The General Motors bankruptcy proceedings are wrapping up today and the judge is expected to let this one sail through much like Chyrsler's reorganization. GM will be split into an "old" company saddled with all the problems, and a "new" GM that will emerge with few brands and none of the legacy issues that have plagued the company for decades.
Sounds great right? Well, maybe not. Bill Visnic of AutoObserver breaks down what's left of the "good" GM and doesn't find much to get excited about. Although Chevrolet looks like it can become a strong brand, Buick and GMC are big question marks. Even Cadillac has a tough road ahead gives its limited lineup and dependence on large cars and SUVs. Kind of makes you wonder if this whole government sponsored bankruptcy thing is really doing us any favors.
The latest in GM drama takes a turn away from the government (for once) and moves on to the comments of a sassy blogger from the Huffington Post.
Blogger Gerald Sindell (the author of The Genius Machine) wrote this post called "An Open Letter to GM CEO Fritz Henderson," where he commented "Can an organization that has made so much truly ugly stuff suddenly start making great design?" and even called out the design office in Detroit for being "Older white guys wearing suits."
Ed Welburn, global vice president of General Motors Design, said "No, he didn't," and challenged Sindell to a bare-fisted battle in the Octagon.
Actually, he just dared him to take a seat in the Chevy Malibu or Camaro, Cadillac CTS or the Buick LaCrosse before making such wild accusations. What do you think? Would a drive in any of those vehicles change Sindell's mind?
Cadillac officially launched its V-Series line in China this week. John Heinricy was there to run a fast lap in the Cadillac CTS-V on the the Shanghai F1 circuit.
But, apparently, Cadillac decided that alone wouldn't be enough to impress Chinese buyers, as the company hired stunt drivers to do all sorts of wow-worthy acrobatics in the regular CTS sedans (Editor's note: No, these are not CTS-Vs as originally reported) on hand for the launch. Spiderman even made an appearance (3rd thumbnail). Why Cadillac couldn't spare a few more V-Series cars for these tricks, we'll never know, but then maybe we just answered our own question.
It's a shame Cadillac didn't get any high-quality video of the, um, stunts. However, a spectator at V-Day, as the event was called, did shoot video, evidently from his seat way up in the stands. Then, he set it to a delightful soundtrack. Watch the magic after the jump.
This year it's the 2010 Chevrolet Camaro SS, a solid, almost inevitable choice. Such decisions haven't always been so clear cut. During much of the 70s and 80s, the choices were slim. But they had to slap stickers on something, so you had some dodgy representatives like the Oldsmobile Calias and Cadillac Eldorado.
So what do you think? Which car deserves the title "Worst Indy Pace Car Ever"?
Does this vehicle make any sense? In one way, yes it does. Escalades drink considerable amounts of gas, so even knocking a mere 10% off that amount results in some real world fuel savings.
Is it enough to make a difference to your bottom line? Not really. Then again, Escalades have never really been about value. This is an SUV that's all about image, and when it comes to that category, combining a luxury vehicle with a hybrid drivetrain could be a stoke of genius.
Yesterday, Motor Trend reported that the Cadillac Converj concept had been approved for production.
Today, Cadillac officially denied the report to Inside Line News. "There is no change to the status of Converj," said Cadillac spokesman David Caldwell. "It is a concept -- a proposal -- and it's being reviewed, and the review is not completed."
Does the 2010 Cadillac SRX even have a chance here? That's the question Senior Editor Dan Pund attempts to answer after noting that the new SRX was designed to go heads up with the segment -leading Lexus RX.
He was impressed by the ride quality of the base model, but found that the optional 20-inch wheels made the ride a little more jarring than necessary. The base V6 is a little short on torque, but solid on mileage. And if you like the interior styling of the current CTS, the SRX will suit you just fine.
Cadillac officials acknowledged today that the SRX crossover, which will arrive in U.S. dealerships in early August, will eventually be fitted with the two-mode electric hybrid system.
It would be the same basic arrangement of parts as used in the full-size pickup trucks and SUVs for the last couple of years. General Motors' plan initially called for the Saturn Vue to be the first mid size crossover withing the corporation to receive a version of that system. Ooooh...yeah, that situation is very much in flux, as they say. Saturn said that it expected the Vue two-mode to be able to do 0-60 mph in 7.3 seconds and return 27 mpg in the city and 30 on the highway with its combination direct-injection V6 and twin 55-kilowatt electric motors. It's fair to assume the Cadillac would perform similarly. For comparison, Cadillac estimates that a conventional front-wheel-drive SRX powered by the 3.0-liter direct-injection V6 should return 18/25 mpg, city/highway.
No word on timing for the two-mode SRX but we wouldn't expect it before the 2011 model year. A few main competitors either already offer a hybrid crossover in roughly the same size and price class (Lexus) or plan to within the next couple of years (Audi, Mercedes-Benz and Volkswagen).
Cadillac has cancelled plans for a small diesel engine that it planned to offer in Europe. And given that diesels are a virtual requirement to compete in the European luxury market, this could be a sign that GM is thinking of pulling Cadillac out of Europe completely.
You probably already have WiFi in your house and at work, so why not complete the circle and get your car "connected", too? That's what Cadillac plans to offer on its CTS sedan starting in April.
The system is a $500 option and requires a $29-per-month subscription to maintain. It effectively turns the CTS into a wireless hotspot that delivers speeds up to 800Kbps according to Autonet Mobile which is supplying the system.
There are plenty of interesting details buried within GM's latest rescue plan, but one in particular caught our eye. In the "product plan" section, it states:
Planned Chevrolet Volt and two additional models sharing Volt's extended range vehicle technology
Now we know that GM plans to roll out the Opel Ampera at the 2009 Geneva Auto Show next week, but the third vehicle is a little tougher to pin down.
