All in the Family

Producing a concept such as the Cadillac Sixteen — named for its 16-cyl. engine — only makes sense as part of a larger program and with shared componentry with higher-volume models, says a top General Motors Corp. executive.

“If we were to do the Sixteen, it would only be on the basis of it being part of a family of large rear-wheel-drive sedans,” says Bob Lutz, GM vice chairman-product development.

There is no approved plan in place for the vehicle powered by a 1,000-hp V-16 engine that boasts 0-60 mph (97 km/h) in about four seconds, Lutz says. But the product guru has a very definite vision of how it should be put into production.

The concept unveiled at the Detroit auto show in January would headline a lineup that would include a large RWD version powered by a V-8, starting at $75,000, as well as a V-12 version at $125,000 and finally the 16-cyl. at $200,000-plus.

In terms of volume, he envisions 30,000 to 40,000 units with the V-8, dropping to 2,000 to 3,000 of the 12-cylinders. And the iconic Sixteen would have a volume in the 400 to 500 range.