Autoblog

GM announces Bob Lutz retained as advisor

Jeff Glucker — Fri, 02 Sep 2011 14:15:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Hirings/Firings/Layoffs, GM

The man nicknamed "Maximum" isn't completely retired yet.

General Motors has announced that it has retained Bob Lutz as an advisor. Executives at GM will be able to reach out to Lutz and tap into his knowledge base, which was garnered from a career in the automotive industry lasting over four decades.

Since retiring from GM in 2010, Lutz has supplied information to executives on an informal basis. Now the assistance will be provided on an official retainer, presumably on a more frequent (or at least regularly scheduled) basis.

Click through to the jump for the official press release.

Continue reading GM announces Bob Lutz retained as advisor

GM announces Bob Lutz retained as advisor originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 02 Sep 2011 14:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Bob Lutz briefly considered Michigan gubernatorial run [w/poll]

Jeff Glucker — Wed, 06 Jul 2011 14:00:00 EST

Filed under: Government/Legal, GM, Celebrities

The man they call Maximum Bob had visions of becoming Governor Maximum Bob. When the former vice chairman of General Motors saw his tenure with automaker drawing to a close, Bob Lutz considered running for governor of Michigan. It appears this was merely a brief consideration, ahead of the 2010 election.

A gubernatorial run faded into an afterthought once Lutz was informed of the sheer volume of cash he would need to spend on a campaign. Couple the amount of money with a never-ending sea of meetings and appearances along the campaign trail, and Lutz apparently realized this wasn't a pool he felt like diving into.

Since it's nothing more than a thought exercise at this point, why not take a moment to cast a completely meaningless vote in our poll below. Come on, Lutz, we're pulling for ya.

View Poll

Bob Lutz briefly considered Michigan gubernatorial run [w/poll] originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 06 Jul 2011 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Lutz dishes dirt on GM in latest Autoline Detroit

Jeff Glucker — Mon, 20 Jun 2011 19:57:00 EST

Filed under: Videos, Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, GM, Pontiac, Saturn

Bob Lutz sits down for Autoline Detroit - Click above to watch video after the jump

Autoline Detroit recently played host to Bob Lutz, and, as is always the case, the former General Motors vice chairman dished out some great commentary. Lutz was promoting his new book Car Guys vs. Bean Counters: The Battle for the Soul of American Business, and talk quickly turned to his role as it related to product development and high-level decision making at GM. While on the topic of brand management, Lutz revealed a few rather interesting tidbits about his former employer:

All Chevrolet vehicles were required to have five-spoke aluminum wheels and a chrome band up front, as part of the Bowtie brand's overall image.
Pontiac was required to utilize "see-through" headrests, despite the fact that they cost more to produce while offering no consumer value.
All Buicks required a sweep spear in the exterior design language.
Cadillac considered building a 550-horsepower supercharged Escalade.
Saturn was working on a seven-passenger Vue.
Many of the non-car person GM board members preferred to drive imports.
Proportion and shape didn't matter as long as all the brand-image boxes were checked.

Lutz provides an interesting look at the type of decision making that forced GM into a position of bankruptcy. The automaker was being run solely by folks focused on techniques and ideals that don't work in the industry. We don't want to give away the entire interview, but it's worth watching all 26 minutes. Click past the jump to see for yourself.

Also, judging solely by the above screenshot, we'll cast a vote for Robert De Niro to play Lutz in the inevitable movie about this period in General Motors' history.

Continue reading Lutz dishes dirt on GM in latest Autoline Detroit

Lutz dishes dirt on GM in latest Autoline Detroit originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 20 Jun 2011 19:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Bob Lutz illustrates GM's decline in a Christmas card

Aaron Richardson — Mon, 13 Jun 2011 15:31:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Cadillac, GM

Bob Lutz is in The Wall Street Journal this week, and the former Vice Chairman at General Motors discusses what he sees as the reason for the automaker's previous failings. His illustrative example? A company Christmas card. Sounds weird, but Mr. Lutz's example hit home nicely.

Lutz tells the story of Cadillac then-boss Jim Roche, and a drawn-out mission to get the Wreath and Crest's Christmas card just right. After countless versions, a simple painting of a boy with a sled turned into a Cadillac driving to a mansion along a snow-covered drive.

