Quote:
Originally Posted by DGthe3
The problem with that analogy is that the CT5 is replacing the CTS, not getting added to the lineup along side it. The CT4 is replacing the ATS. So people are perfectly justified in expecting the CT5-V to be roughly equivalent to the current CTS-V.
Imagine if with the next gen Camaro, they no longer offered an SS. It goes base 4, V6, then straight to ZL1. But now that ZL1 has a regular NA V8 (LT2?) for about 40 grand. Thats akin to what Cadillac is doing. Moving the top performance name down to a mild performance model.
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I just caught this so let me skip to the Camaro analogy. In my honest opinion this move would seriously compromise Camaro, and could possibly hurt the model against Mustang and Challenger. The SS would be sorely missed (it might even make me run out and get one more, as if I needed another Camaro). The ZL1 would be reduced to a bad joke. The greatness of the ZL1's power and performance reduced to a natural aspirated v8 (which isn't bad if you are talking about LT1) would be difficult to explain and to rationalize, given its demonstrated prowess at the Nurburgring (sp) and in their past promotion of ZL1. This would be a huge plunge from 650 hp to 450 hp. I would much rather Chevrolet dropping the ZL1, even the 'SS than to make them performance Camaros in name only.
I do believe that GM is signaling the decline in V8 size and power; It is definitely a real event on the horizon (like the end of the muscle era of 1970). I feel that Chevrolet will need to develop new and different performance themes to reflect the change in engine and horsepower technology. Cadillac may need to change their outlook in handling their performance cars as well, so as not to alienate their customers by putting out waning performance cars.