Autoblog

Autoblog Podcast #153 - with Phil Berg

Dan Roth — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 18:15:00 EST

Filed under: Podcasts, BMW, Buick, Cadillac, GM, Toyota

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Long-serving automotive journalist Phil Berg joins regulars Chris, Sam, and Dan to chew over some recent items. Starting us off, the car we all want in our driveways, the Cadillac CTS-V Sportwagon continues to be grist for the rumormill. Staying with GM, we move on to the debut of the Buick Regal and its potential use of GM's latest mild hybrid system. We next hit up the coming Impala, which will not be a version of the stillborn Pontiac G8, before we comment briefly about third quarter reports and the fervor surrounding GM's financials. The final two items before we hit questions are the delay of BMW's new X3, and a possible wagon or SUV version of the Toyota Prius.

Let us know what you think by dropping us an email at Podcast at Autoblog dot com, reviewing the show in iTunes, filling out our survey, or even leaving us a voicemail on our Google Voice line 734-288-8POD (734-288-8763). Thanks for listening, we'll see you next week!

Continue reading Autoblog Podcast #153 - with Phil Berg

Autoblog Podcast #153 - with Phil Berg originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 17 Nov 2009 18:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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More fodder for the Cadillac CTS-V Sportwagon rumormill

Sam Abuelsamid — Sat, 19 Sep 2009 11:08:00 EST

Filed under: Wagon, Cadillac

The rumormill is going full-tilt with word that General Motors is about to get really serious about the "sport" in its Cadillac CTS Sportwagon. Here at Autoblog HQ, we certainly hope it's all true. After all, it's hard not to appreciate the current CTS-V, its mind-blowing supercharged LSA V8, and all the tire-immolating brawn it brings to the party. We also respect the extra dash of utility that comes with a touring or shooting brake body style, as exemplified with the Sportwagon.

In the wake of the published reports from our friends at Inside Line and Straightline, one of our readers sent us a copy of what he claims to be an email exchange between himself and GM's Bob Lutz. Reader Bob emailed Lutz, telling him that if General Motors offered a CTS-V wagon with a manual gearbox, he would buy one. Lutz reportedly responded with:

"Since we do market the V with a 6-speed manual, and since a V-wagon is in the plan, we'll be selling you a car in one year!"

We called Cadillac spokesperson David Caldwell, presented him with the alleged Lutz email conversation, and asked him if the V-Series wagon is indeed officially a go. His reply?

"No, there's not been an 'official' or announced change in the status of this car. It's certainly a car we're thinking of, and one we know how to do. I can't really speak to what's inside your reader's email account. I don't doubt him....nor would I doubt Bob Lutz. "

So, officially (and unsurprisingly), there's no confirmation one way or the other from Cadillac. Another source within GM tells us there are at least two CTS-V wagons (one manual, one automatic) currently undergoing verification testing at General Motors. Given that the wagon was created mainly for the European market, and that the Europeans embrace performance models such as the Audi RS6 Avant and Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG wagon, it would certainly make sense to build a giant-slaying CTS-V Sportwagon. Even if Cadillac doesn't officially offer it to Americans, it's only a matter of time before someone in the aftermarket creates one from the parts bin.

More fodder for the Cadillac CTS-V Sportwagon rumormill originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 19 Sep 2009 11:08:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Time Magazine lists its "10 Most Exciting Vehicles of 2010" - Do you agree?

Jonny Lieberman — Mon, 07 Sep 2009 09:12:00 EST

Filed under: Etc.

Time Magazine's 10 Most Exciting Vehicles of 2010 - Click above to begin

Before we begin, let us say that when it comes to cars, Time Magazine can get it right. Like the time they hired Dan Neil to write The 50 Worst Cars of All Time. That was really good. However, now Time has the "10 Most Exciting Vehicles of 2010," and boy is it really awful. In fact, it's so awful that we're dying to hear what Dan Neil thinks of it. Time's list isn't just regular bad, it's take all your credibility on a given subject and light it on fire bad. Akin to letting Glenn Beck run the civil rights desk. OK, but in car terms how bad? The Volkswagen Golf is one of Time's most exciting vehicles of 2010 - and that's not even the really terrible part. We're making you follow the jump for the really bad stuff.

