Cadillac coming to Australia next year
3 Dec, 2007
45 Comments 
Cadillac is coming down under. Holden offshoot GM Premium Brands Australia, which handles Saab and Hummer, has announced the American luxury legend will go on sale here from the fourth quarter (September-December) of next year.
Cadillac is taking the unusual step of launching its brand with just one model, the CTS sports sedan. It will be powered by GM’s global 3.6-litre V6 (shared with Commodore) but the US car will feature direct petrol injection helping it to 227kW and 370Nm.
A manual version is sold in Britain but Australians will get a six-speed auto with two different suspension set-ups.
The CTS continues with Cadillac’s sharp new design language with which the American luxury brand hopes to shed its “pimp my ride” image.
GM Premium Brands spokeswoman Emily Perry said Australian Cadillac dealers would be appointed from within the existing GM Premium Brands network.
“Our strategy is to bring in new-generation right-hand drive models as they become available,” she said.
“With dealership volumes based on three brands [Saab, Cadillac and Hummer] it is possible to launch with one model, but there will eventually be others.”
A 2.9-litre V6 diesel version of the CTS is believed to be in the works for 2009.
Interestingly, Ms Perry did not mention Cadillac’s SRX luxury crossover, a Ford Territory-sized vehicle sold in right-hand drive in Britain and South Africa.
But with comments from reviewers such as “wobbles like jelly,” (motoring co.za) “the steering is disconcertingly light and over-reactive,” and “you’ll look like a complete dick,” (The Independent newspaper, London) perhaps Holden has already passed this one up.
Nor was there any mention of the Cadillac BLS, a Cadillac-ised version of a Saab 9-3, which has been a dismal sales failure in Europe.
But reviews have been much kinder for the CTS. “A serious attempt to match the quality, design and feature content of its European opposition,” and “a pretty decent and engaging car,” Britain’s Autocar said.
We’re intrigued, but we’ll reserve our judgement until we get behind the wheel and see how it handles Australia’s second-rate roads.
Pricing is expected to reflect the positioning of Hummer and Saab. Our guess is the CTS will come in somewhere between $70,000 and $80,000, reflecting a similar premium to that HSV charges over a standard Holden. Not that a HSV buyer would ever glance sideways towards the Cadillac ranch, would they? Not even for the LS2 6.0-litre V8-engined CTS-V previewed by Cadillac at the recent SEMA aftermarket and performance show in Las Vegas? Now that would be something different in the driveway!
Location: Home / Cadillac, Car News / ...
Rate Post: 
(5 votes, average: 5 out of 5)
Loading ...
-
Print it:
December 3rd, 2007 at 5:55 pm
I would much prefer Infiniti range.
(Report)
December 3rd, 2007 at 5:58 pm
For me front end looks very American,I’ll bet there is no chance of a toned down front end for our market.
Other reviews state we should not judge it by its predecessors.Sounds more like propaganda.
Not convinced.
(Report)
December 3rd, 2007 at 5:58 pm
Infiniti IMO would just blend in with the other luxury RWD car companies. Cadillac stands out yet (in the case of the CTS) offers European quality and has received very good reviews.
(Report)
December 3rd, 2007 at 6:01 pm
How weird I have just finished sending Tonyn a link to the concept Caddy version that will have two Commodore V6 engines will be joined end-to-end to create a V12 engine, This will power the new Cadillac flagship.
This what they said about it “”"The plush new sedan, described by GM as an all-American rival for the Mercedes-Benz S-Class and Lexus LS 460, will provide buyers with a home grown alternative to some of the world’s most distinguished luxury cars at a price that is likely to undercut the competition dramatically. “”YEAHHHHHHHHHH RIGHT!!!
Both ugly as soon!!!!!!!!
(Report)
December 3rd, 2007 at 6:03 pm
No idea how ugly “soon” is but that Caddy is as ugly as it!hahahah
(Report)
December 3rd, 2007 at 6:21 pm
So the brand which sits nicely with 75 year old Americans is coming to Australia. Hmmm. I guess if it outsells Saab they’ll claim it was successful, but can you imagine your grandpa in one?
(Report)
December 3rd, 2007 at 6:34 pm
Cadillacs look like they were designed by the “creative geniuses” who draw Nicolodeon cartoons.
With a series of basic; crude shapes [no curves] moulded together to look like or give the impression that its a car but without any finesse or detail.. which is why the Cars and the Cartoons are Hideous.
I guess Crap designs such as these that could explain why americans are gradually turning away from US designed and built cars for the better quality imported products
(Report)
December 3rd, 2007 at 7:07 pm
Can anyone pick a nice shape/part or component they can see on this car!!!!!!!! Im with you Wheel nut,bet the interior isn’t much better!!!!!Anyone thats seen the GOOD THE BAD AND THE UGLY….will know what I am talking about!
