V12XLR said:
The current V12 in development was said to have dimensions smaller than a V8 so it should fit. Whether it fits the "image" is another question. GM is spending a lot of time and money in Germany developing new products. Obviously they want to be more competitive in that market. Conquest sales are always a bonus. GM must claw back market share that has been lost to imports for too long...
:iagree
WAKE UP CADILLAC!!! In order to regain market share you have to WONDERFULLY OUTDO THE COMPETITION while providing the same price point.
I am pleased to see Cadillac going after the 2 seat hi-lux market segment with its XLR. I am displeased that Cadillac still thinks it can get away with putting in merely adequate horsepower in a flagship model. :nono
The pretty but flawed Allante had only 200 hp until 1993(last year of production). Competitors featured 300+ hp V8 and V12 engines. A balky manual top, FWD, & and modest performance made Allante seem half assed.
This time Cadillac has: correct for its segment RWD and an automated convertible hardtop. Unfortunately 315 hp is not enough when you pay $75,000! Currently 400+hp is the class standard.
A 400 hp V-8 and a 500hp V-12 would be just right.
:thumbs
Again someone is asleep at the wheel.
BMW, Lexus and Mercedes outsell Cadillac in its own home country. :eek
How did the high dollar import brands manage to pull this off? The import brands sold vehicles that were better engineered and many times offered better performance than our domestic offerings did at similar price points.
Once these makes established themsleves their prices soared along with their prestige.
For Cadillac to reclaim a top selling spot, new models like the XLR must have assembly quality that matches or exceeds the imports and performance far and above competitors in it's price class. Only with equivalent quality and unquestionably superior performance will the XLR take serious sales from its import brand competition.
Consider that VW (of all makes) builds the Passat & upscale Touareg SUV with interior quality that matches or exceeds most Cadillac models. VW even has and an over the top V-12 Phaeton which outclasses EVERYTHING Cadillac currently builds.
VW catches up to Cadillac? :skep
GM better pull out all the heavy artillery it can!
I want to see Cadillac back on top and for the XLR to SUCCEED as a serious contender. :flag