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Can GM make Cadillac the standard of the world Again?

6098 messages,  Last post on Aug 14, 2009 at 4:43 PM

You are in the Automotive News & Views Forum. Your Hosts are steve_ & claires

What is this discussion about? Cadillac Escalade, Cadillac XLR, Cadillac STS, Automotive News


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#5323 of 6098
Good point Marsha by m4d_cow
Aug 24, 2008 (10:43 pm)
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Too bad the government currently cant afford the budget. Wasted all of them on wars.
 
Problem is, people ramble about the use of clean diesels in the US, how its much more efficient to buy one, due to its staggering mileage. Then we recount the costs, and found them not so economical, considering the much higher initial cost (read: MSRP) over its gas powered sibling, and also diesel fuel's costs. Then we talk about how it can at least relieve us and the US from its oil dependency. But the real question remains: just how many of us actually CARE about oil dependency as long as gas is still affordable????
 
Also consider thse conditions in US, compared to Europe:
Unlike Europe, theres no real emissions tax in the US, the best they came up with is the gas guzzler tax, which is so insignificant.
Diesel cars in Europe cost the same, or lower than its gasoline powered counterparts once you count in the taxes (lead and co2 emissions tax, gas guzzler, etc)
Europeans have low sulfur diesel fuel, which improves fuel economy and durability, also environment friendly. US has no such thing available.
 
I dont see how Americans will convert to diesel fuel unless the costs on fuel get lower, or mileage or diesel engines get much much higher than it is now. Another way is to offer federal incentives on taxes to cover the losses on overall ownership costs, but given the current state of the economy, I seriously doubt it'll happen.
 
Until then, I guess we gotta rely on hybrids.
#5324 of 6098
Re: Good point Marsha [m4d_cow] (HYBRIDS???) by nortsr1
Aug 25, 2008 (6:21 am)
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Replying to: m4d_cow (Aug 24, 2008 10:43 pm)

To rely on HYBRIDS might become a LOT MORE EXPENSIVE. I just read an article by John McElroy about LITHIUM and how difficult it is to mine and convert. It is getting to the point where LITHIUM for Batteries is getting more and more difficult to get and the price has been going UP and UP. (plus, it is VERY DIFFICULT to recycle and MORE costly than mining it.
#5325 of 6098
Re: Good point Marsha [m4d_cow] (HYBRIDS???) [nortsr1] by nvbanker
Aug 25, 2008 (9:03 am)
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Replying to: nortsr1 (Aug 25, 2008 6:21 am)

There are also studies out there that are saying that impact all of these heavy batteries will have on the environment is more detrimental than the oil impact - both with mining, production and disposition when they all start going bad. I respect Hybrid technology, but still maintain it is stopgap at best, and not a long term solution to the transportation issue.
#5326 of 6098
Re: No surprises there [m4d_cow] by claires HOST
Aug 25, 2008 (7:34 pm)
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Replying to: m4d_cow (Aug 23, 2008 10:16 pm)

Cadillac will offer 4-cylinder sedan in '10
#5327 of 6098
Oh wow by m4d_cow
Aug 25, 2008 (11:10 pm)
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I havent ehard of the recent studies, judging from the statements I guess hybrids may prove more dangerous to the enviro than diesels
 
Thats not my point though. The point is US still make no effort to increase the use of diesel, instead pushing factories to build hybrids and fuel cell cars. How can diesel vehicles make progress this way???
#5328 of 6098
Re: Oh wow [m4d_cow] by 62vetteefp
Aug 26, 2008 (5:32 am)
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Replying to: m4d_cow (Aug 25, 2008 11:10 pm)

Wrong forum but it will take a lot more than coverting to diesel or hybrids or ethanol. We need to use all alternative methods. Ethanol in the short term is best. ONce we start getting it from other than corn or food crops we will see great reductions in oil usage. It is coming.
#5329 of 6098
4 cylinder Caddy by 62vetteefp
Aug 26, 2008 (5:34 am)
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I hope this upcoming car isn't just a BLS modified for NA...as from what I have read of it in the British/Euro press, it isn't exactly a butt-kicker.
  
