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  • Report: Cadillac CTS-V Sport Wagon Gets Green Light

    Report: Cadillac CTS-V Sport Wagon Gets Green Light September 18th, 2009 By Viknesh Vijayenthiran's avatar Viknesh Vijayenthiran, Author, September 18th, 2009 Viknesh Vijayenthiran 15 Comments

    Report: Cadillac CTS-V Sport Wagon Gets Green Light

    Cadillac's high-performance CTS-V Sedan already has it what it takes to scare of the likes of BMW's M5, Mercedes' E63 AMG and Audi’s new RS6 thanks to its supercharged 6.2-liter V-8 with a healthy 556 horsepower and 551 pound-feet of torque on tap. According to the latest reports, General Motors is now going after the touring wagon versions of the previously mentioned German performance thoroughbreds with a V version of the recently revealed 2010 CTS Sport Wagon.

    Revealed by InsideLine via Twitter, the news reportedly comes from an unnamed GM insider, but the confirmation is allegedly 100% positive: the CTS-V Sportwagon will be produced....

    Cadillac's high-performance CTS-V Sedan already has it what it takes to scare of the likes of BMW's M5, Mercedes' E63 AMG and Audi’s new RS6 thanks to its supercharged 6.2-liter V-8 with a healthy 556 horsepower and 551 pound-feet of torque on tap. According to the latest reports, General Motors is now going after the touring wagon versions of the previously mentioned German performance thoroughbreds with a V version of the recently revealed 2010 CTS Sport Wagon. Revealed by InsideLine via Twitter, the news reportedly comes from an unnamed GM insider, but the confirmation is allegedly 100% positive: the CTS-V Sportwagon will be produced. Enthusiasts of the world rejoice: the CTS-V will be available in a size for everyone, from coupe to wagon. Stylish wagons are popular in Europe, one of the most important potential markets for Cadillac's own CTS Sport Wagon. A halo model for the new range may just be what Cadillac needs to build a strong brand image and encourage a loyal customer base. Former product czar and new marketing honcho Bob Lutz hinted at a CTS-V wagon back in July and CEO Fritz Henderson has dropped an even stronger hint at the vehicle’s development in August with the announcement that the model’s introduction was being reanalyzed. The case for building a CTS-V wagon nevertheless was thought to be somewhat contentious because of the low popularity of such models in North America. There is, after all, a reason why BMW and Audi have shied away from the high-performance wagon market in the U.S.--simply put, there are not many takers for the cars. Both Audi and BMW refuse to sell their performance variants in the U.S., while the Mercedes E63 AMG wagon barely breaks double digits in sales per year. Dodge's Magnum and its SRT-8 variant was a notorious flop despite its Chrysler 300C looks and strong powertrain. However, the issue might be different for a CTS-V wagon because of the much cheaper expected price of the Cadillac compared to its German rivals. If Cadillac were to produce a CTS-V wagon, assuming that they could sell it within a $60,000-$65,000 price range--mirroring pricing for the sedan--it would still be able to undercut the Mercedes' E63 AMG Estate Wagon by over $20,000 and effectively attract a much broader range of customers. [Twitter via Jalopnik] Read More

  • May 2010 launch confirmed for new Cadillac CTS Coupe

    May 2010 launch confirmed for new Cadillac CTS Coupe August 6th, 2009 ByJames Martinez James Martinez, Author, August 6th, 2009 James Martinez 8 Comments

    May 2010 launch confirmed for new Cadillac CTS Coupe General Motors' Cadillac brand has long aspired to be 'The Standard of the World,' and for a period, it was. Over the last four decades, however, innovation, consistency and quality haven't been hallmarks of the brand. Now, as the auto industry faces some of its bleakest times ever, Cadillac is preparing a new model onslaught.

    In the recent past we’ve seen the unveiling of the new 2010 SRX crossover as well as the 2010 CTS Sport Wagon, and by May next year the sporty CTS Coupe will arrive in showrooms – in both standard and high-performance CTS-V guises.

    The information was revealed buy a GM spokesman who spoke recently with ... General Motors' Cadillac brand has long aspired to be 'The Standard of the World,' and for a period, it was. Over the last four decades, however, innovation, consistency and quality haven't been hallmarks of the brand. Now, as the auto industry faces some of its bleakest times ever, Cadillac is preparing a new model onslaught. In the recent past we’ve seen the unveiling of the new 2010 SRX crossover as well as the 2010 CTS Sport Wagon, and by May next year the sporty CTS Coupe will arrive in showrooms – in both standard and high-performance CTS-V guises. The information was revealed buy a GM spokesman who spoke recently with TheCarConnection. The spokesman said the two-door CTS would get the 2011 model year designation, and that it would share powertrains with the CTS Sedan and the Sport Wagon. The Coupe had been due for a release this summer, but GM's bankruptcy resulted in many product planning changes. For 2010, the CTS lineup gets GM’s new 270 horsepower direct-injected V-6 as the new base powertrain option, while the former 3.6-liter unit is now optional.Cadillac CTS Coupe Read More

