Between 2015 and 2020, Cadillac->ke18 has some major plans – plans it hopes will help it compete better with German automakers. Cadillac looks to redesign most of its lineup and add some new models along the way. It all started this year with the launch of the third-generation 2016 Cadillac CTS-V, and the push to start production of the 2016 Cadillac CT6 by the end of the year. This may not be too exciting for fans of the brand, but there is much more to come as we creep up on the end of the decade.

Let’s talk Crossovers->ke288 and SUVs->ke145 for a minute. Currently Cadillac has the 2014 Cadillac SRX crossover – soon to be redesigned and named the 2017 Cadillac XT5 – and the 2015 Cadillac Escalade. By 2017, expect to see the release of a compact->ke140 crossover and a full-sized->ke4304 crossover. They will likely be named the 2018 Cadillac XT3 and the XT6, respectively. Eventually, by the end of the decade, Cadillac will launch a subcompact->ke4670 crossover that will probably answer to the name of XT1. There are no plans to discontinue the Escalade->ke245 anytime soon, as it will be re-engineered by 2018 and will continue to serve as the only SUV in the lineup.

There appears to be at least two new sedans->ke142 coming by 2020 also. A small, entry-level sedan, which we suspect will be named the 2017 Cadillac CT2, is currently on the drawing board. It should compete with the 2015 Audi A3 Sedan and the 2014-2015 Mercedes CLA, but unlike either, it will have rear-wheel drive. Expect to see this baby sometime in 2018. The biggest edition to the lineup will come in the form of another large sedan – called the CT7 – that will be the flagship and finally allow Caddy to compete with BMW’s->ke178 7-series->ke323 and the Mercedes S-Class.->ke359

Along with the list of new models to come, Cadillac expects to release not only a hybrid version of the CT6 but a diesel version as well. Eventually, the ATS->ke3619 will be refreshed, and a convertible->ke144 version will be available shortly thereafter.

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Why it matters

The new naming systemmakes sense to a point – easily designating where each vehicle sits in the lineup – but I miss the days when we had unique names for cars that were more than just a status symbol to the person driving behind me.

It is exciting to see so many new designs coming to the showroom floor, and I personally can’t wait to test-drive the new flagship sedan. Continuing to play directly against the Germans may be a risky move to some extent, but the Cadillac brand has a large following. Who knows, maybe they’ll attract some new customers that are current fans of German engineering.

2016 Cadillac CT6

Read our full review here.