don’t see why that can’t work.

Anyone talking about CAFE truly forcing this is WRONG.

RWD yanks an average of one mpg. ONE. While folks saying that no one cares about gas in 50 grand cars are also wrong, they’re closer to the truth. Mileage matters at least some, but not one or two … or even three, mpg makes or breaks the deal.

What a shame though. The 2010 Chrysler 300C could be a Caddy-killer in the way the 2005 was. C’mon GM!!!

BOTTOM LINE: If Cadillac wants to compete in the full-size luxury sedan market , they need to do better than FWD. (And for the record sj79: the AWD system on the A8 Is REAR- biased)