Autoblog

Say 'goodbye' to these cars and trucks for the new year

Steven J. Ewing — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 12:30:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Coupe, Sedan, SUV, Crossover, BMW, Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, Dodge, Ford, Honda, Mazda, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Volvo, Tesla

As we prepare to flip our calendars from 2011 to 2012, it's time to say goodbye to a handful of vehicles that are being sent to the Great Parking Lot In The Sky before the 2012 model year completely takes hold. And while we're not exactly upset about having to bid farewell to things like the Mitsubishi Endeavor, Mazda Tribute or Chevrolet HHR, there are a few vehicles that we're truly going to miss.

The Mazda RX-8, for example, has grown to be one of our favorite sports cars since its introduction in 2003. We love its lightweight construction, high-revving rotary engine and surprisingly functional suicide door design. It's kind of like a Miata with a roof and rear seats. Speaking of the Miata, Tesla's two-seat Roadster - the automaker's first production vehicle - proved to us that open-top motoring can be thrilling even with a stack of batteries driving the wheels.

We'll miss the Honda Element and its rugged, utilitarian nature. We'll miss the Volvo V50 and its capacious cargo area made for Ikea runs. And we'll really miss those large lords of luxury, the Cadillac DTS and Ford Crown Victoria. We've already said goodbye to the faithful but overripe Ford Ranger, and as ridiculous as the BMW X6 ActiveHybrid was, it was a shockingly good-to-drive electrified crossover.

There are plenty more models that won't be making the journey to the 2012 model year, so have a look at the full list in our attached image gallery, then let us know which ones you'll miss (if any) in the Comments.

Say 'goodbye' to these cars and trucks for the new year originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 22 Dec 2011 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Final Cadillac DTS goes to Bulgari Collection

Steven J. Ewing — Fri, 27 May 2011 17:32:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Cadillac, GM

Final Cadillac DTS rolls off the assembly line - Click above for high-res image gallery

Famed Italian car collector (and luxury goods retailer) Nicola Bulgari owns no less than 14 Cadillacs, ranging from historic beauties like a 1932 355B V12 Fleetwood Limousine to modern marvels like the 2009 CTS-V sedan and 2010 CTS Sport Wagon. Now, Bulgari has added a 15th Caddy to his collection: the very last DTS sedan to roll off GM's Detroit assembly lines.

No, the DTS isn't as audacious as everything else in Bulgari's garage, but the Italian collector is extremely fond of the Wreath and Crest's current flagship.

"I like the DTS because it's a great sedan. It's the last of an era. I thought it would be wonderful to own the last Northstar in a DTS. It's one of the best engines ever designed - reliable and a performer."

General Motors has ended the Cadillac DTS' production run in order to make way for the upcoming XTS flagship, which is nearing the end of its development. "I've seen the XTS Concept," says Bulgari. "I know it's superior. The DTS was a great sedan for its time, but it's a different world, a new period. It's time for something different." Couldn't have said it better ourselves...

Follow the jump for GM's official release.

Continue reading Final Cadillac DTS goes to Bulgari Collection

Final Cadillac DTS goes to Bulgari Collection originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 27 May 2011 17:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2010-11 Buick Lucerne and Cadillac DTS recalled over electrical issues

Steven J. Ewing — Thu, 11 Nov 2010 17:33:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Recalls, Safety, Buick, Cadillac, GM

2011 Buick Lucerne - Click above for high-res image gallery

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has announced a recall for 2010 and 2011 model year Buick Lucerne and Cadillac DTS models. A total of 13,780 vehicles, all equipped with V8 engines, are subject to this recall which effects power steering return lines.

According to NHTSA, the starter or alternator cable can wear through these lines, causing a power steering fluid leak. This can not only result in the loss of power steering, but the liquid could drip onto hot engine parts, resulting in a fire.

Owners can bring their cars to General Motors dealers to have the problem fixed free of charge. Technicians will either secure or reroute the power steering return lines in order to prevent contact with these cables. The recall is expected to begin later this month, and the full details are available at NHTSA's website.

Gallery: 2011 Buick Lucerne

Gallery: 2011 Cadillac DTS

[Source: NHTSA]

2010-11 Buick Lucerne and Cadillac DTS recalled over electrical issues originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 11 Nov 2010 17:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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GM nixing summer shutdown, hiring thousands of temps to meet demand

Sam Abuelsamid — Fri, 18 Jun 2010 17:26:00 EST

Filed under: Plants/Manufacturing, GM

The Detroit auto industry's annual summer shutdown is a tradition that goes back many decades, but this year, General Motors is taking a pass. It comes from a time when the new model year started in September for every car and they all debuted simultaneously, usually in dealer showrooms. The shutdown was the two week period in the summer during which all the plants installed updated tooling for the new models.

In more recent times, the practice has persisted as a time to do maintenance and other work that might interfere with production - even if it hasn't coincided with the launch of a new model. This year, however, GM's inventories on many models are running so low that nine of the automaker's 11 assembly plants will keep producing vehicles during the designated shutdown period. Among the plants that will stay open are the Detroit-Hamtramck plant that builds the Cadillac DTS, the Delta Township plant builds the Lambda crossovers and the Chevrolet Corvette plant in Bowling Green, KY. Full press release after the jump.

