GM to engineer RWD hybrid powertrain for future Cadillacs?
by AutoBlog on Feb.08, 2010, under Auto Blog
Filed under: Hybrid, Technology, Cadillac, GM
General Motors’ two-mode hybrid system hasn’t exactly been a commercial success. GM has had a hard time finding customers willing to part ways with $10,000 or more for a fully capable SUV with sedan-like city fuel economy, but that reportedly isn’t stopping the Detroit, MI-based automaker from improving its hybrid formula for its next generation of vehicles. GM is said to be working on a new electric motor that will reportedly shrink in size by 25 percent while increasing power by 20 percent. These smaller, more powerful motors will reportedly help The General put its hybrid tech in even smaller vehicles.
Automotive News reports that Tom Stephens, GM’s vice chairman of global product operations, told reporters that the company’s next two-mode setup will be lighter and more affordable when it hits the streets in 2013. The system will reportedly still be available for SUVs and trucks, but Stephens says the system will also be available in rear-drive cars. Jim Hall of 2953 Analytics reportedly told AN that the easy money is on Cadillac getting the upgraded Two-Mode tech, with the next generation CTS and the ATS as the best bets to include the hybrid powertrain.
Given the fact that Cadillacs command a higher price tag, we’re thinking that the Wreath and Crest is a good place to start if the automaker ever wants to make a profit off of a full hybrid vehicle. And with the STS likely to go away before 2013, we’re thinking the CTS and ATS could be the only rear-drive Caddy sedans by the time 2013 rolls around. It can’t hurt that the ATS and the next CTS will share the same platform either, making it easier/cheaper to add Two-Mode tech to both vehicles.
[Source: Automotive News - sub. req.]
GM to engineer RWD hybrid powertrain for future Cadillacs? originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 08 Feb 2010 13:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Report: Next Chevy Camaro to use Cadillac ATS platform?
by AutoBlog on Feb.05, 2010, under Auto Blog
Filed under: Convertible, Coupe, Performance, Cadillac, Chevrolet, Rumormill
The fifth-generation Chevrolet Camaro has been on the road for less than a year in production form, but, according to Motor Trend, General Motors is already considering a followup act. The current model is based on GM’s Zeta rear-wheel drive platform that was developed by Holden in Australia. While the Zeta cars, the Camaro and the late Pontiac G8, have generally been praised for their dynamics, they are not perfect. The platform is heavy and many of the originally anticipated additional applications have not materialized, raising the per vehicle cost in the process.
Last summer in the wake of bankruptcy, GM showed off many of its upcoming vehicles to members of the media, including a new smaller Cadillac dubbed ATS. The ATS rides on a new rear-wheel drive platform that has been referred to as Alpha. GM didn’t disclose exactly what they were calling the ATS platform, but they did tell us that it would be shared with the next-generation CTS which will likely grow a bit to better compete with the BMW 5 Series. Given the economics of building cars and the volumes expected for both the Cadillacs and the Camaro, it makes sense that the Camaro would move over to the Alpha architecture. One of the goals for all three models will be reduced mass, necessary to meet new fuel economy standards and improve performance.
Gallery: Review: 2010 Chevrolet Camaro SS
[Source: Motor Trend]
Report: Next Chevy Camaro to use Cadillac ATS platform? originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 05 Feb 2010 10:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
AWD Vehicles – Winter Wondercars
by Automobile Magazine on Feb.03, 2010, under Automobilemag.com
4-wheel-drive coupes, sedans, wagons, and yes, even sports cars.
Toyota
Despite its large number of models, Toyota offers all-wheel drive in only one passenger car, the Matrix. The compact hatchback pairs AWD with the larger, 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine and a four-speed automatic only.inline_mediumwraptextright26695826/features/news/1001_awd_vehicles_winter_wondercars1001_18_z+2010_toyota_matrix_s+front_three_quarter_view.jpgTrue
Photo Gallery: AWD Vehicles – 4WD Coupes, Sedans, Wagons, Sports Cars for Winter – Automobile Magazine
Rumormill: Forthcoming Cadillac ATS to breed sedan, wagon, coupe, convertible
by AutoBlog on Feb.02, 2010, under Auto Blog
Filed under: LA Auto Show, Convertible, Coupe, Sedan, Wagon, Cadillac, Rumormill, Luxury
Cadillac is in the midst of a renaissance. Again. Still. The 2008 CTS paved the way, the Converj is set to follow, and the XTS is set to put the stodgy old Seville and Deville to rest. But Caddy’s also preparing to launch an attack on the entry-level end of the luxury market. And according to word on the street, it’ll be a full-on assault.
