There have been reports for sometime now, (the latest one in Motor Trend), that GM would like to modify Sigma to create a new smaller car.

Ostensibly, these reports categorize this "new" small Sigma as an upcoming BMW 3 series competitor for Cadillac......


......and maybe (just maybe) the perfect platform for a 5th gen Camaro.

 

This doesn't go along with (IIRC) Mark LaNeve's statement about Cadillac not going downmarket.

 

I don't believe a smaller Sigma based 3-series competitor for Caddy should be considered downmarket.

Who knows...it may cost more than a CTS.

 

Ford was aiming to do the same thing with their DEW chassis before last winter's melt down, so I wouldn't discount Cadillac doing it.

 

Well, the point I was trying to make was, that we're pretty sure that you can't take a current Sigma (like CTS) and drop a smaller, low slung, two door coupe body over it without having to re-engineer a number of components and systems.

If a new smaller Sigma is actually under development...that may address all of the packaging issues regarding Camaro/Sigma and would be BIG news for us!.

 

GM should take note of Toyota's failure to produce a 3-series beater. The Toyota Altezza/Lexus IS300 is actually too SMALL, and too antiquated to compete.

I always wished that the IS300 had been based on the more spacious Toyota Progres or Brevis. I guess nobody understands the sub-luxury segment as well as BMW - they invented it.

If GM wants to succeed where Lincoln, Jaguar, Volvo, and even Lexus have failed, they should pay closer attention to the 3-series formula.

 

The 3-series has always been an elusive target for those who dare to challenge it....even for the Europeans.

With that said....I think Toyota has made an excellent attempt with the Altezza/IS300. Perhaps it falls slightly short of the 3-series...but what a first shot!

BTW, I don't agree that the IS300 needs to be larger...I think it is the perfect size as it is....as is the 3-series.

 

I drove an IS300 and it wasnt bad at all. The car had a good feel to it, but my only gripe was that there was no freakin power. Get the hp up to about 250-260 then it'd be a car to talk about.

 

Well...if such a smaller Sigma version is under development..and can be brought to market economically,(and why wouldn't it?), what a great platform for a future Camaro.

In base V6 form it would be sophisticated enough to at least run with IS300s (..and base V6 DEW Mustangs, and FWD imports, etc)....making it a very viable and attractive alternative to those cars.

In high horsepower V8 versions, it would give models like the Z/28 the sort of world class handling and image (IMAGE=SALES!)it not only deserves.....but one that Chevy could build as a performance point of reference, (if they played their cards right!), that would not only help Camaro but the entire Chevy line-up.

 

The IS300 is actually pretty popular here in SoCal.

 

I don't know what the sales figures are...but IS300s seem pretty popular around here too.

Can you imagine how excited some of us would be about the IS300, if it were a GM product!?

....I know I'd be plenty excited!