Bob Lutz, General Motors product guru, has confirmed plans for a new Cadillac V12-powered flagship sedan. The new sedan is expected to be inspired by the popular Cadillac Sixteen coupe car, and will compete with the Mercedes S-Class and Lexus LS.

Lutz said in an interview that GM’s Holden division is working on the new V12 for the new flagship. The new V12 is built from two 3.6L V6 engines mated to a common crankshaft. The 7.2L V12 will feature direct-injection, and deliver around 600-hp.

Early test mules for the flagship Cadillac are reportedly riding on the new rear-wheel-drive Zeta platform. The Zeta platform may underpin more than the test mules, with the production model also derived from the Zeta.

## Source: Automotive News ##

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Just a few weeks ago Consumer Reports announced its Top Picks for 2007 list. For the second year in a row, all of Top Pick cars came from Japanese nameplates. While the Japanese cars excel in tests, there are good alternatives, and there are many people that will only “buy American.” For the second year, Consumer Reports has published its unofficial “Top Picks, American Style” list featuring only American-brand nameplates.

All Consumer Reports’ Top Picks must be recommended models, which means it must have average or better reliability, provide good overall crash protection (if tested), SUVs must not tip onto two wheels in rollover tests (if tested), or must be available with stability control (if not tested).

In summary, the “Top Picks, American Style” list features the highest-rated, Consumer Reports recommended American vehicles. Here’s the list:

Top Picks American Style

• Fun to drive: Cadillac CTS-V
• Small sedan: Ford Focus ZX4 SES
• Family sedan: Ford Fusion/Mercury Milan
• Upscale sedan: Lincoln MXZ
• Luxury sedan: Cadillac DTS
• Small SUV: Pontiac Torrent
• Midsized SUV: Ford Freestyle
• Minivan: (None named)
• Budget car: Ford Focus ZX3
• Green car: (None named)

Consumer Reports points out that Ford has been slow to implement electronic stability control, which kept the automaker from taking one of the spots. CR pointed out that the mid-pack Pontiac Torrent received the Top Pick over the superior Ford Escape because the 2007 Escape is not available with ESC. Most versions of the new 2008 Escape come with standard ESC.

## Source: Consumer Reports ##

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General Motors is facing several major decisions about the second phase of its revival of the Cadillac brand. Within the next three months, Cadillac executives have to decide which models to move forward with. Cadillac is currently considering several projects and they will likely decide to move forward on some projects, while scrapping others.

According to Cadillac General Manager Jim Taylor and General Motors Vice Chairman Bob Lutz, the vehicles that it is considering include:

• An ultra-luxury car priced at more than $150,000 and inspired by either the Cadillac Sixteen concept or Cadillac’s Cien concept.
• Coupe and wagon versions of the Cadillac CTS sedans.
• An entry-level model priced under $30,000.
• The future of the front-wheel-drive DTS sedan.

Taylor and Lutz have varying opinions on the some of the potential future products of the some Cadillac issues. Both Taylor and Lutz mentioned production versions of the Sixteen and Cien concepts. As for the entry-level model, while Lutz said “there’s certainly an opening, whether we choose to fill it or not,” Taylor prefers to keep the CTS as Cadillac’s entry-level car. Either way, it won’t be Europe’s BLS sedan. Taylor said the replacement for the DTS could be based on GM’s RWD platform, merged with the STS, or could remain on its FWD platform. Lutz said that a replacement for the DTS should be rear-wheel drive, as front-wheel drive does not match the luxuty image Cadillac is seeking.

## Source: AutoWeek ##

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General Motors unveiled its new 2.9L V6 turbodiesel engine at the 2007 Geneva Motor Show. The new engine features state-of-the-art piezo-electric injection and a closed-loop combustion technology for low emissions and high performance. The engine uses a variable geometry turbo and its exhaust-gas aftertreatment system includes an oxidation catalyst and a particulate filter. The new four-valve V6 engine is the first in a new GM family of diesel engines. The engine can be installed in a longitudinal or transverse layout and can be used in either two- or all-wheel drive vehicles.

The 2.9L V6 turbodiesel engine, which delivers 250-hp and an impressive 406 lb-ft of torque, will make its debut in 2009 2009 in the new Cadillac CTS.

GM’s press release states that the new turbodiesel will be sold “mainly” in Europe, which could leave the door open for U.S. sales if luxury diesel sales take off.

Full press release after the jump.

## Source: General Motors ##

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In a conversation with journalists at the Chicago Auto Show, General Motors’ Vice Chairman and product guru Bob Lutz hinted that the platform used for the upcoming Camaro could spawn an ultra-luxury Cadillac with more than eight cylinders, according to The Car Connection. Lutz hinted that part of the reason for the Camaro’s delay was to make the need to make the architecture as flexible as possible for use on other vehicles as well.

