Cadillac Conversations

Cadillac sales blossomed in August, up 83% year over year, or 90% considering sales per available sales day (SD) in the month.

Cadillac CTS and SRX sales stayed over 4K units for the month, and DTS sales made a strong showing.

Release:

Cadillac: Total sales of 12,689 for August were 83 percent higher than last August, with retail sales increasing 83 percent. This strong retail performance was driven by continuing strong consumer demand for the SRX and the CTS, with retail sales up 410 percent and 77 percent, respectively. August was the seventh month in a row that Cadillac total and retail sales have increased. With total sales up 50 percent for the year, the brand is the fastest growing luxury auto brand in the industry.

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Cadillac released a summary of safety innovations in place or on the way.  OnStar and navigation based traffic monitoring and re-routing should also be mentioned as a way to stay on the road and out of trouble.  Adaptive headlights that focus in the direction the wheels are turned so that you can better see where you are turning can also be key to avoiding accidents.

Cadillac has long been an innovator in safety technologies, but the next innovation could really be a quantum leap forward towards a crash-free future. It may sound like sci-fi, but it’s not all that far-fetched.

John Capp, director for Global Active Safety at Cadillac, says future Cadillac technologies could include in-vehicle Doppler radar to spot obstructions or traffic jams ahead. Looking even further out, Capp sees autonomous vehicles that can communicate with each other, traffic signals and buildings, pointing to a world where cars may actually drive themselves.

“We see things moving toward a point in the future where perhaps vehicles won’t crash,” said Capp. “We work on developing advanced safety technologies for Cadillac that alert drivers to potential dangers around them.”

Cadillac is already evolving its technology to come closer to the vision of a crash-proof car. Capp and his team of engineers, inventors and futurists have developed life-saving active safety technologies that are already in place on the 2010 Cadillac DTS Platinum, including:

Lane departure warning – a camera-based lane detection system that warns the driver when he or she leaves their lane without signaling. The camera, mounted near the inside rearview mirror, identifies traffic lane markings and provides audible alerts.

Blind spot alert – twin radar beacons that detect an object in a vehicle’s blind zone and provide a visual warning in the outside side mirror.

Adaptive cruise control – sensors detect objects in a vehicle’s path and slow the vehicle down to avoid a collision.

“We’re evolving those technologies to develop the capability where vehicles will be able to avoid crashes,” Capp said.

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Cadillac and Monticello Motor Club (MMC) are now offering a Cadillac High Performance Driving Experience.

From Cadillac’s Facebook page:

Cadillac is proudly partnering with Monticello Motor Club (MMC) to exclusively feature the Cadillac CTS–V Coupe and Sedan in MMC’s High Performance Driving Experience. Now is your opportunity to work with professional instructors and get behind the wheel of a 556-hp Cadillac CTS-V and see how quickly you can make it around Monticello’s private country club with 4.1 miles of racetrack, 22 challenging turns and 450 feet in elevation changes. Only 3 days remain in 2010, so sign up today!

http://monticellomotorclub.com/hpde/

MMC is located in Monticello, NY.  Driving days for 2010 are scheduled for Sept 20, 30, and Oct 12.

Cadillac Driving Experience at MMC

I love the write-up on the Cadillac CTS-V Coupe used in the training:

More horsepower than the Mercedes E63 AMG. Fastest lap time in its class at the Nürburgring. Faster slalom speed than a Lamborghini Murcielago LP670.

This is no ordinary sedan you’re driving. It’s a Cadillac CTS-V— featuring a fire-breathing, 556-hp supercharged V-8 power plant. 0-60 comes up in only 3.9 seconds while six-piston Brembo brakes deliver the stopping ability of the world’s best sports cars. Handling? How’s 70.1 mph through the slalom!

Road and Track called it “monstrously quick, rewarding, and with very high limits.” And we have 20 of them—which means you’re spending your entire day behind the wheel of what Top Gear’s James May called “The best American car I’ve ever driven.”

The event is an all-day opportunity to drive one of the most exciting sports sedans in the world at full-tilt on one of the longest tracks in the US.  At 3.5 Miles in length with 1.5 miles of straights, MMC can be considered a high speed track.

Best of all, if you currently drive a Cadillac CTS-V, you get a 10% discount on the day!

