Cadillac Gives Up On CT8 Flagship Sedan Leaving 7 Series And S-Class Unchallenged

Cadillac can sell a longer wheelbase version of the CT6 and capture 80% of the customers who would buy a CT8. They can charge $5,000 more for the LWB and get most of the benefit.

I sat in the CT6 at the NYIAS and it was nice but it was very short on legroom. LWB would fix that.

All three of Cadillac's sedans need a wheelbase stretch for the rear seat.

Having a CT6 in the driveway makes me agree with that statement - although DeNyschen is pushing the "rightsize" nonsense that goes against an L version.

Fact is - while I love it - it is a little more sporty than would be good to go against the S class.

But - the problem is that large cars are not selling well. Ford will not be replacing the Taurus in the USA - with the new Model for China. Even the mid-size market is starting to crest. THe CUV/SUV market is on fire - and it has essentially replaced the Large car - after all - they are really 4x4 Station Wagons anyway. WHile a good case can be made for a larger top end Luxury Cadillac - With the Lacrosse and the Impala - GM has too many large cars to support - and while the Impala is likely the best of those - it is also the likely loser.

GOOD ANSWER ! wtf , they do it China

I guess my question is - when in the last 30 years did Cadillac ever "challenge" MB S-class? It's pretty presumptuous to say the CT8 would have challenged if it came to market.

Indeed and if they did a large sedan, their goal should not be to challenge the S Class but to have that car be a Cadillac i.e. big, brash, flashy, fast, sumptuous, and unashamedly American.

Lincoln is going the right direction with the Continental.

Completely agree Matt, if they do a bigger model it has to be modern, but have some of the iconic cues that made them what they were. Brash, flashy, and American. Make it gorgeous and I personally like a little more bling on my car.

So, Cadillac is basically going to make the same mistake Acura and Infiniti have made in not producing a real flagship and prove they belong in Tier 1. Instead they're going to rely on a 3-row crossover to keep their head above water. That's where I give Lexus credit in their attempt to go toe to toe with the Germans.

Has the response to the CT6 been tepid? Maybe reality hit when not many people have showed much interest in paying up to $90k for a Cadillac no matter how light it is and how well it drove.

The Escalade is their flagship and anyone with a brain can see that. If Cadillac can figure out how to get more sales in the $75-200K range by doing SUVs, that is smart business.

Building a flagship for the sake of having one is ridiculous. After the S Class and 7 Series, sales volume of large premium sedans are in the crapper. Wasting development money on a segment with niche-at-best volume would moronic.

And anyone with half a brain knows that a brand wanting to be taken seriously in the Tier 1 luxury realm doesn't build a flagship off of a Tahoe.

And yet there is a waiting list for Escalades that when the transaction is made it is usually at full price.

@cidflekken once again we know you raise your hand in salute to Germany every morning. You're like what? Sixty-something? Guess what? The automotive tastes of people not craving AARP discounts has shifted. SUVs and crossovers are where volume and profits are made.

By your illogic, Land Rover/Range Rover cannot be taken seriously as a premium brand Tier 1 entity without their own S Class competitor.

LOL. Did I ever say that they shouldn't build Escalades? Did I ever say they shouldn't build more SUV's? Apparently, your self indulgent reading skills can't allow your brain to function properly to see that. The reality is if Cadillac wants the prestige of the Tier 1 brands, then they have to play in the same sandbox and beat the best at their own game. Has NOTHING to do with Germans or not, but your little mind makes you feel better by casting those aspersions at me. If Land Rover wanted to be taken seriously as a full-range luxury brand,then,yes, they would need to create more than SUVs.

@cidflekken let me assist your dull, geriatric brain. It is SOLELY your opinion that to be a Tier 1 automaker, a company must have an S Class competitor. Utter NONSENSE. Range Rovers could not be more Tier 1 if they tried. Cadillac is WISELY realizing that to become a Tier 1 brand making an S Class competitor is throwing money at a segment that will likely shrink rather than grow.

Porsche doesn't have an S Class competitor. Is it not Tier 1?

What a fu*king bummer!!!

Was really looking forward to a Cadillac flagship with styling to reflect the gorgeous Ciel and Elmiraj concepts. I honestly think that design language would have made it a winner. Shame we'll never see it.

Sorry to see Cadillac turning into a truck company.

Ciel and Elmiraj were largely "art and science" efforts and the lackluster looking CT6 looks enough like them to suggest that producing the Elmiraj would not have done much for the bottom line.

No - the CT6 is much more like a Current CTS - is actually quite Bland in styling - especially the cheap look from the rear.

While the El Miraj and Ciel were also Arts and science - they had more pizzazz as well as more upscale look.