VIDEO: 2014 Cadillac ATS Compact RWD Sports Sedan Spied Out Testing

A prototype version of Cadillac’s upcoming BMW 3-Series and Mercedes-Benz C-Class rival, dubbed the ATS, has been caught on video during road testing. Though still heavily camouflaged, it appears that the Detroit firm’s compact, rear-wheel drive sports sedan will continue with Cadillac’s Art and Science design language.

The new ATS sedan will be positioned below the CTS, taking its place as the Cadillac’s entry-level model. The introduction of the ATS will allow the next iteration of the CTS to grow in dimensions to better compete with Germany’s executive saloons like the BMW 5-Series and Audi A6.

The engine lineup of the ATS is pretty much speculation as of right now, though a supposedly official document that leaked onto the internet in January made word of three engine choices including a 270HP 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder, a 330HP 3.6-liter V6 and a 470HP 6.2-liter V8 for the range topping ATS-V.

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Cadillac Marks its Return to Racing with a Series of Short Films on the CTS-V Coupe

"Refueled: The Return of the CTS-V" is the name of Cadillac’s new series of short films that were created to give us a behind-the-scenes look at the development of its all-new CTS-V Coupe racing car, with which the company marks it return to competition after a four year hiatus. The newly released footage documents the genesis of the CTS-V Coupe racecars as well as their connection to the production version of the sports coupe.

The Cadillac CTS-V will make its competition debut at the season-opening race of the Sports Car Club of America World Challenge GT series in St. Petersburg, Florida on March 25-27. The GT series’ schedule for 2011 includes eight races in the U.S. and Canada from March to October. Click through to the jump for the videos.

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VIDEO: Top Gear China 15-Minute Pilot Episode Hits the Web, Includes Cadillac vs…Donkey Comparo

We’ve already told you about Top Gear’s plans to export the franchise to China, but today we stumbled upon what is claimed to be the first 15-minute long pilot episode of the TV series. China’s version of the famous car show keeps the familiar format with three male hosts and includes an oddball test where a Cadillac STS is compared to a donkey to see which is better suited to millstone work. If you follow the jump, you can watch the full video while we’ve also added a second clip that contains some English subtitles, though there’s no way of being sure about its accuracy.

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VIDEO: Hennessey’s Cadillac CTS-V Sport Wagon vs Nissan GT-R and Porsche 911 Turbo

American tuning firm Hennessey has crafted some pretty insane vehicles over the years. One of its most recent tunes is based on the Cadillac CTS-V Sport Wagon, which leaves GM’s factory with a 556-horsepower 6.2-liter V8 lump, but once Hennessey’s engineers perform their magic under the hood, output is lifted to 650 horsepower.

To show off the tuned CTS-V Sport Wagon’s potential, the Texas-based company brought the Cadillac to the track and drag raced it first against a stock 480HP Porsche 911 Turbo [997] and then a standard 485HP 2011 Nissan GT-R. Watch what happened in the video after the jump.

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Software Glitch Causes HVAC Problems on 2011MY Buick LaCrosse and Cadillac SRX Models

In the latest round of safety recalls, General Motors has issued a warning on certain 2011MY Buick LaCrosse sedans and Cadillac SRX crossovers due to a software glitch that may disable the driver’s ability to adjust the settings on the hearing, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems.

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Cadillac CTS-V Coupe Racers Show their Colors at Sebring

The racing division of Cadillac travelled to the Sebring International Raceway for a second round of testing before the start of the Sports Car Club of America World Challenge GT season, which will mark the return of the brand with the crest to racing after a three year hiatus.

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Cadillac's All-Wheel Drive Model Sales on the Rise in the U.S.A.

It was a time when associating Cadillac with all-wheel drive was considered to be a heresy. But mentalities have changed and more American customers are specifying their cars with the AWD option. GM’s luxury brand has registered a combined sales increase of 38% for its 4x4 SRX, CTS and Escalade models in the past two years. Specifically, one-third of the SRX crossovers, almost half of the CTS and three-quarters of the Escalade vehicles sold in the U.S. have been equipped with all-wheel drive.

Not surprisingly, the highest demand comes from cold weather and mountainous areas. Besides offering better traction on snow, the Cadillac AWD systems also promises to enhance handling and performance in normal weather conditions.

According to the Detroit automaker, AWD improves the SRX’s passing acceleration compared to the front-wheel drive version by transferring more torque to the rear wheels, while also reduces the over-steer tendencies manifested by the rear-wheel drive CTS during aggressive cornering.

“Cadillac’s investment in advanced AWD systems across the line-up is enhancing the brand’s reputation for performance,” said Don Butler, vice president of Cadillac marketing. “We’re able to offer luxury buyers exceptional ride, handling and control on a wide range of road conditions.”

3:12 AM | 0 comments | Read More

Cadillac's All-Wheel Drive Model Sales on the Rise in the U.S.A.

It was a time when associating Cadillac with all-wheel drive was considered to be a heresy. But mentalities have changed and more American customers are specifying their cars with the AWD option. GM’s luxury brand has registered a combined sales increase of 38% for its 4x4 SRX, CTS and Escalade models in the past two years. Specifically, one-third of the SRX crossovers, almost half of the CTS and three-quarters of the Escalade vehicles sold in the U.S. have been equipped with all-wheel drive.

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Cadillac Announces CTS-V Black Diamond Edition

The 2011 Black Diamond CTS-V Coupe. Image: © GM Corp.

