Heritage Cadillac

Cadillac Super Bowl Spot Most Watched in U.S. History

2012-02-10T12:57:00.000-08:00

2013 ATS commercial timing paid off in record-setting broadcast

DETROIT – Cadillac’s 30-second preview of the upcoming 2013 ATS compact sport sedan shown in Sunday’s Super Bowl XLVI broadcast was the most-viewed single advertising spot in U.S. television history, according to a study released Tuesday.

Kantar Media’s Super Bowl audience study found that the Cadillac spot reached an audience rating of 43.5, highest among all advertising spots shown during the NBC-TV telecast. With Super Bowl XVLI reaching a record U.S. television audience of 111.3 million viewer), this means the Cadillac spot had the highest audience ever for a single commercial.

”We have a big message this year – Cadillac is expanding with new models challenging the world’s best luxury cars. This stunning viewership data proves that Cadillac’s big message reached the largest audience,” said General Motors Global Chief Marketing Officer Joel Ewanick. “When it comes to Super Bowl ads, everyone has opinions on their favorites. But it’s a fact that this Cadillac spot had the biggest audience during the game.”

The Kantar Media analysis showed that spots airing in the hotly contested game’s fourth quarter had higher viewership than those appearing earlier. Cadillac’s spot, called “Green Hell,” aired at 9:37 EST, during the game’s “two-minute warning” official timeout.

The previous record for the largest audience viewing a single commercial was “Miss Evelyn,” a spot for the Chevrolet Camaro in Super Bowl XLV last year. The U.S. telecast of the Super Bowl has achieved record audiences for three years running.

Read More: http://media.gm.com/content/media/us/en/gm/news.detail.html/content/Pages/news/us/en/2012/Feb/0207_ats

Cadillac CUE Wins Popular Mechanics Award

2012-01-27T13:16:00.000-08:00

Only automaker to make magazine’s list of top gadgets at CES

DETROIT – Cadillac CUE, the new user experience for intuitive in-vehicle connectivity and control, received a Popular Mechanics Top Gadgets of CES 2012: Editors’ Choice Award at this year’s International Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas.

Cadillac was the only automaker selected. The awards were announced on PopularMechanics.com at the conclusion of CES.

Each year at CES, the editors of Popular Mechanics select their top picks based on the level of innovation, potential industry impact and overall appeal. Cadillac presented CUE amid thousands of new products and innovations in the consumer electronics showcase.

“After seeing an earlier demonstration of the system at the Los Angeles Auto Show, I knew it would be a strong candidate for an award at CES,” said Andrew Del-Colle, assistant editor, Popular Mechanics. “The show offered a great opportunity to compare the CUE with many other OEM and aftermarket systems, and it stood out to us for its innovative use of new standards such as HTML 5, as well as for its intuitive user interface.”

CUE features the first automotive use of capacitive touch – the use of electrodes to sense the conductive properties of objects, such as a finger. It is a technology used by many of today’s most popular handheld mobile devices.

Other key aspects of CUE are natural speech recognition, Bluetooth connectivity for up to 10 devices and a motorized concealed storage compartment. The system runs on an ARM 11 3-core processor on a Linux open-source HTML5-based software platform CUE debuts in production on Cadillac’s 2013 XTS luxury sedan starting in late spring in North America. CUE will also be featured in the all-new 2013 ATS sport sedan launching in North American this summer.

Read More: http://media.gm.com/content/media/us/en/gm/news.detail.html/content/Pages/news/us/en/2012/Jan/0123_gm_cue

2012 Detroit auto show video: 2013 Cadillac XTS

2012-01-19T14:51:00.000-08:00

The Cadillac XTS, introduced earlier at the LA Auto Show, replaces two discontinued Cadillac sedans—the STS and DTS—with just one model. At first glance, the XTS might just manage to combine the best qualities of both.

The DTS was a big cruiser of a car, the kind that gobbles up highway miles. However, its dated platform really didn’t like handling the curves. Its big back seat and trunk made it a good livery car for the few operators who didn’t buy Lincoln Town Cars. At first look, the spacious XTS seems to be just as accommodating. The well-shaped front seats are a far cry from those less-supportive perches that made the DTS a rolling couch.

Meanwhile, the STS was a smaller rear-wheel-drive sedan with a cramped cabin but enjoyable road manners. Like the smaller CTS, the STS had responsive handling and a taut ride. Cadillac is stressing that the XTS emphasizes both handling and ride. Since the XTS is based on the same front-wheel-drive platform as the Buick LaCrosse, a big sedan that handles well in its top-trim form, we expect a decent driving experience.

But the XTS brings other improvements. Visibility is better than the LaCrosse—not a major accomplishment. Interior detailing goes several steps beyond what the STS and DTS offered. We’ll see if the CUE dashboard design, which eliminates most buttons and knobs for touch-sensitive screens that you can drag and swipe, makes us yearn for the comparatively simple controls of the older cars.

The XTS occupies a fairly unique space in the market. Almost all of the large sedan competitors from the Germans and Japanese are rear-wheel-drive cars on distinct platforms. With the demise of the Town Car, Lincoln is left with the relatively cramped MKS as their large sedan. Less-pricey and mostly less-prestigious large sedans like the Hyundai Azera and Toyota Avalon could be logical alternatives.

Read More: http://news.consumerreports.org/cars/2012/01/2012-detroit-auto-show-video-2013-cadillac-xts.html

2013 Cadillac ATS Engine Lineup: N/A and Turbo Fours, and a V6

2011-12-16T11:59:00.000-08:00

We have plenty of spy photos of the upcoming rear-drive 2013 Cadillac ATS, but incognito photography rarely reveals what’s under a car’s hood. Thankfully, Cadillac stepped in and released that very information today. The ATS, which slots below the CTS in Caddy’s sedan lineup, will be available with a naturally aspirated 2.5-liter four, a turbocharged 2.0-liter four, and a 3.6-liter V-6.

The turbo four and the V-6 were expected, but the naturally aspirated four-cylinder is something of a surprise. Cadillac didn’t come out and say it, but we’re guessing the 2.5-liter is the same unit that will power some versions of the 2013 Chevrolet Malibu. We expect it will make around 190 hp in the Chevy, though Cadillac could always squeeze a bit more out of it to better differentiate it from its humble roots. As for the turbo, Cadillac says it will produce about 270 hp—the same output as the Buick Regal GS’s 2.0-liter turbocharged four. This is not, however, the same engine. Cadillac tells us it is about 95-percent new—it’s a mirror-image of the GS motor, with the intake and exhaust having switched sides. Like the other 2.0, though, it is all aluminum, and although it uses a different turbocharger (the GS uses a Borg Warner piece, the Caddy a Mitsubishi/Eaton), both cram the same 20 psi down the intake. The V-6 is GM’s latest direct-injected unit; it makes 308 hp in the Cadillac SRX and 318 in the CTS and will likely top the ATS’s engine range. Magnetorheological shocks will be available, as will paddle shifters on automatic models.

The ATS was designed to go up against entry-level luxury players like the BMW 3-series and Mercedes-Benz C-class. Both of those cars gained turbocharged four-cylinders as their base engines for 2012, but the Cadillac’s mid-level turbo will handily out-power both of them. (The base 2.5-liter four’s output will even be competitive with Benz’s turbo four.) The 3.6-liter six will trump both the C-class’s 302-hp V-6 and the BMW’s 300-hp turbo six. We’re looking forward to driving Cadillac’s first small sports sedan—especially the twin-turbo V-6–powered V version—after it debuts at the Detroit auto show in January.

Read More: http://blog.caranddriver.com/2013-ats-sport-sedan-engine-lineup-revealed-two-fours-and-a-six/

Chicago Cadillac

2011 LA Auto Show: Does Cadillac have the right touch in infotainment with CUE?

2011-11-23T12:30:00.000-08:00

It’s clear that the designers of Cadillac’s new CUE infotainment system paid a lot of attention to the negative feedback surrounding the much-maligned MyFord Touch. After getting a run-through of CUE in Los Angeles, my initial impressions are that the system is more intuitive and user friendly, although questions remain about the potential for driver distraction.

CUE, which stands for Cadillac User Experience, will debut next spring on the 2013 Cadillac XTS. Like MyFord Touch, CUE relies on a touch-sensitive display and touch-sensitive buttons on the dash. To give you some physical feedback, however, it provides a haptic response—a slight vibration—when you press a button, which helps give it the reassuring familiarity of using hard keys.