Yesterday's news that GM will suspend all work at its High Performance Vehicle Operations will not threaten current performance vehicles or the upcoming 2010 Camaro SS.
"Camaro SS, Corvette ZR1 and Corvette Z06 are all regularly engineered cars," spokesperson Vince Muniga explained. "They did not go through HPVO. Most people did not realize that. They are safe."
More importantly, Muniga said that HPVO is on hiatus, not shutdown completely.
"Ford SVT did the same thing a few years ago and they are back," he said, holding out the prospect that HPVO may be revived at some point. "This is an indefinite hiatus."
With that in mind we decided to see what the current market looks like for the ZR1. When it came out last fall dealers were gouging to the hilt, asking as much as $100,000 over sticker for the low-volume super 'Vette.
If there's one benefit to the woeful situation at Chrysler and General Motors, it's that both companies feel the need to reveal at least a little about their future products to convince the government of their viability.
Unlike the bad photochops Chrysler attached to its viability plan, General Motors revealed what appears to be an unadulterated photograph of the CTS Coupe, which will apparently not fall under the cost-cutting knife and is expected to make an appearance in mid 2010.
Of course, GM's willingness to show the production car might have something to do with the fact that it looks almost identical to the concept car (pictured below), except for wheels and a couple of other small exterior details.
According to a report in Automotive News, the Cadillac CTS Coupe has been delayed by a year. It's now scheduled to go on sale in the summer of 2010.
A Cadillac spokesperson blamed the "challenging economic time" for the delay. Plans for the 2010 Cadillac CTS Wagon are still on track, however, so expect to see that vehicle sometime late this spring. The 2010 Cadillac SRX is still on schedule for a summer release.
So we quite innocently call GM today asking if we might get some more information on President Obama's new ride, that thick chunk of Cadillac-badged safety cell. We're not expecting the company to give us a test drive or point out the weak points of its structure. Still, we hit the wall. No more information.
Okay, so we downshift. Can we sit down with whomever at GM headed the project? Talk to him and his guys? Another brick wall. "Nope," comes the reply. "We can't even mention who was on the project for their own security." Turns out that as an agreement with the Secret Service who commissions the limo, General Motors won't name those involved with any aspect of its operation.
Come on, are you guys serious...oh, wait. No, that kind of makes sense when you think about it, doesn't it? Detroit's got it bad enough without the Taliban hanging out at the Milford, Michigan McDonald's waiting to kidnap the engineer who might actually know the specifics of the President's car.
Oh, and when folks at GM refer to the Secret Service they say "the customer." Seriously. But we think they do that just to feel all "secret-agent man." Geez, you'd think it was some sort of matter of national security or something (said with air-quotes)!
Cadillac has released more details on the 2009 Cadillac Presidential Limousine that will be pressed into service next Tuesday at President-Elect Barack Obama's inauguration. For obvious security reasons, any specifications on the vehicle are held close to the chest, even among the General Motor engineers who work on the project.
However, says Cadillac spokesman David Caldwell, "it is a little more upright with a larger glass area [than previous presidential limousines], because that was one of the requirements given to us by the Secret Service -- that there be a little more outward visibility."
In addition, the 2009 Presidential Limousine has a similar footprint to the previous version, which was redesigned for 2005.
#DAS09 Several reporters and I met and had a brief conversation with Italdesign director Fabrizio Giugiaro tonight at the 2009 Michelin Challenge Design reception a few doors down from Cobo in Detroit.
Giugiaro's favorite concept car of the show is the Cadillac Converj, though for different reasons, he also likes the Volvo S60 concept. Naturally, he's a fan of the Volkswagen Concept Bluesport, as he worked on an early iteration of this well-received, easily translatable-for-production roadster concept.
And he likes what Audi has done with the Sportback concept, though he conceded that the tail is awkwardly truncated on this car. He's confident, though, that this detail will be resolved on the anticipated A7 production car: "This is one case where the production car will look better than the concept."
The Sportback breaks with current Audi designs, he added, and the company needs that. "Q5s look like Q7s. A3s look like A4s." -- Erin Riches, Senior Editor
GM will use its press conference tomorrow at the 2009 Detroit Auto Show to announce the opening of a new lithium-ion battery production facility in Michigan, according to a report in The New York Times. A new advanced battery test facility located at the company's global electric-vehicle engineering center in Warren, Michigan, is also part of the plan. The two facilities will provide battery packs for the upcoming 2011 Chevrolet Volt and possibly a production version of the Cadillac Converj, a two-door coupe that uses the same Voltec propulsion system as the Volt. -- Ed Hellwig, Senior Editor, Inside Line
#DAS09 Well, GM did it again in Detroit, an actual surprise at a major auto show. This time it was the Cadillac Converj concept, a low slung-coupe powered by the same system found in the Chevrolet Volt.
Product boss Bob Lutz called it "a logical extension of GM's plan to reinvent the automobile." He also announced a name for GM's electric vehicle technology -- Voltec.
Consisting of a large T-shaped battery, electric motor and a four-cylinder motor generator, the Voltec system is capable of producing 273 pound-feet of instant torque and can push the Converj to 100 mph.
Like the Volt, the Converj's range is 40 miles on electric power alone and several hundred miles with the help of the motor generator. GM says the recharge time is 8 hours when using a typical household outlet.
In a surprise announcement on everybody's favorite fluffy news program, Vice President of Global Design Ed Welburn told the Today's Show's Matt Lauer that GM would bring a production version of the Chevrolet Beat to the Detroit Auto Show. He even did the now trademarked "GM executive sheet lift" which revealed the nose of the subcompact hatchback. Welburn divulged no details, but we're guessing it will be fuel efficient, inexpensive and, of course, a "surprise".
