The 200,000 level CT4 is coming, is BBA panicking?

Compared with labels such as Mercedes-Benz's luxury and BMW's sports, Cadillac's previous "New American Luxury" has always been somewhat hollow and broad. But with the comprehensive overhaul of the sedan system, the term "rear-drive" is becoming an important new label for Cadillac. Following the CT5, the CT4, which is more entry-level and more compact in size, is about to land in the domestic market.

From the perspective of positioning, size, power specifications and expected price, this rear-wheel drive new car is quite special in the market, so much so that it was dubbed "young people's car" by many people before it was launched. Known as the "first rear-wheel drive car", it is regarded as a disruptor in the luxury brand compact car market.

The rear drive is a mirror?

Compared with front-wheel-drive models, front-wheel-drive models have a greater load on the drive wheels and better traction performance when starting and accelerating; at the same time, rear-wheel-drive models have better axle load distribution. It is even and has more advantages in handling stability and driving smoothness; in addition, the rear-wheel drive mode can also match a higher-power engine.

When BMW abandons the rear-drive platform for entry-level models, the rear-drive threshold for BBA has to be raised to mid-level cars, and for luxury brands such as Volvo and Lincoln, it has to be raised to flagships such as the S90 and Lincoln Continental. The model still adopts front-wheel drive form. Similar to the number of engine cylinders and displacement, from a certain perspective, there is a threshold for rear drive.

Based on positioning and expected selling price, CT4 is expected to compete with BBA’s entry-level models. In this level, the BMW 1 Series sedan, which has always been advertised as sporty, uses the UKL front-wheel drive platform and is equipped with a 1.5T three-cylinder engine that many consumers are afraid of. Except for the top model, the Mercedes-Benz A-Class uses a 1.3T engine and a torsion beam rear suspension, while the Audi A3 uses the same MQB platform as the Volkswagen Golf. At the same time, for example, Volkswagen, Skoda and other brand models of the Volkswagen system are also using the MQB platform, and all MINI models of the BMW system are also using the UKL platform. It has become a trend for car companies to share costs by using independent platforms, and cost control It has always been the core of BBA's strategy in the entry-level market.

The CT4 and CT5 are built on the same GM Alpha (A2XX) rear-drive platform. The difference is that the CT4 is a short wheelbase model and the CT5 is a long wheelbase model. For Cadillac, only these two models in the current system are produced based on the Alpha platform. For example, XT4, XT5 and CT6 are all born on the corresponding C1XX and Omega platforms. In the GM system, currently only one model, the Camaro, can share the cost of the Alpha rear-wheel drive platform.

When BBA’s entry-level models occupy the market with mediocre front-drive form, lower cost and adequate power, the Cadillac CT4 can also be built using a front-drive platform such as GM’s VSS-F. A low-cost front-wheel drive model uses price for volume to enter the battlefield of entry-level models of luxury brands. But CT4 chose the rear-wheel drive mode and did not follow the trend. At the same time, CT4 may also be more than just a highlight of rear drive. ?

1?The cheapest luxury brand rear-wheel drive car?

When BBA’s threshold for rear-wheel drive cars rises to mid-size cars of about 300,000 yuan, a vacuum zone for rear-wheel drive models will be formed between 200,000 and 300,000 yuan. Combining the new car price of CT5 and the preferential terminal price of ATS-L, the arrival of CT4 is likely to fill the gap in this price range. For consumers who have needs and sentiments for rear-wheel drive, CT4 is the only rear-wheel drive model available at this price range.

2? The power parameters are eye-catching, and the whole system has one power specification?

According to Cadillac's power layout strategy, the setting of one power specification for the entire system has a considerable advantage in the same class. All CT4 series are equipped with a 2.0T turbocharged engine, matched with an 8AT gearbox, with a maximum power of 237 horsepower and a maximum torque of 350 Nm. The official acceleration time from 100 kilometers to 100 kilometers is 6.9 seconds. If we look at the estimated selling price, the CT4 will most likely correspond to BBA’s entry-level compact model. Compared with the power parameters of the main sales models of the BMW 1 Series sedan, Mercedes-Benz A-Class and Audi A3, the power of the CT4 entry-level model can be said to be Crushing level. Even if it moves up to the entry-level models of the 3 Series, C-Class and A4L, the CT4 still enjoys certain advantages in terms of power.

3? Is the entry-level model with rich configurations worth recommending among its peers?