The system can also sense the proximity of your hand. So, simply moving your hand to within about four to six inches of the screen can automatically prepare it for a command. When using the navigation system, for example, the display will show a full-screen map while you’re driving. But moving your hand toward the screen will cause nav-function buttons to appear along the top and bottom of the display.

The CUE screen is uncluttered and has relatively large buttons and customizable settings. It’s also multi-touch sensitive, so you can scroll, swipe, and interact with it as you would a smart phone or tablet computer. Since even dead areas of the screen are active, you don’t need to be pinpoint precise when pressing a button, according to a spokesperson. A function will often activate even if you press in the vicinity of the related button.

The digital gauge cluster in front of the driver is also customizable. When using the navigation system, for example, a second route map can be displayed there so the driver doesn’t have to take his or her eyes as far off of the road.

According to Cadillac, CUE’s voice-command system has a conversational interface, so you don’t need to remember specific commands. This is becoming more common with other voice-command systems, as well.

Read More: http://news.consumerreports.org/cars/2011/11/2011-la-auto-show-does-cadillac-have-the-right-touch-in-infotainment-with-cue.html

2013 Cadillac XTS Leaked Ahead of L.A. Auto Show Debut

2011-11-10T07:44:00.001-08:00

Last night, what appeared to be a production 2013 Cadillac XTS sedan appeared on Cadillac’s consumer website before quickly being taken down. A few hours later, Cadillac officially released the same photo and announced that the large sedan would debut at the L.A. auto show next week. We already knew the XTS would land in L.A., but the photo gives us our first look at the production version; until now we’ve seen only the show car, spy photos, and the new Caddy’s interior. Oh, and we tried out its new CUE infotainment system.

It appears as though the production XTS’s styling will deviate remarkably little from the concept’s—the car seen above sports the same chunky, cab-forward stance and heavy front-end styling as the show car, which now looks as though its body panels may have popped from production molds. The XTS is set to replace the slow-selling STS and the long-in-the-tooth DTS at the top of Cadillac’s lineup. The front-drive XTS rides on stretched Buick LaCrosse Epsilon II bones, and we expect it will be powered by the same 3.6-liter, direct-injection V-6 as is found in the CTS. Stay tuned for the XTS’s big reveal next week.

Read More: http://blog.caranddriver.com/2013-cadillac-xts-leaked-ahead-of-l-a-auto-show-debut/

Car and Driver Review: 2012 Cadillac CTS 3.6 Sedan

2011-10-28T07:40:00.000-07:00

What Is It?

It’s the latest CTS, which is a lot like the CTS we already know and like. For 2012, the 3.6-liter version of Cadillac’s only car gets a new cylinder-head design with integrated exhaust manifolds, a composite intake manifold, lighter connecting rods, and upgrades to the fuel system. Power is up by 14 hp to 318, and the torque peak is now 275 lb-ft, an increase of just 2 but available 300 rpm sooner on the tachometer. Incidentally, the 2012 Camaro’s V-6 gets the same upgrades this year and makes 323 hp. Cadillac claims that the changes reduce engine weight by 21 pounds.

The other major change for 2012 is a refreshed grille, which has a new “frame and mesh combination” and sharper colors in the Cadillac logo. We actually had to take that line from the press release because we only noticed the changes after looking at photos of the 2011 and 2012 car side by side. In person, it still looks like a nice grille, but it doesn’t stand out as radically different.

How Does It Drive?

So, about that weight savings. Our test car weighed in 101 pounds heavier than a comparable 2008 CTS equipped with an automatic transmission. Some of those extra pounds can be attributed to larger wheels (the new car rides on 19-inchers; the 2008 rolled on 18s) and differences in optional equipment, but the weight savings from the engine alone is negligible.

The power difference is negligible as well. With a 0-to-60-mph time of 6.2 seconds, the new car is 0.2 second slower than the 2008 version we tested but in the middle of the range of other CTS cars, including those with a manual transmission (which, incidentally, is no longer offered with the 3.6-liter). The 2011 does the quarter-mile in 14.7 seconds at 98 mph, 0.1 second and 1 mph behind the old car. Fuel economy is unchanged at an EPA-rated 18 city, 27 highway, and we averaged 22 mpg during our test.

Read More: http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/2012-cadillac-cts-36-sedan-test-review-car-and-driver

Cadillac CTS in Chicago

Cadillac CUE: Intuitive and Connected Driving in 2012

2011-10-13T12:54:00.000-07:00

Natural voice recognition, fewer buttons, larger icons, greater customization
Central instrument panel features fully capacitive faceplate, vibrant 8-inch LCD touch screen with proximity sensing, multi-touch hand gestures
3.5 times more processing power than current systems

SAN DIEGO – Cadillac CUE, a comprehensive in-vehicle experience that merges intuitive design with auto industry-first controls and commands for information and entertainment data, will benefit consumers by offering personalized, connected driving beginning in 2012.

“CUE will transform personal transportation by simply and efficiently integrating luxury design and instinctive technology with unparalleled levels of customized in-vehicle connectivity,” Don Butler, Vice President, Cadillac Marketing, announced at the CTIA Wireless Association’s Enterprise and Applications conference.

CUE will debut in 2012 in the Cadillac XTS and ATS luxury sedans and SRX luxury crossover. CUE is designed to be unique for each consumer, from the “simple user” to the fully connected “super user.”
“For the tech-savvy, it’s everything you want it to be – a full suite of infotainment, navigation and communication tools that keeps you fully connected. For the tech-averse, its power is remarkably simple, intuitive and accessible,” Butler said.

CUE, which stands for Cadillac User Experience, will pair entertainment and information data from up to 10 Bluetooth-enabled mobile devices, USBs, SD cards and MP3 players with a vehicle infotainment system that reduces complexity through customized information, natural voice commands and fewer buttons and larger icons

For example, most of today’s luxury cars have around 20 buttons controlling the radio and entertainment functions. CUE reduces that to just four buttons.

“CUE doesn’t replace your smartphone or your iPod™,” said Micky Bly, executive director, Global Electric Systems, Infotainment and Electrification. “Rather it allows consumers to securely store those mobile devices while channeling the information on those devices, along with your navigation tools, weather maps with Doppler radar, AM/FM and XM radio, instant messages and emails, through a central portal in your Cadillac, keeping hands on the wheel and eyes on the road.”

The heart of CUE is the 8-inch LCD touch screen, seamlessly integrated into the top of the central instrument panel and a motorized fully capacitive faceplate at the bottom concealing a 1.8L storage area. The vibrant LCD screen displays CUE’s home page, which resembles a smart phone’s screen by using large, easy-to-target icons to execute commands. Capacitive refers to using electrodes to sense the conductive properties of objects, such as a finger.

“CUE is a very elegant in-vehicle hub of all the information and entertainment in your life. All of CUE’s controls use the same design vernacular to create a harmony unique to Cadillac,” said Dave Lyon, executive director, Cadillac Interior Design. “Vibrant colors, a piano black face plate, precision-milled buttons, intuitive touch screen placement and sculpted front console provide a spacious, fashion-forward cabin.”

Read More: http://media.gm.com/content/media/us/en/gm/news.detail.html/content/Pages/news/us/en/2011/Oct/1012cadillac

CTS Coupe Driving Sales and Image Gains

2011-10-05T13:18:00.000-07:00

Top-selling luxury coupe drives brand image, CTS family sales
CTS lineup and SRX crossover sales rise in September

DETROIT – Through September, and just over a year after its launch, the Cadillac CTS Coupe is America’s best-selling mid-size luxury coupe and vying for first place among all luxury coupes.

The dramatically designed luxury sport coupe is a force in Cadillac’s overall ongoing gains in consumer image in a segment that previously consisted of only well-established European luxury sport models.

Cadillac sold 15,771 CTS Coupes through September, with a take rate of nearly 27 percent with the rest of CTS sales split between Sedan and Sport Wagon models. The industry average for coupe sales is 9 percent among luxury automakers.

“The launch and sales of the CTS Coupe has been an unqualified success and sets the stage for the all-new ATS and XTS models as a critical step in Cadillac’s brand renaissance,” said Kurt McNeil, vice president of Cadillac Sales and Service.

Cadillac’s V-Series of high-performance models feature the brand’s Magnetic Ride Control technology and a 556-hp supercharged engine. Nearly 20 percent of CTS Coupe models sold are V-Series editions. The Coupe and V-Series products give Cadillac an expanding reputation for high performance, a necessary element for the top luxury brands.

The CTS Coupe has attracted new buyers to Cadillac in general. Sales of the other CTS models – Sedan and Sport Wagon – have also increased. Total sales of the CTS family are up 24 percent in 2011, with 4,663 units sold in September.