#DAS09 Have you seen enough of the 2010 Cadillac SRX yet? Oh good, then you'll enjoy this short video on the interior of Cadillac's new compact SUV. Not surprisingly, it looks much like the current CTS in terms of its overall design and detailing. And that's not a bad thing at all. The CTS has what is arguably GM's best looking cabin, so spreading it around a little can only do Cadillac some good.
You may have already seen the sales totals for December, and 2008 as a whole. If not, here's a summary: not good. For a more detailed look, check out the industry wide 2008 sales analysis over at AutoObserver.
We assembled something a little different though. Instead of assessing the big picture, we looked at the sales numbers for individual models. Which new models flopped, which old models recovered, that sort of thing. Some of the results we expected, others were a little more eye opening. See for yourself after the jump.
Did you see the 2010 Cadillac SRX that broke cover over the weekend? Well, if not, you can get all the details in our full story on the new compact SUV. If that's not enough to get you all excited about Cadillac's first turbocharged vehicle in the U.S., there's now some running footage of the vehicle after the jump, on paved roads and everything.
Doesn't leave much to look forward to at the 2009 Detroit Auto Show next week, but don't forget that there have been rumors swirling about a possible plug-in hybrid Cadillac and this SRX would be a logical choice for such a system. We'll see next Sunday.
So it's not going to be a banner year for the home team at the 2009 Detroit Auto Show. Chrysler, Ford and General Motors are about as beat down as major industrial giants can get, but this is a chance for each company to convince the public that there's still some life in the Motor City.
We can't say this is the future we envisioned for the 2010 Cadillac SRX. Set for an introduction at the 2009 Detroit Auto Show, this new, smaller SRX is squeezing Cadillac into the compact luxury SUV segment currently occupied by the likes of the BMW X3, Mercedes-Benz GLK and soon-to-be-released Audi Q5.
It's a promising category with a good business case, but the fact that the current SRX never caught on is a shame. It was one of GM's best vehicles - a solid rear-wheel drive chassis, plenty of passenger space, six- and -eight-cylinder engines, and a well-trimmed interior. The SRX's biggest deficiency was the fact that it looked like a tall wagon instead of a shrunken SUV, which of course is not really a deficiency at all depending on who you're asking.
The official reveal of the 2010 Cadillac SRX is set for the 2009 Detroit Auto Show in January, but an early teaser video has already been posted by Cadillac. It doesn't give up anything good like specs or features, but it does give a pretty clear look at the styling of this new, smaller SRX. See for yourself below.
Everyone knows GM and Ford have too many models, too many brands, too many dealers, too many of just about everything and anything one can think of. So might this financial mess be a blessing in disguise? Might this be just the impetius for the General and Ford to do what just about everyone thinks should be done: Shed--not just some of their excess models--but instead shed some of their excess brands?
AutoObserver seems to think that this could be in the cards, as the market just can't support so many redundant brands. Put them out of their misery. Make them extinct, just like the Woolly Mammoth and countless other critters that have ceased to have a reason to exist.
At GM, Pontiac, Buick, Saturn, GMC and Saab certainly all fall into that category. Might we see a lean and mean General Motors consisting of just Chevrolet and Cadillac, with maybe leaving Buick strictly for China?
And Ford? Might this be the time to cut Mercury; and maybe even cut Lincoln loose, by replacing it with Volvo?
If GM and Ford are going to do this, now is the best time to do so.
The new 2009 Cadillac CTS-V is equipped with basically the same electronics package as the 2008 Cadillac CTS. There's a lot to like about the system, but there are some deficiencies, too.
It's a comprehensive setup with a video monitor that motorizes up and down, navigation by Alpine and a 5.1 surround sound system.
Basically, the entertainment system can handle almost everything you throw at it. You can watch regular DVDs, play your 5.1 discs and listen to CDs. You also have a hard drive for storing your music, iPod playback and satellite radio. The video quality on the monitor is not exactly high-def, but then you're not going to be sitting in your car for hours watching videos. It's good enough for what it is, but the audio reproduction quality isn't where it should be.
Audio quality is also a problem despite the Cad's 10-speaker setup. It simply doesn't provide quite the immersive quality you might hope for. The sound stage lacks breadth and the tonal qualities are bland. Your 5.1 discs will sound better than CDs, but the realism is lacking. The different EQ settings each have advantages and disadvantages. There wasn't one that could be considered the best compromise.
I listened to an Emma Shapplin 5.1 disc in DTS. The song "Leonora" begins with the sound of thunder and bass strings. The rumble just wasn't quite there and the speakers seemed to struggle to play the bass note. Queen's "Bohemian Rhapsody" sounded better, but the dynamics were average. By adjusting treble, midbass, bass or trying the different EQ settings for each song I was able to get some better results, but I doubt many drivers would be willing to tinker with the configuration every time -- and they shouldn't have to.
Audio quality aside, in terms of functionality for an iPod, the system is just fine. I connected my iPhone via Cadillac's proprietary USB cable in the center console compartment and was able to access my tracks instantly. You have to scroll through your playlists, or songs or artists, etc., but fortunately the system scrolls through even thousands of tracks very quickly. I wished I could've selected an artist by choosing a letter, but it didn't slow me down much to find a specific song.
The best part of the technology package was the voice-recognition feature and the navigation. The latter allows you to add a voice tag to a location, making it easy to set a destination. I find voice recognition is often buggy in factory or aftermarket products, but here selecting music or nav commands by voice made things very convenient. The software worked without major issues, and the traffic information is among the best I've sampled, with quick updates and accurate data.
I like the ergonomic layout and overall design of the center stack on the CTS-V. Once you understand that the Audio button is for selecting a source, and not making audio adjustments (that's what the Config button is actually for) you'll be fine.
The hands-free calling, however, might be an issue for some drivers. That's because the built-in option is provided by OnStar (or else you need a portable Bluetooth product or earpiece for your mobile phone). The upside is that using OnStar probably will allow you to make calls over a greater area; and the audio quality and phone connection were indeed very good.