When the “small” Cadillac model dubbed ATS debuts for 2012 – the smart money’s on the Los Angeles Auto Show in December – it’ll be spearheaded by a four-door sedan, targeting the likes of the BMW 3 Series and Infiniti G37. But like the offerings from BMW and Infiniti, the sedan won’t be the end of the story. According to an inside source speaking to Inside Line, the ATS will also breed a wagon, a coupe and a convertible.
Whether the convertible will use a folding metal roof or a conventional rag top remains to be decided, but whatever form it takes, one thing’s for sure: General Motors remains very serious about Cadillac, and so should the competition.
[Source: Inside Line]
Rumormill: Forthcoming Cadillac ATS to breed sedan, wagon, coupe, convertible originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 02 Feb 2010 13:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Report: Cadillac and Corvette to go back on sale in Europe
by AutoBlog on Jan.30, 2010, under Auto Blog
Filed under: Car Buying, Convertible, Coupe, Sedan, Performance, SUV, Wagon, Europe, Crossover, Cadillac, Chevrolet, Luxury
It’s been nearly a year since a large number of Europeans have been able to drive home in a brand new Cadillac or Corvette. Up until March of 2009, Dutch-based firm Kroymans Import Europe was employed by General Motors as a third-party to distribute Caddys and Corvettes in nearly half of the 25 European markets (not including the U.K. or Russia). After that company went bankrupt, GM was forced to pull its wares out of these important markets.
In order to rectify that nasty little situation, GM has reportedly been in talks with 30 different dealerships all over Europe with the goal of bringing the Cadillac and Corvette lines back to the market. All variants of the Corvette will be made available, while the Cadillac lineup will consist of the CTS (sedan, coupe and wagon), CTS-V, Escalade and SRX. No details as of yet on what the cars will cost in Europe or when they’ll officially be available for purchase.
Gallery: 2009 Cadillac CTS-V
[Source: Autohaus (translated) via The Truth About Cars]
Report: Cadillac and Corvette to go back on sale in Europe originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 28 Jan 2010 17:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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First Drive: 2011 Cadillac CTS Coupe
by Automobile Magazine on Jan.25, 2010, under Automobilemag.com
The stunning coupe finally gives the CTS line the halo it needed.
Goodbye, XLR & STSinline_mediumwraptextright27866698/reviews/driven/1001_2011_cadillac_cts_coupe1001_07_z+2011_cadillac_cTS_coupe+front_three_quarter_view.jpgTrue
Photo Gallery: 2011 Cadillac CTS Coupe – Cadillac Luxury Coupe Review – Automobile Magazine
Report: Cadillac lowers price on CTS Sport Wagon to give it more breathing room from SRX
by AutoBlog on Jan.24, 2010, under Auto Blog
Filed under: Car Buying, Wagon, Crossover, Cadillac, Luxury
Cadillac shoppers wanting the CTS Sport Wagon basically expect a little bit more car for a little bit more money than a CTS. But when they got to the showroom and saw the bigger SRX crossover cost $6,000 less, the Sport Wagon fell off the charts. So Cadillac has dropped the price of the Sport Wagon by about $1,300 in a bid to give the CTS hauler more of a chance on the sales floor.
Now the CTS Sport Wagon starts at $38,265, while the SRX is $33,330. Before the price drop, the wagon was above the $40K mark, which added that psychological barrier to the sheer dollar amount. Load up either an SRX or a CTS wagon and you’ll end up around $50K.
Now, is that initial $5,000 difference still too big, or is it close enough now to keep people’s eyes on the Sport Wagon prize. Car shoppers have embraced crossovers in general. As such, even with the price changes, the SRX probably doesn’t need to sweat having sales poached by the CTS Sport Wagon. The former has mainstream appeal, and the latter remains a niche product.
