Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Cadillac replacing DTS and STS with one vehicle, entry-level model coming]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/09/17/cadillac-replacing-dts-and-sts-with-one-vehicle-entry-level-model/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/09/17/cadillac-replacing-dts-and-sts-with-one-vehicle-entry-level-model/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/09/17/cadillac-replacing-dts-and-sts-with-one-vehicle-entry-level-model/#commentsFiled under: ,



The rumor that the Cadillac DTS and STS will be nixed has officially been confirmed in an interview with the brand's general manager, Jim Taylor. Sales of both models are down for the year, and Taylor admits that one premium-luxury sedan will be developed to compete in the segment.

In the Automotive News interview, Taylor and his superior, Troy Clarke, GM's president of North America, also confirmed that a new entry-level model, designed to slot in below the CTS, is a distinct possibility. Both execs feel that Cadillac's brand image could sustain such a vehicle, likely to be priced in the $28,00 to $32,000 range.

No time frame was given for either new model, but Mr. Taylor also mentioned that a high-end, ultra-luxury flagship is still alive and well.

[Source: Automotive News - Sub. Req.]

Cadillac replacing DTS and STS with one vehicle, entry-level model coming originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 17 Sep 2007 00:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cadillaccadillac ctscadillac dtscadillac stsCadillacCtsCadillacDtsCadillacStsctsdtsentry-levelflagshipstsMon, 17 Sep 2007 00:31:00 EST<![CDATA[Cadillac nixing the barges, introducing new BRX CUV and RWD sedans]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/07/30/cadillac-nixing-the-barges-introducing-new-brx-cuv-and-rwd-seda/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/07/30/cadillac-nixing-the-barges-introducing-new-brx-cuv-and-rwd-seda/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/07/30/cadillac-nixing-the-barges-introducing-new-brx-cuv-and-rwd-seda/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,



For eons, the image of a Cadillac ingrained into our minds was that of an XL cruiser wafting down the highway consuming asphalt and small rodents without complaint. That perspective is set to change, as Cadillac plans to drop the slow-selling STS and DTS models, and instead focus its efforts on creating another CUV, a new mid-sized sedan and an entry-level RWD offering.

The plans to redesign the SRX crossover have been nixed due to poor sales, and in its place a new V6-powered, five-passenger CUV, likely to be dubbed the BRX, will go on sale in 2009. More importantly, Cadillac plans to focus its sporting credentials by expanding the CTS lineup to include both a wagon and a coupe, all in an effort to sway consumers interested in the segment-leading BMW 3-series.

Going after the Bavarian boys won't be easy, so in addition to the expansion of the CTS line, Cadillac's replacement for the STS and DTS will take aim at the BMW 5-series, with a high-performance RWD sedan. That, coupled with a proposed entry-level sedan will round out the new Cadillac lineup.

Although the Automotive News article doesn't cite a timeframe for this somewhat radical proposal, we'd expect to see some of Cadillac's new wares popping up in quick order, beginning in Detroit next year.

[Source: Automotive News - Sub. Req.]

Cadillac nixing the barges, introducing new BRX CUV and RWD sedans originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 30 Jul 2007 07:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bmw 3-seriesbmw 5-seriesBmw3-seriesBmw5-seriesbrxcadillaccoupectsdtssrxstsMon, 30 Jul 2007 07:57:00 EST<![CDATA[Buick Lucerne comes equipped with new safety tech]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/04/20/buick-lucerne-comes-equipped-with-new-safety-tech/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/04/20/buick-lucerne-comes-equipped-with-new-safety-tech/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/04/20/buick-lucerne-comes-equipped-with-new-safety-tech/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