On the downside you'll have to buy minutes for your OnStar account. And it'll take you a long time to verbally add all your contacts with voice tags to your OnStar system. It would be easier to load your address book from your phone onto a standard Bluetooth system. That being said, I should note that GM will be offering Bluetooth in some other '09 models. -- Ben Oh, Inside Line Contributor
If the rumors prove true, it looks like several next-gen GM vehicles (SRX and Equinox) could be getting direct Injection, but in a smaller 3.0 V6. The General is currently offering DI in some larger V6s, and they are getting good reviews. So this is also good news for those who want DI, but in a smaller engine size.
Yesterday Inside Line and Straightline reported that the nex-gen full-size SUV from the General had been canceled. The news originated from a story first published in The New York Times. It turns out this may not be entirely accurate (surprise!).
Now Green Car Advisor has a follow-up story on this, and it sounds like GM will offer "something" in the future that will address the needs of full-size SUV owners.
GM spokesman Tom Wilkinson wouldn't say whether or not they [full-size SUVs] will stay in production until 2011 as originally planned. For competitive reasons, he said, GM doesn't like "to give numbers."
But "we don't think the full-size truck market is going to go away. We think it'll get smaller and probably more focused on people who really need the capability of a truck, but we don't expect it to go away. Certainly as long as there's a market for those vehicles, we don't see that market going away."
My guess? I suspect that the Suburban, Tahoe, etc. will drop the BOF construction, and will adopt a HD unit body construction of some sort. It will likely be a frame-reenforced unit body, much like what the Jeep Cherokee and others have used for years, but taken to a new level of strength capability. It would not surprise me if they take the Traverse/Acadia/Outlook/Enclave platform and just reenforce it as needed in order to get the towing capability up where it needs to be. I think that would be the most cost-effective way of meeting this objective, especially since the market for these vehicles will likely be much smaller than it has been in the past.
Inside Line has learned that GM has canceled plans for the next generation full-size SUVs. That means the Suburban, and its siblings will be no more. The replacements were scheduled to arrive in 2011, as 2012 models. There is no word yet as to how long the current models will remain in production.
WOW! Think about that. The Chevy Suburban has been around since 1936. Even with this news, I can't imagine that the GMC Acadia and its cousins will be up to the task of heavy towing that many of the full-size buyers require. Might there be a HD Acadia, et al., in the works?
So does anyone have still have any doubt about how bad the auto industry is, and just how precarious the future of this business is?
Here's your chance to obtain a bit of Hollywood history. The '59 Cadillac ambulance from the movie Ghostbusters is up on eBay Motors. As of this posting the bid stands at $25,400--and the reserve has not been met. The buyer will be responsible for pick-up and shipping; the vehicle is currently located in Dandridge, TN.
It's getting near crunch time folks, and polls show that there are still a lot of people on the fence in terms of they're going to vote for. ...And if you happen to be one of those straddling that fence, would knowing that McCain has a bunch of cars in his garage sway your vote?
So is the American public ready for a neo-Cimarron? ...And did Cadillac learn anything from their first and ill-fated attempt at building 4-cylinder cars? To say that the 4-cylinder 1982-88 Caddy Cimarron was a disaster is being kind, very kind indeed.
As you're probably aware Cadillac already has a 4-cylinder BLS, which is sold in Europe. It's built off off a Saab platform, and is FWD. Guess what? The BLS is also a turkey. Well, maybe that's a bit harsh, but the fact of the matter is no one in Europe much cares. The car is not selling well. Granted, the Cadillac brand does not hold the same stature in Europe that it does here, so that is certainly a big part of the BLS not being a hit over there. Still the answer to my second question above, remains unanswered.Full story here.Here's AutoObsever's take: Cadillac Busts A Fuel-Saving Move, Will Go Four-Cylinder
Hot Damn! A new Caddy wagon based on the slick CTS!
Two V6s are available. The base engine puts out 263 hp, and the hotter direct-injection version a healthy 304 hp; with both hooked up to either a 6-speed automatic or a 6-speed row-it-yourself gearbox.
If the CTS doesn't grab you, how 'bout the new next-gen 2010 SRX? This will be debuting at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance this weekend. No word yet on the mechanicals, but expect a V6, possibly a 4-cylinder engine (!), but a V8 is unlikely.
We got a pretty good look at the 2010 Cadillac SRX just a few months ago, but these latest spy shots from Michigan show even more detail. The Cadillac styling cues up front are unmistakable while the profile mimics the Provoq concept as we expected. The rear end gets a pair of tall, vertical taillights and a relatively small window. Look for the official debut of the 2010 Cadillac SRX at the 2009 Detroit Auto Show.
In an effort to allay both Wall Street and consumer fears, GM laid out their product cards for the future. Detailed images of the upcoming Chevrolet Cruze (Cobolt replacement), the Cadillac CTS Sportwagon (and Coupe), the Buick Invicta and Saab 9-4X were all there for everyone's pleasure.
No sooner had GM CEO Rick Wagoner delivered the sobering news regarding GM cuts, Bob Lutz was right there to confirm that there is a lot of life left in what we can expect from the General in terms of future products. More to the point, the recently rumored cutting of brands was not a part of the discussion. Nope, all the current brands are to remain in place according to Lutz.
The biggest change that we can expect is that products from GM (and other vehicle makers too) will have a decidedly European/international flavor to them. That means less trucks--and the trucks that do remain will be smaller and more efficient. Expect more smaller cars and fewer cars with big V8s. No longer will the American car market be different from that of Europe and elsewhere.
"This is a difficult transition but once the transition is made, it's going to ease our problem of no longer having to produce unique vehicles for the American market," Lutz said. "In the future, anything we create worldwide is available to use to either import or produce in the U.S."
