Ask the Car People.SM


Cadillac DTS V-Series

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

You are in the Cadillac DTS Forum.

What is this discussion about? Cadillac DTS, Sedan

Messages Page 6 of 7

#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.

#55 of 64 Tranny by supercool

Sep 10, 2006 (6:28 pm)

What are the contemplated models for the GM-Ford tranny?
 
I'm not familiar with the Aura.
 
Are you sure about the 6 speed tranny being in the Vette and STS?
 
I agree with you the DTS will continue to be land cruiser that it has always been. Nice ride overall, but has its limits once you need to run fast and nimble.

#56 of 64 Re: Tranny [supercool] by sls002

Sep 11, 2006 (9:29 am)

Replying to: supercool (Sep 10, 2006 6:28 pm)
GM plans to use the FWD six speed on nearly everything I think, but will phase them in over the next few years.
 
The Saturn Aura is an all new car for 2007.
 
The only difference in the XLR/Covette six speed automatic is that is is mounted in front of the rear axle rather than behind the engine.
 
While Cadillac may keep the DTS's interstate cruiser qualities, the newer DTS/deVille's are much better handling cars than they were in the more distant past. The real question here is what platform they will use. The platform will determine the price range. The price range will determine sales.....

#57 of 64 Sales by supercool

Sep 13, 2006 (7:06 pm)

Knowning Cadillac they'll keep the price moderate, so that their bread and butter base will be content, thus keeping sales in healthy place.
 
I'm in the Denver metro area and it seems like Lincoln has beat Cadillac as the premier fleet vehicle. Its to the point that the lincolns are being used as taxi cab now.

#58 of 64 Re: Sales [supercool] by sls002

Sep 16, 2006 (8:28 am)

Replying to: supercool (Sep 13, 2006 7:06 pm)
There is a website GM Inside News, which is not a good predictor of GM's future products, but claims to have some information from time to time. They are not making any prediction on the DTS's future at this time. However, they do say that Cadillac is planning an ultra luxury sedan, probably to be built on the sigma platform at some point. This would be an expensive model, not a DTS replacement. They also think that there may be a small SUV, like the Equinox. Other sources have talked about an ultra luxury sedan too, so I think Cadillac is thinking about an upscale luxury sedan. What is not clear is whether this would be comparable to the S-class Mercedes, or if it would be more like the Rolls Royce class of sedans.
 
Ford is now planning to drop the Lincoln RWD models and replacing them with FWD Ford 500 platform models. I would expect them to drop the other RWD sedans too.

#59 of 64 Cadillac Ultra sedan by supercool

Sep 21, 2006 (8:31 pm)

I've heard rumors about a V-12 and V-16 for that particular
category.
 
I'm not particulary concerned about such models. It would probably go the way of the Allante.
 
The 500 Platform has AWD capability. Interesting to see if it actually goes that way.

Messages Page 6 of 7

To POST a message, please Sign In.

Advertisement

Browse by Category

Browse by Vehicle
   View All Vehicles

Browse by Board
Browse by Topic
View All Topics

Edmunds Community

Advertisement