The problem with being the standard-bearer for world-class performance is that you're saddled with the burden of defending your crown at every turn. Take the 2011 Nissan GT-R, for example. This vehicle has the proud distinction of offering one of the highest performance-per-dollar ratios of any car on the planet, and as such, it's the go-to challenger for any high-horsepower machine looking to make a name for itself.

Those would-be stars are typically low-slung tuner creations, but the team from Hennessey chose to line the big-bad Nissan up against something a little less traditional: its HPE1000 Cadillac Escalade. Whereas the 485-horsepower 2011 GT-R can dash to 60 mph in as little as 3.4 seconds, the big SUV packs two turbos, over 1,000 horsepower and 0-60 sprint of 3.3 seconds.



Source: AutoBlog

Cadillac has very much graduated from making old, boring slushmobiles into competent and viable alternatives to the top European and Japanese sellers. And to further emphasize this trend, Cadillac revealed the CTS-V Coupe SCCA Race Car today at the Detroit Auto Show. GM confirms that Cadillac will be returning to the professional motorsports scene and what a car to do it with.

Caddy announced in December 2010 that it was re-entering the Sports Car Club of America World GT Challenge series for 2011, which begins in March. It will be piloted by three-time GTW champion in the America Le Mans Series, Johnny O’Connell and 2005 SCCA World Challenge GT winner, Andy Pilgrim.

The CTS-V Race Car will begin its first on-track tests in late January at the Sebring International Raceway.

Source: eGMCarTech

Who said you couldn't go fast in luxury style?

GM just can't wait to see its new Cadillac CTS Coupe in showrooms as the Detroit automaker announced today that its Lansing Grand River Assembly Plant has not only begun full production of the car but also started shipping models to U.S. dealerships ahead of schedule. The company initially planned to have the 2011 CTS Coupe in showrooms in early August.

The 2+2 Coupe will be offered in two flavors, a standard model powered by 304HP 3.6-liter V6 engine with direct injection starting from $38,990, and the CTS-V Coupe that comes with a 556HP 6.2-liter supercharged V8 and a starting price of $62,990.

Source: CarScoop

GM’s much storied Northstar V8 engine will end its run this summer, bringing to close a 17 year old powertrain tradition.

The 4.6 liter Northstar made huge news when it was launched for the ’93 Cadillac Allante. GM’s first overhead-cam V8 became linked with the Cadillac brand, with GM even reserving the name ‘Northstar’ for Cadillac’s use. Other GM brands used the technology, but not the name.

The departure of the Northstar leaves a hole in GM’s power-train line, as they are left with no overhead-cam architecture, and only the ‘small-block’ V8, whose basic design dates back to the 50’s to fill orders for a V8 engine. The question remains however, will the ‘small-block’ be perceived as sophisticated enough to compete with the more technically advanced engines coming out of Europe and Japan?

Source: InsideLine

Joining the new CTS Coupe later this summer in dealerships will be the high-performance, neck-snapping 2011 Cadillac CTS-V Coupe. Prices for the 2011 Cadillac CTS-V Coupe will start at $62,990 including destination charge.

The CTS-V Coupe is powered by the same supercharged 6.2L V8 that sits in the CTS-V sedan. The engine puts out 556-hp and a maximum torque of 551 lb-ft. Mated to either a Tremec TR6060 6-speed manual with a dual-disc clutch or a Hydra-Matic 6L90 6-speed automatic with paddle-shift control, the CTS-V Coupe can sprint from 0-60 mph in 3.9 seconds. Braking power comes from Brembo brakes, 6-piston calipers
in the front and 4-piston calipers in the rear.

The model also features Cadillac’s Magnetic Ride Control as standard. The system uses shocks controlled by magneto-rheological technology, rather than mechanical valves, to enhance response and assisting in maintaining luxury car driving conditions.

19-inch wheels with performance tires are standard with the CTS-V Coupe.

Source: eGMCarTech

Back in January, we watched as Cadillac took the wraps off of its big XTS Platinum sedan concept under the Detroit Auto Show lights. And while parent company General Motors insisted on slapping the word "concept" behind the car's name, we were pretty sure that the XTS we saw in Cobo Hall was very close to being production-ready.

Now, a new report from Motor Trend states that GM has, in fact, given the Cadillac XTS the go-ahead. When it hits the streets, the XTS will replace both the aging STS and DTS in the Cadillac lineup, and will feature a plug-in hybrid system mated to a 3.6-liter direct-injection V6 – the system originally developed for the Saturn Vue. MT also reports that a twin-turbocharged version of the 3.6-liter V6 could be in the works, and that GM hasn't necessarily ruled out the option of shoving a big ol' V8 under the Caddy's hood.