According to Polk vehicle registration data through July, the CTS Coupe has driven more than half of the mid-luxury sales gains for the year. Comparatively through August, the overall luxury segment share of the industry is down 0.8 points over last year.

Meanwhile, the SRX midsize luxury crossover, which saw its share jump from ninth in the segment to second after its redesign a year earlier, is also vying for the top spot in its segment. Cadillac sold 4,901 SRXs in September, just 102 units fewer than the segment leader.

Escalade continues to lead the full-size luxury SUV segment sales in the United States with total sales of 2,414 units in September.

Beyond its products, Cadillac has also made substantial investments in updating its dealership and sales processes, and revamped its customer care programs, such as Cadillac Shield premium care maintenance and roadside assistance. As a result, Cadillac has grown its share of the luxury retail market 1 percentage point over last year while simultaneously reducing incentives.

Read More: http://media.opel.com/content/media/us/en/gm/news.detail.html/content/Pages/news/us/en/2011/Oct/1004_cadillac

2013 Cadillac ATS Interior Spied: Center Stack Will Go Touch-Sensitive

2011-09-23T12:31:00.000-07:00

Our spy photographers have managed a peek inside the 2013 Cadillac ATS—a smaller rear-drive sports sedan that will slot below the CTS—and we can now confirm that it will get the same touch-sensitive controls as the upcoming STS replacement, the 2012 XTS. The ATS interior our shooters spotted features a piano-black center stack with very few hard buttons.

The XTS we spied a few months back not only had a similar array, but also wore nearly identical detailing. Our judgment on whether Cadillac’s move to a touch-sensitive control interface is a good one will have to wait until we use it ourselves, but Lincoln’s similar system gave us more than its fair share of trouble. The Cadillac ATS is expected to go on sale in early 2012 as a 2013 model, and should make its public debut at the 2012 Detroit auto show.

Read More: http://blog.caranddriver.com/2013-cadillac-ats-interior-spied-center-stack-will-go-touch-sensitive/

Cadillac Meets New Customers Where They Live and Play

2011-09-09T09:34:00.000-07:00

Laps on exclusive racetracks; culinary and golf tips from the stars
V-Series Performance Labs: Atlanta Oct. 14-16; Los Angeles Dec. 9-11
Public V-Series Performance Academy, Las Vegas Oct. 29-31

DETROIT – In the hotly contested battle for luxury car buyers, personal experience matters most. So Cadillac is putting potential customers behind the wheel of a 556-horsepower Cadillac CTS-V on a private racecourse.

It’s an experience few would soon forget, and that’s the point behind Cadillac V-Series Performance Lab events being held across the United States.

Named after their V-Series performance cars, Cadillac is inviting more than 3,000 potential customers – mostly owners of competing luxury/performance cars – to an exclusive, up-close-and-personal demonstration of its luxury performance cars.

The events, also known as “V-Labs,” feature a series of product demonstrations and personalized driver training, along with an opportunity to meet the drivers of Team Cadillac Racing, Johnny O’Connell and Andy Pilgrim, and Cadillac performance guru, John Heinricy, who led the V-Series engineering team.

“I am always happy to put my money where my mouth is in terms of putting people behind the wheel and letting the products speak for themselves,” said Cadillac Vice President of Marketing Don Butler. “Regardless of what they buy, I want to connect with them on their level, where they live and play, and when it’s most convenient for them.”

As part of a broader marketing effort, V-Labs function alongside other Cadillac experiential events including the Cadillac Culinary Challenge and Innovation Golf Clinics, which feature top-name chefs, such as Jonathan Waxman, Duff Goldman and Marcus Samuelsson, and golf professionals David Leadbetter, Matt Kuchar and Anthony Kim.

At each event, Cadillac has its latest products on display, and at the culinary events, attendees can test drive competing BMW, Lexus and Mercedes models. The Cadillac Culinary challenge events are open to the public, whereas the V-Series Performance Labs and Innovation Golf events are invitation-only.
James Koller, from Naperville, Ill., owner of a Lotus Elise, was recently invited to a V-Lab event at the Autobahn Country Club racetrack in Joliet, Ill, where he drove a Cadillac CTS-V coupe for the first time.

“I’ve been to similar events here with other manufacturers and I don’t ever recall companies like BMW letting people drive their M-cars for an afternoon,” he said. “I came here specifically to drive the CTS-V and it was probably the most solid car I’ve ever driven on this track. It’s composed, confident.”
Cadillac will hold a day-long V-Series Performance Academy at the Spring Mountain Motorsports Ranch just outside of Las Vegas on Oct. 29-31 that is open to the public. To further widen the public reach of the V-Series events, Cadillac recently announced a chance to win a CTS-V, along with a High Performance Driving Experience at the Monticello Motor Club in New York.

Read More: http://media.gm.com/content/media/us/en/gm/news.detail.html/content/Pages/news/us/en/2011/Sep/0907_vlab

Electric Concept Car Comes to Life as Cadillac ELR

2011-08-30T11:47:00.000-07:00

DETROIT – The innovative Cadillac Converj Concept, a dramatic luxury coupe with extended-range electric vehicle technology, is moving forward as a production car that will be called the Cadillac ELR.

Development of the ELR is just underway, so details on performance, price and timing will be announced later.

The Cadillac ELR will feature an electric propulsion system made up of a T-shaped lithium ion battery, an electric drive unit, and a four-cylinder engine-generator. It uses electricity as its primary source to drive the car without using gasoline or producing tailpipe emissions. When the battery’s energy is low, the ELR seamlessly switches to extended-range mode to enable driving for hundreds of additional miles.

“The concept generated instant enthusiasm,” said Don Butler, vice president-Cadillac Marketing.
“Like other milestone Cadillac models of the past, the ELR will offer something not otherwise present – the combination of electric propulsion with striking design and the fun of luxury coupe driving.”

Cadillac selected the name ELR to indicate the car’s electric propulsion technology, in keeping with the brand’s 3-letter international model naming convention.

The Converj Concept sparked the idea of combining the desirability of a grand touring coupe with electrification, said Ed Welburn, GM vice president, Global Design.

“There’s no mistaking it for anything but a Cadillac, an aggressive, forward-leaning profile and proportion showcases a uniquely shaped, modern vision of a personal luxury 2+2,” Welburn said.

Read More: http://media.opel.com/content/media/us/en/gm/news.detail.html/content/Pages/news/us/en/2011/Aug/0817_cadillac

Cadillac Ciel Sedan Rendered: Putting a Top On Caddy’s Stunning Droptop Concept

2011-08-24T13:03:00.000-07:00

As far as the public is concerned, the Cadillac Ciel concept has only existed for a few days, but our artist has already begun to imagine what it might look like with a roof and door handles (and conventional rear doors). Might as well: The big convertible doesn’t have much of a chance of making production, but a big sedan resembling it does, and a big sedan needs door handles to let people in.

A flagship such as the Ciel makes perfect sense for Cadillac. In the near future, GM’s luxury arm will introduce the ATS, aimed directly at the BMW 3-series, Mercedes-Benz C-class, and Audi A4; and grow the CTS to more directly compete with the 5-series, E-class, and A6. The segment occupied by the 7-series, S-class, and A8 is an obvious gap. Cadillac insiders have already told us the brand plans to rectify that in 2014. (We’re ignoring the upcoming XTS, as it is a front-driver aimed exclusively at the decrepit and the Chinese.)

We hope Cadillac’s S-class competitor draws on the Ciel for inspiration, but we also hope it keeps the upright, almost Rolls-Royce–esque greenhouse in this rendering. There is still no car that says “stately” as universally as a Phantom, even though the Roller says “ostentatious” quite clearly, too.

When Cadillac’s full-sizer does appear, the convertible concept’s twin-turbo V-6 hybrid powertrain could be on the options sheet, but Cadillac would need something mainstream to challenge the V-8s offered by the competition. Fortunately, GM’s expertise in V-8s is extensive, and the current Cadillac lineup includes, of course, the 556-hp supercharged bent-eight in the CTS-V. As for the Ciel concept’s twin-turbo six, it may live on in nonhybrid form in the V derivative of the ATS, which we’ve learned will use an engine of that description.

Read More: http://blog.caranddriver.com/cadillac-ciel-sedan-rendered-putting-a-top-on-caddys-stunning-droptop-concept/

Green Car Reports - Cadillac's Volt-Based Converj Electric Car Gets Green Light: Exclusive

2011-08-17T13:10:00.000-07:00

Sometimes, like Lazarus, dead cars rise again.