Gallery: Time Magazine's 10 Most Exciting Vehicles of 2010

Continue reading Time Magazine lists its "10 Most Exciting Vehicles of 2010" - Do you agree?

Time Magazine lists its "10 Most Exciting Vehicles of 2010" - Do you agree? originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 07 Sep 2009 09:12:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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From the 'duh' files: Cadillac considering supercharged CTS-V Sport Wagon

Dan Roth — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 10:58:00 EST

Filed under: Wagon, Etc., Europe, Cadillac, GM, Rumormill

Click above for high-res gallery of the 2009 Cadillac CTS Sport Wagon

Put your checkbook away. As desirable as a CTS wagon in hot-rod V trim is, it's not here yet. The CTS Sport Wagon was developed as a way to offer the European market a configuration that's sure to sell, and it's headed to North America by the end of next year. When the Caddy wagon finally gets here, it will have the excellent 3.6-liter V6 providing power. Wagons aren't great sellers here, though, so the CTS Sport Wagon will likely be a niche model, dashing most of our hope that Cadillac will put its hottest powertrain in the two-box car just like BMW, Mercedes and Audi do.

The hardware port would be mostly a snap. The supercharged V8 is ready to go and the CTS-V has been developed around that engine, so there's suspension and drivetrain parts already on the shelf, and the V has already set the style direction for bodywork tweaks. While we won't be holding our breath for a CTS-V Sport Wagon that can rip off 12-second quarters while hauling 120 cubic feet of stuff, Cadillac's David Caldwell points out that the pre-existing hardware would make it "a relatively easy add." A high price - though still less than the German SuperWagens - wouldn't help the sales case, and really, there's only like ten of us wagon freaks, anyway. It probably won't happen, but it could, and it would be quite a welcome respite from those high-CG truck-lookin' things.

Gallery: 2010 Cadillac CTS Sport Wagon

[Source: Inside Line]

From the 'duh' files: Cadillac considering supercharged CTS-V Sport Wagon originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 10 Sep 2008 10:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Monterey 2008: Cadillac unveils 2010 CTS Sport Wagon

Sam Abuelsamid — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 00:02:00 EST

Filed under: Wagon, Cadillac, Misc. Auto Shows

Click above for high-res gallery of the Cadillac Sport Wagon

Please note the spelling, this a Cadillac and not a VW, therefore it's "Sport Wagon" rather than "SportWagen". What we have here is the result of a fission reaction on the Cadillac SRX. Seeing that the current "neither fish nor fowl" SRX crossover wasn't cutting it in the marketplace, General Motors' "Art and Science" brand has split its only CUV into two distinct vehicles. The old SRX was based on the CTS' Sigma platform but looked too car-like to be considered an SUV. At the same time it rode too high to be a car. Buyers who might have liked the wagon utility of the old SRX but are enamored with the style of the new CTS can now opt for the CTS Sport Wagon.

The Sport Wagon takes the largely acclaimed styling of the CTS and adds a rear hatch allowing much more stuff to be carried. The design team led by Clay Dean has done more than just graft a longer roof onto the sedan. They extended the roof-line back and the tail-lights up to the roof, as well as adding hidden rails in the roof line. The V shape of the grille is also replicated in the contours of the tailgate. The wagon ends up with 25 cu. ft. of cargo space behind the seats. Cadillac expects about 60 percent of CTS sales in Europe will be the wagon while only 20 percent of Americans will opt for the new body style when it goes on sale in the spring of 2009.

Gallery: 2010 Cadillac CTS Sport Wagon

[Source: Cadillac]

Continue reading Monterey 2008: Cadillac unveils 2010 CTS Sport Wagon

Monterey 2008: Cadillac unveils 2010 CTS Sport Wagon originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 15 Aug 2008 00:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Cadillac CTS wagon coming in 2009, production Provoq in 2010

Damon Lavrinc — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 09:29:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Wagon, Crossover, Cadillac

Click above for a high-res gallery of the Cadillac CTS Wagon.

Cadillac's product onslaught will continue with another iteration of the CTS that takes aim at the Kraut-wagons from Mercedes and BMW. The CTS wagon will debut in 2009 and will be sold worldwide, and it's expected that the CTS coupe will debut later that year.

