Autoblog

Cadillac V-Series Academy comes to Las Vegas [w/video]

Jonathon Ramsey — Thu, 31 Jan 2013 08:26:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Coupe, Sedan, Performance, Wagon, Etc., Videos, Cadillac, Luxury

General Motors has added another high-speed education course to the curriculum at the Spring Mountain Motorsports Ranch outside of Las Vegas, Nevada. The desert track already hosts the Ron Fellows Performance Driving School with Chevrolet Corvettes, including the ZR1, and they've just added the Cadillac V-Series Academy.

Open now, the one- and two-day performance driving school teaches "the finer points of high performance driving" using the 556-horspower instructional aids known as the CTS-V sedan, coupe and wagon. This is different than than using the CTS-V at the Monticello Motor Club on the east coast - that's part of a sponsorship deal that Cadillac has with the track. The driving course at the Motorsports Ranch is its own program that was developed by Fellows, and we have no reason to think the Cadillac edition won't be just as thorough and enjoyable as the one with Corvettes.

Unlike the 'Vette edition, however, it doesn't appear that you get an invitation to the program if you buy a CTS-V model. Classes are capped at 12 participants and run $1,295 for a single day, $2,295 for two days. There are a video and a press release below with more info.

Continue reading Cadillac V-Series Academy comes to Las Vegas [w/video]

Cadillac V-Series Academy comes to Las Vegas [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 31 Jan 2013 08:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Motor Trend lines up stock and tuned CTS-V wagons at dragstrip

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Mon, 15 Aug 2011 19:57:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Performance, Wagon, Videos, Cadillac, Luxury

Yes, the 2011 Cadillac CTS-V is fast. So fast it makes our heads spin just thinking about it. So fast that lesser cars go home and cry to their mommies. So fast it's gone plaid. Better still, it can be purchased in sedan, coupe and, our particular favorite, wagon bodystyle.

But what happens when you take the CTS-V Wagon-shaped dial and turn it up to 11? To find out, current Motor Trend scribe and Autoblog alumn Jonny Lieberman turned to the tuners at D3, who served up a healthy dose of its so-called Battlewagon.

Fitted with a host of goodies like a new pulley driving the supercharger, a larger intercooler and a reflashed computer, the D3-tuned CTS-V makes 675 horsepower (or more...) and is therefore expected to be more than a hair bit quicker than its stock counterpart. But just how much faster is it?

Click past the break to see a stock Cadillac CTS-V Wagon line up against one with $14,000 of modifications that boost horsepower.

Continue reading Motor Trend lines up stock and tuned CTS-V wagons at dragstrip

Motor Trend lines up stock and tuned CTS-V wagons at dragstrip originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 15 Aug 2011 19:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Motor Trend pits Panamera against X6 M, CTS-V Wagon in wild three-way

Zach Bowman — Tue, 26 Apr 2011 12:32:00 EST

Filed under: Performance, SUV, Wagon, Etc., Videos, Hatchback, BMW, Cadillac, Porsche

2011 Porsche Panamera Turbo - Click above to watch video after the jump

Motor Trend has amassed three of the automotive world's black sheep for a little throw-down on the quarter mile. The 2011 Porsche Panamera Turbo lurks in one corner, complete with its 550-horsepower, forced-induction 4.8-liter V8. What could possibly serve as a fitting combatant to such a lump of angry metal? The 2011 BMW X6 M is up to the challenge. With a twin-turbocharged 4.4-liter V8 that kicks out ~~555~~ 500 horsepower, the gangly SUV should have the cajones to give the bad Porsche a run for its schnitzel.

Of course, where's the fun in watching two German heavyweights go around the ring? In order to add a little spice to this mix, the guys from MT threw in the 2011 Cadillac CTS-V Sport Wagon. Now it's a party.

How does it turn out? We won't spoil it for you. Hit the jump to check out the video for yourself. If you look really closely, you might even see a familiar face that used to haunt these halls. Word has it that we can expect a more mouth-watering video with these three amigos to show up later this week.