[Source: USA Today]
Report: Cadillac lowers price on CTS Sport Wagon to give it more breathing room from SRX originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 24 Jan 2010 16:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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First production 2011 Cadillac CTS Coupe goes to highest bidder at Barrett-Jackson
by AutoBlog on Jan.23, 2010, under Auto Blog
Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Auctions, Cadillac
For the last few years Barrett-Jackson has become the place to sell “production firsts” like the Dodge Challenger, Corvette ZR1, and Shelby GT500 KR to name a few. For 2010, it seems we’ve run out of new muscle cars to auction off, but Cadillac decided to take advantage of a captive and wealthy audience to unload the very first production 2011 Cadillac CTS Coupe. We’d probably be more interested if it was a CTS-V Coupe, as we don’t see a run-of-the-mill two-door CTS becoming a collectible, regardless of when it was produced.
Still, we can’t fault Cadillac too much for bringing the first CTS Coupe to Barrett-Jackson, since all of the winning bid minus the cost of the car will be donated to the College for Creative Studies. The top bidder doesn’t get this exact car, but instead gets to special-order his or her own CTS Coupe with the choice of color, engine, transmission, trim, and any options. So what’s it worth? The car sold yesterday for a respectable price of $95,700 including buyers commission.
Photos by Drew Phillips / Copyright (C)2010 Weblogs, Inc.
Continue reading First production 2011 Cadillac CTS Coupe goes to highest bidder at Barrett-Jackson
First production 2011 Cadillac CTS Coupe goes to highest bidder at Barrett-Jackson originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 23 Jan 2010 16:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Report: General Motors no longer provides Tiger Woods with free cars
by AutoBlog on Jan.15, 2010, under Auto Blog
Filed under: SUV, Marketing/Advertising, Buick, Cadillac, Celebrities, Luxury
According to a report from USA Today, Tiger Woods no longer gets free cars from General Motors. No worries, we’re pretty sure Tiger can afford to pay for his own ride anyway.
The news, attributed to Buick spokesperson Dayna Hart, comes as a number of companies like Tag Heuer and Accenture have canceled advertising contracts with the star golfer. GM, though, indicates that the free car agreement was scheduled to end on December 31st and therefore isn’t necessarily a result of Woods’ November 27 accident outside his Florida home that led to his admission of marital infidelity.
Woods hasn’t been a spokesperson for GM since the golfer’s contract ended in 2008, but the automaker had reportedly agreed to let Woods keep his Buick and Cadillac vehicles for an additional year. As previously reported, the 2009 Cadillac Escalade Woods was driving will be repaired and sold.
[Source: USA Today via San Francisco Chronicle]
Report: General Motors no longer provides Tiger Woods with free cars originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 14 Jan 2010 07:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Video: 2011 Cadillac CTS-V Coupe is ele-MENTAL
by AutoBlog on Jan.13, 2010, under Auto Blog
Filed under: Detroit Auto Show, Coupe, Videos, Cadillac
When Cadillac unveiled the 2011 Cadillac CTS-V Coupe at the Detroit Auto Show, we were so interested taking in the 556 horsepower Caddy to pay much attention to the introductory video. That was a mistake. The creative types at the the Wreath and Crest cut together an epic spot of nature’s might that would have made Maurice White proud.
After the jump you’ll find one of the cooler press conference videos we’ve seen on stage. Hurricanes, atom bombs, lightning bolts and the sun come together to show off the all-powerful Caddy. And if you’re not into nature, the CTS-V Coupe hooks you up with power slides and slo-mo athleticism. There was no hiding the fact that the CTS-V isn’t exactly in line with some of the greener wares at the show, so Cadillac had no choice but to embrace its baddest coupe’s scorched earth goodness. Mother Nature might need to change her pantsuit.
Gallery: 2011 Cadillac CTS-V Coupe
[Source: YouTube]
Continue reading Video: 2011 Cadillac CTS-V Coupe is ele-MENTAL
Video: 2011 Cadillac CTS-V Coupe is ele-MENTAL originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 13 Jan 2010 19:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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