“What you’ve got to understand is that we’ve got this modular product architecture kit where we have two different lengths of center underbodies, two different lengths of front rails and two different lengths of rear overhang. So we can modify those elements any way we want. In the case of the Camaro, it’s long short, short. If, for instance, we wanted to do a very large rear-wheel-drive Cadillac with more than eight cylinders you could do long, long, long,” Lutz said.

While Lutz didn’t mentioned the Sixteen concept (shown), this could hint at the possible design direction for an ultra-luxury Cadillac sedan. Cadillac has said it has no plans for production of the Sixteen, but while Lutz frequently leaks future products, he rarely makes stuff up. Maybe the “lego-like” construction of GM’s new rear-wheel drive architecture has begun to convince others in the company.

## Source: The Car Connection ##

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General Motors’ Cadillac division will bring several new and revised vehicles to next months Geneva Motor Show, including the European debut of the all-new CTS sedan. Cadillac will also reveal a revised SRX crossover, with a refined exterior and a completely redesigned interior, and the new 2007 Escalade that went on sale in Europe at the end of January. Cadillac will also show its STS with an available all-wheel drive system, the new Cadillac BLS Sport that features 18-inch wheels and lowered sport suspension, and finally the V-Series models of the STS and XLR.

Full press release after the jump.

## Source: General Motors ##

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General Motors is taking its lineup of new interior components on the road in a series of design salons put its designers — and their work — front and center. The design salon and these images highlight GM’s interior design improvements and experimental technologies planned for future vehicles.

The automaker is trying to show that it knows how to innovate, and that the first products in its long-term, design-driven revitalization are at last ready for prime time. These new products are the result of a corporate edict issued by Bob Lutz, the company’s vice-chairman for global product development. Lutz made design a primary importance, and increased its budget. Additionally, Lutz made interior and exterior design equally important, a first for the company, since interiors had been subordinate to body design.

Dave Rand, GM’s executive director of interior design, says, “We don’t have to keep making promises, we feel we have something we can show.”

General Motors showed the interior of the revamped 2008 Cadillac STS, which is the nearly identical to the one seen on the Chinese-market Cadillac SLS. The image clearly shows GM’s emphasis on interior quality. GM isn’t just focusing on vehicle interiors, with its designers working on future key fobs. The key fob is the “only component that walks away from the car” and it is a great branding opportunity. Future GM key fobs will take a page from jewelry and high-end watches that are meticulously weighted to feel luxurious and substantial in hand.

Gallery of GM’s other interior components after the jump.

## Source: BusinessWeek ##

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Cadillac will offer a diesel version of the new CTS sedan for European markets. The diesel CTS, which will arrive after the initial launch this October, will be offered to compete with German premium brands. Diesel-powered versions of Cadillac’s German competitors account for over 50 percent of sales, with Audi around 70 percent, BMW at 67 percent and Mercedes-Benz at 58 percent.

GM sources claiming that Italian engine manufacturer VM Motori will supply the diesel engine, which is expected to be a 245-hp 3.0L V6.

Cadillac sold only 464 CTS sedans in Europe in 2006, and is expecting half of its European CTSs to be diesel powered.

## Source: AutoWeek ##

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Team Cadillac will have the last two SCCA SPEED GT champions on its roster as it pursuits the 2007 SCCA SPEED World Challenge manufacturers championship. Lawson Aschenbach, the 2006 SPEED GT champion, will join 2005 SPEED GT champion Andy Pilgrim as full-season drivers on the Cadillac factory road racing team. They will drive a pair of Cadillac CTS-V race cars sporting fresh red and black color scheme with silver Cadillac graphics.

“Team Cadillac is proud that we will have the last two SPEED GT champions in our stable this year,” said Team Cadillac program manager Dave Spitzer.

Aschenbach will carry the No. 1 on his Cadillac CTS-V that signifies the series champion, while Pilgrim’s car will wear his familiar No. 8. The third car in the Team Cadillac stable may appear in selected events.

Team Cadillac will unveil its new look for 2007 at the Cadillac / Mobil 1 Super Bowl Celebrity Grand Prix go-kart race in Miami, Florida on Saturday, February 3, 2007 — the day before the big game.

Full press release and high resolution image after the jump.

## Source: General Motors ##

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General Motors is considering expanding its lineup of crossovers with a vehicle for Saab and Cadillac. General Motors is launching three new crossover models this year — the Saturn Outlook (shown), GMC Acadia, and Buick Enclave — which are all based on GM’s Lambda architecture.

“I’d like to see a nice Cadillac crossover, and I’d like to see a Saab crossover,” said GM Vice Chairman Bob Lutz. GM’s product czar wouldn’t confirm that the new crossovers are a done deal. In typical Lutz fashion, he added, “obviously, the fact that I mention it would lead you to believe that we’re certainly thinking about it.”

The new Cadillac crossover would replace the brand’s underperforming SRX, and would be built on the same Sigma architecture as the new CTS sedan. The new CTS-based crossover could be on the market in less than three years.

