Reuss: Cadillac F-Segment Flagship Is A Go

Cameron Aubernon
by Cameron Aubernon

General Motors global product development chief Mark Reuss revealed Tuesday that Cadillac will press ahead with an F-segment sedan built upon a new platform.

The Detroit News reports the new Cadillac will slot above the full-size XTS, and will throw down against the Mercedes S-Class and BMW 7 Series.

Reuss adds that the flagship sedan is important for the brand “if it is to compete as a serious luxury carmaker” in the top luxury segment:

What we do there has got to be a symbol of excellence… This is a car that Cadillac needs that will define this brand in terms of innovation and excellence.

The flagship Cadillac is expected to go into production near the end of 2015, and will likely be joined by a compact slotted below the ATS for the lower end of the luxury segment.

Cameron Aubernon
Cameron Aubernon

Seattle-based writer, blogger, and photographer for many a publication. Born in Louisville. Raised in Kansas. Where I lay my head is home.

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  • John Williams John Williams on Aug 22, 2014

    So I heard that Volkswagen Automotive Group loses around $6.25 Million on every Bugatti Veyron it sells. A hell of a loss leader, that car. Cadillac's gonna have to do the same in order to get any respect. No, not make a roughly $2.5 million car for $9 million a pop - but they will have to put an extraordinary amount of no-expense spared effort into its flagship. No more half-arsing it or phoning it in as is usually done at GM and elsewhere. That means there has to be careful consideration about what goes in it, from the drivetrain choices to the interior trim, instrumentation and yes, even the little details, right down to the cupholders and infotainment system labeling. A V8? Sure. Toss that all-aluminum LS engine under the hood and link it up to a hybrid-assisted AWD system with an eight-speed (or better) gearbox. Plenty of low-end grunt from the electric motor and generator, starting at 0 RPM. V12? V16? They'll make for wonderful tech showpieces. Ultra-low volume, yes, but they should be available nonetheless. Twin-turbo V6? That's a stretch. Stuffing the same engine from the XTS in this flagship is just reaching, even if Mercedes does it, too. High-quality materials that'd give the folks at Crewe pause. Solid engineering that makes Daimler take notice. Plenty of effortless power and torque that American luxury car buyers crave, but with the effortless top-speed cruising that the Europeans appreciate. Wrapped in a body that's as distinctly American as all get out, but also incredibly appealing to buyers around the globe. That's what this flagship needs. The only problem is the price tag. Price it above and beyond S-Klasse territory and people won't take it seriously. Price it well below S-Klasse territory and people will think something's wrong with it. Hyundai might be taking a page out of the Lexus LS400 playbook by undercutting the competition with the Equus, but Lexus did it at a time when the Germans - all of them - were resting on their laurels. Pricing it in Buick territory will have it treated like a Buick. Bad idea. Sadly, I think Cadillac will run with the former and try to cheapen it out just to meet a profit point. When people see through the cost-cutting and the half-arsing, they'll just chuckle, probably on their way towards an S-Klasse or an A8. BTW, I think Cadillac would be doing itself a favor by making a few CUVs in the mold of the Range Rover Sport and Evoque. Just my humble opinion. "Chasing the Germans to me is a mistake, the market to go for is, the America, China, and the Middle East." China IS the future - well, at least as long as they don't suddenly decide to shut foreign automakers out in favor of their own homegrown goods. But that's a long ways off, anyways.

  • Big L from Chicago Big L from Chicago on Aug 22, 2014

    I would start with a rigid low height frame, as light and strong as possible. the frame have 3 possible wheel bases, based on the number of rows of seats two three or four. The suspension would be parts bin GM light truck, torsion bar upper and lower control arm independent suspension, used on all four corners. Two and all wheel drive versions. Power would come from a gas or diesel electric hybrid but I feel a small block V8 along with a hybrid 8 speed automatic should be more than adequate. on the other end of the prop shaft would be low profile banjo differentials to maximize interior space, Gm propriety corrosion proof disc rotors provide the stopping power. Batteries would be positioned Tesla style under the floor protected between the frame rails. and additional battery packs fit under the seats. which should provide long electric range if requested and will change the economics of the limo business. There would be a limited variety of body styles geared either to the individual owner or the Fleetwood brand for professional uses.

  • Baconator Baconator on Aug 22, 2014

    Hm. I'd question the wisdom of making this a sedan. That's a shrinking market at the high end, with Tesla eating up market share from BMW and Audi at a very surprising pace, and Mercedes maintaining share with the semi-autonomous driving technology as the W222's set piece. The El Miraj concept coupe was stunning - they don't need to change a thing to have an attention-getting halo car. Price it at $85k base, right between the 6-series and the SL, and offer a convertible version. Make two dozen interior and exterior colors, some as extra-cost options, and then market it as a stylish and powerful Bentley Continental alternative at half the price. It should be in every rap video in 2015 and every golf course parking lot in West Palm Beach for years thereafter.

  • Stanczyk Stanczyk on Aug 23, 2014

    XLR and previous CTS(especially coupe) are unique A&S, clever design , that's the way to go , not the new 'pseudo-elegant' Emiraj concept.. Cadillac has it's new favourite 'focus group'.. Chinese nouveau-riche would love it .. :) Where's american pride ?(ohhh, corporation$ don't don't care about that..)..:)

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