The point? Lutz's example shows in glaring detail the level of corporate waste and inefficiency that characterized GM through much of the post-war period. That culture, and the lack of an iron-fisted leader, are what Lutz blames for dragging the company down. Check out Lutz's full thoughts here.

Bob Lutz illustrates GM's decline in a Christmas card originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 13 Jun 2011 15:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: GM trying to re-hire Bob Lutz

Steven J. Ewing — Tue, 15 Feb 2011 16:45:00 EST

Filed under: Hirings/Firings/Layoffs, GM

General Motors is reportedly looking to re-hire none other than Bob Lutz as a consultant to vehicle development. Lutz, 79, left GM in May of 2010 after leading the company's product development efforts for many years.

The push to rehire Lutz reportedly comes from GM CEO Dan Akerson's initiative to rush development and reduce cost of its new crop of vehicles. The United States government, which currently owns one-third of GM, has apparently opposed Lutz's re-appointment, with The Daily Beast saying that the U.S. Treasury is reluctant to re-hire Lutz on the grounds that paying him so close to his retirement could look like a "sweetheart payout."

GM recently promoted Mary Barra, 49, to senior vice president in charge of global product development, even though she has very little experience in the field. By bringing Lutz back, GM hopes to regain an intelligent eye into strategies for quick product development, as well as marketing and design. Thanks for the tip, Phrime!

[Source: The Daily Beast]

Report: GM trying to re-hire Bob Lutz originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 15 Feb 2011 16:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: Bob Lutz, Tom Purves to advise Lotus?

Damon Lavrinc — Mon, 28 Jun 2010 17:22:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Lotus

Two anonymous sources have told Automotive News that Lotus is courting both Bob Lutz and retired BMW executive Tom Purves to become advisors to the British brand.

As previously reported, Lotus' Malaysian parents at Proton are on a kick to increase both volume and model mix to take on its exotic rivals at Aston Martin, Ferrari and Porsche. In order to boost production to around 8,000 units annually, Lotus needs to take a long, hard look at what it's offering and how it can expand the brand to take on Europe's elite - possibly at the expense of Lotus' core values. Or not.

To that end, Lotus could be looking at both Lutz and Purves for their product knowledge, which in the case of Maximum Bob is as wide and varied as it is successful. Lutz has already said he's open to future gigs and he's already accepted a board position at Transonic Combustion. But at this point, however, formal bids for both retired execs have yet to provided by Lotus.

[Source: Automotive News - Sub. Req.]

Report: Bob Lutz, Tom Purves to advise Lotus? originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 28 Jun 2010 17:22:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Bob Lutz in presumptive plane crash? [w/video]

Zach Bowman — Thu, 17 Jun 2010 17:29:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Safety, Videos, GMC, Celebrities

Officials search for a downed plane - Click above to watch video after the jump

We've been a little curious as to what good old Bob Lutz has been up to after retiring from General Motors. While the former auto exec had said that he would be busy slaving away over his latest book, the truth may be a bit more exciting. Several locals in Pinckney, Michigan called emergency services when they spotted a small jet flying at low altitude, believing that the aircraft was going down. Officials didn't find anything, but said that they discovered that a "retired gentleman" had been previously flying his personal aircraft in the area.

No one is officially saying whether or not it was Lutz who was spending the afternoon reenacting his favorite Top Gun scenes, but we have a hard time ~~imaging~~ imagining how many other auto exec retirees would be buzzing church towers with a decommissioned jet in rural Michigan. By all accounts, the pilot landed safely without incident, and since neither the plane nor the pilot were positively identified, no one is being charged for the search and rescue operation. Hit the jump for a quick video of the search effort.

[Source: Livingston Daily via Jalopnik]

Continue reading Bob Lutz in presumptive plane crash? [w/video]

Bob Lutz in presumptive plane crash? [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 17 Jun 2010 17:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The DetroitBureau.com on Autoblog with Paul Eisenstein

Paul Eisenstein — Tue, 27 Apr 2010 15:59:00 EST

Filed under: Hirings/Firings/Layoffs, GM, Celebrities

Where have all the mavericks gone?