We've learned from an inside source at General Motors, a person close to the project, that the electric Cadillac Converj luxury coupe is now back in the GM product plan.

The Converj was recently approved for production by GM product executives. It will likely launch in 2013 as a 2014 model, though it may end up with a Cadillac-style three-letter model name.

The production version will feature, says our source, "a Generation 1.5 Voltec" powertrain.

That would be an updated version of the extended-range electric powertrain from the 2011 Chevrolet Volt, possibly with better acceleration to suit the Cadillac image--but not the fully revised second-generation version that will go into production in 2015.

Smash hit in 2009

The Converj concept car was first unveiled in January 2009 at the Detroit Auto Show. The sleek sports coupe received rave reviews, and during 2009, General Motors [NYSE:GM] approved it for production, with then-product chief Bob Lutz saying in January 2010 it had been cleared by management.

Read More: http://www.greencarreports.com/news/1064793_cadillacs-volt-based-converj-electric-car-gets-green-light-exclusive

REVIEWS: 2011 Cadillac CTS-V Wagon

2011-08-11T08:40:00.000-07:00

I've been enamored with the CTS-V for quite some time, but as a long-time wagon guy, the new V Sport Wagon absolutely ticks all the right boxes for me. Power? This car's got it in spades. Handling? It grips, especially in sport mode, unless you turn off Stabilitrak and give the throttle a hard kick with your right foot. Practicality? Well, it seats four adults and offers almost 26 cubic feet of cargo space aft of the second row.

Like every other CTS-V I've driven, this car turns heads when viewed from the front, but necks immediately snap once bystanders get a load of the stretched roofline, angular D-pillars, and huge taillamp assemblies. If style takes a back seat to performance on V-line cars, it's still one magnificent throne. The finished product is brash yet beautiful.

My lone issue is the price. $63,660 isn't wholly unreasonable, considering the new Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG Wagon is expected to sticker for nearly $20,000 more. That said, my brain also lumps the new 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8 into the same category of brawny performance haulers -- and while it's not quite as engaging or enjoyable as the V, it's also nearly $8000 less, capable of towing 5000 pounds, and packs all-wheel-drive. Depending on where you live, the latter may be a key point...

Cadillac Prices 2012 SRX Crossover With Standard 308-hp, 3.6-Liter V6 at $36,060

2011-07-29T07:32:00.000-07:00

For 2012, Cadillac has raised the SRX’s base price to $36,060, while also attempting to rectify the SRX’s powerplant shortcomings by specifying a 308-hp, 3.6-liter direct-injected V-6 as the model’s sole engine.

The SRX launched in 2010 with two disappointing six-cylinder engines: a 265-hp 3.0-liter and an optional, Saab-sourced 300-hp turbocharged 2.8-liter. The 2011 SRX started at $35,490, but we think the extra $570 commanded by the 2012 model is likely worth it given the much-needed refinement we expect the 3.6 to deliver. There’s also this: The price of entry for a 300-plus-hp SRX has plummeted by $14,730 from the $50,790 needed for the discontinued turbo model. Side bonus: “3.6 for 36″ is a handy mnemonic.

Granted, the additional $15K didn’t just buy the turbocharged V-6; the turbo model also brought higher levels of equipment. Speaking of equipment, the 2012 SRX now comes standard with Bluetooth and a color LCD driver information screen. The 2012 Cadillac SRX should go on sale in August, and we expect to gather driving impressions of the 3.6-liter model sometime soon.

Read More: http://blog.caranddriver.com/cadillac-prices-2012-srx-crossover-with-standard-308-hp-3-6-liter-v6-at-36060/

2011 Cadillac CTS-V Wagon - Long-Term Road Test Update

2011-06-30T09:34:00.000-07:00

Date: June 2011
Months in Fleet: 6 months
Current Mileage: 18,334 miles
Average Fuel Economy: 15 mpg
Average Range: 270 miles
Service: $0
Normal Wear: $0
Repair: $120
Damage and Destruction: $566

It’s no surprise that we constantly fight over who gets to drive our long-term CTS-V. After all, a 556-horse punch is incredibly intoxicating, especially when it’s stabled in a station wagon and gallops through a satisfying manual gearbox.

That said, the V’s limited range has continued to be an issue, with only a couple of staffers expanding the car’s sphere of influence beyond state lines. (We’ve nursed a tank to 342 miles on the highway, but when a Lingenfelter-tuned CTS-V coupe showed up on our doorstep, one staffer cracked, “The only modification that car really needs is a bigger gas tank.”) But beyond the frequent stops for fuel, the long-haul reports were glowing. The big supercharged eight lives at the low end of the tach on the highway, which helps prevent aural fatigue, and there’s enough torque on hand that downshifts are optional, even while passing. The optional Recaro seats are firm, but four-way lumbar and adjustable bolsters mean even Inspector Clouseau could find a suitable position. Constant cruising also means no annoyance at the chairs rocking in their mounts under braking and acceleration.

Read More: http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/car/11q1/2011_cadillac_cts-v_wagon-long-term_road_test_update

GM to expand Cadillac production outside North America by 2012

2011-06-14T12:41:00.000-07:00

DETROIT -- General Motors CEO Dan Akerson said today that the company plans to expand Cadillac production outside of North America by the end of 2012 as part of its plan to make GM's premium brand a true global marque.

Akerson said overseas Cadillac production would reduce the risk of foreign-currency fluctuations and let GM better manage its supply chain.

Cadillac vehicles are sold in China and other international markets. Today, besides North America, GM assembles one of its models, the Cadillac SLS, in China for that market. The SLS is a stretched version of the STS. Akerson did not say where GM would make Cadillacs abroad.

GM plans to accelerate overseas sales of Cadillac, which the automaker increasingly is positioning to take on European rivals such as Mercedes and BMW.

"We're going to try to define a slightly different brand and product strategy by having a global premium brand, Cadillac, and a global value brand, Chevrolet," Akerson said, speaking to reporters before GM's first annual shareholders meeting since its initial public stock offering last fall.

Akerson said that strategy is similar to that of Toyota, with its namesake brand and its global luxury marque, Lexus. He said Chevrolet and Cadillac will continue to be buttressed by regional brands such as Opel in Europe and Buick, which is strong in North America and China.

Akerson, 62, became GM's CEO in September. Since then, he has shuffled GM's executive ranks and pressed lieutenants to shed GM's bureaucratic culture and move faster, such as pulling ahead the launch of the next-generation Chevrolet Malibu mid-sized sedan from summer 2012 to early next year.

GM's stock price has slid since its November IPO. But today GM shares closed higher at $28.78 on the New York Stock Exchange, up 0.8 percent.

It is the first time GM held its annual stockholders meeting in the company's hometown since 1990.

Memorial Day Edition: Best new car deals on American cars

2011-05-26T13:35:00.000-07:00

While many motorists will be hitting the road on vacation, this Memorial Day weekend, it’s also a great time to buy a new car. There are a number of discounts available, and dealers may be more willing to negotiate since it’s also the end of the month and they want to meet their quotas. In honor of this American holiday and unofficial start of summer, we are listing good deals on recommended vehicles from the U.S.-based automakers.

The models highlighted in the chart have Bottom Line Prices below the manufacturer suggested retail price (MSRP), when factoring all national incentives. Regional or local offers, as well as bonus incentives that are targeted at specific audiences such as military personnel or college graduates, may further sweeten the deal. The Bottom Line Price gives you a strong starting point for your negotiations, working up from the rock bottom, rather than haggling down from MSRP or even advertised offers.

The models listed are just a few of our Best New Car Deals--notable discounts on models recommended by Consumer Reports. These vehicles scored well in our testing, have average or better predicted reliability, and performed well in government or insurance-industry safety tests, if evaluated.

2011 Cadillac DTS Luxury Collection

5/31/2011

51,925

49,069

Yes

Get the Bottom Line Price

20%+

Cadillac ATS-V On the Way, Will Get Twin-Turbocharged V-6 – Car News

2011-05-10T14:28:00.000-07:00

With the CTS-V and its awesome, supercharged V-8, GM's finest brand has a vehicle on par with offerings from Audi's Quattro, BMW’s M, and Mercedes-Benz’s AMG. And when the next-generation CTS rolls out, it will share its Alpha platform with a softtop convertible and a smaller sedan, the ATS. Given the success of the CTS-V, Cadillac insiders tell us an ATS-V also is a sure thing.

Theoretically, the CTS-V’s LSA V-8 would fit into an ATS-V, but that could cannibalize sales from the CTS-V. Rather, the ATS-V will be aimed directly at the next-generation BMW M3, which is expected to have a turbocharged inline-six. That, our sources tell us, is why the ATS-V will be powered by a twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter V-6 that should make around 380 hp.