  • Bob Lutz confirms Cadillac CTS-V Coupe, hints at Sport Wagon

    Bob Lutz confirms Cadillac CTS-V Coupe, hints at Sport Wagon July 14th, 2009 ByJames Martinez James Martinez, Author, July 14th, 2009 James Martinez 6 Comments

    Bob Lutz confirms Cadillac CTS-V Coupe, hints at Sport Wagon A rebadged Pontiac G8 isn’t the only new model General Motors’ new marketing czar Bob Lutz is shouting about. During a Web-chat held on GM’s own FastLane blog, Lutz was open to a number of questions about the company’s future plans and went as far as confirming a couple.

    One of the models that have been given the production green light is a high-performance CTS-V Coupe from Cadillac. The stylish CTS Coupe, which was first presented in concept form at last year’s Detroit Auto Show, and then confirmed for production in GM’s viability presentation earlier this year, will hit the streets in the middle of... A rebadged Pontiac G8 isn’t the only new model General Motors’ new marketing czar Bob Lutz is shouting about. During a Web-chat held on GM’s own FastLane blog, Lutz was open to a number of questions about the company’s future plans and went as far as confirming a couple. One of the models that have been given the production green light is a high-performance CTS-V Coupe from Cadillac. The stylish CTS Coupe, which was first presented in concept form at last year’s Detroit Auto Show, and then confirmed for production in GM’s viability presentation earlier this year, will hit the streets in the middle of next year as a 2011 model and will now be offered with the CTS-V option. "As of now the V package is planned only for the sedan and coupe," Lutz wrote. This means the car is likely to pack the same 556hp and 551lb-ft of torque supercharged 6.2L V8 found in the regular CTS-V Sedan. Lutz went on to hint at the possibility of a CTS-V version of the upcoming CTS Sport Wagon. Lutz said that if the demand exists, "there is no reason why we couldn't do a V-Series wagon, and I would be standing in line for one, just ahead of you."Cadillac CTS Coupe2009 Cadillac CTS-V Read More

  • Report: Cadillac XTS to replace DTS as full-size sedan

    Report: Cadillac XTS to replace DTS as full-size sedan July 2nd, 2009 By Nelson Ireson Nelson Ireson, Author, July 2nd, 2009 Nelson Ireson 3 Comments

    Report: Cadillac XTS to replace DTS as full-size sedan Rumors of a replacement for Cadillac's aging DTS sedan have circulated the web for ages now, but today brings a report of what's finally going to happen. The new Caddy will get an XTS badge and will be designed to compete with BMW, Audi, Mercedes-Benz and Lexus in the full-size segment.

    Currently the CTS is doing its duty in the mid-size sedan sector, holding its own in reviews and reliability surveys as well as sales. But the DTS isn't, since it's still based on the last generation of General Motors luxury sedan technology and design.

    Getting a replacement together was obviously derailed somewhat by the economic downturn and GM's... Rumors of a replacement for Cadillac's aging DTS sedan have circulated the web for ages now, but today brings a report of what's finally going to happen. The new Caddy will get an XTS badge and will be designed to compete with BMW, Audi, Mercedes-Benz and Lexus in the full-size segment. Currently the CTS is doing its duty in the mid-size sedan sector, holding its own in reviews and reliability surveys as well as sales. But the DTS isn't, since it's still based on the last generation of General Motors luxury sedan technology and design. Getting a replacement together was obviously derailed somewhat by the economic downturn and GM's subsequent (and ongoing) bankruptcy, but with the market possibly poised for a turnaround and the New GM getting ready to hit the ground running, a new luxury flagship could be just what the General needs. Of course, it won't be coming right away - production isn't slated to start at the Oshawa, Ontario plant that will build the car until December 2011, reports the National Post. Joining it among the cars to be built at Oshawa will be the next-gen Buick Regal, expected to be essentially a ported version of the Opel Insignia. The Camaro and next-gen Chevrolet Impala will round out the Oshawa plant's models. Still waiting for confirmation or details is the sub-CTS model previously confirmed by GM. Read More

  • Cadillac exec confirms sub-CTS model and STS/DTS replacement

    Cadillac exec confirms sub-CTS model and STS/DTS replacement April 10th, 2009 ByRalph Hanson Ralph Hanson, Author, April 10th, 2009 Ralph Hanson 11 Comments

    Cadillac exec confirms sub-CTS model and STS/DTS replacement In late 2007 Cadillac general manager Jim Taylor revealed that the current STS and DTS models would be dropped at the end of their respective product cycles in favor of a single luxury sedan. While General Motors’ financial woes led many to believe that the new Caddy flagship model had been put on hold, the luxury division’s marketing chief has revealed that the STS/DTS replacement is still in development but will be preceded by a sub-CTS model.