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Cadillac put up a few shots of the new Cadillac CTS-V Coupe in motion at the recent media event at Monticello Motor Club:

A Cadillac CTSv Coupe takes a turn at the Monticello Motor Club in Monticello, New York, Tuesday, August 10, 2010. X10SN_SN316 (Photo by Emile Wamsteker for Cadillac) (08/11/2010)

The CTS-V Coupe looks better in person than one can judge from photos, but the Photographer did a great job on these shots.

A Cadillac CTSv Coupe takes a turn at the Monticello Motor Club in Monticello, New York, Tuesday, August 10, 2010. X10SN_SN317 (Photo by Emile Wamsteker for Cadillac) (08/11/2010)

Click the image for a larger version (wallpaper anyone?)

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Cadillac is having debut parties for the Cadillac CTS Coupe at Dealers this week. The Cadillac CTS Coupe is much more striking in person than in pictures; you have to see it in person to appreciate the proportions.

2011 Cadillac CTS Coupe

This is a highly styled car that makes a distinctive, visceral statement.  Once you see one in person you know that Cadillac is making visual art again.

Release:

DETROIT – Cadillac dealers across the United States are  unveiling the all-new 2011 CTS Coupe in their local markets starting today as they host special events for CTS Coupe Premiere Week.  One of the most anticipated new models of the year, the CTS Coupe recently began arriving at dealerships.

The CTS Coupe is expected to attract a new generation of luxury sports car enthusiasts to Cadillac and go head-to-head with the BMW 335i Coupe, Mercedes-Benz E350 Coupe and Audi A5. “Cadillac is once again ready to compete with the world’s best,” Autoblog wrote in its review of the CTS Coupe.

Almost 300 Cadillac dealers will host events showcasing the new model as part of CTS Coupe Premiere Week. Customers should contact their local Cadillac dealer for more information about the CTS Coupe and details on the event in their area.

The CTS Coupe has been cited by the automotive press for its groundbreaking design and outstanding performance. “It’s safe to say the coupe is positively gorgeous,” Automobile magazine wrote in a review. “Pictures simply don’t do it justice, which is saying quite a bit.”

“The CTS Coupe is one of the most significant automobiles to enter the market this year,” said Kurt McNeil, vice president of Cadillac sales and service. “It represents the new focal point for Cadillac in terms of design and performance. Cadillac and its dealers want to make sure customers are given a chance to get an up-close look at this stunning new vehicle.”

The CTS Coupe extends the CTS line, which has been named to Car and Driver’s 10 Best list for three straight years. It shares design cues with the CTS Sport Sedan, but the CTS Coupe has a wider track, lower roofline and shorter length, giving it an aggressive stance and sleek, athletic profile.

The CTS Coupe starts  at $38,990 and comes standard with a 3.6L Direct Injection V6 engine that produces 304 horsepower, six-speed auto tap up/down shifting, rear-park assist and Bose audio.  A high-performance CTS-V Coupe model also is available with a 6.2L Supercharged V8 that produces 556 horsepower, dual-mode magnetic ride control suspension and Brembo brakes.

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Cadillac announced last year that the CTS Sport Wagon would be available this year in V-Series Trim.  The V-Series ultra-powerful Sport Wagon strikes a special chord with some Buyers, who see it as the ultimate sleeper.  When you pull up to an elegant Cadillac station wagon, you don’t expect that it will have 556 HP and pavement ripping torque, or that it will scoot away from a stoplight in under 4 seconds.

With the continuing development of the CTS Family, the V-Series Sport Wagon falls right into place where one would expect.  The V-Series gear is as expected, powertrain, racing brakes, magnetic suspension, all heavy-duty gear.  Regardless of whether you intend to use all the power available in this Super Wagon, this is certainly the fully equipped variant.

Here are the details:

CTS-V Sport Wagon details

Like its sedan and coupe stable mates, the CTS-V Sport Wagon is powered by a supercharged 6.2L V-8, which delivers 556 horsepower (415 kW) and is backed by either a six-speed manual transmission or a six-speed automatic. A suite of technical and performance elements complement the powertrain, including Magnetic Ride Control, Brembo brakes and Michelin Pilot Sport PS2 performance tires mounted on 19-inch forged aluminum wheels.

Like the other CTS V-Series models, the Sport Wagon incorporates a unique grille that doubles front-end airflow to help enable its high-performance capabilities. It is also visually identified by an aggressive front fascia and raised center section of the aluminum hood that provides clearance for the supercharger. It rides on 19-inch forged aluminum wheels available in painted or polished finishes.