For a quick glance as to what's in store, check out AutoObserver's editorial:
Amid the huge and swift market shift in vehicles, as well as the uncertainty of future government fuel regulations, GM has decided to push back their next generation of fullsize trucks and SUVs. Instead, GM will redeploy those involved on those projects to other more immediate needs such as providing engineering expertise on smaller vehicles which are in such high demand.
GM spokesman Tom Wilkinson states: "We're going to focus on improving the current trucks until we see where the market goes."
Jim Hall of 2953 Analytics LLP adds: "By delaying, you're making more people available and now to these people will be working on more strategic programs." He goes on to say: "This is being done to better use their resources in this time between now and CAFE."
Man, this Nürburgring lap record thing has really taken off. Might the word "obsession" be even a better descriptor?
Ever since the Nissan GT-R recently posted a record-breaking time, we've Cadillac, Honda and others going after the 'Ring's brass ring, so to speak... So here's Porsche too trying to cash in here—which makes sense, as they have perhaps the most to gain (or lose) by posting record lap time times there...
We knew what to expect, but now the specifications for the 2009 Cadillac CTS-V are official. Its 6.2-liter supercharged V8 produces 556 horsepower at 6,100rpm and 551 pound-feet of torque at 3,800rpm. Cadillac claims the CTS-V sedan will go from 0-to-60mph in just 3.9 seconds and through the quarter mile in 12 seconds flat.
Top speed when equipped with the six-speed automatic transmission is limited to 175mph...
Several weeks ago I posted news that GM is considering going to unibody construction for their next generation of SUVs (GM may shift full-size SUVs to unit-body construction). Now AutoObserver has more on that—and that it may also include pickups as well.
"The unibody vehicles are where you're going to have to make your money," says Michael Robinet, Vice President, Global Forecast Services CSM Worldwide of the big-volume era of body-on-frame pickups and SUVs. "Those days are finished."
This marks a sea change in thinking when it comes to light truck construction for GM, and for the rest of the SUV and truck makers as well...
I guess it all started with the Nissan GT-R recently setting an absolute record for production cars (7:25). Now there is a flurry of interest for Nürburgring lap records. One of the record-seeking parties is Cadillac, as their new CTS-V just set a new record for sedans, at 7:59.32.
Bad news for Caddy fans, as the latest word is that Cadillac will not build a coupe-convertible version of their classy CTS coupe.
This is really odd, as coupe-convertibles from other luxury carmakers are hot items. To make matters worse, Cadillac's explanation as to why the decision, does nothing but raise more speculation and more questions.
"We're pleased to be the subject of speculation...
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?..
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...
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.
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.”
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...
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...
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...
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....
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.
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...
Okay all you mobster wannabes, here's your chance to get in on some action. "Auction Action" that is, as in mega TV mobster Tony Soprano's Cadillac Escalade is up for auction.
Not only is Tony's ride going to be auctioned off, but other Sopranos cars will also be auctioned off. Those include 2003 Cadillac CTS used by Paulie Walnuts to destroy Christopher Moltisanti’s new front yard during Season 6, plus the red 1997 Mercury Villager minivan driven by Tony and Paulie, a black Cadillac Deville driven by crew member Vito Spatafore and a pair of blue Lincoln Town Cars used by rival gangster Phil Leotardo...
Cadillac has been tip-toeing in the European market for some time now, but Lincoln hasn't. In fact, outside of the USA and Canada Lincoln is a non-brand.
In recent years the argument was that if Lincoln went international, it would step on Jaguar's toes, that's assuming of course if Lincoln had a credible product. But that's about to change as Ford divests its self of Jaguar...
NFL champion quarterback Eli Manning of the New York Giants and Cadillac General Manager Jim Taylor with a Cadillac Escalade Hybrid that will be awarded to Manning for being named the Super Bowl XLII Most Valuable Player Monday, February 4, 2008 in Phoenix, Arizona. Cadillac is the official vehicle sponsor of the National Football League.
The best part about the Big Game when your team is not involved (um, go Eagles?) are the commercials.
Those 30-second spots that are usually your chance to run to the bathroom or throw some nachos into the microwave, morph into multi-million dollar mini movies. And the car companies compete every year in hopes that theirs will be the one that everyone is talking about the next day.
This year expect masterpieces from Audi, Cadillac, Ford, GMC, Hyundai and Toyota...
Quite possibly my favorite concept of the 2008 Detroit Auto Show, the Cadillac CTS coupe, will go into production in 18 months. I think this is great news.
Is this the often rumored 2010 Cadillac BRX? Our spy shooters think so, although after comparing it to the recently unveiled Cadillac Provoq concept the details aren’t conclusive. This prototype seems to have the right shape and size, as the Cadillac BRX will ride on a stretched version of the Theta platform currently used under the Saturn Vue. Some of the styling details coincide with Cadillac’s recent designs as well, like the chrome window trim, sloping character line and seven spoke wheels...
Sure, it was strange seeing Bob Lutz and Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick bustin' a move to Kid Rock. And surely it was a bit surreal to see a herd of longhorn steer trying (in vain) to procreate on the streets of Detroit.
But we maintain that the weirdest thing we've seen at the 2008 Detroit Auto Show is VW Group Overlord and all-around German-industry sultan, Dr. Ferdinand Piech without a security detail...
At the unveil of the CTS Coupe concept, GM’s design chief Ed Welburn said it was a car that was never supposed to happen. “But when we saw the initial sketches, it was so beautiful we knew we just had to build it,” he said.
So, Ed and his team aren’t going to win the “thinking outside the box” award at this year’s show, but they did succeed in making a unique-looking, if not beautiful two-door CTS. It’s a striking coupe in person, but there’s a little too much Mercedes C-Class coupe in it and not enough Audi S5 for our tastes...