[Source: YouTube]

Continue reading Motor Trend pits Panamera against X6 M, CTS-V Wagon in wild three-way

Motor Trend pits Panamera against X6 M, CTS-V Wagon in wild three-way originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 26 Apr 2011 12:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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It's The New Black: Cadillac unveils Black Diamond Edition CTS-V [w/video]

Zach Bowman — Wed, 02 Feb 2011 16:30:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Sedan, Performance, Wagon, Cadillac, Luxury

Cadillac CTS-V Black Diamond Edition - Click above for high-res image gallery

General Motors has just unveiled its new take on the mighty Cadillac CTS-V called the Black Diamond Edition. Available on all iterations of the supercharged beast (sedan, coupe and wagon), the appearance package dips the company's muscle-bound luxury fleet in new, proprietary SpectraFlair paint. The final product is achieved through a three-coat process that includes flakes of aluminum encapsulated in magnesium fluoride. The result is a paint that's as gorgeous as it will undoubtedly prove impossible to repair.

This is not a car that's to be left anywhere near a shopping cart.

The paint is joined by a set of Satin Graphite 19-inch wheels and yellow Brembo brake calipers outside. Slide yourself indoors and meet an interior that boasts microfiber suede Recaro seats and Midnight Sapele wood accents littered throughout the cabin. GM says that the whole package is meant to invoke images of a well-tailored tuxedo.

Prices start at $69,190 for manual transmission models and $70,490 for the automatic, including destination. Those figures mark a $4,850 bump over the standard CTS-V, and buyers can expect some fluctuation depending on whether they opt for the sedan, coupe or wagon body style. Follow the jump for the official press release and to see GM folks explain the Black Diamond Edition in a video.

Gallery: 2011 Cadillac CTS-V Black Diamond Edition

[Source: General Motors]

Continue reading It's The New Black: Cadillac unveils Black Diamond Edition CTS-V [w/video]

It's The New Black: Cadillac unveils Black Diamond Edition CTS-V [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 02 Feb 2011 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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First Drive: 2011 Cadillac CTS-V Wagon

Michael Harley — Mon, 22 Nov 2010 11:59:00 EST

Filed under: Performance, Wagon, Auctions, Cadillac, First Drives

Clark Griswold Should Have Waited

2011 Cadillac CTS-V Wagon - Click above for high-res image gallery

Instead of getting suckered into the Wagon Queen Family Truckster, a pea green calamity with excessive wood paneling and eight sealed-beam headlamps, a wiser move for Clark Griswold would have been to hold off until the first wave of high-performance station wagons rolled into showrooms. As it happened, just a few years after Clark traded in his Oldsmobile, sedans like the Volvo 740 and BMW E34 spawned the enthusiast-targeted Volvo 740 Turbo Wagon and BMW M5 Touring. Both five-doors would have given Christy Brinkley a serious run in her red Ferrari 308 GTSi.Those early gussied-up family haulers were the predecessors to the Audi RS6 Avant, Dodge SRT8 Wagon, BMW M5 Touring and Mercedes-Benz E63 Sport Wagon. None were intended to be volume models (in fact, two never made it to the States). Instead, each was fabricated to act as a flagship ambassador, a proof-of-concept to the performance capability of the five-door chassis and to deliver unchallenged bragging rights. Automakers didn't build fast wagons because they had to - they built them because they could.

Cadillac, a company no longer content with letting others lead segments it once dominated, wanted to get into the frothy action. The luxury automaker felt an obligation to do "the right thing" and push for its own very unique five-door. The vision was clear - Cadillac wanted to build a CTS-V Wagon - and the concept was simple, making it difficult for management to contest (at the time, the organization was functioning inside circled-wagons). Since the platform and powertrain were already in existence, the ceremonial mating would be accomplished at minimal cost and everything could be completed at breakneck speed. Less than one year later, the all-new CTS-V Wagon is here.

Continue reading...

