Cadillac Planning Small Sedan To Battle The Audi A3 And BMW 2 Series

Because performance sedans still matter.

Well over a year ago, we learned that Cadillac was developing a small, rear-wheel drive sedan that would compete head-on with the likes of the Audi A3, BMW 2 Series, and Mercedes-Benz CLA. Obviously we were all for it, especially since Cadillac previously hinted the BMW 3 Series fighting ATS may not live to see a redesign. And then the new sedan news stopped. Instead, we kept hearing about the upcoming XT4 crossover, slated to debut next week at the New York Auto Show.

Fortunately, Jalopnik recently spoke with Cadillac CEO Johan De Nysschen who provided an update on the sedan’s progress. "It will certainly lap the Nurburgring faster than anyone of our competitors in that category," De Nysschen said. Rear-wheel drive will be standard, unlike the CLA and A3, both with all-wheel drive. In fact, the CLA rides on a front-wheel drive platform, so it’s cool Cadillac is going all-out here. Quite frankly, we are both thrilled and surprised Cadillac is proceeding with this sedan at all. How come? Because sedan sales haven’t exactly been a bright spot lately. We already know the next generation CTS and XTS will likely merge into a single vehicle, expected to be called the CT5.

Combined with sluggish ATS sales, Cadillac is becoming more reliant upon crossovers to bring home the big bucks. De Nysschen also reiterated to Jalopnik sales of the XT5 crossover are doing well. Combined with the XT4, Cadillac will hopefully find itself in better financial shape. “The XT5 is doing very nicely thank you, it’s the third-best selling luxury nameplate in the U.S. after the Lexus RX, and the Mercedes C-Class,” de Nysschen said. “But the irony is not lost on me that the C-Class is a sedan.” Fortunately, de Nysschen clearly gets the whole performance thing, but as a business, Cadillac has no choice but to offer crossovers.

“But product is at the core, and therefore, some models are conceived specifically to generate broad volume, and others have a far more specific duty,” de Nysschen added. “We’re absolutely not abandoning those performance cars.”

Cadillac Planning 10 New Models

While Lincoln struggles, Cadillac is at the top of its game as plans are announced for slew of new models.

"These are fun, happy times at Cadillac," says Don Butler, the brand's top marketing executive. Unlike Lincoln, Cadillac has clearly found its place in the 21st century automotive market. While Ford's luxury division struggles with brand identity (or lack thereof), Cadillac has become the poster child for a complete rebrand. Remember, only 10 years ago it was still building those big, rear-wheel-drive boats whose average buyer was between 70 years old and the grave.

With the launch of such new models as the ATS and one of our personal favorites, the CTS-V Wagon, Cadillac has successfully tapped into the next generation of buyers and taking on brands like BMW head-on and leaving behind that old AARP image. Cadillac, as a result, is feeling rather confident, and according to a new report from The Detroit Bureau, the top GM marque is preparing to launch up to 10 new models within the next three years. One of the most anticipated of these models will be the long-rumored flagship, possibly to be called the LTS. Unlike the front-drive XTS, the LTS will be a proper rear-wheel-drive sedan.

In addition, we're told to expect a compact crossover to compete with the Audi Q3 and Mercedes-Benz GLK, as well as the ELR, Cadillac's version of the Chevrolet Volt. Beyond those, the next-generation CTS will launch in less than two years' time and will reportedly grow in size to better compete with the BMW 5 Series and Mercedes E-Class. A new Escalade SUV will launch in 2014, with further development of the ATS platform to potentially include a coupe and a high-performance version to take on the M3.

In closing, Butler stated that "we're working on more new Cadillacs than at any time in the history of the brand... and that there are still a few spaces" that need to be filled. While the Ciel convertible concept stunned crowds at the 2011 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance, unfortunately, a direct production version won't be built, but a more practical variant is supposedly "well underway." At this point, Cadillac hasn't detailed any future plans beyond these, but a new concept is slated to debut next year at Pebble Beach.

Cadillac Planning Small Sedan To Battle The Audi A3 And BMW 2 Series

Because performance sedans still matter.

Well over a year ago, we learned that Cadillac was developing a small, rear-wheel drive sedan that would compete head-on with the likes of the Audi A3, BMW 2 Series, and Mercedes-Benz CLA. Obviously we were all for it, especially since Cadillac previously hinted the BMW 3 Series fighting ATS may not live to see a redesign. And then the new sedan news stopped. Instead, we kept hearing about the upcoming XT4 crossover, slated to debut next week at the New York Auto Show.

Fortunately, Jalopnik recently spoke with Cadillac CEO Johan De Nysschen who provided an update on the sedan’s progress. "It will certainly lap the Nurburgring faster than anyone of our competitors in that category," De Nysschen said. Rear-wheel drive will be standard, unlike the CLA and A3, both with all-wheel drive. In fact, the CLA rides on a front-wheel drive platform, so it’s cool Cadillac is going all-out here. Quite frankly, we are both thrilled and surprised Cadillac is proceeding with this sedan at all. How come? Because sedan sales haven’t exactly been a bright spot lately. We already know the next generation CTS and XTS will likely merge into a single vehicle, expected to be called the CT5.

Combined with sluggish ATS sales, Cadillac is becoming more reliant upon crossovers to bring home the big bucks. De Nysschen also reiterated to Jalopnik sales of the XT5 crossover are doing well. Combined with the XT4, Cadillac will hopefully find itself in better financial shape. “The XT5 is doing very nicely thank you, it’s the third-best selling luxury nameplate in the U.S. after the Lexus RX, and the Mercedes C-Class,” de Nysschen said. “But the irony is not lost on me that the C-Class is a sedan.” Fortunately, de Nysschen clearly gets the whole performance thing, but as a business, Cadillac has no choice but to offer crossovers.

