It appears as though Cadillac is poised to enter the rapidly expanding entry-luxury sedan segment.
Speaking with Car and Driver, Cadillac marketing chief Uwe Ellinghaus strongly hinted that the wreath-and-crest brand will launch a small sedan positioned beneath the ATS.
Instead of relying on a front-wheel drive-based platform like the Audi A3 and Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class, Ellinghaus stated that Cadillac’s compact four-door will utilize rear-wheel-drive architecture. Though not as space-efficient as a front-drive setup, the approach will serve to differentiate the model – Cadillac believes that even if most drivers don’t know which wheels put power to the ground, they still appreciate the more balanced exterior proportions and driving dynamics afforded by rear-wheel-drive.
“You will tell me that people don’t care about front- or rear-wheel-drive, and I am with you,” Ellinghaus said. “They often don’t even know whether they have front- or rear-wheel drive. The issue is that only rear-wheel-drive offers you the proportions for a better-looking and better-driving car that people indeed recognize. But they are not aware that the reason why they find this car appealing and like the driving characteristics more is based on the drivetrain principle, rear-wheel drive.”
It isn’t currently clear when the small sedan could launch; with the impending debuts of the ATS-V, CTS-V, next-generation SRX and the full-size LTS sedan, Cadillac likely won’t be able to bring the car to market before 2017, C/D believes.
When it does arrive, expect the small sedan to ride on a downsized version of the same Alpha RWD platform that underpins the ATS and CTS. A turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder will likely be offered, and a naturally-aspirated four could also be part of the powertrain picture.
Besides offering a lower price of entry to entice new, younger buyers to get into the brand (Cadillac hopes), the new sedan will affect Cadillac in other ways, too – given that the current ATS isn’t exactly spacious inside, look for it to grow for its next generation to make room for its entry-level sibling.
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