GM's future BMW 3-Series fighter?
 

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You're looking at the inspiration for the rear drive architecture that will enable Cadillac to build a legitimate BMW 3 Series rival - and might underpin sporty compact rear drive cars for other GM divisions. The car shown here is the Holden Torana TT36, a concept developed by GM's Australian division and unveiled at the 2004 Sydney Motor Show.

Smaller than the Zeta-based Holden Commodore, the TT36 was built using hardware from the Pontiac Solstice's Kappa architecture. Holden boss Denny Mooney has made it quite clear a production version could be developed using Kappa components: "We were looking at that hardware as a potential base," he told the Sydney Morning Herald last year, "...to do a sedan off that. That's fundamentally what we'd do."

The TT36 concept was fitted with a twin-turbo version of GM's 3.6-liter "high-feature" V-6 developing a claimed 375-hp and 354 lb-ft, driving the rear wheels through a six speed manual transmission. But Mooney said production versions could also be four-cylinder powered. GM's Ecotec inline four has already been adapted for rear drive use in the Solstice and Saturn Sky, with the 2.4-liter naturally aspirated version developing 177-hp and the 2.0-liter turbo a useful 260-hp. And we hear GM has 300-hp Ecotec turbos under test.

The BMW 3 Series uses MacPherson struts up front, so no rocket science there. GM would likely follow suit to keep costs under control, and match BMW's multi-link rear end with a suspension derived from the Kappa's upper and lower control arm set up. GM might need to up the front disc brakes from the 11.7-inch rotors used on the Kappa roadsters by an inch or so to handle the extra mass of a sedan, but otherwise Kappa components such as hubs and axles and steering gear could be used or readily adapted.

Mooney has publicly claimed production versions of the TT36, powered by either four or six cylinder engines, could be brought to market for the equivalent of $20,000 to $30,000. That's right in the window of where GM needs to be to slide a smaller rear drive Caddy in under the next-gen CTS's entry level price point here in the U.S., and to make it a viable 3 Series rival in Europe. It also opens up the small possibility of lower volume, four and six cylinder Pontiac variants positioned between the front drive G6 and the Commodore sized G8 (G7, anyone?). (Automotive.com)

Looks interesting, if they do decide to make a Cadillac version I am interested to see what engine they choose to match against the BMW 335i. I know some people are thinking what about the CTS? Well the CTS was never intended to be a 3-Series rival, it was actually suppose to be a 5-Series rival. The new 2008 CTS specs more closely resemble the specs of the 5-Series. A good example is the new CTS V that will make 500HP+ and be a good match to the BMW M5. So it is important for Cadillac to sell a car to is a more legitimate 3-Series competitor. Now does Cadillac also have a 1-Series competitor in the works:D ?

it's nothing but a S*h*i*t*t*y GM car, they all suck, plastic and more plastic . Worst cars you can buy. They all suck

I'm hoping the follow through on it! It would be a perfect replacement for my B5 S4.

Good luck GM !! sketchy engineering , poor execution and false promises . I would really like to buy a quality U.S. made and engineered sports sedan , but I can't hold my breath that long . No offense to all the JDM lovers out there , but I don't consider the Evo to be the pinnacle of japanese engineering . I wouldn't mind some Toyota / Honda reliability with my Mitsubishi powertrain .

You're a towel! I'm liking what GM is doing now-a-days. Couple years ago I would agree but a lot of the domestic companies are switching around.

Yeah I read up more on this, and I have my doubts on them actually using this concept as a 3-Series fighter. I mean this concept is like three years old and if they haven't atleast really hinted at selling a Cadillac variant in the USA by now, then they probably will not ever do it. I certainly hope they don't plan to pit the BLS against the 3-Series, the 3-Series will slaughter it here just like it has done in Europe.
This is the Cadillac BLS, which Cadillac has said will sold worldwide by 2009/2010.
http://images.intellichoice.com/imag...llac_bls_s.jpg

Wow if this is their planned 3-Series fighter, then I am extremely disappointed in Cadillac:crap:

Z06 is the only american car you'll ever see me in.......

Acura TL from the back at least..

AMEN, BRO!!! I like the regular vette too though.....I hear the '08 is gonna be awesome......

^ ive heard alot of different speculations about the 08 but my god look where there starting from. Its already a beast.

says the mitsu owner. Our evos arent much different.

true....it is....i read the LS3 with an intake, headers and a cam made something like 508rwhp......

rediculous.....

Buick was just ranked #1 in vehcile dependability (tied with Lexus) from JD powers.

http://jalopnik.com/cars/buick-brand...ity-287668.php

Mazda-ish from the front.

Dependability, reliability, and quality are not the same thing.