Six-speed manual and automatic transmissions will be offered. We expect outstanding performance, with 0–60 times below five seconds and a top speed in excess of 170 mph. We have to say, though, that we’d be a lot more comfortable with Cadillac using a V-8—the brand’s last experiment with turbocharged sixes didn’t go so well.

Using a six in the ATS-V also opens up another exciting possibility: a small run of über-ATS-Vs with the incredible LSA—think of it as Cadillac’s Black Series. While that seems unlikely, Chevrolet’s fitment of the engine in the Camaro ZL1 proves that forces within GM will still back overpowered, limited-interest, but boundlessly awesome products.

Read More: http://www.caranddriver.com/news/car/11q2/cadillac_ats-v_on_the_way_will_get_twin-turbocharged_v-6-car_news

2013 Cadillac SRX Plug-In Hybrid Spy Photos - Future Cars

2011-04-28T07:50:00.000-07:00

Cadillac can’t seem to settle on a powertrain for its hot-selling SRX. The second-gen crossover was introduced in 2010 with Saab’s turbocharged 2.8-liter six as an option (it was sacked early this year; no big loss) and a 3.0-liter V-6 as the base engine (also gone for 2012). Both are being replaced by GM’s 3.6-liter V-6, which will be the only available motivator for now. A plug-in hybrid version—caught here by our covert photogs—should join the lineup soon enough. The 2013 model year also will bring a mild interior update with touch-sensitive controls.

Turn On, Plug In, Drop . . . Fuel Consumption

These fresh spy shots show a pretty plain-looking SRX with one major exterior difference: a second fuel door stitched into the left rear quarter panel. (If it weren’t for the sloppy welds, we may not have noticed the extra orifice.) This Caddy’s range will be extended not by a second gas tank, but by a plug-in hybrid system charged through the port under that flap. And if you had any doubt that this is indeed a hybridized Cadillac, check the hybrid-badged Dell laptop sitting inside. Proof positive.

The system likely will be an evolution of the plug-in system almost offered on the Saturn Vue Green Line two-mode hybrid—the brand was killed before that ute could see the light of a showroom. As such, a V-6 (smaller than the 3.6 used in Saturn’s iteration) or even an efficient four-cylinder would suck the gas, while a lithium-ion battery would supply amps. The trap-door grilles offered in the eAssist Buick LaCrosse as well as the upcoming Chevy Malibu Eco may be applied here to aid aerodynamics.

You Can Touch This

Aside from the engineer’s computer cluttering up the cabin, this prototype show some other interior updates coming to all SRXs. Chief among them is a static center touch-screen display, which replaces the pop-up-toaster-style unit on the current car. Below that, you may notice a complete lack of controls. Instead, there’s some metal trim that resembles a Guy Fawkes mask, which we expect will become the touch-sensitive interface for multimedia, navigation, and climate-control adjustments. GM has already gone this route on the Volt, and it’s similar to Ford’s MyFord Touch and MyLincoln Touch systems, which use capacitive-touch sensors and sliders in place of buttons and knobs. Whereas the Volt gets its functions silkscreened onto the respective button-replacing areas, Cadillac appears to be going the backlit route, possibly so that functions can be changed depending on what’s being controlled.

The same style of controls also can be seen on the steering wheel, where the all-black areas will light up with their functions. The wheel sits below a revised gauge package; the hood over the pod has been reshaped, and the gauges themselves go more traditional, eschewing the current car’s center LCD. We expect most, if not all, of its info—plus hybrid-specific data—will instead be seen on the new, bigger center screen.

The updated interior should arrive at the same time as the plug-in model, and be a part of all SRX variants, regardless of powertrain. The touch-sensitive infotainment controls probably will spread throughout the Cadillac lineup. The CTS is a good candidate for a retrofit, and we already spotted the system in the upcoming XTS. As for the plug-in model, we’re hopeful Cadillac can get acceptably large rocker-panel decals to announce its hybridity—they’ve worked so well to move hybrid Escalades.

Read More: http://www.caranddriver.com/news/spied/11q2/2013_cadillac_srx_plug-in_hybrid_spy_photos-future_cars

News - Free Maintenance Tops List of 2011 Cadillac Escalade Improvements

2011-04-12T08:27:00.000-07:00

The Cadillac Escalade may no longer be the Crest-and-Wreath’s best-seller, but the large body-on-frame offering – available in short-wheelbase, long-wheelbase ESV, and Chevrolet Avalanche-based EXT “sport utility truck,” the first two available in Hybrid flavor – remains an important part of the brand’s lineup. To help keep things fresh, GM added a host of minor improvements plus the new Cadillac Premium Care Maintenance Program. It covers scheduled oil changes, replacement of engine and cabin air filters, and multi-point inspections for four years or 50,000 miles. Though not as comprehensive as BMW’s program, it’s still a nice selling point for prospective buyers.

The 2011 model year also sees the Escalade range get additional noise reduction via a laminated windshield and front side glass, modified front weather stripping, and slightly redesigned rear-view mirrors. GM also added more features to the navigation system and improved the standard OnStar technology’s voice-recognition software that now includes flexible speech recognition software that no longer needs to hear the exact command and is better capable of recognizing regional dialects.

DTS Named Most Dependable Large Premium Car

2011-03-22T09:14:00.000-07:00

DETROIT – J.D. Power and Associates ranked the Cadillac DTS highest among large premium cars in its 2011 Vehicle Dependability Study released today. The DTS had 90 problems per 100 vehicles, the fewest of any vehicle in its class for the second year in a row.

For six straight years, the DTS and its predecessor, the DeVille, have earned a spot in the top three of the large premium car segment in the J.D. Power Vehicle Dependability Study. The report measures problems encountered in the past 12 months of 3-year-old vehicles.

“DTS is part of a line of full-size Cadillac luxury automobiles known for their long-term quality and craftsmanship,” said Don Butler, vice president for Cadillac Marketing. “We’re pleased to have this commitment to long-term reliability confirmed by a study that means so much to consumers.”

Read More: http://media.gm.com/content/media/us/en/news/news_detail.brand_cadillac.html/content/Pages/news/us/en/2011/Mar/0317_dts

Hennessey Cadillac CTS-V V700 – Specialty File

2011-03-04T09:12:00.000-08:00

Do not confuse Hennessey and Hennessy. Though homonyms, one is a 20-year veteran of the tuner world whose machines require courage—the kind that originates in one’s nether regions—to fully unwind. The other is a 246-year-old cognac distiller whose hooch builds courage. Hennessey Performance and its founder, John Hennessey, gained notoriety in the ’90s for mixing Dodge Vipers with turbochargers. Hennessy also gained notoriety in the ’90s, when the hip-hop community extolled the spirit’s magical ability to mix with everything from cannabis to Coke. Drinking Hennessy while driving a Hennessey is not recommended.

Unlike his other offerings, John Hennessey’s CTS-V–based V700 didn’t trigger our low-courage warning light. That may be because Hennessey told us that this was his personal car used to cart his children around suburban Houston. Or it may be that the sedan, aside from its massive 20-inch billet aluminum wheels (a $5500 option) and blacked-out trim, looks bone stock. More likely, it was because we knew that Hennessey recently lured John Heinricy, one of the GM engineers responsible for the current, very friendly CTS-V, from the cozy nest of retirement to consult with him on changes to the car.

Read More: http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/car/11q1/hennessey_cadillac_cts-v_v700-specialty_file

Cadillac All-Wheel-Drive Models Gaining Traction

2011-02-16T11:18:00.000-08:00

AWD models account for almost half of CTS retail sales
SRX AWD system also improves passing acceleration in normal conditions
CTS AWD system helps correct over-steer during aggressive cornering

DETROIT – Kenneth Carter, owner of Carter and Carter Realty Inc., lives on the north side of Colorado Springs, Colo., near Monument Hill, where the snow is frequent and terrain is steep.

An all-wheel-drive automobile is a necessity, said Carter, who often has to drive over unplowed roads to see properties or meet with clients. The Colorado Realtor recently bought a 2011 Cadillac CTS Coupe AWD to go with the 2010 Cadillac SRX AWD he already owned. He likes the dependability of Cadillacs and the way they handle on both snow-covered and normal roads.

“We get snow up here when they don’t get it down in Colorado Springs,” Carter said. “I have to be able to get around on business with what I do. I can’t be locked in by snow.”

