Cadillac Planning Small Sedan To Battle The Audi A3 And BMW 2 Series

Because performance sedans still matter.

Well over a year ago, we learned that Cadillac was developing a small, rear-wheel drive sedan that would compete head-on with the likes of the Audi A3, BMW 2 Series, and Mercedes-Benz CLA. Obviously we were all for it, especially since Cadillac previously hinted the BMW 3 Series fighting ATS may not live to see a redesign. And then the new sedan news stopped. Instead, we kept hearing about the upcoming XT4 crossover, slated to debut next week at the New York Auto Show.

Fortunately, Jalopnik recently spoke with Cadillac CEO Johan De Nysschen who provided an update on the sedan’s progress. "It will certainly lap the Nurburgring faster than anyone of our competitors in that category," De Nysschen said. Rear-wheel drive will be standard, unlike the CLA and A3, both with all-wheel drive. In fact, the CLA rides on a front-wheel drive platform, so it’s cool Cadillac is going all-out here. Quite frankly, we are both thrilled and surprised Cadillac is proceeding with this sedan at all. How come? Because sedan sales haven’t exactly been a bright spot lately. We already know the next generation CTS and XTS will likely merge into a single vehicle, expected to be called the CT5.

Combined with sluggish ATS sales, Cadillac is becoming more reliant upon crossovers to bring home the big bucks. De Nysschen also reiterated to Jalopnik sales of the XT5 crossover are doing well. Combined with the XT4, Cadillac will hopefully find itself in better financial shape. “The XT5 is doing very nicely thank you, it’s the third-best selling luxury nameplate in the U.S. after the Lexus RX, and the Mercedes C-Class,” de Nysschen said. “But the irony is not lost on me that the C-Class is a sedan.” Fortunately, de Nysschen clearly gets the whole performance thing, but as a business, Cadillac has no choice but to offer crossovers.

“But product is at the core, and therefore, some models are conceived specifically to generate broad volume, and others have a far more specific duty,” de Nysschen added. “We’re absolutely not abandoning those performance cars.”

Cadillac Planning Small Sedan To Battle The Audi A3 And BMW 2 Series

Because performance sedans still matter.

Well over a year ago, we learned that Cadillac was developing a small, rear-wheel drive sedan that would compete head-on with the likes of the Audi A3, BMW 2 Series, and Mercedes-Benz CLA. Obviously we were all for it, especially since Cadillac previously hinted the BMW 3 Series fighting ATS may not live to see a redesign. And then the new sedan news stopped. Instead, we kept hearing about the upcoming XT4 crossover, slated to debut next week at the New York Auto Show.

Fortunately, Jalopnik recently spoke with Cadillac CEO Johan De Nysschen who provided an update on the sedan’s progress. "It will certainly lap the Nurburgring faster than anyone of our competitors in that category," De Nysschen said. Rear-wheel drive will be standard, unlike the CLA and A3, both with all-wheel drive. In fact, the CLA rides on a front-wheel drive platform, so it’s cool Cadillac is going all-out here. Quite frankly, we are both thrilled and surprised Cadillac is proceeding with this sedan at all. How come? Because sedan sales haven’t exactly been a bright spot lately. We already know the next generation CTS and XTS will likely merge into a single vehicle, expected to be called the CT5.

Combined with sluggish ATS sales, Cadillac is becoming more reliant upon crossovers to bring home the big bucks. De Nysschen also reiterated to Jalopnik sales of the XT5 crossover are doing well. Combined with the XT4, Cadillac will hopefully find itself in better financial shape. “The XT5 is doing very nicely thank you, it’s the third-best selling luxury nameplate in the U.S. after the Lexus RX, and the Mercedes C-Class,” de Nysschen said. “But the irony is not lost on me that the C-Class is a sedan.” Fortunately, de Nysschen clearly gets the whole performance thing, but as a business, Cadillac has no choice but to offer crossovers.

“But product is at the core, and therefore, some models are conceived specifically to generate broad volume, and others have a far more specific duty,” de Nysschen added. “We’re absolutely not abandoning those performance cars.”

BMW Is Already Planning An X8 SUV Even Before The X7 Goes On Sale

Don't assume it'd be a coupe version of the X7.