GM is also working hard to ensure that the XTS's high-zoot interior remains intact for the production car (or, as close as it can get). Cadillac is hoping to offer some proper competition for top-end German luxury cars with the XTS, and we'll know how it fares when it hits the road next year, badged as a 2012 model.

Source: AutoBlog

Chevrolet's next Camaro will switch to the global Alpha platform that General Motors is developing for Cadillac's new BMW 3 Series fighter. The new Camaro is scheduled for the 2014 calendar year according to consultancy firm Grant Thornton LLP and analysis firm CSM Worldwide.

Grant Thornton director James Ricci outlined GM's rear-wheel-drive model plans in a presentation to the Automotive Press Association Thursday afternoon, on the subject of major automakers' move to more common, global platforms. He included some information GM probably would prefer hadn't gone public.

Along with the 2015 Camaro, the Alpha platform would replace the Sigma platform under Cadillac's CTS sedan a year earlier, in calendar '13 as the '14 model. Ricci says the CTS coupe and wagon would then be discontinued. As we've reported in the past, the next CTS is to grow in size, solidifying its position as Cadillac's mainstream luxury car. More in the jump!

The Alpha-based 3 Series fighter, codenamed ATS, would be the global-market luxury model slotted below the CTS in price. GM already has previewed a coupe version of the ATS. There will also be a sedan and possibly a wagon. The ATS is due in calendar '14, about the same time as the next Camaro.

Keep in mind that in Grant Thornton's world, "global platform" refers to manufacturing processes and the ability to build several related models in one factory. This would allow GM to adjust production between Camaro, ATS and CTS depending on demand.

So with Alpha handling two different-sized Cadillacs and the Camaro, it would have to be a very flexible RWD platform. We expect the CTS sedan to grow about half a foot in overall length from its current 191.8 inches. Alpha will thus accommodate at least two wheelbases; the current CTS has a 113.4-inch wheelbase and the Camaro's is 112.3.

We expect the next Camaro to be lighter, to GM North American President Mark Reuss' liking, and somewhat smaller, with a supercharged or turbocharged version of the gas direct-injection 3.6-liter V-6 the SS performance engine. Less heft will enable GM's entry in the muscle car battle to better challenge the more nimble Mustang. All cars will have to be more fuel efficient to meet 2012-16 Corporate Average Fuel Economy standards, and the move in general will be to shorter overhangs and larger or unchanged wheelbases, in order to take advantage of the CAFE "footprint" formula.

GM had been considering a next-generation Camaro on the Alpha platform since before the latest model launched on the Zeta platform last year. Designed for Cadillac, though, it was considered too expensive for a sub-$30,000 (base price) sport coupe. The Grant Thornton revelation suggests that various levels of, for example, aluminum and other lightweight materials will be used, depending on whether it's a Chevy or a Cadillac.

Source: MotorTrend

Cadillac takes its top-of-the-line Platinum Edition products to the next level with the Cadillac XTS Platinum Concept sedan, a plug-in hybrid that goes for a minimalist-looking instrument panel and lots of luxury amenities. The XTS Platinum makes its world debut at the 2010 Detroit Auto Show.

The all-wheel-drive XTS Platinum Concept has a 3.6-liter direct-injection gasoline engine and plug-in hybrid propulsion system that delivers an estimated 350 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. Antilock brakes, stability control and traction control round out the drivetrain details.

Exterior design cues include a rear spoiler, 20-inch wheels and tires and vertical headlights and taillights.

The cabin provides the most insight into what Cadillac is envisioning for its future products — and it's clear it is hot on Lincoln's heels when it comes to shedding the traditional buttons, knobs and dials.

Cadillac says it is stripping away such classic elements of instrument panel design, instead relying on "dead front" design. In this school of thought, the instrument panel appears black until the car is turned on and the screens light up. Lincoln introduced MyLincoln last week at the 2010 International Consumer Electronics Show, which takes the instrument panel to a new level, with a design adopted from cell phones and MP3 players.

"The concept previews a new integration philosophy guiding the development of future models with respect to in-car electronics," said Cadillac in a statement. "The XTS Platinum Concept previews this strategy via the minimization of traditional buttons and switches."

Other cabin details include what Cadillac says is a "new style" of automotive suede with a laser-etched pattern.

Cadillac says this concept envisions the luxury sedan as a "personal headquarters."

Source: InsideLine

General Motors Co. will produce the Cadillac Converj plug-in concept car introduced at last year's Detroit auto show, Vice Chairman Bob Lutz said .

The two-door Converj uses the same technology as GM's Chevrolet Volt plug-in electric vehicle, due to be launched late this year.

Lutz, speaking at a Society of Automotive Analysts meeting Sunday, declined to give timing for introduction of the Converj, but said it would be after 2012.

“You'll see it when you see it,” he said. “We have to slot it into the product lineup.”