More luxury buyers, such as Carter, are turning to Cadillac for its AWD models. Cadillac retail sales of AWD versions of the SRX, CTS and Escalade have increased a combined 38 percent in the past two years. AWD models now account for one-third of SRX, almost half of CTS and three-quarters of Escalade retail sales.

AWD historically has been associated with sport-utility vehicles, but in recent years Cadillac has appealed to customers by expanding its AWD offerings to cars and crossovers. An AWD version of CTS was introduced during the 2008 model year. A dramatically redesigned SRX, also available in AWD, was introduced for 2010.

AWD is a significant selling option for luxury autos in his area, said Joel Defazio, sales manager at Red Noland Cadillac in Colorado Springs. Carter bought both of his Cadillacs from Red Noland. The Escalade AWD has always sold well, but the addition of the AWD CTS has been a boost to Cadillac car sales, Defazio said.

“All-wheel-drive is our business,” Defazio said. “With AWD now offered on the CTS, we’re able to attract luxury buyers in our area that never would have considered Cadillac before.”

Cold-weather areas provide the strongest consumer demand for AWD vehicles. Cadillac’s advanced AWD systems can quickly react to slippery roads and shift more power to the wheel or wheels with the best traction. Cadillac recently signed a sponsorship agreement with Vail Resorts that will highlight these capabilities in snowy, ski destinations.

Read More: http://media.gm.com/content/media/us/en/news/news_detail.brand_cadillac.html/content/Pages/news/us/en/2011/Feb/0216_cadillac

Design Unfiltered: Bold Sketch Gives Life to 2011 CTS Coupe

2011-01-27T12:40:00.000-08:00

DETROIT – Bob Munson, design manager for the Cadillac CTS, admits even he was taken aback when he first saw the production version of 2011 CTS Coupe.

“I thought it looked like something from another planet,” Munson said. “It looked like a concept car driving down the road. The Coupe definitely has a shock value…but in a good way.”

The CTS Coupe quickly has become one of the most-heralded new cars for the 2011 model year. It’s the most dramatic form yet in a Cadillac line that follows a theme described in design language as an archer’s bow pulled taut.

Road & Track described Cadillac’s new luxury sports coupe as “a head-turner on the scale of the Exorcist.” A New York Times review said the CTS Coupe “looks as if a stealth bomber just touched down in the neighborhood.” Popular Mechanics named the CTS Coupe one of the Top 10 Cars of 2011, and AutoWeek recently selected the high-performance version, CTS-V Coupe, as its Best of the Best Car for 2011.

The development of the CTS Coupe was a special project, said Munson, who began his career in GM design in the 1970s while attending what’s now Kettering University in Flint, Mich. For Munson and the Cadillac design team, the Coupe was as close to an unfiltered creative process as it gets. While early design sketches usually serve as inspiration for the final automobile, the original drawing of the CTS Coupe was followed almost as closely as a blueprint.

Munson first drew the lines that would become the CTS Coupe in 2004 as part of an exercise by Cadillac designers to describe the showroom of 2015. One evening at home, he sketched a two-door coupe that featured sharp angles, bulging wheels pushed to the corners and a fast, almost horizontal line from the roof to rear.

Read More: http://media.gm.com/content/media/us/en/news/news_detail.brand_cadillac.html/content/Pages/news/us/en/2011/Jan/0127_cts_coupe

Chicago Cadillac Repairs

More Details on Future Cadillac Flagship, Could Be Mid-Engine Sports Car

2011-01-12T14:28:00.000-08:00

We broke the news last June that Cadillac was planning a flagship vehicle, but precious few details were known at the time. We’ve since learned more, including the intriguing possibility that the flagship may not be a sedan at all. Indeed, Cadillac currently has two paths its flagship could follow; the end result of either would slot above the forthcoming XTS (shown in concept form above), which will replace both the mediocre STS and geezer-friendly DTS when it goes on sale as a 2012 model.

The first is a flagship sedan, code-named “UP” (Über Premium? Ultra Pretentious? Urethane Protected?) and designed to take on the Audi A8, the BMW 7-series, and the Mercedes-Benz S-class. Priced at around $80,000, this car would use a lightened version of the long-wheelbase RWD Zeta platform found under our upcoming Chevy Caprice Police Pursuit cop car. Power would come from either a turbocharged, direct-injected V-6 or a naturally aspirated V-8.

The second vehicle under consideration is more expressive and more expensive but decidedly lower volume. The exact shape of this possible car has yet to be decided; proposals include a large—nearly Maybach-large—high-end asphalt crusher, a Mercedes CL–sized personal luxury coupe, a high-performance coupe, a four-door B-pillarless sedan, a trend-following four-door coupe, or, most interesting, a mid-engine two-seat sports car built on a new platform.

Read More: http://blog.caranddriver.com/more-details-on-future-cadillac-flagship-could-be-mid-engine-sports-car/

Heritage Cadillac

Will Cadillac Be GM's Hybrid Leader?

2010-12-23T09:14:00.000-08:00

Among car buyers, none of the four surviving General Motors brands are really associated with hybrid vehicles.

Now that customer deliveries have started for the 2011 Chevrolet Volt extended-range electric car, GM's other brands will need some green cred too.
What's the future of GM's Two-Mode Hybrid system for medium and large vehicles?

Who gets hybrids?

And if Chevy now has the Volt, which GM brand becomes the lead for regular and plug-in hybrids?

We think it'll be Cadillac. Here's why.

Read More: http://www.greencarreports.com/blog/1052850_chevys-got-the-volt-will-cadillac-be-gms-hybrid-leader

Cadillac Hybrid

CTS-V Wagon named Automobile All-Star

2010-12-16T09:23:00.000-08:00

DETROIT – AUTOMOBILE Magazine named the CTS-V Wagon to its list of 2011 All-Stars, placing the high-performance Cadillac wagon into an elite class of new models.

The AUTOMOBILE Magazine 2011 All-Star awards were announced today at www.automobilemag.com and will be featured in the February issue of the magazine. In selecting the CTS-V Wagon, the AUTOMOBILE Magazine editors explained what impressed them:

“The CTS-V Wagon is not only far cooler than the sedan and the coupe that share its raucous powertrain and chiseled good looks, it’s also evidence that Cadillac is willing and able to play to the desires of the keenest automotive enthusiasts in America.”

The CTS-V Wagon is the latest addition to Cadillac’s V-Series line of high-performance luxury sports car. It features a supercharged 6.2L V8 delivering 556 horsepower, Brembo brakes and Magnetic Ride Control suspension. The CTS-V Wagon also provides 25 cubic feet of storage space, about twice the cargo room of a luxury sedan in the same class.

Read More: http://media.gm.com/content/media/us/en/news/news_detail.brand_cadillac.html/content/Pages/news/us/en/2010/Dec/1215_ctsvwagon

Cadillac Dealers

Cadillac becomes title sponsor of Doral tournament, umbrella sponsor of World Golf Championships

2010-12-07T14:41:00.000-08:00

TPC Blue Monster at Doral to host another strong, international contingent

PONTE VEDRA BEACH, FL and DETROIT – The PGA TOUR, on behalf of the International Federation of PGA Tours, and Cadillac today announced a multi-year agreement whereby Cadillac becomes title sponsor of the World Golf Championships-Cadillac Championship and an umbrella sponsor of the World Golf Championships. In 2011, the tournament will be played at TPC Blue Monster, Doral Golf Resort & Spa in Doral, FL.

“We are absolutely delighted to once again partner with Cadillac, which has a long-standing history with professional golf,” said PGA TOUR Commissioner Tim Finchem. “We couldn’t be more pleased to welcome Cadillac back through this sponsorship with the World Golf Championships. We believe that the World Golf Championships will provide Cadillac with an effective and valuable marketing platform that will provide an excellent return on its investment. In addition to today’s announcement about the return of the World Golf Championships to Miami, we also look forward to exploring opportunities with Cadillac to bring PGA TOUR tournament golf back to Detroit.”

The World Golf Championships umbrella sponsorship provides Cadillac with a high-profile global marketing platform, including extensive branding and advertising across the four-event global series, as well as opportunities to connect with customers and dealers. Cadillac will have vehicle display programs at events and throughout the year at Doral Resort, as well as initiate dealer and lead-generation programs.

“The World Golf Championships are all about the highest level of performance on a global stage and fit well with Cadillac's theme as the New Standard of the World,” said Don Butler, vice president for Cadillac Marketing. “As a global series, it provides us with an ideal marketing partnership for Cadillac to efficiently and effectively reach our target audience. We could not think of a more fitting way to bring golf back to Cadillac."