When he hands in his office keys a few days from now, General Motors Vice Chairman Bob Lutz will begin an oft-delayed retirement that was originally set to begin shortly after the ill-fated "merger of equals" between Daimler and Chrysler.

His decision to rejoin the automotive workforce a few years later wasn't all that much of a surprise to those who knew the former Marine pilot and what quite literally could be called his driving ambition. That leads many to suspect we'll continue to hear from Lutz, even though he bluntly wonders, "Who would hire a senior executive who's nearly 80 years old?"

Finally, it seems, this old soldier really may fade away, taking on a book assignment and a board seat or two. And, in the process, Lutz's departure will bring with it a different sort of change in the auto industry, the departure of the last classic automotive maverick.

Pull out a pen and jot down the names of the best-known auto industry executives. Your list might include Billy Ford or Alan Mulally, Ed Whitacre or even Carlos Ghosn, if you're taking the global view. Despite their prominence, even their willingness to take risks, these aren't exactly the sort of mavericks and eccentrics the industry was long known for.

That goes for Sergio Marchionne, the head of both Fiat and Chrysler. True, he's not your typical gray-flannel executive - he buys his trademark black sweaters "by the dozen," he jokes - and is clearly playing a high-risk poker game in his effort to turn around a desperately ill American automaker. But in the end, if someone eventually writes the Harvard Business Review analysis of the Canadian-educated executive, he'll still turn out to be another by-the-books strategist.

Paul A. Eisenstein is Publisher of TheDetroitBureau.com, and a 30-year veteran of the automotive beat. His editorials bring his unique perspective and deep understanding of the auto world to Autoblog readers on a regular basis.

Continue reading The DetroitBureau.com on Autoblog with Paul Eisenstein

The DetroitBureau.com on Autoblog with Paul Eisenstein originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 27 Apr 2010 15:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Autoblog Podcast #175 - Bob Lutz joins in

Dan Roth — Tue, 20 Apr 2010 16:38:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Podcasts, Etc., Audi, BMW, Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, Ford, GM, Subaru, Earnings/Financials, Celebrities, Design/Style

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

Chris Shunk, Sam Abuelsamid, Chris Paukert and Dan Roth are joined by the car executive we all wish we could be when we grow up, General Motors Vice Chairman Bob Lutz. After an hour of peppering Bob with questions about his career, we come away better informed as to where the man stands on the industry's future, how GM will fare, his favorite concept cars, what he plans to do in his retirement, and - pivotally - how to get your wife to let you buy a MiG fighter jet. It's a hour and thirteen minutes of class lecture from Mr. Lutz. Enjoy!

Autoblog Podcast #175: Bob Lutz!

In the Autoblog Garage:

Long-term Subaru Legacy 2.5GT
Chevrolet Camaro V6 6MT
Buick Enclave
Mini John Cooper Works Cabrio

Hosts:
Chris Shunk, Chris Paukert, Dan Roth, Sam Abuelsamid

Guest:

Bob Lutz, Vice Chairman of General Motors

Runtime: 1:13:46

Get the podcast:
[iTunes] Subscribe to the Autoblog Podcast in iTunes
[RSS] Add the Autoblog 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 #175 - Bob Lutz joins in originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 20 Apr 2010 16:38:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Bob Lutz, 78, open to future career opportunities

Chris Paukert — Tue, 20 Apr 2010 15:29:00 EST

Filed under: Hirings/Firings/Layoffs, GM

General Motors Vice Chairman Bob Lutz might be set to retire at the end of the month, but don't expect him to go quietly into that good night - or take up the usual trappings that a man of his age and accomplishment might normally seek out. "I don't play golf, never have never will. And secondly, I have no desire to go to Hilton Head, or Naples, Florida, or any place like that."

Fair enough. So what's in store for the auto industry icon? Well, he's working on new business book, and there will be a supporting tour to follow its publication. Beyond that, he tells Autoblog that he's going to be embarking on the lecture circuit with the Leigh Speakers Bureau and he might just be open to helping run another company - automotive or otherwise:

"I have had several approaches for board memberships of various companies and I'm going to be meeting with a headhunter who is a specialist in finding board members. He wants to see me, so we'll see what comes up there. As far as GM is concerned, I have had numerous requests to continue to be available for advice and counsel and occasionally review design properties and stuff like that, so I'll find a way to stay engaged."