You don't need no stinkin' Volvo to experience BLIS(s) -- for 2008, the Buick Lucerne is fitted with lane departure and blind-spot warning systems. The Lucerne offers classic GM big-sedan ethos, with lots of content, wide, cushy seats and restrained, handsome styling. Now, when you're motorvating down the interstate, listening to your Buick 8, an amber lamp will illuminate in the gauge cluster, and a chime will toll three times to indicate you're about to encroach on someone else's road space. If one of the ever present morons on the road decides to hang out in your blind spot, the Lucerne uses proximity sensors behind the rear fascia to detect the car and warn you with an indicator in the side mirror. Buick's safety gear will also be offered on Cadillac's STS and DTS, making GM Luxury that much safer. Now if they could just develop a "blinker on for the last 60 miles" warning system, or a "stay the hell out of the fast lane if you're doing 53 1/2 MPH" light in the cluster, we'd be good. Okay, okay, we'll admit, the stereotyping is stale. Maybe we're just mellowing with time, but we appreciate the merits of a Lucerne.

[Source: Edmunds]

Buick Lucerne comes equipped with new safety tech originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 20 Apr 2007 08:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>blind spotBlindSpotbuickcadillacctsdtsgmlane departureLaneDeparturelucernesafetysafeystswarningFri, 20 Apr 2007 08:57:00 EST<![CDATA[Whiplash a serious problem with many vehicles, says IIHS]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/04/06/whiplash-a-serious-problem-with-many-vehicles-says-iihs/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/04/06/whiplash-a-serious-problem-with-many-vehicles-says-iihs/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/04/06/whiplash-a-serious-problem-with-many-vehicles-says-iihs/#commentsFiled under:



The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) in Arlington, Va. has just concluded testing on some 75 vehicles' head restraint systems and after performing a simulated rear-end impact of 20 MPH, only 22 of the systems received the top score of "good."

At the head of the class was Audi's A4, S4 and A6, along with the Chevy Cobalt, Ford Five Hundred (Taurus, whatever) and its Mercury counterpart, Honda's Civic, Hyundai Sonata, Jag S-Type, Kia Optima, Merc E-class, Nissan Sentra and its lesser sibling the Versa, Subaru's Impreza, Legacy and Outback, as well as Volvo's S40, S60 and S80 (no surprise).

The flunkees included the Acura TSX, BMW 5-series, Buick LaCrosse and Lucerne, Caddy CTS, DTS and STS, Chevy's Aveo, the Honda Fit and Accord, Infiniti's M35, the Jaguar X-Type, Kia Rio, Mitsubishi Galant, Pontiac's Grand Prix, plus the Toyota Avalon and Corrolla.

Considering that the IIHS estimates that the injuries sustained to the back and neck in these types of collisions costs insurance companies around $8 mbillion dollars per year, their interest in the matter is obvious. Whether or not consumers will include this in their purchasing criteria is another matter however.

[Source: IIHS]

Whiplash a serious problem with many vehicles, says IIHS originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 06 Apr 2007 09:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>5-seriesa4a6accordacuraaudiavalonaveobmwbuickcadillacchevroletchevy cobaltChevyCobaltciviccorollactsdtse-classfitford five hundredFordFiveHundredgalantgrand prixGrandPrixhondahyundaiiihsimprezainfinitijaguarkiakia optimaKiaOptimalacrosselegacylucernem45mercedes benzMercedesBenzmercurymitsubishimontegonissanoutbackpontiacrios-types4s40s60s80sentrasonatastssubarutaurustoyotatsxversavolvowhiplashx-typeFri, 06 Apr 2007 09:05:00 EST<![CDATA[Decision on CTS siblings coming soon]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/03/12/decision-on-cts-siblings-coming-soon/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/03/12/decision-on-cts-siblings-coming-soon/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/03/12/decision-on-cts-siblings-coming-soon/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


PHOTOS UPDATED

Cadillac is already on the upswing here in the US, and has been for some time. The image repair that GM has been able to carry out is impressive, and the rebirth is poised to enter phase two. GM Vice Chair Bob Lutz and Cadillac General Manager Jim Taylor both commented at the Geneva Motor Show that Lexus, BMW and Mercedes-Benz are in their gunsights, and that a 3-series-esque family of models could emerge from the CTS. A wagon version of the CTS is getting serious consideration as Cadillac looks at taking the fight to European turf.