Cadillac dropped a surprise on the Detroit auto show early this morning with a press release announcing the reveal of the CTS Coupe concept. We've been expecting some variations of the CTS sedan for some time now and it looks like we'll finally get a look at what's in store later this morning. In addition to the two-door CTS, Cadillac also plans to roll out the Myst concept, a hydrogen-fueled "vision of future luxury transportation." Not sure what form it will take, but it's guaranteed to have plenty of chrome and the word "hydrogen" on it somewhere. -- Ed Hellwig, Lead Senior Editor, Edmunds Inside Line
UPDATE: Turns out Cadillac's release was a little old...
Cadillac rolled out its version of the Chevy Volt, the Provoq, at the 2008 Consumer Electronics Show. Perhaps better stated is that Cadillac is using a version of the Volt running gear, known as "E-flex," and have adapted it to their needs.
The five-passenger Provoq has a 300-mile driving range, of which 280 are provided via the hydrogen power through the electric battery. Cadillac is not estimating the horsepower of the Provoq, but states that the new concept can run from zero to 60 mph in 8.5 seconds...
This is the coolest car at CES. It's here because it's outfitted with a PathfindIR night vision system. It's already an option on certain BMWs - should you want the feature on your classic Cadillac or even slightly used Camry, you can buy the camera. A monitor does not come with it...
There are more than 140,000 slot machines in and around Las Vegas. That's about the same number of people who will attend this year's International Consumer Electronics Show which is also in Las Vegas.
And we're not talking just fancy toasters, Wii and big screen TVs. We fully expect a strong automotive showing at this year's show as both Ford and General Motors will be there in force...
Latest word is that the successor to the GM Northstar V8 engine has been killed, and that the Northstar may be replaced by GM's excellent 3.6L V6. That engine, the direct-injection DOHC 3.6, puts out 302 horsepower, which is uncomfortably close to the 320 horespower that the 4.6L Northstar puts out. The 3.6 also gets two mpg better gas mileage than Northstar V8.
This raises question about the Lambda platforn CUVs (GMC Acadia, Buick Enclave and Saturn Outlook), as a version of the Northstar was slated for those vehicles...
This could be a big year for the General at the Detroit Auto Show, as they have secured four of the six contender slots for the 2008 North American Car and Truck of the Year. The Chevy Malibu and Cadillac CTS will face off against the Honda Accord for 2008 North American Car of the Year award; and the Buick Enclave, Chevy Tahoe Hybrid will take on the Mazda CX9 for 2008 North American Truck of the Year award. The winners will be announced at the NAIAS in Detroit.
So, what do you think are the chances of GM sweeping these awards?
My first thought is that I think we really do need a new
definition of what a "truck" is, as I sure don't consider the Enclave
or CX9 trucks; but that's an entirely different discussion...
After snagging numerous spy photos and videos over the last year, we finally got our hands on these pictures of the 2009 Cadillac CTS-V completely uncovered. They reveal a completely revised front end, well integrated hood bulge and a set of massive rotors that look more than capable of hauling it all to a stop. We won’t get the rest of the details until the 2008 Detroit Auto Show in January, but these spy shots should hold you over for now.
Remember the V16 Caddy show car from a couple of years ago? Well, Bob Lutz remembers it all too well, in fact he can't get it out of his head, as word is coming from Oz that Holden is developing a V12 (sorry, no V16—but close enough) for Cadillac.
How they're doing this is by combining two DOHC 3.6 V6 engines together with one mighty big crankshaft. The flagship Caddy would be targeting the best from Europe and Asia...
These spy photos reveal what looks to be the upcoming Cadillac BRX crossover. Smaller than the SRX, the BRX is expected to ride on the stretched version of GM’s Theta platform that currently underpins the Saturn Vue. In fact, a Vue was spotted along side the BRX prototype before both vehicles headed for cover. A combination of four-cylinder and V6 engines will be offered in the BRX as well as front- and all-wheel drive. Cadillac plans to position the BRX as an entry-level model that will compete against other luxury crossovers like the Acura RDX, BMW X3 and Mercedes-Benz GLK. Expect to see the 2010 Cadillac BRX in showrooms by 2009.
In another sure sign that the apocalypse is coming, Bob Dylan, 1960's singer, songwriter and icon of everything antiestablishment, has teamed with the ultimate symbol of the establishment, Cadillac. The singer/songwriter of The Times They Are A-Changin' (and boy are they ever!) is going to hawk Escalades on XM radio. What's next? Tom and Dick Smothers doing covert work for the CIA?
Inside Line drove the new 2008 Cadillac CTS on the Nürburgring. It has a 304-horsepower 3.6-liter V6 engine and 80 percent of the peak torque output of 273 lb-ft is available at 1,000 rpm.
Ah, the American idea of a pickup truck. Stylish bordering on bling, but still powerful, functional and, of course, equipped with dual-zone climate controls, heated seats and parking assist. This isn't the Wild West after all.
Sources close to Inside Line are reporting that Cadillac will have a number 2-mode hybrids added to their product portfolio in the next few years. Models to be considered hybrid candidates are the Escalade, BLS, DTS, BRX and CTS.
Depending on the model, engines range from a 2.4L 4-cylinder, a 3.6L, and 3.9L V6s, as well as a 5.3L V8.
This is it, the first engine shot of the 2009 Cadillac CTS-V. Unfortunately, it's not a very good one as it doesn't actually show the engine. What it does show is a very suspicious looking cover over what many suspect is a supercharged LS3 V8. We still think it's nothing more than the 505hp LS7 from the current Z06 and there's nothing conclusive enough in this photo to prove otherwise...
New pictures of the 2009 Cadillac CTS-V surfaced recently and as usual, they were accompanied by a flood of speculation about what lies under the hood. Most of that speculation was fueled by the hood itself as it was sporting a rather large bulge that seemed to indicate the presence of a supercharger.