(Report)
December 3rd, 2007 at 7:33 pm
Please tell me its a bad dream and that when I get up in the morning all this foolishness of bringing an unneeded (and what I reckon they will find is unwanted) overstuffed lounge on wheels into this country is gone and never to be seen again.
(Report)
December 3rd, 2007 at 8:18 pm
I quite like it…but then, I applauded the AU Forte grille and the Mitsubishi 380 as well, both of which are famously contentious.
(Report)
December 3rd, 2007 at 9:46 pm
The studio picture of the red one is just awful, but the real world picture of the black one is actually quite handsome.
I can’t decide if I like the look or not, but anyway its only worth considering if they bring in the CTS-V.
(Report)
December 3rd, 2007 at 9:59 pm
golfschwein …………hahahaha…….yep !
What bit did you you like MOMO?????
(Report)
December 3rd, 2007 at 10:15 pm
BM, I like the bit when I step out of the car, the background music of the Godfather comes on, I take out my guitar case, any every man and his dog runs for cover…I like that a lot.
(Report)
December 3rd, 2007 at 10:54 pm
Yep………Im listening!
Could anyone make an uglier car if they tried in this Country? Just as well theres three hundred million of them
or they also would have gone broke……woops …..they are they just don’t know it!hehehehe
(Report)
December 3rd, 2007 at 11:00 pm
I could say the AU looks ten times worse than this car but I better not :D
(Report)
December 4th, 2007 at 1:32 am
here’s the acid test, folks: Which would you park in your driveway - this, or the previous gen Camry? THIS!
ps catch you in the morning, BM :)
(Report)
December 4th, 2007 at 8:58 am
W.O.T [Waste of time]
We dont have any bling_rappers in Oz to buy it!:-)
Who would buy a $100k GM product, somebody who wants to a massive tearup and inferior to other…Are they any here?
Junk, like most of American products
Pass and full fail…..Rated -F
Cheers
F-0
**VOTE-NOW!**
(Report)
December 4th, 2007 at 11:05 am
Check out the photo of the red one.
The back and front look like they where designed by 2 different teams.
Its to much in your face for our market, we prefer luxo and descrete looking
Cheers
F-0
(Report)
December 4th, 2007 at 11:12 am
You can imagine what the Britts would think of it then…..vulgar!
(Report)
December 4th, 2007 at 11:20 am
I think the small aerial on the rear of the roof looks OK. Perhaps they could replace the rest of the car with something not so disgusting, and keep the aerial. No on second thoughts scrap the lot.
(Report)
December 4th, 2007 at 11:23 am
Stick to the 300c
(Report)
December 4th, 2007 at 11:43 am
Remove poster “Pan”?
(Report)
December 4th, 2007 at 12:22 pm
Chrylsers are ugly, this is just a mutant variant of increased ugliness.
(Report)
December 4th, 2007 at 12:30 pm
Ok Golfschwein……….I believe you……that is a small house! Thanks for the photos and the invite for a wine some time!!!!!
(Report)
December 4th, 2007 at 12:34 pm
Hey what happened to the VXR8 Topgear review article? Its gone?!
(Report)
December 4th, 2007 at 4:41 pm
If I saw one of these modern Cadillacs, I’d drop what i’m doing from noticing a car so strage on the road!
(Report)
December 5th, 2007 at 4:51 pm
They say the car wont compete with any other holden models
but it defonatley threatens the statesman or grange models
any comment from the holden guys on this one?
also this could possibly be a plan to rope in disgruntled fairlane purchasers due to it being discontinued.
(Report)
December 5th, 2007 at 6:30 pm
I very much doubt it will compete with the Statesman or Grange. Infact I doubt that there is a big enough market for the cadillac in Australia.
I mean one of the reasons Holden has decided to import Hummers in to Oz is most likely because a number of people have been ordering them through specialist importers [Grey Imports].. the demand for new Hummers since the Sydney Motorshow has been so great that there is now a 3-4 month waiting list [and growing]
Not only that but in recent years noth Ford and Holden have imported a range of American Built sedans such as Taurus; Probe which have nowhere near the same level of build quality fit/finish as the locally built cars which has improved over the years
Features such as their suspension haven’t been set up properly to deal with our unique climate and conditions they’ve become lemons/duds and disappeared after 4 years
Oh and when they bring out the Cadillac XLR we will also have the Camaro; the Monaro; The Mustang; and since Chrysler has recently axed so many of its models.. The Challenger Coupe all of which look better than the Cadies and will built slightly better [probably because they won’t be built in the US]
Yet I haven’t seen many new Caddies on our roads which people have ordered through similar inmporters.
