GM's Lutz confirms V12 in development for Cadillac flagship
03-22-07, 08:44 AM
#1
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GM's Lutz confirms V12 in development for Cadillac flagship
Lutz unveiles the Cadillac Sixteen concept at NAIAS 2003 in Detroit
Lutz confirms V12 in development for Cadillac flagship
Posted Mar 21st 2007 11:07AM by Noah Joseph
It's official. It's been confirmed: Cadillac is preparing a new V12 flagship. That's straight from the mouth of our favorite man in the business, Bob Lutz. On a recent trip across the pond, GM's venerated product guru confirmed in an interview to the British car magazine AutoWeek that they are indeed working on a twelve-cylinder engine, slated to power a new range-topping, import-beating "Cadillac of Cadillacs," a super-luxury-sedan to rival the likes of the Mercedes S-Class and Lexus LS in the grandest of American style.
The new powerplant is being fabricated from two of GM's 3.6-liter 60-degree V6 engines mounted on a common crankshaft. Far from relying solely on cylinder count, sources speculate the engine will also benefit from such features as direct injection and cylinder deactivation, resulting in a 7.2-liter V12 with somewhere in the neighborhood of 600 horsepower and 540 lb-ft of torque.
And just where is GM testing such a behemoth of an engine? In Australia, of course! As has become de rigeur for American automakers of late, GM is relying on its Australian subsidiary to run the development work on the new flagship engine. Holden is reported to have already begun testing mules, based on a Commodore with a stretched-out engine bay, at its Lang Lang test center near Melbourne. Although the Zeta-based Commodore, (a.k.a. the upcoming Pontiac G8) is being used strictly as a test bed for the time being, it could end up providing the underpinnings for the Cadillac megasedan when the time comes.
Lutz has been pushing for a top-tier Cadillac for years now, and the impetus for its development has apparently come from the feedback received by the Cadillac Sixteen showcar debuted back in 2003. Although the showcase V16 engine was ruled out, apparently the V12 has gotten the green light for development. Shoot for the stars and land on the moon, eh Bob?
Posted Mar 21st 2007 11:07AM by Noah Joseph
It's official. It's been confirmed: Cadillac is preparing a new V12 flagship. That's straight from the mouth of our favorite man in the business, Bob Lutz. On a recent trip across the pond, GM's venerated product guru confirmed in an interview to the British car magazine AutoWeek that they are indeed working on a twelve-cylinder engine, slated to power a new range-topping, import-beating "Cadillac of Cadillacs," a super-luxury-sedan to rival the likes of the Mercedes S-Class and Lexus LS in the grandest of American style.
The new powerplant is being fabricated from two of GM's 3.6-liter 60-degree V6 engines mounted on a common crankshaft. Far from relying solely on cylinder count, sources speculate the engine will also benefit from such features as direct injection and cylinder deactivation, resulting in a 7.2-liter V12 with somewhere in the neighborhood of 600 horsepower and 540 lb-ft of torque.
And just where is GM testing such a behemoth of an engine? In Australia, of course! As has become de rigeur for American automakers of late, GM is relying on its Australian subsidiary to run the development work on the new flagship engine. Holden is reported to have already begun testing mules, based on a Commodore with a stretched-out engine bay, at its Lang Lang test center near Melbourne. Although the Zeta-based Commodore, (a.k.a. the upcoming Pontiac G8) is being used strictly as a test bed for the time being, it could end up providing the underpinnings for the Cadillac megasedan when the time comes.
Lutz has been pushing for a top-tier Cadillac for years now, and the impetus for its development has apparently come from the feedback received by the Cadillac Sixteen showcar debuted back in 2003. Although the showcase V16 engine was ruled out, apparently the V12 has gotten the green light for development. Shoot for the stars and land on the moon, eh Bob?
03-22-07, 10:47 AM
#4
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I think that model will give Cadillac a huge image boost. They can play with the big boys like Mercedes, BMW, and Audi now and offer something that Lexus, Lincoln, Acura, Jaguar, and Infiniti does not offer which is a ultra luxury v-12 powered flagship at a lower price then its competition. Since this vehicle will cost alot and Cadillac is steadily improving their interiors I think we will not see much of evidence of cost cutting with this model like we do on all other Cadillacs. They can go a little crazy with this car with super high quality leather, high quality woods, other exotic materials, and breakthrough technology and make it something people truly aspire to.
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03-22-07, 04:43 PM
#11
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Lexus engineers have said this is the "old" way of doing things.
However, I am rooting for Caddy. I think a V-12 car will be huge for their halo and image. I would even go so far as to say do a V-16 or so. BEAT the competiton, don't meet it.
It's the American in me. GO CADDY!
However, I am rooting for Caddy. I think a V-12 car will be huge for their halo and image. I would even go so far as to say do a V-16 or so. BEAT the competiton, don't meet it.
It's the American in me. GO CADDY!
03-22-07, 06:13 PM
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If this indeed true, then way to go GM. But as others have mentioned, the car overall (not just the engine) will have to be extraordinary to compete with the S Class, and LS. Both the S Class and LS are the luxury flagships of each respective brand, and they put a lot of hard work and effort into those models. Can Cadillac compete? It's too early to say.
There is also the rumour of a "super Lexus sedan" above the LS that keeps persisting.
Lexus has, and will continue to have for several years an exclusive lineup of luxury hybrids.
Cadillac's image is in a bad state right now, and it remains to be seen what this car will actually do for it.
There is also the rumour of a "super Lexus sedan" above the LS that keeps persisting.
Lexus has, and will continue to have for several years an exclusive lineup of luxury hybrids.
Cadillac's image is in a bad state right now, and it remains to be seen what this car will actually do for it.
03-22-07, 06:16 PM
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i saw this sixteen concept in person. Let me tell you - it is a beast! It looks fabulous in person - but i doubt this super luxury sedan that cadillac is coming out with will look anythign like the sixteen concept. I do applaud cadillac for stepping up and having ***** to compete with mercedes and lexus with a fighter of its own!
03-22-07, 06:33 PM
#14
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If the new model looks very similar to the Sixteen, it more than likely wont sell as much as a new fresh design would.
Leave it to GM to finally greenlight a HOT concept 4 years after everyone saw it and got over it (plus another 3 years to actually see it on the road).
Hopefully they get it right.
Leave it to GM to finally greenlight a HOT concept 4 years after everyone saw it and got over it (plus another 3 years to actually see it on the road).
Hopefully they get it right.