[Source: Automotive News - sub. req'd]

Continue reading Decision on CTS siblings coming soon

Decision on CTS siblings coming soon originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 12 Mar 2007 12:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>benzblsbmwcadillaccompetitioncompetitorctsdtsestateeuroeuropeanfront wheel driveFrontWheelDrivefwdlexusmercedesmercedes benzMercedesBenznew modelsNewModelsrear wheel driveRearWheelDriverwdwagonMon, 12 Mar 2007 12:31:00 EST<![CDATA[LA Auto Show: Cadillac XLR, STS and DTS Platinum Series]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/11/28/embargoed-la-auto-show-cadillac-xlr-sts-and-dts-platinum-ser/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/11/28/embargoed-la-auto-show-cadillac-xlr-sts-and-dts-platinum-ser/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/11/28/embargoed-la-auto-show-cadillac-xlr-sts-and-dts-platinum-ser/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Click to enlarge

Where the Cadillac V-Series moniker focuses on high performance, the Platinum Series tag being introduced in LA this week places the emphasis on luxury. Now, we believe that this emphasis should be the brand standard anyway, and not just a trim package, but if this represents a step towards bringing Cadillac to the next level, where we hope it's headed, then so be it.

Available for the XLR, STS and DTS, the Platinum Series trim level sets the cars apart by bestowing them with specific paint colors, badging, and interior appointments. The XLR, for example, sports an exclusive and attractive Liquid Amethyst paint color and healthy doses of chrome added to its grille, bespoke wheels and other trim bits. Climb into the Cashmere leather seats and you'll notice the "Platinum" badging on the doorsill, more wood trim, and hand-stitched leather covering the upper dash and door panels. Unfortunately, based on GM's press release, it appears to stop short of the full-blown "Cut and Sew" interior available on the SRX, but we'll wait until our guys in LA get up close and personal to make that call.

Keep reading after the jump for the rundown on the STS and DTS Platinum Series, plus more photos and the official release from GM.

[Source: GM]

Continue reading LA Auto Show: Cadillac XLR, STS and DTS Platinum Series

LA Auto Show: Cadillac XLR, STS and DTS Platinum Series originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 28 Nov 2006 12:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dtsplatinumplatinum seriesPlatinumSeriesstsxlrTue, 28 Nov 2006 12:01:00 EST<![CDATA[Official Shots: Cadillac DTS-L]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/11/22/official-shots-cadillac-dts-l/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/11/22/official-shots-cadillac-dts-l/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/11/22/official-shots-cadillac-dts-l/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


click on image to enlarge

We told you last week that reports of Cadillac building a long-wheelbase version of the DTS were true, and now we have confirmation in the form of official shots of the long legged sedan released by General Motors today. While no information accompanied the images, you can clearly see about 6 to 8 inches of extra wheelbase that makes itself evident behind the rear doors. That extra length also gets added to the C-Pillar, which will both protect important back seat passengers from prying eyes and be a challenging blindspot for chauffeurs to see around. It's also clear from these pictures that, as we reported, a high-performance V-Series of the DTS-L will not be offered. One is clearly meant to be driven in this car, not to drive it himself (or herself). The rear-seat legroom is ample, as we would expect, with enough space behind the front seats to park an Aveo.

Will the Cadillac DTS-L give the aged Lincoln Town Car a run for its money? It might, if Cadillac can keep the cost down and find enough livery outlets looking to switch. Keep in mind, however, that we haven't heard much about the Chrysler 300 Long Wheelbase making any waves in the human delivery market. The Town Car is a tough cookie to beat due to its total entrenchment in this market, relatively low cost and a library of maintenance that's well known and tolerated. We'll likely see the Cadillac DTS-L at the L.A. Auto Show next week in person where we'll certainly climb in back and kick our feet up.

Check out the interior shot after the jump.

