New Frontal Assault: Would The New GM Be Wise To Produce The Cien For Cadillac To Rival Audi R8?

The New GM is poised for a comeback as it seems. Profitability is on the horizon, and GM stated it would pay back the loans it has received from the Government, it's rebirth thanks to the American tax payer.
What we see is a re-focus on new product and image. What better than to infuse the top tier brand Cadillac with new blood. So far, a focus on a new 3 Series RWD sedan is on the board, a down-sized Escalade, and a line of CTS -V models are on the way. Would Cadillac profit from producing a new sport coupe taken from the Cien Concept? The XLR didn't elevate Cadillac the way is was purposed to do. The Cien, still viewed even by video game players as a no excuse performance model that lives on in image only, would greatly increase Cadillac's image and visibility like the R8 had done for Audi. Thoughts...
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freeagent - 8/12/2009 2:08:16 PM

+3 Boost

not going to happen

monster - 8/12/2009 2:09:19 PM

+1 Boost

looks way to much like a batmobile. The front looks good though especially the head lights.

Joe_Limon - 8/12/2009 2:17:18 PM

+1 Boost

A caddy lambo? mmmh no, that would confuse their image.

inspirion7 - 8/12/2009 2:41:23 PM

+1 Boost

Would it or re-define it? Audi again is used for comparison and has a similar history. Both companies has been involved in racing of some kind, both have had tarnished images, and both have performance based models outside the std lux models. A halo car like the Cien would align with the CTS-V badge models, allowing all the new tech to filter down from the performance offerings.

rxh8me9000 - 8/12/2009 2:50:20 PM

+1 Boost

Joe_limon,every article im about to post something and i scroll down and you already posted what i was thinking.This thing looks like a Gallardo with a bunch of extra cuts and lines.
I say go for it,but change the styling a bit. The R8 looks totally different than any other Audi model. The Cien is different ,but for some reason theres too much XLR in there. Especially the rear. I really dont care as long as it has a huge rumbling american motor in it.

Joe_Limon - 8/12/2009 4:26:01 PM

0 Boost

Uh oh! I have some very strong opinions, are you sure you want to admit to that? haha

qweasdzxc - 8/12/2009 3:25:52 PM

+1 Boost

Interior looks cheap, but the exterior is stellar.

Bring it!

VISO - 8/12/2009 11:35:36 PM

+1 Boost

Inspirion7 - We get you're a BMW fan. But to say that Audi has "somekind" of racing history shows your bias ignorance. I suggest you take some time to learn about Audi's racing history. Go and start at 1907 and then move forward. Second the dig about Audi tarnished reputation - where? Another BS bias comment against Audi. And Cadillac needs a century or so to catch Audi. MB and BMW aren't so hot these days and Audi has been kicking MB all over the place in DTM these days where they go head to head. At least Audi isn't leaving Le Mans like some have left Formula One.

fatandsassy - 8/12/2009 4:05:59 PM

+4 Boost

Slow down cowboys. Lets not rush Cadillac and get it confused again where it is suppose to be. Lets focus on the cars that SELL first. Get the 3 series competitor rolling, and the new flagship sailing first. The new Escalade needs tooling money so it will be the best LUX SUV on the market. Then we can worry about a car that will have to beat the Corvette that we already make.

theoptimisticpessimist - 8/12/2009 4:07:54 PM

+3 Boost

No, they need a flagship not a money losing super-car.

Joe_Limon - 8/12/2009 4:27:13 PM

-3 Boost

Yes, I see too much ME412 in this car.

carE10 - 8/12/2009 6:38:07 PM

-1 Boost

I concur!

answer - 8/12/2009 4:10:28 PM

+3 Boost

That concept is so old it makes the Lexus LFA look like a newborn.

Caddy can do something both different and better.

inspirion7 - 8/12/2009 5:23:45 PM

+3 Boost

Good point, the idea is good though.

bmwdrvr - 8/12/2009 7:08:22 PM

+1 Boost

I loved the concept but it wouldnt be a smart move maybe when they were in their hay day but not now. I also think it would be viewed poorly also for them to produce a car that is more company image, than profit. When GM puts themselves back in a better condition maybe than. Otherwise I think this car will never happen, they are basing their next Cadillac flagship on the same platform as the Lacrosse, malibu, the list goes on they clearly are trying to cut costs. Not even the DTS or deville were based on GMs midsize family sedan.

achiles - 8/12/2009 9:20:27 PM

0 Boost

I dont get the gallardo coments, this car was created at or before the gallardo was conceived. If anything a gallardo looks like it , at least on the exterior. The outside still looks as badass as it did in 2002, a remake of the interior would bring this car back to the future.

tango - 8/12/2009 11:18:43 PM

+2 Boost

While it's a great idea in theory, the time isn't right for this kind of machine. Even Gordon Murray (mastermind behind the McLaren F1) thinks that for the foreseeable future the supercar fad is over. Cadilac should be working on CEMENTING itself as a solid player in the sport/luxury arena. The supercar arena is very forgiving of quirks and it doesn't really often translate to anything tangible for the man on the streets. As groundbreaking as even the Veyron is, I don't see anything filtering dow then VW line from that project. I doubt anything Cadillac builds in that arena is likely to do any different to the ATS, CTS, or any other mainstream car.

pennfootball - 8/13/2009 10:30:48 AM

-1 Boost

LOL The XLR was a pig compared to the Mercedes SL. It failed because it also had a stupid rent a limo northstar motor instead of a small block. They need to re do the corvette first and give it an interior better then a cobalt.

Bamajama - 10/27/2010 1:57:31 AM

+1 Boost

This could be the chance for GM to get the mid-engined Corvette they've been tempted to make (for like EVER) without changing the Corvette pedigree.

A mid-engined Corvette would cost too much. However a 2015 mid-engined XLR would make since. Cadillac badge would justify any price. GM's already beaten the Audi R8 on the Nurburgring with the Z06 so I'm sure they could make a low-volume Caddy that can compete with it performance-wise.