Tag Archives: ATS / Alpha

Smaller-than-a-CTS due in 24 to 28 months? So 2012 or 2013?

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The Detroit Bureau blog has this quote from Steve Shannon (GM Premium Channel Marketing) about the upcoming Cadillac model that will slot below the CTS (Background on “Alpha” Cadillac) :

The project is well underway, he hints, and could reach market “probably in 24 to 30 months.”  Beyond that, Shannon goes mum, though he concedes a variety of body styles are under study, including the requisite sedan, and alternatives including a 3-door hatchback, a 5-door wagon and a convertible.

hmm.  That appears to make the Alpha Cadillac a 2012 or 2013 model.  This is disappointingly slow from my point of view, but may be ‘rapid’ development for GM.

Here was the Motor Trend concept drawing for what the Alpha might look like:

Alpha Cadillac

Alpha Cadillac

So we got the new CTS-V and Sport Wagon in 2009, the SRX in 2010.  2011 perhaps will bring the CTS Coupe, then if 2012 the Alpha Cadillac premiers I suppose that keeps the product release momentum rolling along.

We have more parts in place for the Alpha now, with the new DI 3.0 V6 engine released at 260hp, and a nice 2.8L Turbo V6 on the way at 300hp.

3L DI DOHC VVT V6 a go go

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GM Inside News is reporting that the expected 3L variant of the high feature 3.6L V6 is on the way for the new Buick Lacrosse crossover, and in that application makes 250 hp.

We are still hoping to see a 270hp variant for the CTS and the new Alpha Sedan, as we discussed here.

This would be an engine that may add a few mpg for the CTS but still give about the same hp as the current non-DI 3.6L, so win-win.

Cadillac Takes Charge and Accelerates Alpha Development

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GMInsideNews.com is reporting that Cadillac is accelerating development of the alpha architecture

In another rumored move, Global Product Board has taken development of Alpha from GM Holden and has given it to the GM North America and GM Europe operations. This was done to placate Cadillac, who does not want to compromise on Alpha’s development for their planned BLS-replacement. What Cadillac hopes to achieve is to get a flexible enough platform to support 4, 6, or 8 cylinder engines, as was deemed necessary by the Wreath & Crest brand.

This may also hint that a premium version of the Alpha platform will eventually supplant the Sigma platform that current underpins the Cadillac CTS when the vehicle is replaced in the 2012-2014 time frame. Originally, GM had intended to further develop a “premium version” of the Zeta architecture that would unify both Zeta and the much more expensive Sigma platform. These plans, apparently, have been shelved in favor of a wider utilization of the lighter Alpha platform.

I am a huge proponent of lighter cars.  It was expected that the new smaller-than-a-CTS model would be lighter by virtue of being smaller.

The idea that a ‘stretched’ alpha might replace the current Sigma II architecture of the Cadillac CTS is very interesting, and would be a way for the entire line to get on a diet, so to speak.  Very good news.

Of course, a nice V8 engine in a lighter Cadillac Alpha platform would be fun, if less economical.  But certainly a V-Series edition of the upcoming Alpha model would be welcome.