Gallery: 2011 Cadillac CTS-V Wagon: First Drive

Continue reading First Drive: 2011 Cadillac CTS-V Wagon

First Drive: 2011 Cadillac CTS-V Wagon originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 22 Nov 2010 11:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2011 Cadillac CTS-V Wagon priced from $62,990

Steven J. Ewing — Tue, 05 Oct 2010 11:30:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Performance, Wagon, Cadillac, GM

2011 Cadillac CTS-V Sport Wagon - Click above for high-res image gallery

This is sort of like a dream come true. We're already madly in love with the Cadillac CTS-V in both its sedan and sexy coupe forms, and in just a few months, we'll have a five-door station wagon version that still packs the V's 556-horsepower supercharged V8, rear-wheel drive and a proper manual transmission. It's like General Motors made this one just for us (we aren't complaining). Want one? $62,990, including destination charges.

So, what does $63K get you other than some family haulin' lunacy on wheels? Leather, heated seats, navigation, HID headlamps, a premium Bose sound system and Cadillac's premium care maintenance service for four years or 50,000 miles. Optional goodies include the $3,400 Recaro heated and ventilated front chairs (you want these - trust us), $800 19-inch polished aluminum alloys, $600 for slightly fancier wood trim and $300 for suede on the steering wheel and shifter.

Realistically, you can get a perfect CTS-V Wagon with a six-speed manual and the Recaro seats for $66,390. That, folks, is one heck of a bargain. As great as it is, we're thinking that GM won't manage to sell a whole bunch of this very niche product, so we're thinking it's an easy pick for a future collectible. Hit the jump to read GM's official press blast.

Gallery: 2011 Cadillac CTS-V Sport Wagon

[Source: General Motors]

Continue reading 2011 Cadillac CTS-V Wagon priced from $62,990

2011 Cadillac CTS-V Wagon priced from $62,990 originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 05 Oct 2010 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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New York 2010: Cadillac CTS-V Sport Wagon is fantasy writ large

Jonny Lieberman — Wed, 31 Mar 2010 08:58:00 EST

Filed under: New York Auto Show, Performance, Wagon, Cadillac, GM, Luxury

Cadillac CTS-V Sport Wagon - Click above for high-res image gallery

The world's automakers are introducing around 20 new vehicles this week at the 2010 New York Auto Show. Some of those cars are pretty interesting, but here's the juice: In 20 years, there is exactly one car being shown here today that people will still be whispering about. That car? The Cadillac CTS-V Sport Wagon. You're reading this correctly. Cadillac, former maker of landau-roofed Boca Rotan retirement sleds will soon be offering a station wagon stuffed with a 556-horsepower, supercharged and Corvette-derived 6.2-liter V8. If that's not loony enough for you, yes, you can order it with a six-speed manual. Wowza.

We first glimpsed the V Wagon last night at a fairly gala Cadillac cocktail reception, complete with GM design boss Ed Welburn and none other than Maximum Bob Lutz, the man who may have single handedly willed pistonhead fantasy into production. The CTS-V Sport Wagon took center stage flanked on either side by the plain old CTS-V and our Detroit Show favorite CTS-V Coupe. To put the spectacle in photographic terms, even though it was surrounded by some pretty desirable metal, the newest V managed to "pop."

We pressed the flesh and asked our full battery of penetrating, hard hitting questions ("Can I go to the launch?"), but the general theme from Cadillac seemed to be this: They known they're not going to sell many, and they just don't care. Sometimes doing what logic dictates you shouldn't do makes the most sense. Remember the Buick GNX? There was simply no rational reason for GM to allow that monster off a production line. Yet 23 years later, what Buick are we still talking about? To our minds, the CTS-V Sport Wagon has a similar, skull-cracking je ne sais quo about it.

But should a recently Chapter 11 company be in the business of building small volume, high-performance station wagons? Well.... yes, absolutely. Here are all the reasons why that we can think of. First, when was the last time an American luxury brand offered a full line of anything? For decades now, BMW has been happy to sell you a 3-Series coupe, sedan, wagon and convertible. Cadillac has had... the CTS four-door. Until now. Besides, having a low production halo version of your halo vehicle is the stuff that builds legends.