Cadillac’s general manager, Jim Taylor, also said that the brand is looking at features that would help to boost sales of Cadillac’s SRX.

Saab’s general manager, Jay Spenchian, expects the brand to get a new small crossover in the next two to three years.

## Source: Automotive News ##

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General Motors today unveiled its highly anticipated 2008 Cadillac CTS at the North American International Auto Show. The world premiere of Cadillac’s entry-level sedan (for the U.S.) has been one of the most anticipated reveals of this year’s auto show season. Cadillac has spent many hours to ensure that the second-generation CTS is a world-class competitor. And from what we see, it looks like the CTS will not disappoint.

On the exterior, the CTS features a wider and stronger stance, with a rear backlight that has a more coupe-like profile. A grille inspired by Cadillac’s Sixteen concept car, features large horizontal bars with a mesh pattern behind. The grille is bracketed by vertically stacked headlamps with bright bezels stacked in a staircase-like array. The side air extractors on the front fenders pay homage to Cadillac’s heritage.

The new hand-crafted interior features plenty of leather, chrome, and wood, and is much higher quality than the outgoing model’s overly plastic interior. The new cabin utilizes Cadillac’s “cut-and-sew” interior process that combines advanced technology with the hand-rendered precision, which nearly eliminates gaps and seams. Coverings for the instrument panel, center console and door trim are cut, sewn and wrapped by hand. This “cut-and-sew” technique is also used on limited-production STS-V and XLR-V models, and the revised 2007 SRX.

The new center stack features large vertical air vents. The new heated and ventilated seats incorporate new “thin-seat” technology, which enhances rear-seat leg, knee and foot room. LED backlighting is positioned in the door pulls, foot wells and recessed between the upper and lower instrument panels for an effect similar to recessed lighting.

The 2008 CTS will be available with two versions of the popular 3.6L V6. The base version produces 258-hp and 270 lb.-ft. of torque, and is available with either a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic. The new engine is a high-output, direct injected version of the 3.6L V6, delivering 300-hp. The high-output V6 can also be paired with either a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic, and is also available for the first time with all-wheel drive.

Cadillac will also offer a high-performacnce V-series CTS at a later date.

Full press release and high resolution photo gallery after the jump.

## Source: Cadillac ##

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Cadillac will unveil its highly anticipated 2008 CTS later today, but — as usual — some images and details about the second-generation CTS have found their way onto the web.

We’ve seen the exterior of the 2008 Cadillac CTS in pieces, but it is the first time we have seen the car as a whole. The CTS also benefits from GM’s focus on interiors, with an all-new interior featuring higher quality materials.

The 2008 Cadillac CTS will grow in length, width and height, and has added 1.8 inches of track width in front and 2 inches in back. The 2008 CTS will be available with two versions of the popular 3.6L V6. The base version produces 258-hp and 270 lb.-ft. of torque, and is available with either a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic. The new engine is a high-output, direct injected version of the 3.6L V6, delivering 300-hp. The high-output V6 can also be paired with either a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic, but is also available for the first time with all-wheel drive.

Cadillac will also offer a high-performacnce V-series CTS at a later date.

Stay tuned for more information later today.

## Source: Edmunds Inside Line ##

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In another classic segment from the BBC’s Top Gear, James May has the fortune to take the Cadillac Sixteen Concept out for a road test.

The Sixteen Concept, which had its debut at the 2003 Detroit Auto Show, is powered a 13.6L V16 engine producing an impressive 1000-hp and 1000 lb-ft of torque.

Video after the jump.

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While Cadillac is considering coupe and wagon variants of its forthcoming 2008 CTS sedan, one car that we won’t see is a production version of the Cadillac Sixteen concept. Unveiled at the 2003 Detroit Auto Show, the Sixteen concept was envisioned as the pinnacle of Cadillac’s lineup — for that case, all American cars.

According to Automotive News, a production Sixteen would cost a couple of hundred thousand dollars, and the lack of success of Mercedes Maybach brand shows how small that segment is.

We aren’t surprised by the news, but that doesn’t mean we didn’t want to see the car reach production.

## Source: Automotive News ##

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General Motors is “seriously considering” plans to expand its CTS line with a coupe and wagon, according to company insiders. GM has long been considering a CTS coupe — to the point of reports that it is confirmed. This report adds another voice that Cadillac is ready to make it a reality.

The 2008 Cadillac CTS sedan, which will debut at the Detroit Auto Show, will remain the centerpiece and volume leader in the CTS line. Cadillac will use the niche coupe and wagon models to targeting consumers with different needs, with the wagon likely increasing the CTS’s popularity in Europe.

AutoWeek also says that Cadillac executives feel the company only needs one $50,000 sedan, which means might dump either the STS or the DTS sedan. While the front-wheel drive DTS outsells the rear-wheel drive STS, Cadillac wants to promote rear-wheel drive performance, making it a tough decision right now.

## Source: AutoWeek ##

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