When it comes to colors, I’ll generally pick black, at least until something darker comes along. Maybe it’s because things just look better in black, or maybe it matches the color of my soul. When it comes to favorite American cars, Cadillac’s CTS-V series is near the very top of my list. Combine the two, and you definitely get my attention; apparently, Cadillac thinks the way I do, because they’ve just announced a special edition of the CTS-V, called the Black Diamond Edition.

The Black Diamond Edition, which will be available in the sedan, coupe and wagon variants, starts with a special multi-layered paint. The black tri-coat paint gets blended with microscopic aluminum flakes, embedded in magnesium fluoride. That’s the science part, but the net result is a finish of unmatched depth and dimension that shines like a diamond in the sunlight. To complete the exterior look, Black Diamond Edition CTS-Vs roll on Satin Graphite 19 inch wheels, and get yellow-painted Brembo calipers.

On the inside, the special edition cars come with the superb Recaro seats and Midnight Sapele wood trim. Coupe buyers can opt for the “Saffron” interior, but I’d pass since even the microfiber suede inserts take away from the inherent blackness of the car. It looks like the suede steering wheel is standard on Black Diamond cars, and that’s a good thing.

If there’s a disappointment, it’s just that Cadillac didn’t do a thing to the motor on these special edition cars. Not that an engine producing 556 horsepower needs much improvement, but still; you’re paying for a “better” car, but it’s just an appearance package. Pricing on the CTS-V Black Diamond Edition, regardless of body style, is $69,190 for the six speed (yes, please) and $70,490 for the (oddly faster) automatic. That’s a premium of $4,850 over a base CTS-V, but it’s less than the sum of all the upgrades it includes. If I hit the lottery, you can rest assured I’ll be in to snap up a Black Diamond Edition CTS-V sedan.

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Cadillac CTS-V Range gains New Black Diamond Editions

Porsche isn't the only automaker launching limited edition versions of its cars built around a black-color theme these days as Cadillac has also jumped on the bandwagon by introducing its own special series for the CTS-V range. The Black Diamond Edition, available in the CTS-V Sedan, Coupe and Wagon models, will hit Cadillac showrooms in March.

The most prominent feature of the Black Diamond Edition models is an exclusive tri-coat paint called -you guessed it- “Black Diamond.” In an automotive first, the paint makes use of JDSU’s proprietary SpectraFlair pigment. According to the Detroit automaker, the SpectraFlair pigment in Black Diamond uses aluminum flakes encapsulated in a glass-like substance called magnesium fluoride. The result is said to be "a diamond-like sparkle as light hits the surface from different angles".

“The CTS-V Black Diamond Edition is like a finely crafted, tailored tuxedo,” said Michelle Killen, Cadillac exterior paint designer. “The base color may be a simple black, but the details and richness of the material set it apart.”

In addition to the unique exterior finish, the CTS-V Black Diamond edition models also get Satin Graphite 19-inch wheels, yellow Brembo brake calipers with six-piston units at the front and four at the back, Recaro seats covered in French-stitched leather and microfiber suede inserts in the center sections of the cushions and seatback, plus Midnight Sapele wood trim.

Prices including destination charges start at $69,190 for the manual and $70,490 for the automatic versions of the CTS-V, or a $4,850 premium over the CTS-V base price.

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Cadillac CTS-V Range gains New Black Diamond Editions

Porsche isn't the only automaker launching limited edition versions of its cars built around a black-color theme these days as Cadillac has also jumped on the bandwagon by introducing its own special series for the CTS-V range. The Black Diamond Edition, available in the CTS-V Sedan, Coupe and Wagon models, will hit Cadillac showrooms in March.

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1955 Ford "Beatnik" Bubbletop Custom Concept going up for Auction

Making its way down to Florida for RM Auction's annual Amelia Island event on March 2, is this 1955 Ford "Beatnink" Bubbletop custom concept inspired by futuristic design studies from the 1950s. Despite its name, the Beatnik is a fairly new creation built by Gary “Chopit” Fioto. It is based on the body of a 1955 Ford model but rides on a modifies chassis of a 1988 Lincoln Town Car and is powered by a Chevrolet 350-cubic inch small-block V8 engine.

The brand mixing doesn't stop there as Fioto used a variety of components from Cadillac, Chrysler and Lincoln, including the canted quad headlights. The front bumper was adapted from a '59 Cadillac, while the rear bumper was fashioned from the front bumper of a '58 Cadillac. In addition, the finned taillights are sourced from a 1960 Chrysler. However, the front and rear fenders, the door skins and the entire rear section of the car were all hand formed.

The one-of-a-kind model, which took four years of hard work to create, also features a bespoke interior complete with an aircraft control yoke-inspired steering wheel and a rounded dash pod as a tribute to the late 1950s and early 1960s concept cars from Detroit.

3:47 AM | 0 comments | Read More

1955 Ford "Beatnik" Bubbletop Custom Concept going up for Auction

Making its way down to Florida for RM Auction's annual Amelia Island event on March 2, is this 1955 Ford "Beatnink" Bubbletop custom concept inspired by futuristic design studies from the 1950s. Despite its name, the Beatnik is a fairly new creation built by Gary “Chopit” Fioto. It is based on the body of a 1955 Ford model but rides on a modifies chassis of a 1988 Lincoln Town Car and is powered by a Chevrolet 350-cubic inch small-block V8 engine.

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11:57 AM | 0 comments | Read More