[Source: GM]

Continue reading Official Shots: Cadillac DTS-L

Official Shots: Cadillac DTS-L originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 22 Nov 2006 12:08:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cadillacDTSDTS-Llong wheelbaseLongWheelbasewheelbaseWed, 22 Nov 2006 12:08:00 EST<![CDATA[Cadillac unveiling long-wheelbase DTS in L.A.]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/11/16/cadillac-unveiling-long-wheelbase-dts-in-l-a/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/11/16/cadillac-unveiling-long-wheelbase-dts-in-l-a/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/11/16/cadillac-unveiling-long-wheelbase-dts-in-l-a/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



UPDATE 1 - Motor Trend's blog confirms the rest of the details that were floating around. 8-inch stretch, privacy seating, etc.

A couple of sites have posted reports that Cadillac will be unveiling a long-wheelbase version of the DTS at the Los Angeles Auto Show. Intrigued, we checked with some of our sources and have it on good authority that the General will indeed have a long-wheelbase DTS in LA. We think we can also quell speculation about the possibility of a V-Series edition of said car, as our understanding is that this stretched DTS is primarily oriented toward the livery market. That means that the recently saved-from-execution Lincoln Town Car is about to have a serious new competitor breathing down its neck in the executive sedan segment. We expect to hear full details on the new Caddy towards the end of the month. Stay tuned.

[Source: Internal]

Cadillac unveiling long-wheelbase DTS in L.A. originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 16 Nov 2006 16:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>DTSDTS-Llong wheelbaselong-wheelbaselong-wheelbase DTSLong-wheelbaseDtsLongWheelbaselwbThu, 16 Nov 2006 16:02:00 EST<![CDATA[Warren Buffet auctions Town car for charity]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/08/25/warren-buffet-auctions-town-car-for-charity/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/08/25/warren-buffet-auctions-town-car-for-charity/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/08/25/warren-buffet-auctions-town-car-for-charity/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,



Billionaire Warren Buffet will be auctioning his 2001 Lincoln Town Car Signature Series next month on eBay (a standard Town Car is pictured). The light-gold, full-sized sedan with a light-beige interior also comes with Buffet's custom "THRIFTY" license plate and an etched brass plaque with his signature. No surprise, there are only 14,000 miles on the odometer.

Proceeds from the auction will benefit Girls Incorporated, a youth-service program for girls ages 6-18.

While we applaud Buffet's generosity, we wonder if his purchase of that 2006 Cadillac back in June had any influence in his decision.

[Source: Daily Auto Insider via Car and Driver]

Warren Buffet auctions Town car for charity originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 25 Aug 2006 09:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>auctionDTSebayGirls IncorporatedTown Car Signature SeriesWarren BuffetWarrenBuffetFri, 25 Aug 2006 09:05:00 EST<![CDATA[Warren Buffett is impressed by Rick Wagoner and buys a Caddy to prove it]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/06/06/warren-buffett-is-impressed-by-rick-wagoner-and-buys-a-caddy-to/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/06/06/warren-buffett-is-impressed-by-rick-wagoner-and-buys-a-caddy-to/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/06/06/warren-buffett-is-impressed-by-rick-wagoner-and-buys-a-caddy-to/#commentsFiled under: , ,



Warren Buffett was impressed after watching CEO Rick Wagoner's performance on CBS's "Face the Nation" a couple of months ago. So, the Oracle of Omaha faxed a note to Wagoner praising him for his work in front of the TV cameras, and promised that his next vehicle would be a Cadillac. Buffett apparently has kept his promise, recently sending out his daughter to pick up a new DTS - a sign that he's "behind GM 100%".  

Now, we admire Buffett and his investment savvy, and we understand that one doesn't earn $42B by spending irresponsibly (he's said to still live in the house he bought back in 1957). But let us make it very clear that if we ever have an eleven-figure bank balance and find the urge to buy a Cadillac, we will skip right past the DTS and find ourselves zipping around Nebraska in a nice Cadillac STS-V.

[Source: Money/CNN]

Warren Buffett is impressed by Rick Wagoner and buys a Caddy to prove it originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 06 Jun 2006 12:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Berkshire HathawayCaddyCadillacDeville: STS-VDTSGeneral MotorsGMWarren BuffettTue, 06 Jun 2006 12:25:00 EST