Cadillac Introduces CTS-V Coupe, Promises V or Platinum Trim Across The Board
The Cadillac CTS-V coupe debuted in Detroit today, along with more “V” related news from Cadillac. The 3 siblings of the CTS family are expected to be available with V capabilities eventually. Although it wasn’t specifically promised at the debut, the autobolg writers are convinced the Sport Wagon will be included. Other models in the Cadillac lineup will get a Platinum package, which is geared more towards luxury amenities rather than track performance.
Also debuting today is the XTS sedan. This is expected to become Cadillac’s flagship sedan and possibly replace the STS and DTS. It will be a combination of Cadillac’s newer design and styling signature and the brands ability to compete with the upscale features and performance of European luxury cars.
Source: autoblog CTS-V Coupe, XTS
Image Gallery: Cadillac CTS-V Coupe
The CTS-V coupe will be premiering early this year on the show circuit. The performance/luxury two-door has been spiffed up with a mesh grill, widened race tires, new chrome exhaust, heavy-duty Brembo brakes, and GM’s stabilizing ride control. 556 hp is provided thanks to a supercharged 6.2 L V-8, attached to either a 6-spd. manual or automatic transmission.
The Best Concept of the Decade is…
…the Cadillac Sixteen.
More than any other unmade concept, the Sixteen has been recurring topic of discussion. It both hearkened back to a glorious past and showcased potential for the future. Had it not been for outside circumstances, a Caddy could have earned the title of “Standard of the World.”
The Sixteen was all about old-world extravagance. The outside was bold, but the inside was bolder. The interior composed of premium hand-stitched leathers, woods, and chrome, but managed to be classical minimalist. The engine was a naturally aspirated 13.6 L V-16 capable of producing 1,000 hp. About the only thing to disapprove of was the meager 4-spd. A/T.
But in a decade of four bucks a gal. gas, climate change, and bankruptcies, the Sixteen never stood a chance.
The story doesn’t end on that sour note.
The recent Converj, a stylish coupe evoking the Sixteen’s style with hybrid technology, is on its way to production–assuming GM lasts that long. At least with that, there is a bright spot in this story.
This Week’s Loser: General Motors
Can’t GM keep an exec? The General has lost how many people in the past three weeks? CEO Fritz Henderson bailed right out of nowhere. Then came word Chevy head Brent Dewar flew the coop. Right after the Dewar break came the shock that the Buick-GMC chief, Michael Richards, jumped ship after nine days on the job.
We contend Buick-GMC is a doomed asset, but Richards’s departure is shocking even for us cynics. GM isn’t finding any love in Europe either, with Swede authorities demanding GM sell off Saab before the new year. German treasury and trade officials–as well as the labor force–are equally hostile to the General maintaining ownership of Opel. No rest at home, no rest abroad.
Shame no one wants to live in Detroit.
GM’s Decapitated Leadership Creates Waves of Unrest
A lot has been happening with the General. The blogosphere went into a hoot over Frederick “Fritz” Henderson’s resignation as CEO,as the move was unexpected even by his colleagues. As Vice-Chair Bob Lutz put it, “None of us had any hint this was coming.” Ed Whitacre, GM’s board chair, will step in temporarily to fill the CEO slot.
Henderson’s departure comes as GM continues to suffer heavy losses, as well as some very public embarrassments. The Opel, Saturn, and Saab deals all fell through, with European trade and treasury officials publicly questioning GM’s competence. Opel’s CFO, Marco Molinari, quit the exhausted German subsidiary just yesterday. (Not an inspiring sign.)
Mike Jackson, head of the largest US auto retailer, was open about his fears in an interview with Automotive News: “I’m concerned because I think Ed [Whitacre] and Fritz made a great team of complementary talents and I think Fritz’s expertise will be missed. And, since everyone agrees the core business of GM was on a very good path, you have to ask the question, why are they doing this?” Read more
Video: 2011 Cadillac CTS Coupe on the road
Here is the first video of the 2011 CTS Coupe. The coupe will feature a 3.6 liter V-6 engine with 304hp. Cadillac also has plans of an up-coming V-series version of the coupe.
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Image Gallery: Cadillac CTS Coupe
Cadillac Press Release:
2011 Cadillac CTS Coupe: New Sports Coupe is Cadillac’s Most Dramatic Design
Cadillac today unveiled the 2011 CTS Coupe, the latest and most dramatic of the brand’s series of new designs to reach production. Slated to arrive in Cadillac showrooms in the spring of 2010, the CTS Coupe is a new luxury sports coupe designed to become the centerpiece of the brand’s revised lineup.
“CTS Coupe is the new focal point of Cadillac, expressing both our design and technical capabilities,” said Bryan Nesbitt, Cadillac general manager. “It is intended to appeal to a new generation of car enthusiasts.”
The Coupe joins the CTS Sport Sedan, the 556-horsepower (415 kW) CTS-V and new CTS Sport Wagon as the foundation of Cadillac’s lineup. A high-performance V-Series edition of the Coupe will also be released in 2010.
GM to Spice-Up Cadillac and Buick
The once-mighty “GS” moniker will be coming back in the next year. The GS series will be reserved as the sport trim for the Regal and LaCrosse sedans. Cadillac will be sexed-up–somewhat–with a “V” edition of its CTS “sport wagon.” If you need reminding, the CTS-V sedan features a 556 hp supercharged 6.2 L V-8, good for 0-60 times in four seconds. We’re not sure about the investment in Buick, but the V-wagon sounds good.
GM Takes Another Blow in Earnings; Sales Bonanza to be Announced
General Motors reports it lost approximately $1,500,000,000 in the third fiscal quarter of 2009.
CEO Fritz Henderson remained positive with the announcement, saying “today’s results provide evidence of the solid foundation we’re building for the new GM.” Total revenue was up from the preceding quarter and Henderson also announced the company was ready to begin paying back taxpayer loans.
The dour financial news was met by word GM’s remaining US properties would be having a cross-brand sales event during the week. How shoppers will respond to the bleak forecast remains to be seen.
GM Considering Performance Volt and Converj Hybrids
Buzz has spread on the Web about GM vice-chair Bob Lutz’s statements regarding his company’s two upcoming hybrid-electric vehicles. Lutz has mentioned performance variants of the Chevrolet Volt and Cadillac Converj are possible in order to appeal to a wider demographic. Gas-electric cars aren’t noted for their speed, but that is changing with the oncoming of the Honda CR-Z and Fisker Karma.
Our take is that cost-cutting General Motors won’t take the leap unless it gets its fiscal situation in check. CEO and Chairman Fritz Henderson has said GM is performing better than expected, but we have yet to see a competitive compact and sub-compact hit the Chevy division. GM’s made lavish promises before.
We’ll believe it when we see it.
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