GM is predicting a double digit a rise in January sales over the previous year, which saw a 30% drop in sales. GM believes that signs of recovery in the industry and the general economy will boost the companies performance. It certainly doesn’t hurt that GM has come to terms with the sale of Saab and is in the process of phasing out or selling Saturn, Hummer, and Pontiac. There are already signs GM’s business is improving. Some of its models, including the Cadillac SRX are in short supply, and could require the reopening of factories closed last year. Also, one of GM’s Japanese competitors, Toyota, is dealing with troubles in the form of recalls. When you combine that with the fact GM that is offering discounts for car-buyers trading in the that company’s vehicles, it’s easy to see how GM could gain an increased market share. GM has even agreed to make $1,000 worth of payments to Toyota on behalf of lessees.

The Cadillac XTS Platinum concept is wowing folks at the 2010 Detroit Auto Show, and may be turning heads on roads as early as 2012. It’s a full size luxury car that seems designed with chaufered CEOs in mind. This probably makes sense considering GM has stated their vision of this concept being an “automotive personal headquarters.”
Built on an Epsilon platform variation (that may also underpin a future Chevy Impala), the XTS is an All Wheel Drive sedan combining a gas-buring V-6 with plug-in hybrid technology. As with any true luxury car built nowadays, connectivity is a major focus. With this concept, Cadillac aims to herald “a new approach to in-car electronics that improves the form and function of the car’s entertainment, navigation and information systems.” Details are lacking, but you can definitely expect touch screen controls to replace hard buttons and switches and Organic-LED displays in place of standard instrumentation.
It looks very fresh compared to the DTS and STS models that it reportedly will replace, but does keep the main design elements of Cadillac’s Art and Science repertoire, including those vertical headlights and taillights. Speaking as someone with only so much love for the Cadillac boats of yesteryear, this big caddy looks good enough to put in the same sentence as the CTS-V coupe – the newest sexy CTS rolling into dealerships this summer.
More Cadillac XTS info.

On Monday, The New York Times reported that Cadillac has officially announced the 2011 CTS Coup model, promising that the car will make its first appearance at the upcoming Los Angeles auto show.

Based on the CTS sedan, the coupe rides on the same 113.4-inch wheelbase, yet is about two inches lower and two inches shorter overall. The seductive design includes a more rakish windshield, as well as blacked-out B-pillars, hidden touch-pad door releases, a unique rear fascia with twin center-mounted exhaust outlets, and an integrated rear spoiler.

A 304-hp, direct-injected 3.6-liter V-6 is the only engine for non-V models and will be backed by a standard six-speed manual transmission—with a clutch and flywheel revised from the CTS sedan—or an optional six-speed automatic. Cadillac estimates highway fuel economy will be as high as 27 mpg.

caranddriver.com

GM’s vice chairman Bob Lutz has confirmed that the 556-hp Cadillac CTS-V wagon will indeed become a production reality. 0–60 time of 3.9 seconds and beefy looks, the CTS-V sedan has been a huge favorite of ours since its debut, and we can’t wait to see how the CTS-V coupe looks and drives when it finally appears next year. But this was the first we’d heard anyone willing to go on record actually confirming the wagon. Speculation and rumors, yes, but nothing official.

I also wanted to pass along a coupon I received from using Mobil 1 in the Cadillac CTS I am currently leasing. It’s a great product, and the next time you are due for an oil change, give it a try. And don’t forget to use this coupon! Please click: Mobil 1 Advanced Fuel Economy $10 Rebate Offer so you can get in on the savings too!

2010 Cadillac CTS-V vs. Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG and Jaguar XFR Video.

I would like to highlight the efforts of the Electric Drive Transportation Association (EDTA), which is the preeminent US industry association dedicated to the promotion of electric drive as the best means to achieve the highly efficient and clean use of secure energy in the transportation sector.  They support the sustainable commercialization of all electric drive transportation technologies by providing in-depth information, education, industry networking, public policy advocacy and international conferences and exhibitions. The EDTA works with Congress and the Executive branch to transform the fuel consumption of the US fleet with electric drive technology by accelerating the adoption of electric drive technologies, enabling the development of longer term electric drive vehicle options, and ensuring nationwide access to hydrogen and electricity fueling infrastructure.  

Photo Credit: powerofdc.com

EVA/DC, the Electric Vehicle Association of Washington, DC, represents Electric and Hybrid Vehicle owners, enthusiasts, educators and racers from throughout the Baltimore-Washington region who are on the leading edge of the Green Revolution. Monthly meetings, appearances and educational programs include Junior Solar Sprints and the annual Power of DC Electric Drag Races and Autocross. Check them out at EVADC and Power of DC.

Photo Credit: enterprise.mtu.edu

We usually do not post about non-Cadillacs at Fast Cadillac, but here is an exception. I want to bring your attention to the EcoCAR project, and specifically Michigan Technological University’s participation with the project. The EcoCAR Challenge is a three-year competition that builds on the 19-year history of Department of Energy’s advanced vehicle technology competitions by giving engineering students the chance to design and build advanced vehicles that demonstrate leading-edge automotive technologies. MTU’s work hopes to create a practical road hybrid based off of GM’s Saturn Vue with innovation and engineering. MTU prides itself on the weight of the vehicle they have created, as it is the lightest in the competition.

Photo Credit: CarandDriver.com

Wagons don’t sit high like SUVs. They handle and perform like cars, but can also haul more stuff. So why don’t Americans like wagons? Despite the unappealing characterization and rather than opting for more exciting names such as Touring or Estate, Cadillac still decided to name the 2010 Cadillac CTS Sport Wagon just that.

Photo Credit: CarandDriver.com

Very practical, and handling and driving like the CTS sedan, the only disadvantage of the Sport Wagon comes with the extra 241 pounds. However, this is somewhat offset by the better weight distribution. The optional 3.6-liter 24-valve direct-injection V-6 producing 304 hp gets the Sport Wagon from 0-60 in 7.0 seconds, which is 1 second slower than the sedan.

Photo Credit: CarandDriver.com

Still, the wagon retains the CTS’s excellent handling, brakes, and steering. It also gains a Mercedes-like cargo compartment with 25 cubic feet of space in the trunk and 53 with the rear seats folded. Sportier than the comparable German competition, and at a lower starting price of $40,655, the 2010 Cadillac CTS Sport Wagon will be a surprising underdog.

Photo Credit: CarandDriver.com

Cadillac has reborn the second-generation SRX to make it more like the segment’s best-selling Lexus RX350. Replacing the rear-wheel-drive/all-wheel-drive platform is a front-drive-based architecture with a transversely mounted engine. A direct-injected 3.0-liter V-6 with 265 hp and 223 lb-ft of torque in the base engine SRX 3.0 gets the crossover to 60 mph in 8.4 seconds.

Photo Credit: CarandDriver.com

However, the real story here is the optional 300 hp, 2.8-liter turbo V-6 SRX 2.8T. With a much improved low rev acceleration allowing a predicted 0-60 time of 7.6 seconds, the more powerful SRX 2.8T achieves peak torque at just 2000 rpm. Fuel economy is a 16/23 mpg city/highway rating, with premium fuel being recommended by Cadillac for the turbo-charged V-6. Coming standard are all-wheel drive, FE3 suspension, 20-inch wheels, and luxury items including heated leather seats, dual-zone climate control, navigation, and a giant moon-roof. With a combination of superior suspension tuning, quiet ride, long list of standard equipment, and attractive interior, the new SRX will really give the Lexus RX some strong competition.