What about going to work for another carmaker? "Now, no other automobile company has yet approached me and said 'Here's a huge wad of money, come and work for us.'" We couldn't resist a followup: "Is that an open invitation for that to happen?" Lutz laughed his trademark hoarse laugh and said wryly, "It depends on the size of the wad of money."

Interested in hearing more Lutz gems? Check out the newest installment of the Autoblog Podcast, where the good chairman sits in with us for an hour-long career retrospective. We'll have the complete show up for download or online listening available later this afternoon.

Bob Lutz, 78, open to future career opportunities originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 20 Apr 2010 15:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Lutz' last quote? Toyota won't get back "God-like status"

Zach Bowman — Thu, 01 Apr 2010 12:31:00 EST

Filed under: New York Auto Show, GM, Toyota, Earnings/Financials, Humor

If there's one thing we'll miss when Bob Lutz finally packs up and heads out to pasture, it'll be the guy's role as General Motors' resident quote machine. Take this latest gem, for example. According to BusinessWeek, Lutz has been quoted as saying, "Toyota's God-like status will never be reclaimed." He was speaking to reporters at the New York Auto Show about post-bankruptcy GM, and happened to take a swing at the company's biggest rival at the same time.

The General has made up serious ground on the heels of the Japanese automaker's recent recall woes, though both companies are expected to announce sales growth for the month of March. In the meantime, Lutz is still slated to retire from GM for good on May 1. After that, we'll have to find someone else to tell use that the Pontiac G8 will live on under the Chevrolet banner.

[Source: BusinessWeek]

Lutz' last quote? Toyota won't get back "God-like status" originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 01 Apr 2010 12:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Once and For All? Lutz text message reportedly confirms Cadillac Converj is dead

Chris Paukert — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 10:31:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Detroit Auto Show, Coupe, Technology, Cadillac, GM, Design/Style

2009 Cadillac Converj Concept - Click above for high-res image gallery

Although previously the subject of some early obituaries, it appears that the future of the Cadillac Converj showcar is indeed at a dead-end. According to Automotive News, a production future for the rakish extended-range coupe has been scuttled due to "priorities and the conviction that the Volt and Ampera will use all available capacity for years to come" - that's according to a text message from General Motors vice chairman Bob Lutz.

Lutz, who is himself retiring on May 1, openly championed the Converj, including telling members of the Society of Automotive Analysts that the car would be built after 2012. Prevailing logic also had the well-received 2009 Detroit Auto Show concept getting the green light, if only because affixing a higher-margin Cadillac badge to its flanks would presumably help GM recover some of its massive investment in the E-Rev technology it shared with the Chevrolet Volt and Opel Ampera. However, in a Bloomberg report from earlier this month, some company managers apparently successfully argued that the business case for the Converj could not be made.

Gallery: Detroit 2009: Cadillac Converj

Photos by Drew Phillips / Frank Filliponio / Copyright (C)2010 Weblogs, Inc.

[Source: Automotive News - sub. req.]

Once and For All? Lutz text message reportedly confirms Cadillac Converj is dead originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 17 Mar 2010 10:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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BREAKING: Lutz to retire from GM... again

Steven J. Ewing — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 13:51:00 EST

Filed under: Hirings/Firings/Layoffs, GM

It's the end of an era, folks. There are reports this afternoon all over the internet that General Motors' Vice Chairman, "Maximum" Bob Lutz, will officially retire on May 1. Those keeping track will remember that Lutz initially announced his retirement back in February of 2009, but then later chose to remain with GM, heading the marketing and communications teams.

The 78-year-old Lutz has been credited for rejuvenating GM's product development, and has been the company's most outspoken champion of the all-important Chevy Volt. In recent months, as the pay scales for the company's top 25 executives were being reviewed by the U.S. Treasury Department, Lutz commented to The Detroit News that most executives were "way, way, way" underpaid, so it's possible that this could be a key factor in his decision to leave GM. However, we can only speculate at this moment since neither GM nor Lutz has released an official statement yet. As the ongoing executive shuffle at GM continues to work itself out, we won't be surprised if official word comes in the very near future.