The target buyers, he said, are people living in congested U.S. coastal areas who are willing to pay hefty prices for luxury vehicles but who also want to appear environmentally conscious.

The Detroit News in November reported GM would make the Converj. GM declined comment at the time.

Source: Automotive News

The Cadillac CTS earned an overall score of “Excellent” in a recent test of five luxury sedans by Consumer Reports’ for the Feb. 2010 issue of the magazine.

The CTS, which outpointed competitors from Acura, Audi, Mercedes-Benz, and Lincoln, ended up with an overall road test score of 84. Following behind was the Acura RL with 80 points, Mercedes-Benz E350 and Audi A6 with 79 points, and the Lincoln MKS with 75 points.

“With excellent driving dynamics, a smooth and punchy drivetrain and a well-furnished interior, the CTS outscores some of the best imported luxury sports sedans,” said David Champion, senior director of Consumer Reports’ Auto Test Center in East Haddam, Connecticut.

Well that should be some good news for GM and Cadillac right? Wrong. Apparently Consumer Reports says that the CTS’s “below average reliability” prevents the publication from recommending it. Press release at the source!

Source: eGMCarTech

Later this week, the egmCarTech team will be driving down to Detroit for the 2010 North American International Auto Show. One of the production vehicles to debut in Detroit will be the new 2011 Cadillac CTS-V Coupe, the latest addition to the CTS lineup.

Let’s get right to it. Power will come from the same supercharged 6.2L V8 that powers the CTS-V sedan. That is good for 556-hp and a peak torque of 551 lb-ft. Mated to either a Tremec TR6060 6-speed manual with a dual-disc clutch or a Hydra-Matic 6L90 6-speed automatic with paddle-shift control, the CTS-V Coupe can sprint from 0-60 mph in 3.9 seconds. Stopping power comes from Brembo brakes, 6-piston calipers in the front and 4-piston calipers in the rear.

The 2011 CTS-V Coupe also gets Cadillac’s Magnetic Ride Control as standard. The system uses shocks controlled by magneto-rheological technology, rather than mechanical valves, to enhance response and assisting in maintaining luxury car driving conditions.

Sales of the 2011 Cadillac CTS-V Coupe will start early in the summer. Pricing and other details will be announced closer to launch.

Source: eGMCarTech

Add Tiger Woods' black 2009 Cadillac Escalade to the list of modern history's most famous vehicles -- right up there with President John F. Kennedy's limousine and the Rosa Parks bus. So what will become of the General Motors-owned Escalade that Woods careened through his Florida neighborhood?

Damage of Tiger Woods' Cadillac Escalade's rear window from his single car accident is seen in Orlando, Florida November 27, 2009. GM made a deal with Woods after his promotional role with Buick ended late last year to keep taking a bevy of GM vehicles for his personal use, including the Escalade and a Buick Enclave. So there are lots of Woods-occupied vehicles out there, just none in terrible shape like this one.

As to its fate, Cadillac spokesman David Caldwell says don't expect to find the beaten-up Escalade in a museum or on eBay anytime soon. Here's what's he tells Drive On is going to happen to it:Ironically, we expect the car -- with its bashed-in front end and windows broken where Woods' wife took a golf club to it, is worth more in damaged condition than repaired. A lot more.

Eventually, GM's Caldwell says the Escalade will be sold. He says he's not aware of a deluge of offers to buy it at present. But when the time comes, he says he doesn't think it will be an in-house, private placement arrangement. "I would caution folks from expecting that we'd arrange a special sale of it to any certain buyer in an ad-hoc manner," Caldwell says. Rather, he says "if and when they are sold, these kinds of vehicles almost always go through a formal auction process, for a variety of reasons."

Source: USA Today

General Motors Company today added another strong product offering to its lineup with the world debut of the 2010 Cadillac CTS
Coupe. The 2010 CTS Coupe will hit dealerships in spring 2010. Pricing will be announced closer to launch date. EPA-estimated fuel-economy will come in at 17/26 mpg (city/highway) when mated to a rear-wheel-drive or all-wheel-drive system and a 6-speed automatic. When mated to a rear-wheel-drive 6-speed manual, the CTS Coupe averages 17/25 mpg.

GM has confirmed that it will also introduce a 556-hp CTS-V Coupe in the later part of 2010 – something that should satisfy your high-performance American needs until the Chevrolet Camaro Z28 hits roads.

Source: eGMCarTech

The Cadillac CTS-V coupe has been back on ever since GM vice chair Bob Lutz said it was back in July.

Today we learned the production 2011 CTS-V coupe will be in Cadillac's booth at the 2010 Detroit Auto Show, so we'll expect full details and photos to be released in early January. And we'll expect the car to follow the CTS-V sedan in every detail, 556-horsepower supercharged V8 and all.

Source: InsideLine