Or how's this, BMW sells a hopped up M3 coupe, convertible and sedan, but no wagon. Sure, BMW makes the M5 Touring (i.e. wagon), but they won't sell it to Americans. And Audi won't sell us either of its hot rod grocery haulers, the RS4 and RS6 Avants. We know Mercedes-Benz will be making an E63 AMG Wagon, but will they sell it here? Dunno.

But Cadillac will happily sell you a CTS-V Wagon for just a small premium over the Sedan. Figure about $65,000 or so. And if you haven't been reading between the lines, a bangin' five-door might help Cadillac strengthen its tenuous foothold in Europe, especially if this show car's leather/Alcantara interior and massively bolstered Recaro sport seats make it to production. Either way, Caddy just dropped a mighty big gauntlet.

Gallery: New York 2010: Cadillac CTS-V Sport Wagon

New York 2010: Cadillac CTS-V Sport Wagon is fantasy writ large originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 31 Mar 2010 08:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Autoblog Podcast #172: YUGOMANIA!

Dan Roth — Tue, 30 Mar 2010 15:45:00 EST

Filed under: New York Auto Show, Podcasts, Cadillac, GM, Hyundai, Infiniti

Click above for the Autoblog Podcast in iTunes, RSS or listen now!

Sam and Dan kick off Episode #172 of the Autoblog Podcast with guest Jason Vuic, author of a historical treatise on the Yugo.

Alex Nunez joins us afterwards for news items. We cover sights coming to the New York Auto Show, including the next Mercedes R-Class, Infiniti QX56, Cadillac CTS-V Wagon and Sonata Hybrid, among other topics. We babble for an hour and twenty and then split.

Autoblog Podcast #172: YUGOMANIA!

In the Autoblog Garage:

Toyota Prius

News:
Cadillac CTS-V Wagon
Infiniti QX56
Mercedes-Benz R Class
Hyundai Sonata Hybrid

Hosts:
Alex Nunez, Dan Roth, Sam Abuelsamid

Guest:
Jason Vuic, author of The Yugo: The Rise and Fall of the Worst Car in History

Runtime: 1:16:45

Get the podcast:
[iTunes] Subscribe to the Autoblog Podcast in iTunes
[RSS] Add the Joystiq Podcast feed to your RSS aggregator
[MP3] Download the MP3 directly

Feedback:
Email: Podcast at Autoblog dot com
Voicemail: 734-288-8POD (734-288-8763)

Review the show in iTunes and take our survey

Autoblog Podcast #172: YUGOMANIA! originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 30 Mar 2010 15:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Autoblog Podcast #169: Wagons and SuperDuty and NASCAR, Oh My!

Dan Roth — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 17:15:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, New York Auto Show, Podcasts, Safety, Acura, Cadillac, Ford, Honda, Toyota, Rumormill

Click above for the Autoblog Podcast in iTunes, RSS or listen now!

Episode #169 of the Autoblog Podcast has arrived, and it's Chris, Sam, Alex, and Dan again this week. As usual, the Autoblog Garage starts us off, this time with a couple Suzuki Kizashis, a Ford Transit Connect, and the Cadillac SRX. The first topic for discussion are the latest developments in the ongoing Toyota Recall issue. The Cadillac CTS-V Wagon catches our fancy next, and we stay on the wagon tip to talk about the Acura TSX Wagon, which will debut at the New York International Auto Show. Honda's CR-Z is next, before we go big and talk about the 2011 Ford SuperDuty. Wrapping up on a sporting note, we offer totally uninformed commentary on the Carl Edwards NASCAR wreck before taking a few listener questions and calling this turkey done. Thanks for listening!

Direct fanmail to Podcast at Autoblog dot com, review the show in iTunes, fill out our survey or even leave us a voicemail on our Google Voice line 734-288-8POD (734-288-8763). Until next week, hit up Joystiq and Engadget when podcast loneliness sets in. Thanks for listening!

Continue reading Autoblog Podcast #169: Wagons and SuperDuty and NASCAR, Oh My!

Autoblog Podcast #169: Wagons and SuperDuty and NASCAR, Oh My! originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 09 Mar 2010 17:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Peekaboo: Cadillac CTS-V Wagon spied in L.A.?