What began with the original 1999 BMW X5 has become an entire lineup of SUVs making boatloads of cash for BMW. We already know the X7 seven seater will arrive soon, but there’s already serious talk of an X8, according to BMW Blog. Assuming it gets the green light, the X8 would be slotted above the X7 as the German automaker’s luxury SUV flagship. Don’t believe it’ll really happen? Think what you want, but there’s past precedent for even-numbered SUVs with sleeker, more coupe-like styling: X2, X4, and X6.

However, BMW Blog’s sources claim the X8 will not be a coupe version of the X7, meaning BMW has even higher aspirations and confidence in the luxury SUV market. Just look at its expected competition: the Bentley Bentayga, Lamborghini Urus, and the forthcoming Rolls-Royce Cullinan. Then again, Rolls-Royce is owned by BMW, so it’d be interesting to see how the Cullinan and an X8 will differ in terms of packaging, though they’ll appeal to different (rich) buyers. For now, though, the suits in Munich have yet to make a final decision and are still studying whether there’s a business case. If we had to make a guess right here, right now, then we’d say "Yes." Why?

It makes sense given the growing demand for uber luxurious SUVs. One of the X8’s top priorities would be to give rear seat passengers the same level of pampering as they do in the 7 Series sedan. That means more than enough headroom is required, so a more conventional, non-coupe roofline is necessary. Also expect all of latest technologies and autonomous driving features.

BMW Is Already Planning An X8 SUV Even Before The X7 Goes On Sale

Don't assume it'd be a coupe version of the X7.

What began with the original 1999 BMW X5 has become an entire lineup of SUVs making boatloads of cash for BMW. We already know the X7 seven seater will arrive soon, but there’s already serious talk of an X8, according to BMW Blog. Assuming it gets the green light, the X8 would be slotted above the X7 as the German automaker’s luxury SUV flagship. Don’t believe it’ll really happen? Think what you want, but there’s past precedent for even-numbered SUVs with sleeker, more coupe-like styling: X2, X4, and X6.

However, BMW Blog’s sources claim the X8 will not be a coupe version of the X7, meaning BMW has even higher aspirations and confidence in the luxury SUV market. Just look at its expected competition: the Bentley Bentayga, Lamborghini Urus, and the forthcoming Rolls-Royce Cullinan. Then again, Rolls-Royce is owned by BMW, so it’d be interesting to see how the Cullinan and an X8 will differ in terms of packaging, though they’ll appeal to different (rich) buyers. For now, though, the suits in Munich have yet to make a final decision and are still studying whether there’s a business case. If we had to make a guess right here, right now, then we’d say "Yes." Why?

It makes sense given the growing demand for uber luxurious SUVs. One of the X8’s top priorities would be to give rear seat passengers the same level of pampering as they do in the 7 Series sedan. That means more than enough headroom is required, so a more conventional, non-coupe roofline is necessary. Also expect all of latest technologies and autonomous driving features.

BMW Already Planning To Scale Back 2019 Frankfurt Show Presence

Unlike Detroit, at least BMW will make an appearance at its home market show.

Auto shows are apparently becoming a drag for automakers, and that’s a real shame for those who love attending to see what’s new. As we previously reported, BMW, as well as Mercedes-Benz, has decided not to attend the 2019 Detroit Auto Show. The main reason being is that shows are very expensive to do and both automakers don’t feel the investment is worth it, all the more so because neither will have anything new to present next January.

But according to Autoblog, via German publication Handelsblatt, BMW has decided to scale back its presence at the next Frankfurt Motor Show, scheduled for September 2019. Yes, BMW is actually cutting back on its own domestic market show. Previously, BMW spent roughly $30.6 million on Frankfurt, a figure that’s been reduced to $7.3 million for next year. But don’t think the automaker is going to hand out bonuses with the saved money. Instead, it the money will be invested in up and coming technology shows, such as the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, and some car shows in China. Frankfurt also happens to be the world’s largest car show.

For example, the exhibition hall BMW previously occupied is around 36,000 square feet. Come 2019, BMW will take up a space of just under 10,000 square feet instead. What will be interesting to see is whether BMW’s main rivals, specifically Mercedes-Benz and Audi, will follow suit. Audi, of course, is part of the Volkswagen Group, and we highly doubt VW will bail completely on Frankfurt. Same goes for Mercedes. However, we wouldn’t be surprised to see both, at least at some level, also cut back on their next Frankfurt exhibition for the same reasons as BMW. It’s the start of a trend show organizers and venues don’t like to see.