Fresh from its recent appointment of new president Johan de Nysschen, Cadillac announced that the brand’s
upcoming flagship luxury sedan will be built at GM’s Detroit-Hamtramck production facility. The new model, rumored to be called the Cadillac LTS, will aspire to challenge the Mercedes-Benz S-Class for position at the top of the luxury sedan hierarchy.
Cadillac indicates that the new model, which will likely be renamed something other than LTS, will go into production in the fourth quarter of 2015 following its debut early next year.
“The objective for this upcoming model is to lift the Cadillac range by entering the elite class of top-level luxury cars,” said de Nysschen. “Currently in development, this new rear-wheel drive-oriented sedan uses completely new, custom-designed materials on a unique vehicle architecture.”
De Nysschen’s comments are consistent with our previous predictions that the Cadillac LTS would offer rear- and all-wheel-drive and ride on a new “Omega” platform. We expect the big-daddy Caddy to utilize advanced materials like aluminum, high-strength steel, carbon fiber, and magnesium. It will also include Cadillac’s first use of autonomous driving technology.
Cadillac chief engineer Dave Leone told us last month that the LTS will be great to drive thanks to its light weight and V-8 engine (still no word on what V-8 that will be). In all likelihood, we’ll see a version of GM’s small-block V-8 as well as the CTS Vsport’s 420-hp twin-turbo V-6 as the top performers. A 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder is probably headed to China, as well.
Although it is probably not the
Cadillac Elmiraj that many were hoping for, the Cadillac LTS could help turn things around for the brand. Despite critical acclaim, ATS and CTS sales have been languishing as of late. A successful flagship sedan could be a major boon for Cadillac in in terms of brand perception and prestige. Check back soon for more information on the range-topping Cadillac LTS as it becomes available.