The cost-effectiveness of Cadillac models is often reflected not only in price, but also in the configuration of entry-level models. For example, the XT4, which is also an entry-level SUV, has more standard essential configurations than models of the same class. For consumers who are very price-sensitive to entry-level models of luxury brands, compared to BBA models that rely on optional equipment or upgrading to mid-to-high-end models to meet configuration requirements, Cadillac's entry-level models such as the CT4 can be said to be the "beggar's version" that is recommended to buy. "Luxury cars.

4? Will substantial price reductions become the norm after listing?

Exchanging price for volume has always been Cadillac's usual tactic. Its models are not only lower in guide price than BBA models of the same class, but they can also attract price-sensitive consumer groups in terms of terminal discounts. Judging from past cases, for example, the CT6, which is positioned as a medium and large car, was able to reduce its price to less than 300,000 after discounts, while the XTS, which targeted the BMW 5 Series and Audi A6L, once reduced its price to around 220,000. In addition , ATS-L once lowered the price of entry-level models to about 180,000 during the National Five Clearance Period. According to Cadillac's price strategy, CT4 is also expected to have a relatively large terminal discount after being launched for a period of time, which is undoubtedly attractive to the consumer group of price-sensitive entry-level models of luxury brands.

If rear-wheel drive is a mirror, we can see that BBA has been compromising on cost and the market on entry-level products. Looking at Cadillac, we have made great progress on this century-old brand born in Detroit. I saw a kind of courage to go against the trend, and heard a cry for sports and feelings.

A combination punch?

As early as March 2016, foreign media broke the news that Cadillac plans to abandon the practice of extending the wheelbase of models in the future, which also means that the ATS-L will be its only extended wheelbase model in the Chinese market. products. Under the background that BBA continues to achieve "one-size-fits-all" in the market by lengthening the wheelbase of its models, Cadillac's approach is undoubtedly surprising.

But when ATS-L, XTS and CTS gradually complete their historical missions, and CT6, CT5 and the latest CT4 arrive one after another, Cadillac’s sedan system strategy becomes more and more clear, which is misplaced competition and dimensionality reduction. blow. The CT6's body length of 5223mm is relatively close to the 5273mm of the BMW 7 Series long-wheelbase model. It also overlaps with the 3 Series model at a discounted price of 300,000 yuan. However, it competes with the BMW 5 Series in terms of positioning. The CT5's body length of 4924mm is relatively close to the standard wheelbase BMW 5 Series' 4954mm, but it has a clear advantage over the 3 Series in terms of price.

As for the CT4’s predecessor, the ATS, this sports sedan takes the E90?3 series as its benchmark model. Its original intention was to fill the gap in the market after the F30?3 series compromised on comfort. There is a gap in sports mid-size cars left, so much so that the locally-produced and lengthened ATS-L did not make obvious compromises in terms of sports handling. Although the consumer group of sports models is not mainstream enough, and the sales volume of ATS-L in the market is far lower than that of BBA corresponding models, in the sales list from 2017 to 2019, the sales volume of ATS-L has always been second only to BBA corresponding models. And continues to lead Volvo, Infiniti and other corresponding models. Cadillac obviously does not want to give up the market foundation of ATS for many years, which is one of the main reasons for the arrival of CT4.

As an independent model, it is difficult for CT4 to fight alone in the fiercely competitive market. However, combined with Cadillac's current "dislocation competition" strategy, CT4 is not aimed at a single segment of luxury brand compact or mid-size cars. market segment, it is more like long and short wheelbase models in the same car series as the CT5, such as the BMW 330i and 330Li. At the same time, they can compete with the BMW 1 Series/3 Series, Mercedes-Benz A-Class/C-Class and Audi in the price range. A3/A4L.

When the CT4 arrives, the CT4 and CT5 will become a combined punch for Cadillac. In terms of market sales, it is not only expected to leave behind a second-tier luxury brand model, but is also expected to close the gap with BBA. Summary?

In this confusing era, when power, rear-wheel drive form and sports performance have gradually become scarce resources, Cadillac is taking a unique path.

At the same time, it has transitioned from the not-so-concrete "New American Luxury" to the unforgettable slogan "It's not luxury without a rear drive". Compared with the stragglers of many second-tier luxury brands in the Chinese market, Cadillac seems to have found its way. It has established its own positioning, and with the arrival of CT4, its product system has become increasingly clear. It is reported that the new car will be officially launched in April.

This article comes from the author of Autohome Chejiahao and does not represent the views and positions of Autohome.