GM's Omega platform offers potential for Commodore and Caprice
Big and rear-drive is alive at General MotorsRevealing the large 5.1-metre Buick Avenir concept at Detroit this week is the beginning of a General Motors return to large and luxurious rear-drive sedans.
The renaissance will continue when Cadillac reveals its flagship large sedan – the CT6 – this April at the New York motor show, in production-ready trim. Retail sales in the US begin in December with exports to China and Europe expected as GM grows Cadillac sales globally. The CT6 begins one of Cadillac's strongest retail pushes in decades.
Johan de Nysschen, Cadillac President, makes no secret that the CT6 will square up against BMW, Audi, Jaguar and Benz in terms of luxury, technology, design, dynamics and refinement. Look to Cadillac's 2011 Ciel concept for CT6 design cues and exterior surfacing.
At the Los Angeles show in November and the Detroit Show this week, de Nysschen insisted Cadillac, as a global brand, will offer diesel and right-hand drive, possibly before the end of the decade. That opens the door for export to Australia.
As an interesting aside, the CT6 and the Avenir share GM's large Omega rear-drive architecture. The large platform allows GM several options. One obvious benefit, as we saw with the Avenir concept, is interior space. Omega-sized vehicles will deliver impressive levels of spaciousness, especially for rear-seat passengers – as a key feature for markets such as China.
Cadillac is believed to be exploring the use of stone and other unique interior materials to distinguish the Cadillac brand as a design lead brand. Australian Andrew Smith was appointed executive director of global Cadillac and Buick design in June, 2013, and responsibility falls to him for design development of Cadillac's already distinct product design. We can expect Smith to develop several body styles for the CT6, including a large coupe and even a convertible.
We know the Omega platform features metals such as magnesium, aluminium and high-strength steel to reduce overall weight. Expect GM to also use carbon-fibre inner panels to improve body rigidity and keep weight gain in check.
It is all too easy to assume GM may also use the Omega-sized architecture to develop a lower-cost Chevrolet badged sedan as the future replacement for the SS. A right-hand drive variant could possibly wear the Holden badge and Commodore name. However, it seems unlikely in the short term.
Other key market niches GM is believed to be exploring is a replacement for the Australian-built Caprice sold to US police forces in the thousands.
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