[Source: General Motors]

Continue reading GM nixing summer shutdown, hiring thousands of temps to meet demand

GM nixing summer shutdown, hiring thousands of temps to meet demand originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 18 Jun 2010 17:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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C/D: Cadillac to get new range-topping rear-wheel-drive flagship

Chris Paukert — Fri, 11 Jun 2010 16:28:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Cadillac, GM, Rumormill

According to Car and Driver's Jens Meiners, Cadillac is poised to get a new full-size, rear-wheel drive sedan to slot in above the forthcoming XTS - a model that itself will sit above the CTS when it bows to serve as a combined replacement for the STS and DTS.

To hear C/D's moles tell it, the flagship sedan is still in the early planning stages, but the model is being built at the directive of none other than GM CEO Ed Whitacre. If the rumor is accurate, the forthcoming model is apparently likely to be derived from a stretched Sigma platform, the same architecture that underpins the CTS family. Meiners dismisses thoughts that the car could be built on the much-used Zeta platform that underpins the Chevrolet Camaro, suggesting that it's too heavy and old to support such a vehicle.

With word that a Lambda-based three-row crossover and the BMW 3-Series fighting ATS are on the way for General Motors' Wreath and Crest division, it's becoming increasingly clear that the boys down at The Tubes have hit the product accelerator pedal for their luxury brand. We just hope that this mystery offering means that Cadillac is finally going to cook up something that looks like 2003's showstopping Sixteen concept (above), albeit likely in a scaled-down format.

[Source: Car and Driver]

C/D: Cadillac to get new range-topping rear-wheel-drive flagship originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 11 Jun 2010 16:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: GM's venerable Northstar going out of production in July, replacement not yet announced

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Thu, 10 Jun 2010 18:28:00 EST

Filed under: Plants/Manufacturing, Cadillac, GM, Luxury

It's been a good run, Northstar, but every good thing must come to an end. Yours lasted for an impressive 17 straight years, and these days, that's something to be proud of. Rest in peace.

According to Inside Line, a spokesperson from General Motors has confirmed that it will halt production of the Northstar engine, which first appeared in the 1993 Cadillac Allante, sometime near the end of July. According to GM, there will be enough engines available for a complete 2011 model year.

Of course, that would leave the longstanding DTS without its only available powerplant and the STS without its optional V8 starting in 2012. We contacted GM to see what might be in store for these models moving past the 2011 model year, but pretty much got a predictable "No comment." We were assured, though, that the DTS would be around for 2011 in its current form. After that is anybody's guess.

As General Motors' first V8 engine with overhead camshafts, the Northstar was something of a revelation when it first hit the marketplace. But times change, and GM has a bevy of excellent cam-in-block V8s as well as direct injected V6 engines that ought to be able to fill the large hole left by the Northstar's demise. Stay tuned for more as we hear it.

[Source: Inside Line, General Motors]

Report: GM's venerable Northstar going out of production in July, replacement not yet announced originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 10 Jun 2010 18:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Cadillac replacing DTS and STS with one vehicle, entry-level model coming

Damon Lavrinc — Mon, 17 Sep 2007 00:31:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Cadillac

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.

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Cadillac nixing the barges, introducing new BRX CUV and RWD sedans

Damon Lavrinc — Mon, 30 Jul 2007 07:57:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Sedan, Wagon, Crossover, Cadillac

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.

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Buick Lucerne comes equipped with new safety tech

Dan Roth — Fri, 20 Apr 2007 08:57:00 EST

Filed under: Safety, Buick, Cadillac, GM

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.

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Whiplash a serious problem with many vehicles, says IIHS

Damon Lavrinc — Fri, 06 Apr 2007 09:05:00 EST

Filed under: Safety

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.

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Decision on CTS siblings coming soon

Dan Roth — Mon, 12 Mar 2007 12:31:00 EST

Filed under: Trends, Etc., Europe, Cadillac

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.

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

Alex Nunez — Tue, 28 Nov 2006 12:01:00 EST

Filed under: LA Auto Show, Convertible, Sedan, Cadillac

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.

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Official Shots: Cadillac DTS-L

John Neff — Wed, 22 Nov 2006 12:08:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, LA Auto Show, Sedan, Cadillac

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.

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Cadillac unveiling long-wheelbase DTS in L.A.

Alex Nunez — Thu, 16 Nov 2006 16:02:00 EST

Filed under: LA Auto Show, Sedan, Cadillac, GM

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.

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Warren Buffet auctions Town car for charity

Joel Arellano — Fri, 25 Aug 2006 09:05:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Auctions, Etc., Cadillac, Lincoln

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.

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Warren Buffett is impressed by Rick Wagoner and buys a Caddy to prove it

Eric Bryant — Tue, 06 Jun 2006 12:25:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Cadillac, GM

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.

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