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Cadillac DTS V-Series

64 messages,  Last post on Nov 12, 2006 at 2:07 PM

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What is this discussion about? Cadillac DTS, Sedan

Messages Page 6 of 7

#45 of 64 Delayed by supercool

Sep 03, 2006 (8:27 pm)

Apologies for the delay in responding.
 
I'm a fairly large sized guy, and the CTS is too small, the STS is a little better for the long drives that I like to run, but after awhile it can feel tight. Hence, the DTS is the ticket for me.
 
On the night vision system, it actually was a good system, but true low light situation were required. It does not perform well in any type of urban situation where there is street lighting or background lighting. Back country roads or no light interstate roads combined with fog or rain, and it works light a charm.
The M-Benz systems and BMW systems are the evolution of the concept, but Cadillac had it out first. It was a low selling option, but in my opinion they should have keep available.
 
However, as we are in agreement, Cadillac is looking solely on the profit side, and if it doesn't turn the profit, its out. They is where I think GM makes a mistake and doesn't permit a longer run on certain products to capture sales interest.
   
 
On the Reatta, I liked the styling when it first hit the market, but it hasn't maintained a good appeal with age.
 
I think GM also did some type of production technique with the Reatta, where the traditional assembly was not used, and assembly teams were incorporated whereby the team would be with the car from start to finish. This was part of the delay problem.
 
I didn't get a chance to drive one, but I imagine it was a good smooth ride, not overly performance based, but got the job done.

#46 of 64 Re: Delayed [supercool] by sls002

Sep 04, 2006 (7:18 am)

Replying to: supercool (Sep 03, 2006 8:27 pm)
I have not seen anything on the BMW night vision system, but Mercedes system is described on their website. The Mercedes system is different than Cadillac's. If I understood Mercedes puts the infrared image on a screen and projects an infrared beam out for a camera to pick up or something. Cadillac was picking up infrared radiation from warm objects (like a deer) and displaying it like the heads up desplay on the windshield. This suggests that the Mercedes system is useless. I think that the night vision was an experiment and probably GM may put something better into production in the future. I did not like the way they used the Cadillac radiator emblem for the camera.
 
The Reatta was not a bad car for ride, and handling was good. It was built in an experimental factory where the parts came to the car instead of the car proceeding down an assembly line.
 
I have some doubts about whether the XLR is profitable or whether the XLR_V or STS_V are really profitable. But the basic idea behind the V-series was to justify putting the Corvette engine into the CTS, which as a six cylinder only model did not have great performance.

#47 of 64 Future by supercool

Sep 04, 2006 (10:56 am)

The head up display is good innovation by the GM guys, which made the nigth vision a slick item.
Looking at the emblem on the front grill of the Caddy was the simple giveaway that the car was equipped with the feature.
 
I've haven't had an opportunity to test the M-Benz system or the BMW system, but placing it down in the console seems to fundamently go against the grain of safety and ergonomic design. You always want to minimize the amount of time you look away from the road. I've read some articles about what M-Benz and BMW is putting out, and I hoping that GM gets into the competition, but if there's no profit straight away they're out.
 
I like the V-Series as a concept, but its really for the hard core folks, like me. Cadillac really has a job to do with defining itself as a brand. The Art & Science design has run its course and question becomes "Now what?" Design styles are currently on the move, look at the M-Benz and the Toyota line ups. What is Cadillac going to do? Seems to me that the movement is toward more curves in the lines.
 
For me the XLR is really only an XYZ, a car without a true sense of what it is. Its cute, but it will go the way of the Allente.
 
The CTS and CTS-V is nice, if you like a small car.

#48 of 64 Re: Future [supercool] by sls002

Sep 04, 2006 (12:03 pm)

Replying to: supercool (Sep 04, 2006 10:56 am)
I think the Art&Science look will evolve. The 2008 CTS is not all new styling. The CTS_V is good for stock car racing. The CTS with the 3.6 V6 is a nice car I think, but I have not driven one. As for size, it should be a bit larger than the Buick Skyhawk was. I had an 83 Skyhawk.

#49 of 64 Evolution by supercool

Sep 04, 2006 (5:52 pm)

I extemely curious to witness the evolution.
I haven't liked it all. Where Cadillac caught my attention was with the performance hardware that went into the CTS.
 
They upped the ante with the STS-V, expecially with the all wheel drive system and accompaning 6 six speed tranny of the 07 model. With all this is where my expectation was flowing on the DTS. However, from our discussions, it clear to see that there is not a good chance of it happening. A hope on my part.
 
What was the sister car to the Skyhawk?, I think a had an 79 version of the sister but by Pontiac, the name escapes me at the moment.

#50 of 64 Re: Evolution [supercool] by sls002

Sep 05, 2006 (7:24 am)

Replying to: supercool (Sep 04, 2006 5:52 pm)
The skyhawk was one of the J-bodies along with chevy cavalier, pontiac sunbird (or J2000?), oldsmobile firenza, and Cadillac Cimarron. I bought the skyhawk because it had fuel injection (only buick that did) and also had automatic climate control as an option; the cimarron did not have the auto climate control.
 