[Sources: The Detroit News, CNBC]

BREAKING: Lutz to retire from GM... again originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 03 Mar 2010 13:51:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Detroit 2010: Caption Contest - What the heck are Bob Lutz and Elon Musk talking about?

Chris Shunk — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 13:00:00 EST

Filed under: Detroit Auto Show, Etc., Celebrities, Humor

Bob Lutz has been an important guy in the auto industry since before most of us were born. Elon Musk is the reason your eBay transactions go so smoothly (he was the co-creator of PayPal). Together, they don't seem to make much of a team. Well, they wouldn't make much of a match if Musk weren't the CEO of Tesla Motors. Elon makes electric cars. Bob wants to make electric cars. Both are (*ahem*) outspoken and give good soundbites. Upon further review, it makes perfect sense that the two men were hanging out at the Detroit Auto Show. But what were they talking about?

We have some ideas, but they probably aren't as creative as yours. We'll get you started with some appetizers, but we're really just looking for you to provide the main course:

Lutz to Musk: "You think you're nervous right now, but you really just have range anxiety"
Musk to Lutz: "We have more batteries in one car than you have in 500 Volts"
Lutz to Musk: "$500 million? $50 billion!"

Help us out with some better captions by leaving some tender verbal vittles in Comments.

Detroit 2010: Caption Contest - What the heck are Bob Lutz and Elon Musk talking about? originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 13 Jan 2010 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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REPORT: GM to speed up development of vehicles delayed by bankruptcy

Chris Shunk — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 18:31:00 EST

Filed under: Chevrolet, GM, Earnings/Financials

Prior to declaring bankruptcy, General Motors began delaying new products in an effort to conserve cash. The news was disappointing to enthusiasts and brand loyalists, but with its cash piles dwindling, the General didn't have many alternatives. Post-bankruptcy, GM finds itself with $40 billion in cash and a lot less overhead, so where is the money being spent? Automotive News reports that Vice Chairman Bob Lutz confirms that many of the products that were delayed are now being accelerated, adding "Once we got out of the bankruptcy and started having money available, we were able to pull a lot of our programs forward."

One example of the pull-forward is the next-generation Chevrolet Malibu. Early this Fall, GM told us that the next Malibu would arrive in 2012, but Lutz says that time frame has been pulled up to 2011. The next Malibu will reportedly be all-new with a platform based off of the Buick LaCrosse and 2011 Buick Regal. The new 'Bu will apparently have a shorter wheelbase than the current model while still managing more interior room.

Lutz told AN that the uplevel Malibu will have chrome appliques lining the side windows, a trait he says is associated with German and Japanese luxury vehicles. Lutz apparently added that $50 worth of chrome translates into an additional $500 to $600 in perceived value to customers. Beyond the Malibu, Lutz noted that there are "a bunch" of other vehicles being pulled forward to pre-bankruptcy production cadences, though he didn't offer any specific examples.

[Source: Automotive News - Sub. Req.]

REPORT: GM to speed up development of vehicles delayed by bankruptcy originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 18 Dec 2009 18:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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CTS-V Challenge driver and M3 owner Michael Cooper gets pat on the back from BMW

Jonny Lieberman — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 17:29:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Europe, Marketing/Advertising, BMW, Cadillac

Michael Cooper and his Cadillac CTS-V-challenging BMW M3 - click above for high-res image gallery

This guy. So, some of you no doubt remember the Cadillac CTS-V Challenge. If you don't, here's a refresher: General Motors vice-chairman Maximum Bob Lutz challenged any journalist to bring a CTS-V competitor to California's Laguna Seca where the 77-year-old Lutz would mop the floor with he/she and whatever fancy-pants, Euro sedan they done brung. Of course, the event got moved to New York's Monticello Motor Club, and to guarantee that the Cadillac didn't lose, GM brought in a backup pilot, John Hienricy, the company's noted hot shoe engineer and race car driver. And then every other manufacturer (Mercedes-Benz, Jaguar) decided not to play into GM's marketing ploy, and withdrew their ~~cars'~~ support.