As expected, the Provoq concept will replace the SRX in 2010 and will ditch its predecessor's Sigma underpinnings and utilize a new platform created by blending the Theta and Epsilon architectures. Power will be provided by a V6 and Cadillac's general manager, Jim Taylor, expects annual sales to land somewhere between 60,000 and 70,000 units.

Gallery: Cadillac BRX - spy shots

Gallery: Cadillac CTS Wagon - spy shots

[Source: Automotive News - Sub. Req.]

Cadillac CTS wagon coming in 2009, production Provoq in 2010 originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 23 Jun 2008 09:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Autoblog Podcast #96

Dan Roth — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 17:58:00 EST

Filed under: Podcasts, Hybrid, Minivan/Van, Truck, Wagon, Crossover, Cadillac, Chrysler, Ford, GM, Mercury, Saab

For three weeks in a row, now, we've brought you a new Autoblog Podcast courtesy of the B-Team. Here's episode #96 of the Autoblog Podcast, where Chris Shunk, Sam Abuelsamid, and Dan Roth kibbitz over some morsels of recent news. There's the requisite trip to the Autoblog Garage to start things off, then we move into actual discussion points like the CTS Wagon, a gasp of life on the Ford Ranger front, the massive confusion around Cerberus and Chrysler, and Hyundai's nose-thumbing at Toyota's hybrid technology. Remember to send in questions, comments, and suggestions for ways to mark the passing of upcoming episode #100 to podcast at autoblog dawt com. See you next week!

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Autoblog Podcast #96 originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 03 Jun 2008 17:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Spy Shots: Cadillac CTS Wagon!

John Neff — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 14:54:00 EST

Filed under: Spy Photos, Wagon, Cadillac

Click above for high-res gallery of Cadillac CTS Wagon spy shots

Codenamed internally as the GMX 206, the Cadillac CTS Wagon has clearly gone beyond the consideration phase within GM's hallowed halls and is actively being developed. This prototype was just caught by spy photographers and the profile is unmistakable evidence that the CTS will soon get some extra cargo space. Cadillac's plan to expand the CTS into a full-fledged lineup that can compete with the likes of the the BMW 3-Series and Audi A4 hinges on producing more variants than just the sedan. The CTS Coupe Concept was introduced at the Detroit Auto Show in January, so it's no surprise that we're seeing the wagon in development now and we would expect a convertible version of the coupe eventually, as well. Sources say that Cadillac will build around 10,000 - 12,000 units of the CTS wagon at the same Lansing Grand River Assembly Plant as the sedan and coupe, with most of those being earmarked for sale in Europe. And we have to say that the Family Truckster has never looked so sharp.

Gallery: Cadillac CTS Wagon - spy shots

[Source: Chris Doane for Brenda Priddy & Co.]

Spy Shots: Cadillac CTS Wagon! originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 25 Apr 2008 14:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rendered Speculation: CTS Wagon to show at Detroit, CTS coupe to follow

Jonathon Ramsey — Tue, 20 Nov 2007 17:41:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Sedan, Wagon, Cadillac

In Europe, Cadillac hasn't been moving the new CTS in the kind of numbers it wanted, and the BLS has always been somewhat of a disappointment. On account of this, Cadillac is once again being said to seriously consider broadening the CTS range to include a coupe and wagon, the better to compete with its German rivals in Europe. Word is that the CTS wagon could bow at Detroit in January, with a CTS coupe coming some time after that. While rumors of a CTS Wagon and Coupe have been around for at least a year, additional European demand for such models could sway the General into giving these cars the green light.

We can't say it strongly enough: Cadillac, do it. And in case that still wasn't enough: we double dog dare you. Cadillac wants its new CTS to swipe buyers from both BMW and Mercedes. Sure, the CTS is COTY, but -- and with all due respect to Motor Trend -- no one buys a 3-Series or C-Class because it wins COTY. The fact that Cadillac doesn't want to offend its core buyers attract new, trendy import buyers with a single four-door sedan is a challenge that we have yet to see anyone overcome. And certainly not a challenger starting from Cadillac's perceived image.

If Cadillac really wants to show the coastal metropolitan crowd that it's serious, it needs to offer more than one great choice of car. A coupe, a wagon, and throw a diesel in, as well... those are great places to start.

[Source: World Car Fans]

Rendered Speculation: CTS Wagon to show at Detroit, CTS coupe to follow originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 20 Nov 2007 17:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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