Cadillac Plans to Take on and Beat the BMW 3 Series

it's gonna take a lot to convince me(and many other people) that Cadillac can build anything that can give BMW a run for it's money. Cadillac has been the old person's car for so long that even getting past it's brand image perception ain't gonna be easy.
Add to that typical low grade interior materials, subpar handling, relentless understeering....etc....it will be a monumental task if they can even build anything that will even approach BMW caliber.

I wouldn't count out Cadillac just yet...remember they have been the most successful in reviving their perception (besides Saturn lately) among the public. The sales success of the V series/XLR and to some degree the Escalade have made Cadillac the only true american competitor to BMW/Mec/Lexus, etc.. With the new CTS on the way, I think they have the foundation to build a great portfolio. I for one, would gladly take a new CTS-V coupe.

Dave -

Have you driven a Cadillac lately? They're actually very impressive in the handling department, and I drove an SRX and an STS w/o any type of sport or handling package. They're definitely making a better product than years ago, their biggest obstacle will be overcoming buyers' perceptions of the brand.

Don't forget about ghetto gang banging crack dealers.

After a ride and drive at Atlanta Motor Speedway, where the BMW's (530i) gas pedal refused to talk to the tranny, the seats were faux leather and handling was not up to the task--I had to give the thumbs up to the sts with the six. Real leather, great acceleration, and electronic componets without issues!!
David

It's always amusing to see Mdalle speak as if he is a designer or engineer at BMW.

Mdalle, you are a rabid Bavarian fan boy. Please respect those that have favorable of other manufacturers. It's just common courtesy.

If Cadillac chooses to go down that path, good for them. They know what is needed to get to that playing field, and they will determine for themselves how badly they want it.

The day Hyundai can do it before Cadillac can , it will never happen !!!

Cadillac is like Lexus and they know who to go after, BMW!!!

Lexus go after BMW which i am not surprise but using Cadillac and Lexus in same sentense ? NOT EVEN IN THE SAME LEAGUE !!!

Its good to know that an American company is at least trying to compete with "the best of the best". They certainly have their work cut out for them.

99gs400, when Lexus first came out they were rebadged Toyotas and handled like barges.

EL34 why do you keep bringing up the past Lexus vehicles,when we are clearly talking about the new L-finesse models!!
Damn it give Cadillac a chance to show what it has before you prejudge it!!

Cadillac has come a long way in style and build quality as have most American cars. They had to to somehow stay in business. Unfortunately anyone that thinks it will be a true 3 series competitor is kidding themselves! Cadillac is still years behind in overall driving experience. They have and continue to make strides to better the product but they still have a way to catch up.

cadillac sales have flopped in europe.
half of what was projected.

They don't have all the cars the US does, current cars don't have right hand drive, and some cars must be shipped from the US all those things are bad news.

Is it me ore either these guys a huge in size or the cts just small?

its funny you say that, because as i look at it...it does seem really small.

This Caddy is about the same size as a BMW 3 Series.

It probably won't beat the 3series in performance and quality, but with a coupe and wagon they will come close in annual sales.

First, it would be so much better for caddy to keep their collective mouths shut and buckle down and just do it. Bragging about competing with the 3 is just a lot of wanking. Second....why not just set out to make the worlds best midsized coupe and sedan....damn BMW and the others.....again...just set out to make the worlds best car...kind of like they did when they were know as the standard of the word.....

actually.. its not looked at as an old person's car in the states anymore.. youngins LOVE the cts, xlr, and escalade.

I definitely agree with some of the poster here and disagree some of you as well. Don't count Cadillac out, rumor that they are coming out with a CTS-V with 500hp. Remember what happen when Lexus first came out, everyone make fun of them and look at them now.

But at the same time it won't be easy dethrone the BMW 3 series. This segement is packed with the Audi4/RS4, C-class/AMG, Acura TL, G35, BMW 3 serie/M3 and Lexus IS350/IS-F/500. I really like the new look of the CTS-V but I would rather choose the IS350/IS-F, RS4, or the BMW M3 before I choose the CTS-V. That just the way life is sometime.

Lexus

Get in line Cadillac....behind Lexus, Infiniti, Audi and Mercedes. A lot of car companies...far more competent than GM...have the 3-series in their crosshairs. Many have tried to knock off the iconic 3 with little success.

You realize that you are actually discourageing development. With out competition bmw doesn't need to make a better car. That said give'em hell cadillac help give bmw an excuse to build a better 3 series, and don't listen to bitter haters who think your out of place.

Caddy has the chance to catch up to bimmer and infiniti but the engine s gotta be better than what they offer right now or caddys gonna have a hard time and that caddy does look small

And it has a big enough grill for a V8, wouldn't you say?

All this talk about the 3 series which is a nice car but is the DODGE NEON of the BMW line up that car just gets you the propellor on the hood drive a 7 or a 5 those are Bimmers

Dear carguy1990,

The 3 series IS BMW. BMW exists today because of small cars like the 1600, 2002 and 3 series. The 5 & 7 series are great cars too but are not necessarily better. If you need a bigger car or want more gadgets or need to let people know you can afford a more expensive car, then the 5 or 7 are fine choices. The 3 series is not some lesser quality machine made, as you put it, just to get a propeller on your hood.

The G narrowly passed up the 3 back in 03 and is right there again, except for the engine department and a slight bit of chassis tuning. That said, they've been trying for 5 years now. The CTS is nowhere near either of these cars in the current generation. The CTS-V has a monster engine, but even the salesmen admit the chassis can't handle it, so it's doubtful those cars will stay together well. BMWs their share of problems, but they don't fall apart. Cadillac would have to completely nail it. I doubt that will happen but I'd like to see them do well. I'm kinda liking the STS these days. Looks liked they smoothed the CTS' drastic angles when they did the STS.

I don't know about the rest of you but I am taking great pride in the fact the present Caddy car companys has the ability to try this. A few years ago this would have been the greatest joke. Now it seems like they might be able to pull it off. I just hope GM can pull it off and keep pulling it off. ITs been a long time since an American car company seemed to have a clue.