One of the oddities of GM’s platform strategy is that they have two large rear-drive architectures that are similar in size. Sigma and Zeta.

Sigma is Cadillac’s dedicated rear-drive chassis that debuted in 2003 on the original CTS and has seen duty under the SRX, STS, and the new 2nd generation CTS. It’s two downsides are that it is relatively expensive and can’t be shared with other, higher volume models (some would call this a benefit) and that the chassis can’t be expanded much beyond the size of the current STS.

Zeta is GM’s latest rear-drive architecture that was developed primarily by GM’s Holden division and is aimed at the lower costs needed by volume brands such as Holden, Pontiac, Chevrolet, etc.

According to MotorTrend.com, GM has decided to merge the development of these two chassis.

By planning the merged architecture for both luxury and volume models, they will be able to cut costs of all models without giving up the premium features that Cadillac customers expect.

MT is expecting 6 different versions of the new chassis:

Coupe – short version that will see duty in volume models like the Holden Monaro, Chevy Camaro, and possibly a Pontiac G8 coupe
Coupe Premium – Next generation CTS coupe, differs from the standard coupe version with premium construction and suspension tuning
Midsize – Holden Commodore, Pontiac G8, Chevy sedan
Midsize Premium – Next generation CTS, same premium suspension as the premium coupe
Large – Holden Statesman, Buick Park Avenue in China, Holden Ute, Pontiac G8 Sport Truck, Large Buick sedan
Large Premium – STS/DTS replacement again with upscale upgrades and suspension changes

Additionally, GM is still expected to be working on the Alpha chassis in standard and premium versions for the Cadillac 3-Series competitor and also smaller rear-drive models for Holden, Pontiac, and Chevy.

Read all about it at:

MotorTrend.com: GM’s latest rear wheel drive vehicle plans

Categories: News
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We know that Cadillac is working on several versions of the new CTS. The award winning sedan is to be followed by the supercharged CTS-V, the stylish CTS coupe, and we’ve even spied the CTS wagon.

Proving that you just can’t please some people, the folks over at Coach Builders have decided that a 4-door convertible would be nice…and for $19k, they’ll build you one too.

Interestingly, they keep the 4-door sedan body and don’t see a need to add a stiffening roll-hoop to compensate for the missing sheet metal over head.

Personally, I’d wait to see if Cadillac sees fit to build a convertible based on the new CTS coupe.

So, if you just have to have a 4-door, non-GM built CTS convertible…check them out over at:

Coach Builders

Categories: News, CTS
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The good folks at LLN have spotted, via handy telephoto lense, some of the interior of the Theta Premium-based crossover that we’ve all be calling the BRX/BTX (latest I’ve seen in the name guessing game for this model is CTX)...

Now, we have an idea of the CTS-inspired dash that will make it into production (if you go back to our Provoq concept photos, you’ll see that this looks like exactly the dash from the concept – right down to the single, round center gauge pod.

Check out the entire photo over at:

LeftlaneNews.com: 2010 Cadillac BRX spied again (this time with an interior photo!)

Categories: News, Spy photos, BRX / BTX
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Recently, GM’s Chevy division has announced that the new ZR-1 Corvette will pack significantly more than the 620hp that was previously tossed around as the expected output. Ultimately, the number has blossomed to 638hp (a 3% increase).

This 6.2l supercharged V-8 is a hand-built version of the LSA V-8 that will be used in the CTS-V.

The folks over at Edmunds’ Inside Line have speculated that the 3% increase might cascade down to the CTS version as well…leading them to speculate that the 550hp number Cadillac has spoken of in the past to possibly reach as high as 567hp at the V’s launch.

Of course, for enthusiasts like you and I, 550 is nice…and 567 is just icing on cake.

We’ll know more in a few months when the CTS-V engineers are done.

See Edmunds’ speculation at:

Edmunds Inside Line: 2009 Cadillac CTS-V To Make 567 Horsepower

Categories: News, CTS, V-Series
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The good folks over at the Cadillac Drivers’ Log site have posted another couple videos for all of the CTS-V junkies out there…

The first is a short video montage of the team driving in Arizona (and the BMW M5 that they had along for comparison):

Then a professional video of the V being thrashed on the track:

See more over at:

Cadillac Drivers’ Log

Categories: News, CTS, V-Series, Video
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