The World Golf Championships-Cadillac Championship features an elite field comprised of the top 50 players from the Official World Golf Ranking, top 30 from the previous year’s FedExCup points list, top 10 from the current FedExCup points list, top 20 from the previous year’s European Tour Order of Merit, top 10 from the current European Tour Order of Merit, and the top two players from the previous year’s Order of Merit on the Japan Golf Tour, Australasian Tour, Sunshine Tour and Asian Tour.

The championship, introduced in 1999, moved to Doral’s TPC Blue Monster Course in 2007. Ernie Els is the defending champion.

To purchase tickets to the Cadillac Championship, visit www.worldgolfchampionships.com.

Read More: http://media.gm.com/content/media/us/en/news/news_detail.brand_cadillac.html/content/Pages/news/us/en/2010/Nov/1129_cadillac_pga

Cadillac Urban Luxury Concept – Auto Shows

2010-11-19T09:23:00.000-08:00

In its quest to reestablish itself as the standard of the world, Cadillac is apparently overlooking no niche. Already the standard of the body-on-frame-domestic-luxo-ute and 556-hp-manual-transmission-station-wagon classes, the brand introduced a concept at the L.A. auto show that speaks to becoming the standard of the dinky-runabout segment.

The Urban Luxury Concept is a vision for the Cadillac of the downsized future. Inside its tiny footprint—just 151 inches long and 68.1 wide—the ULC houses four seats and a modicum of cargo space. Thanks to the upright seating position afforded by the car’s 56.9-inch height and the luxurious longitudinal space provided by the 97.1-inch wheelbase—which is identical to a Mini Cooper’s—none of those seats seem like a very painful place to spend an urban commute.

While a small, doorstop-shaped canvas is a tricky one to endow with strong design elements, the ULC manages to look like a Cadillac—albeit a Cadillac dinghy. The brand’s signature grille is up front, flanked by spindly vertical LED headlight arrays, and the chunky trapezoidal B-pillar recalls that of the CTS.

Read More: http://www.caranddriver.com/news/car/10q4/cadillac_urban_luxury_concept-auto_shows

Cadillac Dealers

GM to Invest $190 Million, Add 600 Jobs at Lansing Grand River

2010-10-28T13:00:00.000-07:00

LANSING, Mich. – General Motors today announced a $190 million investment in its Lansing Grand River assembly plant for the production of a new Cadillac model. The investment will create 600 jobs and result in the addition of a second shift.

“America’s fastest-growing luxury brand this year is about to get even more competitive with the addition of an all-new small luxury car,” said GM Chief Executive Officer Dan Akerson. “This investment demonstrates GM’s commitment to Cadillac and to a strong U.S. manufacturing base.”

The announcement brings the total of new U.S. investment to more than $3.1 billion and more than 7,900 jobs that GM has created or retained in 21 U.S. plants since emerging from bankruptcy in July 2009.

Built in 2001, Lansing Grand River is GM’s second-newest U.S. assembly plant and the manufacturing home of the Cadillac CTS and STS as well as their V-series performance versions. Earlier this year Lansing Grand River received the J.D. Power and Associates Bronze Plant Award for initial quality.
Joe Ashton, UAW vice president of the GM Department, said, “Today’s announcement is further proof of what UAW President Bob King said earlier this summer, ‘The UAW recognizes the paramount importance of innovation, flexibility and partnership with management to respond to global economic pressures. We are proud to play our part in the turnaround at GM. Our mission is to make the highest quality products for the best value.’

“The members of UAW Local 652 have consistently demonstrated that they can compete with any labor force on the globe,” Ashton added. “The commitment, dedication, and hard work of GM’s UAW members provide the foundation for the positive news coming from the company.”

Read More: http://media.gm.com/content/media/us/en/news/news_detail.brand_cadillac.html/content/Pages/news/us/en/2010/Oct/1028_lgr

Cadillac Dealers

Cadillac CTS-V Wagon: Starting At $62,990

2010-10-15T07:48:00.000-07:00

DETROIT –The Cadillac CTS-V Wagon will be available at U.S. Cadillac dealers later this year, with pricing from $62,990, including destination. With a 556-horsepower V-8, the 2011 Cadillac CTS-V Wagon accelerates from 0 to 60 miles per hour in 4.0 seconds.
“The Cadillac CTS-V Wagon is a limited production offering for connoisseurs who are interested in the unique combination of V-Series performance with wagon style and capability,” said Don Butler, vice president, Cadillac marketing.

Like the CTS-V sedan and CTS-V Coupe, the CTS-V Wagon features a supercharged 6.2L V-8 delivering 556 horsepower (415 kW) and 551 lb.-ft of torque (747 Nm). Power is delivered to the rear wheels through either a standard six-speed manual, or a six-speed automatic transmission. Other high-performance features include standard Magnetic Ride Control, Brembo brakes, and 19-inch forged-aluminum wheels with Michelin Pilot Sport PS2 tires.

The CTS-V Wagon combines V-Series performance with the practicality of a wagon and the appointments of a luxury sedan.

Read More: http://media.gm.com/content/media/us/en/news/news_detail.brand_cadillac.html/content/Pages/news/us/en/2010/Oct/1001_cadillac_ctsv

Cadillac Dealers

Cadillac Gunning for BMW

2010-09-28T13:51:00.000-07:00

“Our goal is Cadillac against BMW -- very clearly. We will bring performance to these cars…and be on par or better than BMW. That is our plan.”

Those fighting words came from Karl Stracke, GM’s Vice President of Global Vehicle Engineering, who stopped by this week for a meet-and-greet and to check out the Motor Trend HQ in El Segundo, California.

A mechanical engineer of German extraction, Stracke is the type of auto exec who makes auto journos happy and PR guys cringe. Five minutes into the nickel tour of our facilities and out of earshot of his PR handler, Stracke casually served up unprompted confirmation of the return of the Camaro Z/28. Not exactly breaking news -- while GM has yet to officially confirm it, the Z/28’s resurrection is something of an open secret -- but Stracke’s casual bomb dropping set the tone for the rest of his visit.

We popped into our photo studio for a quick look around, but ended up staying on to watch a Hot Rod photo shoot, as you can see from my grainy cell phone pictures. Moments later in our company garage/tech center, he threw a leg over a racy MV Agusta crotch rocket, which instantly gave me empathy for his PR handler as the $18,500 motorcycle is on loan to our sister pub, Motorcyclist (sorry guys!). But hey, he’s a gear head through and through; Stracke owns a Harley-Davidson V-Rod and has a Corvette Grand Sport as his daily driver. The man likes 'em loud and/or fast and clearly has a passion for wheeled product.

Read more: http://blogs.motortrend.com/6650713/new-cars/gm-vp-z-28-coming-cadillac-gunning-for-bmw-next-gen-camaro-to-alpha/index.html#ixzz10rLVzMnX

Illinois Cadillac

2011 Cadillac CTS Coupe - Short Take Road Test

2010-09-28T13:44:00.000-07:00

We must begin with a disclaimer: We lack unanimity as to this new coupe’s cool quotient. Some, including your humble narrator, see a dramatic head turner. But others fixate on the vertical dimension (admittedly substantial) between the top of the center taillamp–cum–spoiler and the twin center exhaust pipes. The term “big ass” found its way into print [“Achtung Heroes,” September 2010] regarding the car’s going-away view.

Those who hold this perception are obviously cretins. But let’s talk numbers.

The standard CTS coupe is propelled by GM’s 3.6-liter, DOHC 24-valve aluminum V-6, making 304 horsepower at 6400 rpm and 273 pound-feet of torque at 5200. This is a thoroughly modern engine: direct fuel injection, an 11.3:1 compression ratio, and variable valve timing. But tethered to two tons of Cadillac, it generates acceleration that’s on the edge of ho-hum: 0 to 60 mph in 6.4 seconds and the quarter-mile in 15 seconds flat at 96 mph.

An equivalent BMW 328i coupe (230 horsepower, 200 pound-feet of torque) can generate just as much performance, thanks to curb weights that start some 600 pounds lower; plus, there’s the 300-hp 335i, which blows the Caddy out of the water. The CTS coupe is 221 pounds lighter than the CTS-V that competed in our September comparo, but it’s the heavyweight of its class.

Read More: http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/car/10q3/2011_cadillac_cts_coupe-short_take_road_test

Cadillac Illinois

Cadillac Pursues Crash-Avoiding Technologies

2010-08-31T09:27:00.000-07:00

Cadillac has long been an innovator in safety technologies, but the next innovation could really be a quantum leap forward towards a crash-free future. It may sound like sci-fi, but it's not all that far-fetched.