    Speaking with TheDetroitBureau, GM exec Steve Shannon explained that the elimination of Hummer, Saab, and Saturn will be beneficiary for GM’s other brands as it will leave extra... In late 2007 Cadillac general manager Jim Taylor revealed that the current STS and DTS models would be dropped at the end of their respective product cycles in favor of a single luxury sedan. While General Motors’ financial woes led many to believe that the new Caddy flagship model had been put on hold, the luxury division’s marketing chief has revealed that the STS/DTS replacement is still in development but will be preceded by a sub-CTS model. Speaking with TheDetroitBureau, GM exec Steve Shannon explained that the elimination of Hummer, Saab, and Saturn will be beneficiary for GM’s other brands as it will leave extra resources for them. In the case of Cadillac, we will see the launch of the new SRX, CTS SportWagon and Coupe, as well as the eventual sub-CTS and flagship models. The "sub-CTS" would be a 3-Series contender slotted under the CTS and would likely be Cadillac’s highest volume model, Shannon explained. This won’t be a just another BLS but a brand new global model with “dedicated architecture and content.” The new car is tipped to be based on a compact RWD platform currently development at GM called Alpha. Shannon went on to reveal that the compact four-door sedan could be on sale within the next “24 to 30 months” and may spawn hatchback and convertible versions. A diesel version is also being considered for the U.S. As for the STS/DTS replacement, Shannon said the car would need to be bigger than the STS though it still needs to be fuel-efficient and meet toughening global standards for fuel economy. He wasn’t willing to give a release date for the car but with the STS and DTS being withdrawn from the market in the near future the new Cadillac flagship should be on sale early next decade. Read More

  • Cadillac to pull out of half of European markets, cancels diesel

    Cadillac to pull out of half of European markets, cancels diesel March 26th, 2009 By Nelson Ireson Nelson Ireson, Author, March 26th, 2009 Nelson Ireson 5 Comments

    Cadillac to pull out of half of European markets, cancels diesel Say what you will about General Motors' past decade or two of planning, their products have come a long, long way in the past several years. That makes the events of the past several months all the more unfortunate - just when things looked ready to turn around, the market collapses. Now the company is taking another blow, being forced to pull Cadillac from half of its European markets due to the collapse of its regional distributor, the Kroymans Group.

    Earlier today it emerged that Cadillac has indefinitely delayed its diesel V6 planned for Europe, almost automatically cutting its target market in half. The further reduction in market... Say what you will about General Motors' past decade or two of planning, their products have come a long, long way in the past several years. That makes the events of the past several months all the more unfortunate - just when things looked ready to turn around, the market collapses. Now the company is taking another blow, being forced to pull Cadillac from half of its European markets due to the collapse of its regional distributor, the Kroymans Group. Earlier today it emerged that Cadillac has indefinitely delayed its diesel V6 planned for Europe, almost automatically cutting its target market in half. The further reduction in market reach thanks to a loss of its sales outlets could spell disaster for the brand. Court-appointed administrators will take charge of the group's 165 dealerships and 3,500 unsold cars following a court filing for debt protection that was granted March 20. "We will take it down to less than a dozen markets,” a source within GM told Automotive News Europe. The UK, Russia and Switzerland will be among the remaining locations where Cadillacs will be available. The decision to kill the diesel V6 now seems small by comparison, though its effect on the brand could be almost as great in the long run. Already completely designed and developed, the diesel V6 engine had been in the works since at least 2007. It was to be built by diesel-engine specialist VM Motori out of Italy, a company which GM owns half of, reports Auto Observer. But the fantastically torquey (406lb-ft or about 550Nm) engine won't be coming now that the car crunch has plundered GM's available cash and is "indefinitely delayed" according to spokeswoman Joann Krell. The decision to can the new engine, which would have gone into the CTS and STS sedans, might save money in the short term, but it will ultimately cost Cadillac sales and market share in Europe. While European buyers are about split evenly between diesel and petrol cars across the whole market, diesel still reigns supreme in the premium segment where Cadillac is trying to compete. The demise of the V6 diesel also likely spells doom for the V8 turbodiesel also tagged for the CTS, as if more confirmation were needed after the Duramax diesel itself was put on hold as part of the company's financial realignment. As fuel consumption and emissions standards continue to grow more stringent - and diesels continue to be strongly favored in taxation and fees, - the absence of a diesel in the brand's best models will be felt even more keenly. And that's not to mention the hopes of U.S. diesel fans that just went up in a sooty puff of smoke. Cadillac isn't alone in rethinking expensive diesel programs, however. Nissan recently revealed it was reviewing its diesel plans for the U.S., though Mazda has decided to use clean diesel tech to do battle with hybrids, taking more of a European eye to the task. Read More

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