The current DTS is on a platform that will terminate at the end of the current production models; the DTS and Lucerne. The basic question is what will Buick do for a large sedan and what should Cadillac do for what has been their best selling large sedan. I think that the six speed FWD transmission will not get added to the DTS or Lucerne, but a lot depends on how much longer they are going to be in production. How much longer they remain in production depends on what the replacements are going to be. In the short term, the DTS and Lucerne will remain much as they are through model years 2008 and probably 2009. The biggest change could be the six speed automatic for 2008, which probably would mean that production would continue into model year 2010. But all of this is a guess on my part.

#51 of 64 2007 Model at the line by supercool

Sep 09, 2006 (9:25 am)

Hello sls002,
 
I didn't get an Edmunds alert, hence I didn't know you had responded.
 
I had the Sunbird version of the Shyhawk. It was actually one of favorite past rides. I had a basic model, nothing fancy, what liked about it was its interior spaciousness for a small car. I had a two door version, but I think the Shyhawk and the Cavalier had available four door versions.
 
I doubt Cadillac will go with a Six speed version. Seems that Ford and GM are also slow to adopt and/manufacture the upgrades in transmission. Took them a long while to get on board with a 5 speed, mean while many models have gone to 6 and even 7.
 
I caught a glimpse of the Car & Driver rag, and the DTS is staying on the the tried and true, styling was the main upgrade. Also, the rag stated that the STS all wheel drive had a 5 speed tranny, but I think it actually has an available 6 speed option when you get the AWD.
 
I have yet to really get a good look at the Lucerne. I've enjoyed Buicks for their comfort. I was not a happy camper when the Park Avenue line was eliminated and not the mention the Electra 225 too.

#52 of 64 Re: 2007 Model at the line [supercool] by sls002

Sep 09, 2006 (9:49 am)

Replying to: supercool (Sep 09, 2006 9:25 am)
GM and Ford have a joint FWD six speed automatic. The Saturn Aura with the 3.6 liter V6 will have the six speed in 2007. The Pontiac G6 will also offer the same 3.6 with the six speed on one trim. The V8 STS and SRX will get the six speed in both RWD and AWD versions, but the V6's will keep the five speed.
 
The DTS was a complete restyle/redesign for 2006, so any changes will be minimal till the end of production I think. The six speed automatic is possible for 2008, but if they plan on replacing the platform in 2009 or 2010, the expense of upgrading the transmission for one or two years seems silly. Now, if production were to continue through the 2010 model year, then it might make sense, as that would be three years of production. A new RWD platform deVille could see production in 2009, as an early 2010 model, and production of the DTS could end after the 2008 model year.

#53 of 64 6 Speeds by supercool

Sep 09, 2006 (9:51 pm)

Quote: "GM and Ford have a joint FWD six speed automatic." Are you saying GM & Ford have collaborated on a 6 speed transmission?
 
I thought I was correct on the 6 speed STS. Car & Driver stated that it was only 5, unless I misread. SRX is simply a Corvette under Art & Science clothing. The Vette 6 speed been out now for 2 two years now. This leaves the bulk of the cars with 4 speed trannies, which get the job done, but leaves out driveability.
 
I wasn't aware the G6 has a 6 speed, I somewhat wrote off that ride due to less than exciting style lines. With a 6 speed tranny it should be a good with good/fun driveability.
 
The DTS restyle/redesign primarily is to keep the production run going and keep the market segment happy. Looks nice but nothing that will turn heads.

#54 of 64 Re: 6 Speeds [supercool] by sls002

Sep 10, 2006 (9:46 am)

Replying to: supercool (Sep 09, 2006 9:51 pm)
Yes, GM and Ford collaborated on a FWD 6 speed automatic. The RWD 6 speed is a different transmission, although one assumes that some overlap is possible, but the gearing is different. The FWD 6 speed is just going into production.
 
The Corvette's 6 speed automatic is the 6 speed that the V-series XLR (not SRX) and STS had. I expect that the all new 2008 CTS will get a 6 speed automatic too. The basic advantage of GM's 6 speed transmissions is the overall 6:1 ratio (low gear ratio divided by the high gear ratio). The 4 speeds have an overall ratio of about 4.25:1. This means that a lower low gear is possible with the highest overdrive ratio still providing good highway fuel economy.
 
The 2007 G6 GTP sedan and coupe will offer the 3.6 with 6 speed automatic. This is the same powertrain as the Saturn Aura will have. The G6 and Aura are both built on the same platform - Epsilon.
 
The DTS is more than just a restyle because the wheelbase is somewhat longer. So there have been changes to the basic body structure too. But the DTS is still the big FWD sedan that it has been, although with some minor refinements.

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