Cadillac is enjoying resurgence thanks to a raft of good-looking new models that also promise to be much more competitive than their predecessors. Still, it is missing something that its European competitors in the luxury segment such as BMW and Mercedes-Benz already have: diesel engines.
But that may change soon as during an interview at the LA Auto Show, Don Butler, Cadillac’s marketing vice president, said that GM's luxury division is considering adding diesels to its engine range.
“We absolutely mean it when we say we aim to compete with the best of the best without compromises”, said Butler. “If that means making the right powertrain choices, then those are the choices we will have to make”, he added.
Butler pointed out that for now, Cadillac is considering offering diesel engines for models sold outside North America, but quickly added “it could be a potential hedge in the U.S. because of diesel’s great torque and great performance with great efficiency.”
This won’t be the first time that Cadillac has attempted to offer diesel-powered models. In the late 1970s, the wreath and crest brand introduced an optional diesel V8 as a response to Mercedes-Benz.
But while the diesel V8 helped GM comply with the 1978 CAFE (Corporate Average Fuel Economy) rules that were enforced after the fuel crisis, the numerous and constant reliability problems destroyed its image and created
Hopefully, GM has learned its lesson and won't repeat the mistakes of the past. After all, its European Opel and Vauxhall division - even though it's bleeding money- has a lot of experience to share on the issue.
Story References: Autonews
9 Comments:
Only a XTS buyer would buy a diesel.. XD
Saw this car at the LA Auto Show. It's stunning. This model will carry on to what the CTS has done for Cadillac. A bit concern of a lack of a V8 or a supercharged power plant. But exterior and interior are unique. Reminds me of the cars featured in a Stallone move about law enforcement in the future filmed a few years back. I'll give this car serious consideration next summer (also will look at the A6, LS400 and E Class).
The whole part of the article about Cadillac having to get it right with diesels this time (which is also included in the source - how can an editor [Autonews' one] who seems to be 50YO not realize this?) is more than redundant. As you know, since diesel engine have come into the mainstream, they have evolved a lot and therefore such an issue would be almost impossible nowadays.
I'm so disillusioned with GM as a whole. I see sparks of potential with the XTS, and have always been a Corvette fan ('57 my favorite). The Camaro needs a downsizing too. But the fact remains that GM's leadership is either unqualified or sorely lacking and until that changes I place little credence on GM making the necessary transitions to regain any credible status in the automotive world. In every category they are "near" as in near-luxury, near-quality, near-reliable.
I don't see "near" at all. That's wholly in the minds of those that want to place them that way. Go drive them and experience them, you'll see for yourself that they are very competitive and in many ways most likely suit North American buyer's expectations better than their Euro, Japanese and Korean competition. Plus they come at something of a bargain with many of the cars they compete against.
With the exception the XTS I've both driven and owned GM vehicles. GM's heyday was the late sixties/early seventies. Owned Cadillac recently as third vehicle for commuting and found it "just short" on every aspect all the way down to its residual value. It's as if GM knows exactly where the "just short" line is and purposely never crosses it to make a better vehicle. My wife emphatically states that she'll never support me purchasing another GM vehicle again. I like the XTS a great deal, but my gut painfully remembers the shortfalls of the brand.
What does this even mean? Seriously...it is cryptic at best and retarded at worst.
Diesels are torque beasts and unless you're Marty Mcfly and this is 'the future', diesels have come a long way from the mid 80's. In fact, JC from Top Gear just noted one of his favourite cars of 2011 had a diesel!
You sir, are a moron. Your 'hello kitty' emoticon at the end of your note suggests you're a 14 year old asian girl (which would explain the comment) or, as I suspect, a complete loser.
I didn't know Akerson actually knew how to use a computer...seriously you PR shills, give it a rest. Recent Caddy's have been bloated, underpowered and lacking anything that resembles luxury. Just because you slap some fake wood on a car and charge $20K more doesn't make it a cadillac.
Case in point: I drove a CTS Coupe right before it was hitting dealers. Looked good from the outside and I like the lines. I'll admit, the CTS design look is gorgeous. I thought 'Yes, finally true luxury from Cadillac and a distinct non-euro look to boot'
BUT, once I got in the thing and drove it, my opinion completely changed...the interior was cheap looking, didn't have ANY real bling. Seats were hard and didn't give a lot of support. There was good rear seat room but then you can't see out the rearview at all. The driving was the HUGE let down. Suspension lacked any sporty firmness but wasn't luxury soft', it felt like a malibu with slightly better shocks. I didn't feel safe in the vehicle, like I was in a go-cart or something, just waiting for the back end to swing out with some epic oversteer.
The transmission was horrible and even our product guy mentioned that something was up. The caddy rep was silent...almost like he knew the tranny was garbage.
Luxury is about the full package...caddy always misses something important that makes consumers just shake their head in disbelief.
What Cadillac should look for is to stop eating and stealing Tax payer money and Close Up.
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