One popular theory says that bulge is hiding a supercharged version of the 430 horsepower LS3 used in the 2008 Corvette. Another source claims the CTS-V will get an even more potent supercharged powerplant with as much as 600hp...
The answer is called the D.R.G., which stands for "Down the Road Graphic." This refers to the visual signature of a brand. For example when you see a [pick a car brand], and you know immediately as to what car brand that is.
BMW, Mercedes, Jeep and VW New Beetle are great examples, in that there is a certain something about those vehicles that—even with a very quick glance, will tell you as to what kind of car it is.
That's just one term among many that auto designers use in the daily course of doing their work...
Well, you just knew this was bound to happen: A disgruntled Cadillac owner is suing GM over the fact that the OnStar on his '02 Caddy will go dead next year as GM converts their OnStar system from analog to digital. Welcome to the world of high technology, where nothing is safe from obsolescence...
This change will also affect some cars from Acura, Audi, Subaru and Volkswagen. Some vehicles made between 2002 and 2004 can be upgraded, but all pre-2002 models will become obsolete...
If it weren't for the killer coffee, we might have boycotted all European auto shows years ago. Year after year, show after show, it was the same thing: diesel, diesel and diesel. If you listen long enough to representatives of European carmakers (and you really couldn't avoid it), you might also be convinced that diesel was/is/will be the messiah. We took to just faking a medical emergency...
Edag will show their LUV (Luxurious Utility Vehicle) at the upcoming Geneva Motor Show. The vehicle has a 6.1L 462 hp Mercedes V8, that's been Brabus-tweaked. The chassis also Mercedes based, and it has a top speed of 155 mph. 0-60 is in 6 seconds...
Ever wonder what the president's limo is like? Well, here's an article that will let you get a glimpse of what goes into the building of the Presidential Limousine known as Cadillac One.
Here's a quick teaser...
The exterior is paneled with five inches of ballistic armor, and is said to be able to withstand anti-tank grenade launchers...
I saw the interior shots during a lunch with Bob Lutz over two years ago. I saw the final production vehicle two months ago. Now I can finally share my thoughts on the all-new CTS (beyond the "wow" I let slip back in November).
First, if you think this car looks good in photos you still haven't really seen it...
Listen, I like a front fender vent as much as the next guy--possibly more. I love them on the Range Rover. I loved them on at least two generations of Corvettes. I like them when they are functional (in venting heat from the engine bay) and when their only function is to look cool...
GM calls this a teaser shot of the 2008 Cadillac CTS, but to anyone who's been following the progress of Cadillac's new sport sedan it's nothing new. Back in April, GM product chief Bob Lutz showed 60 Minutes the same chunk of front fascia. Compare the two shots side by side and it's clear that Cadillac made very few changes to the CTS on its way to production. Other than confirming a late summer launch next year, Cadillac released no additional details on its redesigned midsize sedan...
What does Cadillac's "Platinum" treatment mean to the XLR available early 2007? Elegance and luxury beyond a standard XLR in the form of exclusive 15-spoke, 18-inch wheels, brighter chrome finishes and Platinum badging on the door sills and trunk to name a few. The Alcantara suede headliner adds extra bling to the luxury package while the Liquid Amethyst exterior paint job makes it a must-have for all those Pisces out there.
General Motors confirmed what many in the press knew all along: the redesigned 2008 Cadillac CTS will make its debut at the North American International Auto Show in January. In fact, many in the press have already seen the CTS.
The CTS, the first Cadillac to sport its edgy new styling scheme, deserves the credit for turning around the fortunes of GM's flagship division.
GM has gone full steam ahead into the parts and accessories business, so SEMA was a natural place to show off its latest new gadgets. One of the more useful pieces of technology we saw was the two-way key fob. Already available in the aftermarket, these super fobs allow you to do more than just lock and unlock the doors. In this case, the fob not only works much farther away than most remotes, it can also tell you how much gas is in the vehicle, the pressure of the tires, the odometer reading and how long it's been since you engaged the remote start feature...
The 60-mile London to Brighton Run is always held on the first Sunday in November, commemorating the Emancipation Run of November 14, 1896, which celebrated the passing into law of the Locomotives on the Highway Act. The Act raised the speed limit for ‘light locomotives’ from 4 mph to 14 mph and abolished the requirement for such vehicles to be preceded by a man on foot carrying a red flag.
This year will be the 110th running of this event. Yes, you read that correctly!..
This is a question Gerry Flint asks in his editorial called Cadillac in the Slow Lane. I often disagree with Flint, but I think he has hit the nail on the head here. Cadillac is continuing to lose ground to the other premium brands out there, despite a modest surge of hope over the past few years. Flint rightly states that Cadillac, by going for sales volume, rather than exclusiveness, has lost its ability to be truly a premium brand, and that this has come back to haunt them big time...
We've seen more than a few shots of the 2008 Cadillac CTS due out next year, but these are the first pics of what looks to be then next generation of the Cadillac CTS-V. Although the body looks relatively unchanged, the wheel and tire combo this prototype is running is definitely a step up from the other test mules we've seen running around. The brakes also look to be the heavy-duty type and even the dual exhaust looks to have been fortified for high performance duty.
