Full Sized Rear Wheel Drive Cadillac On The Horizon!

General Motors is in the midst of an important image makeover, one that could determine if the automaker will not only thrive, but survive. Having recently exited bankruptcy, the new GM is smaller, less burdened by debt and with fewer brands to manage. However, the company desperately needs to convince people that they are still an important force to be reckoned with, offering the products consumers really want.

Building Cars That Consumers Want

Part of GM's makeover involves examining what models each brand will sell. Recently, Buick rolled out a new midsize sedan, the LaCrosse, while GMC has a new compact crossover, the Terrain to sell. Chevrolet is getting several new or updated models while Cadillac will be adding a station wagon to the CTS line.

Speaking about Cadillac, GM's top brand will get some loving too. This is important for several reasons – Lincoln, Ford's luxury brand is in a renaissance and gaining on Cadillac; foreign brands continue to siphon off sales from GM; and Cadillac is the luxury side of GM's face, offering a nice offset to its standard bearer brand, Chevrolet.

To that end, Motor Trend magazine was able to uncover some important information about the future of GM in its business filing to the US government. As part of receiving funds from American taxpayers, GM had to submit its business plans with the Obama administration. A matter of public record, some people have been searching the documentation for clues where GM is headed. The documentation has revealed that GM, indeed, move forward with plans to replace its full size DTS and intermediate size STS sedans with one, new model. That model will be powered by its rear wheels, just like the CTS and compete against some of Europe's high end brands including perhaps BMW and Mercedes.

Big Sedan, Better Fuel Mileage?

While Motor Trend was able to uncover this information, little is known about the proposed model. GM was thought to be considering not building the car or switching to front wheel drive in order to save on fuel. But, the automaker apparently believes that the new Cadillac is needed and will find other ways to improve fuel economy perhaps by offering a dual induction V6 engine or teaming the car with an all new hybrid system in a bid to extend fuel economy.

When will the new Cadillac be announced? Perhaps over the coming months as GM works to reshape its image and get back on track building the cars that drivers want.