Cadillac, GM’s under-achieving luxury brand that sold less than 3,000 cars in Europe last year, is planning a new model army in the ambitious hope of hitting its European sales target of 20,000 units in 2010.
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The more distinctive and classier new CTS sedan (sitting between BMW’s 3 and 5 Series) broke cover at the Detroit motor show but what GM executives did not reveal were plans for a wagon and coupe within two years.
A crucially important three-litre, V6, twin turbo diesel will also be included in the powertrain in 2008 following the CTS saloon’s debut at Geneva this spring.
The power unit will be shared with Saab, whose most powerful current diesel is the 150 horsepower 1.9-litre GM unit. The new aluminium engine is being developed jointly with Italy’s diesel specialist VM Motori.
Early 2009 is the scheduled introduction timing for the CTS flagship, an all-wheel-drive V8 CTS coupe carrying the brand’s ‘V’ high-performance badging.
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By GlobalDataTo prop up sales in the UK, which registered less than 400 units last year, Cadillac will extend its right-hand-drive range to include the SRX (a Lexus RX300-sized 4×4 crossover), followed by a RHD STS large saloon.
Cadillac’s wagons will keep on rolling with an estate car (wagon) counterpart for the Swedish-built; Saab 9-3 based BLS, due to debut at the autumn Frankfurt show. A more powerful 180hp diesel is also planned to improve the cars’ corporate sales appeal.
GM executives concede that Cadillac needs strength in depth to take on Europe’s premium brands, which is why a joint venture with Saab will generate a pair of compact SUV crossovers.
To be named VRX for Cadillac and 9-4 for Saab, the US-sourced pair will compete with BMW’s X3, Land Rover’s Freelander and the upcoming Volvo XC60.
Hugh Hunston