To be frank, we here at Autoblog toyed with the idea of throwing our hoon-hat in the ring, but after Heinricy became Cadillac's ace in the hole, we figured the whole challenge was unwinnable (we've driven with Mr. Heinricy - he's that good). While it would no doubt have been fun, totally playing into General Motor's hands like that (by also losing), well, not so much. Luckily, privateer Michael Cooper and his BMW M3 wasn't in on our conference call.

Mr. Cooper showed up to the Caddy Challenge and laid down a 2:50.424, beating not only Bob Lutz's 2:56.321 in the way more powerful CTS-V, but our pals Lawrence Ulrich (2:53:026) and Jack Baruth (2:51:153), both of whom were driving the big supercharged Caddy. Not surprisingly, Heinricy blew the doors off of every single person, ripping off a 2:46.560. Probably while flossing. But let's not overlook young Michael Cooper, who with 142 less horsepower and a boatload less torque to work with came in less than four seconds behind John (ringer *cough* ringer) Hienricy.

BMW was so taken by Mr. Cooper's feat of good driving that they reportedly invited him down to their North American headquarters in New Jersey and gave him a BMW Performance Multifunction Steering Wheel. How else to thank the guy that tossed such an effective monkey wrench into GM's marketing plans? BMW installed the wheel in Cooper's M3 while he was given a ride in a special BMW Performance enhanced 335i Sedan. So, one more time, a hearty Autoblog congratulations to Michael Cooper and his Cadillac CTS-V challenging BMW M3. The one with the fancy new steering wheel.

Gallery: Michael Cooper's BMW M3

[Source: BMW Blog]

CTS-V Challenge driver and M3 owner Michael Cooper gets pat on the back from BMW originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 14 Dec 2009 17:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Lutz: High-performance Chevy Volt SS a "possibility"

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 13:02:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Hybrid, Sedan, Performance, Cadillac, Chevrolet, Electric, Electric

2011 Chevy Volt - Click above for high-res image gallery

Electric cars are for those who would rather drive slow, boring commuters that don't consume fossil fuels and therefore don't spew pollutants from their tailpipes. Gas-powered cars - and especially those wearing time-honored badges like SS, R/T or GT - are for those who prefer fire-breathing, tire-screeching performance and care much more about nitrous oxide than nitrogen oxide. Right? Not so fast, says Bob Lutz.

When asked whether or not Chevy could shock the performance crowd with an SS version of the upcoming Volt, Lutz said, "I would not discount that possibility." That's as close as you're going to get to an admission of intent this early in the game. Lutz goes on to suggest that the Voltec powertrain will allow for plenty of on-demand power. "[I]f we want to sacrifice a little bit of fuel efficiency in the interest of performance and still get over 200 miles per gallon, we can do that any time."

Following the same logical train of thought, we could certainly see a V-Series of the Cadillac Converj. If you're interested in hearing the news straight from ~~the horse's~~ Lutz's mouth, click past the break for a video.

Gallery: 2011 Chevrolet Volt

[Source: Fox Car Report via GM-Volt.com]

Continue reading Lutz: High-performance Chevy Volt SS a "possibility"

Lutz: High-performance Chevy Volt SS a "possibility" originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 10 Nov 2009 13:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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V-Series Challenge participants announced, no surprises inside

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 18:30:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Sedan, Performance, Marketing/Advertising, Cadillac, GM, Luxury

2009 Cadillac CTS-V - Click above for high-res image gallery

In less than a week, Bob Lutz will be joined by a few automotive journalists and a handful of regular Joes at the Monticello Motor Club in New York to race some fast sedans around a fast track to see if anything with four doors can outrun a Cadillac CTS-V. Sounds like fun. But, after reading through the preliminary list of applicants The General has accepted, it's looking more and more like the cards are stacked heavily in GM's favor.

The three participating journalists include Jalopnik's Wes Siler, who will be racing Lutz in a Jaguar XFR; Jack Baruth representing The Truth About Cars and freelancer and New York Times contributor Lawrence Ulrich. We have no idea what the latter two journos will be piloting, but we do know that four private car owners will bring along their personal contenders: a BMW M3, a BMW M5, an Audi RS4 and finally, a, um, Cadillac CTS-V.

