Future Cadillac Cimarron Video.
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Yes, the Cadillac Cimarron was a disaster. So what about a new one?
We know nothing with that name is in the cards at Cadillac. Even if they are currently working on two new EV sedans based on the Ultium platform.
The name “Cimarron” has been tarnished forever in automotive history. Like the “Del Sol” from Honda. Or the “Aztek” from Pontiac. Just like “Cimarron”, these weren’t actually bad car names. However, for various reasons, the actual cars went a bit too far from what was expected. Including a peasant design.
The Cadillac Cimarron is probably the most hated model from the brand’s long history. Many Cadillac models have not been perfect displays of the “Standard of the world” over the years, but the Cimarron reached a new low when it was introduced in 1981.
It was a full 10 inches shorter than our current Cadillac CT4 sedan. And about 5 inches smaller than a 2024 Corolla Corolla. This was as small as Cadillac had ever been. Still, I think a small compact new Cadillac model based on the Ultium platform could be quite attractive as an entry-level model for the brand. It could even eventually replace the cool little Cadillac GT4 in China.
Because of its history, no one at Cadillac would dare use the Cimarron name, even today. However, this would be a pretty bold move. And not that insane since almost no one remembers the good-old Cimarron.
The Cimarron was based on the GM J-Platform, which was engineered to be a global platform used by all of GM’s US brands, but also Opel in Europe, and Holden in Australia. All sedan models had a very similar profile, with front and rear ends being the most obvious changes from one brand to another, in true “old GM” fashion. Except for the Opel which had its own interior.
Eventually, the Cadillac Cimarron ended up looking a lot like the cheaper Cavalier for twice as much as a loaded version of the Chevrolet. GM had totally failed to turn the J-Car into a true Cadillac. Especially since even the engines were the same. A 1.8 Liter engine with just 88HP. By 1985, the Cimarron was finally available with a 2.8 Litr V6. However, even that engine was also shared with the coupe version of the Chevrolet and Oldsmobile.
Actually, the Cimarron wasn’t a total commercial failure with over 132,000 of them sold in 7 years. Which was only 20,000 fewer than the Oldsmobile version.
GM’s Ultium platform can produce cars of almost any size, and a new smaller sedan model replacing the old CT4 might be welcome, at least in some markets.
The Cimarron was never sold in China and the EV sedan market is thriving over there. It makes you wonder if they GM could actually seel a new Cimarron over there…