For those of you who haven't figured it out yet, Automotive News is the industry paper of record. If Bill Ford should come within 500 feet of Carlos Ghosn or Bob Lutz says anything at all, you can bet it will be in AN on Monday morning. Unfortunately, as many of you do know, most of AN's content requires a subscription -- and it's not cheap. Which is a shame since the Detroit paper's army of reporters is hard to beat when it comes to digging up information on future products. With that in mind, I've decided to do the reading for you each week. I'll comb AN's extra large pages in search of anything relevant to future product and give you the abbreviated version. Don't expect a bombshell every Monday, but rest assured that whenever AN reporters print new information it isn't some rumor they heard from their cousin's friend's sister who works at the plant. On to this week's report…
This reskinned STS-V was shot awhile back, but at the time I couldn't figure out what was going on with those odd taillights and the Escalade-style grille. This time around, when our crafty spy shooter snapped a few pictures he followed up with a little on scene investigation. Turns out this particular STS was tuned by an aftermarket shop and is capable of churning out well over 600 horsepower at the rear wheels. It was on its way to a SEMA-style show in Europe when it stopped off to get a cracked windshield repaired. He also mentioned one other bizarre feature -- all the instrumentation was in Arabic, right down to the lettering on the mirrors. Expect to see the American version of the reskinned STS debut next year along with a new sport package.
Here's site on Cadillacs that both lovers of the brand and haters of the brand will appreciate. This sites shows Caddys year by year, beginning back in 1902. For history buffs of the brand this is a great resource. There are a lot of very unusual one-off examples shown here...
About six weeks ago I reported on the Mary Kay Cadillac. Well, lo and behold, today I spotted a brand new one on I-70, 20 miles west of Baltimore.
It's been quite some time since I've actually seen a pink Caddy of any sort, let alone a "Mary Kay Edition." It was a DTS (natch), and it had chrome MARY KAY labels on the rear deck and front doors. It was driven by a stylish woman (natch), talking on a cell phone, and totally oblivious to other cars or driving (natch)...
Ever wonder what's so special about a pink Mary Kay-edition Cadillac? Well, I can't say that I have either. However I did stumble upon this link pertaining to the appeal of these cars.
Snippet: Along the way, the pink Caddy has also become an American icon, immortalized in songs by Bruce Springsteen and Aretha Franklin, dropped in movies and used as a ride for Barbie...
Not too much of a surprise here, as the Caddy Escalade is the choice-of-choices among car thieves. This is the fourth year in a row that the Cadillac SUV has won this dubious award. Other winners (losers?) are the Mitsubishi EVO, Dodge Ram 1500, Ford F250/350 crew cab 4WD, and Chrysler Sebring.
Snippet: "This is the car that Tony Soprano drives...
Our previous spy photos of the 2008 Cadillac CTS confirmed most of the exterior styling cues first shown on 60 Minutes. Now our spy shooters have captured the first glimpse of a prototype CTS interior. You can't see much, but the few details which are visible confirm that the interior mock up shown on the 60 Minutes broadcast was in fact the cabin of the CTS.
Bob Lutz may have tipped GM's hand when he showed the front end of the 2008 Cadillac CTS on national television, but we have the real scoop with the first spy photos of an actual CTS prototype. It's covered in camo, but there's still plenty to see. Click here for the full story and additional pictures.
Is a spy photo a spy photo if it was shown on national
television? In an interview on last night's episode of 60 minutes, Bob Lutz
showed reporter Steve Kroft what looks to be the next generation Cadillac CTS. Lutz
only pulled back enough of the cover to reveal the grille and headlights, but
it was more than enough to get a little speculation going. There's also a
glimpse of a mockup of the interior later in the segment...
In what must be one of the more bizarre pieces of automotive news I've come across lately, is that the Europeans will shortly be treated to the 3-ton king-of-bling SUV from Cadillac.
I'm curious as to who they think will buy this? Does Cadillac think it will compete with Porsche Cayennes, or Range Rovers, or the Mercedes ML and BMW X5—in EUROPE—on their home turf? Good luck...
Early reports indicate that the new redesigned GM SUVs are off to a good start.
There has been a lot of criticism in the automotive press as to whether GM should have spent so much time and money in a market segment that's on the decline. My personal feeling is yes, they did the right thing, as there will always be a market for these types of vehicles. The market for "traditional" SUVs will certainly be smaller, and GM knows this—but it won't disappear...
Cadillac will offer a hybrid version of the Escalade in 2007. This just announced as the Allison transmission plant just north of Baltimore was just awarded the contract to build trannys for this vehicle.
More hybrids on the road is good news, regardless of the type of vehicle. I just hope this is not just another "mild-hybrid," like the current Silverado hybrid, as this type of hybrid yields minimal gas mileage gains...
The Washington, DC car show, in my opinion, has always been a disappointment. Historically it has always occurred right after Christmas, but before either the LA or Detroit car show. It was really the last show of the previous auto show season—meaning very little new was to be displayed. I've gone every year, and each time I go I ask myself: "This is best our nation's capital can do?" Even the Baltimore show, which is held in February has always been significantly better than the DC show...
Well, this should be obvious, a Cadillac vs. Lincoln shoot-out, shouldn't it? It seems that Cadillac has been getting the upper hand in recent years, so Lincoln is beefing up their anti-Caddy efforts.
The rivalry between Cadillac and Lincoln goes back decades...
Well, it's certainly the best looking Escalade to date, and most likely the 'best' Escalade to boot. Still, like the just announced new '07 Tahoe, I'm not sure it has what it takes to put it at the head of the class. There's no IRS like what's found on the Navigator, Q56 and others in this class. The all-new aluminum 6.2L engine puts out an impressive 403 horsepower, and gets better gas mileage to boot...
It looks like Cadillac
has their work cut out for them in Europe. Unlike here, Europeans still
think of big fins, lousy quality and sloppy handling road barges when Caddys come to mind. The new
Euro-spec BLS, essentially a redressed Saab 9-3, isn't doing much to
change perceptions either, as it hasn't really excited the European car
buyer.
The General Motors bankruptcy proceedings are wrapping up today and the judge is expected to let this one sail through much like Chyrsler's reorganization. GM will be split into an "old" company saddled with all the problems, and a "new" GM that will emerge with few brands and none of the legacy issues that have plagued the company for decades. 
