Who cares about the GT-R's scorching Nurburgring lap time? It only has two doors and all-wheel drive. It’s practically cheating. How about a good ol’ American sedan like a 2009 Cadillac CTS-V? According to GM, the upcoming Cadillac super sedan has just lapped the Nurburgring in 7:59.32, a time which “appears to be the fastest ever publicly documented for a production sedan." So they’re sure it’s fast, but not sure it’s the fastest. Look for a press release from Mercedes-Benz about the upcoming E63 AMG any day now.

GM's first SUV, the Chevy (and GMC) Suburban dates back to 1936. Actually it was just a "utility" vehicle, as there was no "Sport" in any sort of truck back in those days. Then as now their utility vehicles were always based off their pickup chassis. That's seven decades of following basically the same formula—and it may be about to end.

Bloomberg.com is reporting that the next-generation full-size GM SUVs may switch over to unit-body construction, thus ending this long relationship with the full-size pickup.

Why, you ask? Just look at the current fuel prices; that and tougher upcoming mileage and emission requirements. It's that simple.

"It's a sea change in the type of vehicle that Americans are going to be driving,'' said Rebecca Lindland, of Global Insight. "This is a big thing. For a long time, GM has been able to rely mostly on profits from trucks. That's changing.''

If, and when this happens, think 2012 time frame.

Full story here.

Images of arguably the best looking and most exciting Caddy coupe ever, the CTS-V, have hit the Net. The supercharged coupe is sure to light a fire within the hearts of Caddy fans—and likely Euro-coupe and Asian-coupe fans as well.

Here's Inside Line's take: Supercharge Me: Cadillac CTS-V Coupe

While Honda and others are reaping the benefits from selling loads of smaller cars, the makers of big trucks an SUVs are taking it it on the chin. In it's latest move GM will cutting one shift in all four of their factories that make full-size pickups and SUVs. The cuts will occur at Pontiac, Flint, MI;  Janesville, Wis; and Oshawa, Ontario.

States GM North America President Troy Clarke: “With rising fuel prices, a softening economy and a downward trend on current and future market demand for full-sized trucks, a significant adjustment was needed to align our production with market realities.”

Full story here and here.

Dodge Ram hurting too
AutoObserver points out that Chrysler LLC is spending more than anyone on truck incentives in order to move Ram trucks off dealer lots.

Dodge Ram: Spending Most for Incentives

Same with Toyota
High inventories of Tundras and Sequoias are hurting the "Big T."

Image: Patricia Beck / Detroit Free Press

OK, that Ford neo-Thunderbird image was posted to get your attention. Guess what... it's one on the list.

So David Kinney, a guy who follows old cars, and who's the publisher of Cars That Matter Price Guide, has listed six now-cheap cars that he guarantees will raise in value over the years.

"I will guarantee that every one of these cars have done better than the stock market has since the beginning of the year," states Kinney.

Curious? Read on.

Checking in on Peter De Lorenzo over at AutoExtremist.com, and as usual, he has some interesting if not thought-provoking ideas. This time it's a "What if" scenario for a future GM, and this of course, is in a perfect world. By that I mean if franchise laws, etc., could be resolved to make this work.

Here's the short story version: The only divisions that would exist here would be Chevrolet, Cadillac and Hummer. Buick would only be sold outside the USA. GMC, Pontiac, Saturn would disappear altogether. Saab? It would be sold off or disappear. As usual, De Lorenzo makes a strong case supporting his ideas.

So, do you agree with him or not?

For the details check it out here.

Cadillac used to be known for firsts. The first production V8, the first electric starter and the first automatic transmission in a luxury car. Then things got quiet for the next 50 or 60 years. The innovation has returned, however, in the way of the first fully functioning LED headlights on a production vehicle. It will be an option on the top-of-the-line 2009 Escalade Platinum Edition. Unlike the systems used in the Audi R8 and Lexus LS 600h, Cadillac’s system includes both high- and low-beam LED lights in addition to LED turn signals and parking lights. Cadillac says the LED beams produce light that’s closer to actual daylight than the blue-tinted beams of most xenon headlights. And more importantly, they look cool. Expect to see the rest of the world's luxury brands catch up shortly, but for now it's another automotive first for Cadillac. -- Ed Hellwig, Senior Editor, Inside Line

When the new 2009 F-150 debuts next fall, don't expect to see a Lincoln variant of it, as all indications suggest that the Lincoln LT will just quietly disappear.

The problem with the LT is that there is no Avalanche-like equivalent in the huge Ford truck portfolio in which to base it on, hard to believe as it may be. I think that's very important as the Cadillac Escalade EXT is based on the Chevy Avalanche—and there are some real advantages to the Avalanche that translate quite well into a luxury pickup. Not true for the F-150, which is.... well, just too blue collar and less black tie.

Full story here.

We've added a Crystal Red 2008 Cadillac CTS to our long-term fleet.

Its 3.6-liter direct-injection V6 is capable of 304 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque and comes with a six-speed automatic transmission.

We opted for the Premium Luxury package which includes 10-way adjustable and programmable heated/cooled front seats, rain-sensing wipers, heated washer fluid, interior accent lighting, 17-inch cast-aluminum wheels and keyless access.

Read the Cadillac CTS Introduction on Inside Line.

Donna DeRosa, Managing Editor

 

It looks like it won’t be long before the 2010 Cadillac CTC hits the road. These shots taken recently in Michigan reveal some very production looking bodywork. From the detailed grille to the quarterpanel vents, this looks more like an early prototype than a test mule. As we reported months ago, the 2010 Cadillac CTS coupe will go into production in the spring of 2009. It will share mechanical components with the CTS sedan, so expect a range of V6 engines and several different suspension setups. There’s no word yet on whether a V-Series version is in the works.