Alex Nunez — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 08:50:00 EST

Filed under: New York Auto Show, Spy Photos, Performance, Wagon, Cadillac, GM

Well, it sure looks like it. All credit for this one goes to one Aaron P., who emailed the following to us:

So I was walking down Grand Avenue in Downtown LA, and they were shooting a Caddy commercial. There was a covered car, which I thought was the CTS Coupe, but the wind blew off the cover and there was a CTS-V Wagon. I only had time to snag this pic before they put the cover back on but you can see the wagon lines. I hope that means its coming cause that would be an amazing car.

Hmm. Seems like Aaron got awfully close for this pic, a curiously *perfect* upskirt teaser, but regardless of the circumstances behind it, reports of the Cadillac CTS-V Wagon being given the green light date back to September of last year. It's basically been a guessing game of which show will provide the backdrop for its formal unveiling.

With New York the sole remaining major show on the U.S. circuit this year, and Bob Lutz's retirement scheduled to begin exactly one month after that, we'll bet our whole chip stack that El Generalissimo Roberto Maximo goes out with a bang, introducing the CTS-V Sport Wagon at the Javits Center, because the car in the above photo is most definitely a wagon, that is most definitely the "V" badge, and those are the correct wheels. Very badass, indeed.

Thanks to Aaron for the photo!

Peekaboo: Cadillac CTS-V Wagon spied in L.A.? originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 06 Mar 2010 08:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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LA 2009: Cadillac CTS Coupe vogues, dazzles

Jonny Lieberman — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 18:24:00 EST

Filed under: LA Auto Show, Coupe, Performance, Cadillac, Luxury

2011 Cadillac CTS Coupe - Click above for high-res image gallery

Cadillac invited us down to a dance hall south of downtown Los Angeles and the convention center for a little lunch and a lot of talk concerning their new CTS Coupe. In fact, they brought a CTS Coupe along with 'em. A production CTS Coupe we should point out. The exact same car you'll be able to purchase from Cadillac in just a few short months (most likely May 2010 as a 2011 model).

First thing is first and WOW - what a fabulously stunning automobile. Those of you in the LA area owe it to yourself to schlep down to the Staples Center just to see this here Caddy Coupe live in the flesh. Yes, it is another in a long lined-trend of modern vehicle that looks ten times better in person than in photos. For reals, this Caddy Coupe is a knockout. Make the jump to continue reading.

Gallery: Live: 2011 Cadillac CTS Coupe

Gallery: 2011 Cadillac CTS Coupe

Continue reading LA 2009: Cadillac CTS Coupe vogues, dazzles

LA 2009: Cadillac CTS Coupe vogues, dazzles originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 01 Dec 2009 18:24:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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REPORT: Cadillac CTS-V Wagon is a go

Chris Shunk — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 13:56:00 EST

Filed under: Wagon, Cadillac, Luxury

2010 Cadillac CTS Sportwagon - Click above for high-res image gallery

From the second we laid eyes on the production CTS Sportwagon, we dreamed of a V-badged 556 horsepower, supercharged V8 variant. While the move makes sense to us based on awesomeness alone, General Motors has to come up with one of those dreaded business cases to make the anabolic wagon happen. Bob Lutz has been a vocal proponent for the CTS-V wagon, but even the Maximum one didn't seem to have much faith that the Supersportwagon would happen. Lutz did, however, say that if there were significant demand, the CTS-V wagon could see the light of day. If a report from Straightline is to believed, the General may be encouraged enough based on initial interest in the Sportwagon to build the V variant of our dreams.

Straightline quotes GM sources who say the super wagon has been given the green-light for production, and Inside Line reiterated as much on Twitter. However, GM hasn't announced anything official as of right now, so we'll refrain from picturing ourselves doing grocery hauling powerslides in what could be hottest wagon since... well... ever.

Gallery: Review: 2010 Cadillac CTS Sportwagon

Gallery: Review: 2009 Cadillac CTS-V

[Source: Straightline]

REPORT: Cadillac CTS-V Wagon is a go originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 18 Sep 2009 13:56:00 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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