(Report)
December 6th, 2007 at 5:51 pm
It looks very good but not it’s $100,000 price tag and it is only a V6(eventhough it’s very powerful) there should be a powerful V8 under the bonnet for that price
(Report)
December 7th, 2007 at 8:01 pm
now i know here the headlight design in the new rodeos came from
(Report)
December 7th, 2007 at 8:42 pm
Yep………similar and just as ugly
(Report)
December 7th, 2007 at 9:18 pm
Yes, The Head lights look like some kid pulling their face at someone.
(Report)
December 8th, 2007 at 12:32 pm
I’d have to say that compared to the Caddies Both the Chrysler 300C and even some of the Ssanggyyonngg range look attractive.. if not somewhat aerodynamic.
Which is saying something - about cadillac
(Report)
December 16th, 2007 at 4:07 pm
Instead of importing the Hideous Cadillac[s] Holden should bring in something a bit more stylish; something like the Chevy HHR SS [Cross-Over]
It may sound weird but; the only way to describe its looks is a Forester X’ed with a PT Cruiser and a bit of F-150.. yet it looks alot better than the Caddy
It would also look good as a Pick Up or a Delivery Van.
(Report)
December 16th, 2007 at 4:41 pm
Hey wheelnut……get the little home projects done ,over the weekend? I guess you have the latest Motor with the Torana on it the front cover! The Caddy truly is an ugly car!
(Report)
December 16th, 2007 at 4:49 pm
Ugly is an understatement…
(Report)
December 16th, 2007 at 5:05 pm
Hey NM………gee you must have been real busy lately missed not chatting to you!
Yeah on a scale from 1-10 it would be minus 5!
(Report)
December 16th, 2007 at 5:12 pm
Hey Missile….MERRY XMAS babette. Yeeees I know. Minus 5 is being kind me thinks as any self proclaimed educated person would look further below -5 on there marking scales. I have seen better looking cars pushed off cliffs that have rusted out in rivers when I have gone bushwalking hey.
(Report)
December 16th, 2007 at 5:30 pm
HOHOHO……..NM …!Or is that HEHEHE now??
I think the same people that thought the SPICE GIRLS had talent found the designers for this car!!!
When you finishing work for the holidays?
(Report)
December 16th, 2007 at 5:45 pm
Going to Cairns, tomorrow for 4days to see yacht and pick internal colours
(Report)
December 16th, 2007 at 6:18 pm
So they have finished it? Internal colours???? Something in red velvet???mirrors on the ceiling hahaha….
So were they over budget with the repairs?? Can you get in the water this time of the year up there?
(Report)
December 16th, 2007 at 6:49 pm
BM - Yep just finished the last one.
Had a look at the Chev website and the HH-R is available as a Panelvan.. so come on Holden there’s the New Sandman for ya.
I like the look of the Torana [A9X] Coupe. The images are obviously based on the ugly GTC Concept car. When it gets the go ahead; Holden should build both the Sedan and Coupe.
And both HH-R and the Torrie should have AWD as an Option
(Report)
December 16th, 2007 at 7:25 pm
A new Panel van………..mmm,I grew up with them,better lock up your daughters!
So a 4 door as well as a Coupe,not a hatch I guess!
AWD?????? That will be a bit different than the old ones,I loved the how light in the rear the A9X was, great fun in any weather!!! Did you know the had the same floor pan as the VB Commodore!
A really nice Tassie example of an A9X for sale on the Aussie Muscle car site at the moment,nice car !!$200,000.
Ford seriously need to address the need for a Coupe again ….I know its not profitable for them to manufacturer their own here in Ozz but surly they could adapt some of the Stangs components for a new fresh faced Coupe they could sell in Australia!
(Report)
June 17th, 2008 at 3:59 pm
Wow, I have never read anything by so many people that have such lower level taste. Every other option of Car Model or Car make is absolutely disgusting by the worlds standards not just american. The only reason any of the sad and depressing so called “cars that are better than caddys” have sold is because they are cheap like most everyone on this page’s taste. I wanted to visit AU for a long time but if any of the people there are as ignorant and uneducated as any of you then I am fine with staying here.
(Report)
July 19th, 2008 at 4:48 am
come on guys. the car isn’t THAT bad..
i mean i wouldn’t buy one, but it’s good to see a bit of variety on australian roads. can’t wait to see escalades cruising around… very hollywood. maybe i should just move there..
cadillac will most probably struggle to find a big market, but then like GM’s plan with the hummer, they aren’t planning to swallow every potential buyer, which is good isn’t it?
(Report)