According to GM's Cadillac Notes Blog, there's room for a couple more contestants... and we're really hoping that someone (preferably someone with track experience) steps up to the plate with a Porsche Panamera and something with AMG written across the decklid to turn this into a proper sampling of potential spoilers.

Gallery: 2009 Cadillac CTS-V

[Source: Cadillac Notes]

V-Series Challenge participants announced, no surprises inside originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 23 Oct 2009 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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VIDEO: Bob Lutz prepares for V-Series Challenge at Monticello

John Neff — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 13:28:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Performance, Videos, Cadillac

Bob Lutz prepares for V-Series Challenge - Click above to watch video after the jump

The pieces are now in place for the V-Series Challenge set to take place at the Monticello Motor Club on October 29. Behind the wheel of a Cadillac CTS-V, Bob Lutz will take on the competition in a run-what-you-brung type shoot out against players chosen by GM from the automotive media and general population. The video after the jump shows Lutz already on site practicing his lines on Monticello's 22-turn track (we're not sure yet what track configuration will be used). Maximum Bob will clearly have an advantage in terms of knowing the track, though General Motors is also bringing along ace pilot and former GMer John Heinricy in case the competition comes with some pro-am or above drivers.

Sounds like a good time, though we've heard through the grapevine that despite receiving around 120 applicants, the five vehicles chosen by GM to take on the CTS-V don't stand much of a chance. One we do know that will be present is a Jaguar XFR piloted by Wes Siler from Jalopnik.

We also asked Porsche about this whole business, since it would seem that the Panamera Turbo has one of the best shots at beating a CTS-V. Unless an actual owner was chosen by GM to be a challenger, however, there won't be a Panamera Turbo present. Porsche told us that they weren't approving any loans of the Panamera Turbo to the media for this event, and we've heard rumblings of the same sort from Mercedes-Benz concerning its AMG-fortified hardware.

We can't blame them. This is a GM event and the deck is stacked in their favor. Letting an auto journalist represent your brand in this super sedan pissing contest seems like a lose-lose proposition for any automaker in its right mind. Jaguar apparently disagrees, but we'll see what happens come October 29.

UPDATE: GM got in touch with us to clarify that the video footage was shot at the company's Milford Proving Grounds, and that Lutz has never raced at Monticello before.

[Source: GM]

Continue reading VIDEO: Bob Lutz prepares for V-Series Challenge at Monticello

VIDEO: Bob Lutz prepares for V-Series Challenge at Monticello originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 23 Oct 2009 13:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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CTS-V Challenge opened up to any would-be Caddy killers

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 08:57:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Sedan, Performance, Marketing/Advertising, Cadillac

2009 Cadillac CTS-V - Click above for high-res image gallery

May the best car win. So says General Motors' Bob Lutz, and he's willing to put his Pilotis where his mouth is... so to speak. On a conference call last month, Maximum Bob challenged any journalist to a duel with the Cadillac CTS-V, and, not surprisingly, the mantle was picked up right quick by the boys at Jalopnik.

Rules? Sorta. Any stock production four-door sedan is reportedly eligible to go up against the Big V, and the drivers will be lining up against the clock on October 29 at the Monticello Motor Club in Monticello, N.Y. While Jalop's Wes Siler was originally slated to go up against Lutz in a Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG, that car has since been switched out in favor of the Jaguar XFR (earning the ire of TTAC in the process).

Here's the best part: Anyone who happens to own a new comparable sport sedan, such as a BMW M3 or M5, perhaps a Mercedes-Benz AMG sedan or the Audi S4 (not to mention the Mitsubishi Evolution), is welcome to submit themselves for consideration to take part in the festivities in New York. We're not sure how the participants will be selected or exactly what the racing will entail, but if you're interested in throwing your hat into the ring, click here. For what it's worth, we've driven the CTS-V around Monticello, and we figure the smart money is on the Daddy Caddy.

Gallery: Review: 2009 Cadillac CTS-V

[Source: CTS-V Challenge]

CTS-V Challenge opened up to any would-be Caddy killers originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 14 Oct 2009 08:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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