John Capp, director for Global Active Safety at Cadillac, says future Cadillac technologies could include in-vehicle Doppler radar to spot obstructions or traffic jams ahead. Looking even further out, Capp sees autonomous vehicles that can communicate with each other, traffic signals and buildings, pointing to a world where cars may actually drive themselves.

"We see things moving toward a point in the future where perhaps vehicles won't crash," said Capp. "We work on developing advanced safety technologies for Cadillac that alert drivers to potential dangers around them."

Cadillac is already evolving its technology to come closer to the vision of a crash-proof car. Capp and his team of engineers, inventors and futurists have developed life-saving active safety technologies that are already in place on the 2010 Cadillac STS Platinum, including:

Lane departure warning – a camera-based lane detection system that warns the driver when he or she leaves their lane without signaling. The camera, mounted near the inside rearview mirror, identifies traffic lane markings and provides audible alerts.

Blind spot alert – twin radar beacons that detect an object in a vehicle's blind zone and provide a visual warning in the outside side mirror.

Adaptive cruise control – sensors detect objects in a vehicle's path and slow the vehicle down to avoid a collision.

"We're evolving those technologies to develop the capability where vehicles will be able to avoid crashes,” Capp said.

Read More: http://media.gm.com/content/media/us/en/news/news_detail.brand_cadillac.html/content/Pages/news/us/en/2010/Aug/0827_cadillac

Cadillac Dealers

CTS Projected Resale Value Rises With Launch of 2011 Coupe

2010-08-11T09:42:00.001-07:00

DETROIT – The resale value for the Cadillac CTS is projected to rise as the luxury brand adds the 2011 CTS Coupe to the line-up, according to the July/August estimates from ALG, an industry benchmark for residual values.

The higher projections are driven by lower incentives, tighter controls on inventory and an emphasis on design, as showcased in the all-new CTS Coupe.

The resale value for the 2011 CTS Sport Sedan after 36 months is projected to be 55 percent of the initial purchase price, about 9 percentage points higher than the projected resale value for the 2010 model, according to ALG. The projected resale value for the 2011 CTS Sport Wagon, compared to the 2010 model, also has risen about 9 percentage points to 54 percent of the initial purchase price.

The CTS Coupe, which began arriving at U.S. dealerships in July, has a projected resale value of 59 percent of its initial price. The CTS Coupe has been praised in early reviews for its dramatic design, staying true to a model that was named best concept car in the Eyes on Design Awards for the 2008 North American International Auto Show.

“Competitive products, innovative styling and a value driven pricing strategy are contributing to a resurgence of the Cadillac brand,” said Matt Traylen, ALG chief economist and client partner. “The introduction of the Coupe broadens the potential CTS customer base and elevates the Cadillac brand as a whole with emotional appeal, dynamic performance and enthusiast credibility.”

The projected resale values are the result of Cadillac’s long-term commitment to building the brand, said Don Butler, vice president of Cadillac marketing.

The SRX crossover, redesigned for the 2010 model year, has experienced a double-digit percentage increase in projected resale value in the past year.

“Cadillac continues to deliver products that stand out in the luxury market through bold design, exceptional performance and advanced technology,” Butler said. “The SRX has brought Cadillac style to the fast-growing crossover market. The CTS Coupe pushes design and performance even further on Cadillac’s award-winning CTS line.”

Cadillac Illinois

Cadillac Sales Surge 142 Percent In July

2010-08-11T09:38:00.000-07:00

SRX up almost eightfold, and CTS sales double in July

DETROIT – Cadillac continued its strong sales momentum in July with total U.S. sales of 14,919, more than double the total for the same month last year as SRX posted its best month ever and CTS had its best results of the year. It was the best month for the brand since August 2008.

Cadillac SRX total sales rose almost eightfold, increasing 783 percent in July and marking the best sales month ever for the SRX since its original introduction in 2003. Redesigned for the 2010 model year, the SRX luxury crossover has posted triple-digit percentage sales increases for 11 straight months. In the past year, SRX has posted the largest gain in its segment for both sales and projected resale value. About half of all SRX sales are coming from competitor trade-ins.

Cadillac CTS posted July sales of 5,516, a 132-percent increase from the same month last year and the best sales month since August 2008. Cadillac began shipping the all-new 2011 CTS Coupe in July to join the CTS Sport Sedan and CTS Sport Wagon. Escalade also had a strong month with sales up 22 percent to 2,209.

“As luxury buyers return to the market, they’re responding positively to the Cadillac line-up,” said Kurt McNeil, vice president of Cadillac sales and service. “SRX continues to attract new customers to the Cadillac brand in the crossover segment. The CTS Coupe adds another boost to the line-up with design and performance that stands out in the luxury sports car segment.”

The CTS Coupe is a highly anticipated addition to the award-winning CTS line. Automobile Magazine called the CTS Coupe “simply gorgeous.” Road & Track wrote that it was “one of the most dramatically styled cars on the road.” The Wall Street Journal described the CTS Coupe as “wicked, cool, extralegal…the car Frank Gehry and ‘Batman’ animator Bruce Timm would design if their lives depended on it.”

Cadillac Chicago

2010 Cadillac SRX Earns TOP SAFETY PICK Award from IIHS

2010-08-11T09:21:00.000-07:00

Highest possible “Good” ratings awarded in all Insurance Institute safety tests

DETROIT – The 2010 Cadillac SRX received the highest possible rollover protection rating of “Good” in a recent evaluation by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). This was one of four tests leading to the Institute’s Top Safety Pick Award for all SRX models built after May 2010.

“Car buyers shopping for safety need look no further than vehicles earning the Top Safety Pick designation,” said Institute president Adrian Lund. “This award means the SRX has elite status for overall crash protection. The SRX not only affords buyers the best protection in the four most common kinds of crashes, this vehicle also has electronic stability control, a crucial safety feature that can help drivers avoid many crashes altogether.”

The 2010 SRX is designed to protect occupants before, during and after a crash. In addition to a strong body structure and chassis that absorb crash energy, SRX has a number of standard safety features. These include rollover-capable head curtain side air bags, front seat-mounted pelvic/thorax side air bags, front safety belts with dual pretensioners and the safety and security of OnStar.

"The redesigned SRX has been a phenomenal success for Cadillac since its introduction last year,” said Don Butler, vice president of Cadillac Marketing. “SRX has won over consumers with its bold design and impressive array of features. The IIHS Top Safety Pick Award provides another great reason for luxury crossover buyers to consider SRX."

SRX continues to be a strong contributor to Cadillac’s sales momentum. In July, total sales of the model rose almost eightfold, increasing 783 percent and marking the best sales month ever since its original introduction in 2003.

Chicago Cadillac

2010 Cadillac Escalade Luxury

2010-06-22T08:35:00.001-07:00

2010 Cadillac Escalade Luxury

Internet Price: $72,110
Call Now: 888-572-9180
Bodystyle: 4 door SUV
Engine: 6.2L V-8cyl
Ext. Color: Black Raven
Int. Color: BK
Stock Number: 0000525X
VIN: 1GYUKBEF5AR246683

Chicago Cadillac

2010 Cadillac DTS

2010-06-22T08:32:00.001-07:00

2010 Cadillac DTS

Internet Price: $50,165
Call Now: 888-572-9180
Engine: 4.6L V-8cyl
Ext. Color: White Diamond
Int. Color: TN
Stock Number: 0000132X
VIN: 1G6KA5EY6AU103082

Cadillac DTS Chicago

2010 Cadillac CTS Premium

2010-06-22T08:26:00.000-07:00

2010 Cadillac CTS Premium

Internet Price: $49,840
Call Now: 888-572-9180
Bodystyle: 4 door Sedan
Engine: 3.6L V-6cyl
Ext. Color: Black Raven
Int. Color: BK
Stock Number: 00000026
VIN: 1G6DS5EV4A0101978

Chicago Cadillac CTS

High 2011 Cadillac SRX Sales drive GM to Increase Production

2010-06-22T08:18:00.000-07:00

General Motors, reacting to high demand from consumers and dealership over its stunning Cadillac SRX, will be increasing production of the luxury crossover/SUV.

Currently, inventories are at a 57-day supply, slightly below the preferred 60-day surplus. As more orders come in, that supply will quickly deplete.
"They all want SRXs right away," Kurt McNeil, Cadillac's US sales chief in an interview with Automotive News.

According to McNeil, the production increase at GM's Ramos Arizpe plant will likely occur sometime this fourth quarter. (read more)

Cadillac Chicago