“But product is at the core, and therefore, some models are conceived specifically to generate broad volume, and others have a far more specific duty,” de Nysschen added. “We’re absolutely not abandoning those performance cars.”

Cadillac Planning 10 New Models

While Lincoln struggles, Cadillac is at the top of its game as plans are announced for slew of new models.

"These are fun, happy times at Cadillac," says Don Butler, the brand's top marketing executive. Unlike Lincoln, Cadillac has clearly found its place in the 21st century automotive market. While Ford's luxury division struggles with brand identity (or lack thereof), Cadillac has become the poster child for a complete rebrand. Remember, only 10 years ago it was still building those big, rear-wheel-drive boats whose average buyer was between 70 years old and the grave.

With the launch of such new models as the ATS and one of our personal favorites, the CTS-V Wagon, Cadillac has successfully tapped into the next generation of buyers and taking on brands like BMW head-on and leaving behind that old AARP image. Cadillac, as a result, is feeling rather confident, and according to a new report from The Detroit Bureau, the top GM marque is preparing to launch up to 10 new models within the next three years. One of the most anticipated of these models will be the long-rumored flagship, possibly to be called the LTS. Unlike the front-drive XTS, the LTS will be a proper rear-wheel-drive sedan.

In addition, we're told to expect a compact crossover to compete with the Audi Q3 and Mercedes-Benz GLK, as well as the ELR, Cadillac's version of the Chevrolet Volt. Beyond those, the next-generation CTS will launch in less than two years' time and will reportedly grow in size to better compete with the BMW 5 Series and Mercedes E-Class. A new Escalade SUV will launch in 2014, with further development of the ATS platform to potentially include a coupe and a high-performance version to take on the M3.

In closing, Butler stated that "we're working on more new Cadillacs than at any time in the history of the brand... and that there are still a few spaces" that need to be filled. While the Ciel convertible concept stunned crowds at the 2011 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance, unfortunately, a direct production version won't be built, but a more practical variant is supposedly "well underway." At this point, Cadillac hasn't detailed any future plans beyond these, but a new concept is slated to debut next year at Pebble Beach.

Cadillac Planning an Even More Luxurious Flagship Above CT6

Holy crap, when did this happen?!

There’s been a whole lot of hype surrounding Cadillac’s upcoming flagship sedan, the CT6. Due to arrive in late 2015, the CT6 will reportedly be a state-of-the-art sedan that’ll go head to head with some heavy-hitting German rivals. But guess what? Cadillac’s new boss, Johan de Nysschen, has just confirmed that an even more luxurious sedan is in the works – above the CT6. Set to be called either the CT8 or CT9, Cadillac has "just signed off on" a new range-topping luxury sedan that’ll arrive to market at the end of the decade.

It’ll compete directly with the long-wheel-base version of the BMW 7 Series and Mercedes S-Class. No other details were given, but de Nysschen also said that an ELR replacement is also planned, although it may not end up being a coupe like the current car. Also in the pipeline are potentially two more crossovers, one positioned below the SRX and one above. Even a sedan smaller than the ATS and based on the same platform as the redesigned Chevy Cruze is a likely possibility. The bottom line is that Cadillac is planning several new cars, and de Nysschen summed things up pretty well: "Probably 90 percent of the Cadillacs sold in 2020 are cars that are (still) on the drawing board."

Cadillac Planning Small Sedan To Battle The Audi A3 And BMW 2 Series

Because performance sedans still matter.

Well over a year ago, we learned that Cadillac was developing a small, rear-wheel drive sedan that would compete head-on with the likes of the Audi A3, BMW 2 Series, and Mercedes-Benz CLA. Obviously we were all for it, especially since Cadillac previously hinted the BMW 3 Series fighting ATS may not live to see a redesign. And then the new sedan news stopped. Instead, we kept hearing about the upcoming XT4 crossover, slated to debut next week at the New York Auto Show.

Fortunately, Jalopnik recently spoke with Cadillac CEO Johan De Nysschen who provided an update on the sedan’s progress. "It will certainly lap the Nurburgring faster than anyone of our competitors in that category," De Nysschen said. Rear-wheel drive will be standard, unlike the CLA and A3, both with all-wheel drive. In fact, the CLA rides on a front-wheel drive platform, so it’s cool Cadillac is going all-out here. Quite frankly, we are both thrilled and surprised Cadillac is proceeding with this sedan at all. How come? Because sedan sales haven’t exactly been a bright spot lately. We already know the next generation CTS and XTS will likely merge into a single vehicle, expected to be called the CT5.

Combined with sluggish ATS sales, Cadillac is becoming more reliant upon crossovers to bring home the big bucks. De Nysschen also reiterated to Jalopnik sales of the XT5 crossover are doing well. Combined with the XT4, Cadillac will hopefully find itself in better financial shape. “The XT5 is doing very nicely thank you, it’s the third-best selling luxury nameplate in the U.S. after the Lexus RX, and the Mercedes C-Class,” de Nysschen said. “But the irony is not lost on me that the C-Class is a sedan.” Fortunately, de Nysschen clearly gets the whole performance thing, but as a business, Cadillac has no choice but to offer crossovers.

“But product is at the core, and therefore, some models are conceived specifically to generate broad volume, and others have a far more specific duty,” de Nysschen added. “We’re absolutely not abandoning those performance cars.”