Originally Posted By: oil_film_movies
Originally Posted By: PimTac
Reading the article, it mentions that Cadillac is developing new models to compete with Audi and the like. That just confirms that GovMo is ten years behind and out of step. It’s too late for them.
Cadillac already competes with Audi, BMW, Lexus, Infinity, Lincoln, Jaguar, Mercedes, Alfa Romeo. As for performance, Cadillac is right in the battle, with an awesome chassis and great engines, and its been that way for 10 years or so now.
Cadillac's big problem is an image they can't shake: From the choice of pimps & old folks during the past 40 years, coupled with the weird styling they often choose to put on them, Cadillac is always struggling to impress. Many people just don't like the chunky, sharp-angle styling.
These days if you want to impress your peers or potential clients, you get a European luxury badge or possibly Japanese luxury badge. If you get a Buick, Cadillac, or Lincoln, people think you believe Bob Hope is still the coolest person to ever live. They think you're out of touch with the times. Its really only an image of course, but people apply emotional image impressions all the time. (Its wrong.)
Some performance enthusiasts have embraced the Chevy small-block CTS-V's in the past few years though, but that's also not quite enough. Yes, in the 'hood, the Escalades are popular, but that's not enough sales. Altogether, Cadillac has survived though of course.
Now we see the ATS's days are numbered, an excellent chassis & engine. That chassis was applied to the newest Camaro to help make it about the best sports car around. The ATS's issue is that polarizing styling.
While chassis is good in ATS, everything else is far, far behind BMW, Audi etc.
ATS is basically using engine that is initially developed by Opel and Cosworth in the late 1980's for Vectra A (2.0 16V) and later Calibra turbo. That engine was true jewl at that time when it was rolled out in Europe. People called Calibra turbo "widow-maker" because of very good aerodynamics for that time and extremely potent engine. However, that is the time when GM was trying to save money on everything, so Calibra did not have chassis and brakes for such engine.
In Vectra B, engine was detuned for purpose of meeting stricter Euro norms and Opel (GM) was thinking that other companies are going to engage in cost cutting like they did. However, at same time VW pushed out Passat B5 which obliterated on European market Opel and Ford. Opel (GM) insted of further developing 2.0 engine, replaced it with 2.2 ltr engine that was primarily developed for the U.S. market and never gained traction in Europe. By the time Opel figured that good ole 2.0ltr is still great base for downsizing and modern turbo application, other were 10 years ahead if not even more.
As for 3.6ltr engine in various GM products, I would say Honda and Toyota offer better products in that category. As for competing with Europeans, it can only be a wet dream for GM.
That 2.0ltr engine in ATS would be great engine, maybe 10-15 years ago. Transmission in Cadillac is nowhere close to Audi or Mercedes and especially not BMW.
Performance? Not sure about that, Cadillac has to tune cars in a way not to give heart attack to owners.
