More and more electric, hybrid electric, and hydrogen vehicles are becoming popular nowadays, and it’s good that many people are using these type of cars since they don’t use much gas, which means people save more money. The Hybrid and Hydrogen Vehicle Research Laboratory (HHVRL), promoted by Dr. Joel Anstrom, at the College of Engineering at Penn State University focuses on research, safety, education and service to support hybrid and hydrogen vehicles. Their goal is to work with industrial businesses and raise awareness about the need for more advanced fuel vehicles. Some vehicles they support are the GM Suburban Series Hybrid, GM EV Electric Vehicle, and the Ford Escort Series Hybrid.

There are some interesting projects at the lab:

• In-Vehicle Testing and Computer Modeling of Electric Vehicle Batteries
• Simulation and Field Testing of combined Battery/Ultracapacitor Energy Storage System
• Installation of Air Products Hydrogen Fueling Station
• Hybrid Vehicle Distributed Power Generation
• Long-term Hydrogen Vehicle Demonstration

Click here if you’d like to know more information.

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While the release of vehicles like the CTS-V Sports Wagon (and the CTS line-up in general), Cadillac has been making an effort to compete with its European competitors – both in terms of style and performance. The Cadillac CTS-V Sport Wagon displays both fronts of GM’s offensive; packaging 556 horses in a 5-door station wagon that could be more appreciated by European consumers than US car buyers.
While Cadillac’s focus change is welcomed by many, especially the automotive press, there are many loyal (and mostly older) Cadillac drivers who are very attached to the large, American-made luxury sedans that have been synonymous with the Cadillac brand for decades. GM has not forgotten its loyalists, though the elimination of both the DTS and STS models are not encouraging to these Caddy enthusiasts. Cadillac is banking on the the ability of the upcoming XTS to keep these people behind the wheel of Cadillac vehicles for years to come. The Cadillac XTS Platinum Concept debuted this January at the 2010 Detroit Auto Show – based on what was seen then, a production version should feature an immaculate interior and gadgetry up the wazoo.

Read more about the Cadillac XTS Platinum Concept

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.  

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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.

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Photo Credit: CarandDriver.com

Although financial troubles have hindered Cadillac and resulted in the discontinuation of the XLR roadster, as well as a year delay for the rollout of the two-door CTS (scheduled for 2010), new spy images reveal great progress in the development of the 2011 CTS-V Coupe. Aside from the same 556-hp, 6.2-liter supercharged V8 found in the 4-door, this new vehicle is equipped with bigger brakes, larger wheels, a wire mesh grill, and dual center-exiting exhaust pipes that go along with the bulging bodywork. Available in six-speed manual or automatic transmissions, and with improved interior features, the 2011 CTS-V Coupe will have a sticker price of around $65k.

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Car and Driver is planning to re-launch its site. This new and improved site promises to be much more interactive and user-friendly. With increased functionality, it will be even easier to navigate. There is much more information and links on the new homepage, allowing for quicker, more efficient search.

In addition, one of the best features of the new site is the increased functionality of the buyer’s guide, which allows you to more easily search for vehicles specifically tailored to your needs. For example, if you choose a make such as Cadillac, the new site instantly provides you with several links to the latest reviews, comparison tests, news, and advice on different models.

Then, selecting a model, such as the SRX allows you to view all of its top competitors in that class. With the ability to drill down on specifications and view tons of interior and exterior images, the new Car and Driver site is definitely more interactive and user-friendly, and will enhance your Cadillac shopping experience. Check out a screen-shot of this below, and feel free to email any feedback to caranddriver@hfnm.com.

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