Some people forget the discussion we had here months ago? At that time the story was that a RWD vehicle smaller than the then zeta, but based on the zeta + Kappa platforms, would be called the Alpha platform. RWD and smaller.
  
Now it's being reporting that there will be a new mid-sized RWD platform code-named Alpha. Alpha would apparently take pieces from the other platforms and be used for future Pontiacs and Cadillacs. The next generation G6 may use this architecture instead of the front wheel drive Epsilon II. For Cadillac, the new car would slot in below the CTS and also replace the much derided BLS in Europe.
  
If it's done right, such a Cadillac would give the brand a real competitor for the BMW 3-Series and Audi A4/S4, as long as consumers aren't hounded by the memory of other entry-level Cadillacs like the Cimarron. A smaller, rear-drive sedan and/or coupe would fit in much better with Cadillac's current lineup, however, and further help to lower the average age of the brands' customers.

  
http://www.autoblog.com/2007/03/22/kappa-zeta-alpha-another-gm-rwd-platform-comi- ng/
  
My concern is that this new platform died because of the financial difficulties even though a smaller vehicle fits the times, but it is RWD and would not get the mpg of a FWD compact/midsize. However the new turbo 1.4L sure does seem to offer a good alternative. I think the issue would be development and tooling cost. The low volume "BLS" probably would not cover that cost but IF the next G6 was shared it would make a great program and Pontiac would have a great line up.
#5330 of 6098
CTS-V "embarrasses" BMW??? by 62vetteefp
Aug 26, 2008 (12:49 pm)
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It's been over 60 years since the Americans have so thoroughly trounced the Germans, but Inside Line has the numbers to prove it. The Edmunds news service had a chance to take the new Cadillac CTS-V (which we're driving in upstart New York as we speak) and its supercharged V8 for a spin around GM's Milford proving grounds and brought along its testing gear. The resulting bombardment ought to have the Germans thoroughly embarrassed and rebuilding for decades to come.
 
The CTS-V ran the quarter-mile in a scant 12.5 seconds, besting the 12.7 it takes for either the BMW M5 or the Mercedes E63 AMG. Getting back to a standstill was another hit to the Bimmer and the Benz, with the Caddy stopping from 60-0 mph in 109 feet – five feet less than it takes the M5 and six shorter than the AMG. And if you're thinking that brakes and power are easy to upgrade and that the Cadillac couldn't possibly best the Germans on the handling course, think again: the CTS-V ran the slalom at 71.1 mph, while the M5 and E63 ran it in 68.5 and 65 mph respectively. Deutschland über alles indeed.
 
Go to:http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/26/faster-than-an-m5-first-cadillac-cts-v-per- formance-test-publish/
#5331 of 6098
caddy plug in hybrid??? by 62vetteefp
Aug 26, 2008 (12:50 pm)
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http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/26/rumormill-cadillac-to-get-its-own-volt/
 
With enormous V8 land-yachts and even bigger Escalades rolling down America's boulevards, Cadillac's doesn't have the most environmentally friendly of images. But that's a perception that the premium GM division is working hard to combat. After unveiling the Escalade two-mode hybrid, reports have begun to surface that Cadillac is considering a four-cylinder model for the American market like the Saab-based BLS it offers in Europe.
 
New emerging reports now suggest that Cadillac might get its own version of the highly-anticipated Volt plug-in hybrid from its sister-company Chevrolet. No telling at this point if the Cadillac version would be based on the Volt, transplant the Volt's powertrain into an existing Cadillac model, or breed an entirely new Caddy – or for that matter if there's any substance to the rumors – but sources suggest a higher sticker price than the Volt's anticipated $40k.
#5332 of 6098
Re: CTS-V "embarrasses" BMW??? [62vetteefp] by fintail
Aug 26, 2008 (1:48 pm)
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Replying to: 62vetteefp (Aug 26, 2008 12:49 pm)

Link doesn't work, I had to go find it.
 
Now that the E63 and M5 are a couple years old, Caddy caught up
 
Here's the "story"

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