The rest of the exterior carries the dramatic design of the new CTS Sport Wagon; the details of which include:

• Signature V-shaped deck and tailgate motif
• Large, vertical taillamps with light-pipe technology
• Power-opening liftgate (via key fob or in-vehicle button)
• CHMSL-integrated roof spoiler
• Integrated roof load management system with available cross bars for a seamless appearance
• Cargo management system with adjustable in-floor containment
• Available panoramic UltraView sunroof.

At the rear is a pair of three-inch (76 mm) chrome exhaust outlet caps on a performance dual-exhaust system made of high-grade stainless steel. It will maintain a lustrous appearance longer than ordinary stainless.

Of course, cargo capability is a hallmark of wagons and the V-Series Sport Wagon delivers, with 25.4 cubic feet (720 liters) of space behind the rear seats and 58 cubic feet (1,644 liters) with the seats folded – virtually doubling the cargo space of the sedan.

Supercharged performance

The 6.2L supercharged V-8 engine powers the CTS-V Sport Wagon – the same acclaimed engine found in the V-Series Sedan and Coupe models. Rated at 556 horsepower (415 kW) and 551 lb.-ft. of torque (747 Nm), it is the most powerful engine offered in Cadillac’s history.

The engine features an intercooled Eaton Twin Vortices Series™ (TVS™) supercharger.  This unique supercharger design employs twin four-lobe rotors, twisted 160 degrees. Typical superchargers feature three lobes twisted 60 degrees. The fourth lobe and added twist, when combined with unique air inlet and outlet ports, create smoother, more efficient airflow into the engine. In addition to improved overall efficiency, this supercharger has superior noise and vibration characteristics compared to more ordinary designs.

A pair of six-speed transmissions is offered in the CTS-V Sport Wagon – a Tremec TR6060 six-speed manual with a dual-disc clutch and a Hydra-Matic 6L90 six-speed automatic with steering wheel-mounted shift controls. The steering wheel-mounted controls require no shift lever movement and allow immediate tap up/tap down gear selection. Performance Algorithm Shifting provides the automatic transmission with a performance-oriented shift pattern during sustained, high-performance driving. As with many Cadillac models, the driver needs only to slide the shifter into the manual “gate” to put the transmission into a performance mode.

Torque is channeled through the six-speed transmissions to a high-performance rear axle that features a limited-slip rear differential within a cast iron housing for greater thermal management, and asymmetrical half-shafts to smoothly manage the supercharged engine’s incredible torque. The unique design includes alternately sized half-shafts that also help dynamically balance the oscillation of torque from side to side, effectively eliminating “power hop.”

Magnetic Ride Control, Brembo brakes and Michelin PS2 tires

The V-Series achieves exceptional levels of road-holding performance, but also maintains the poise of a luxury car in “regular” driving conditions. The technical enabler of this dual-mode driving character is Cadillac’s landmark Magnetic Ride Control. It is the world’s fastest-reacting suspension technology. It uses shocks controlled by advanced magneto-rheological technology, rather than mechanical valves, to greatly accelerate response time and precision. Electronic sensors at all four wheels literally “read the road” every millisecond, making constant adjustments to damping to create virtually instantaneous and extremely precise control of body motions.

The Magnetic Ride shocks also enable a broader range of damping control to optimize the ride and handling for all driving conditions. In the CTS-V Sport Wagon, an extra measure of control is offered, with two selectable modes (Tour and Sport), enabling the driver to tailor the suspension for grand touring or more spirited performance driving.

The CTS-V Sport Wagon also incorporates sophisticated braking and tire systems, in partnership with two companies renowned for high-performance technology: Brembo and Michelin. Brembo brakes are at all four corners and include powerful, six-piston calipers in the front and four-piston calipers in the rear.

Large, vented rotors enable strong initial braking force while optimizing heat resistance and eliminating fade. The brake rotors from Brembo are manufactured with “dual-cast” technology that combines cast iron and aluminum, resulting in superior performance and weight reduction.

The CTS-V Sport Wagon also includes an electric parking brake, which allows for optimal dead pedal placement, which is important for high-performance driving.

Michelin partnered with Cadillac engineers to develop an exclusive Pilot Sport PS2 tire specifically engineered for the CTS-V. The tires support high levels of grip in track conditions, while also affording excellent performance on the road.

Comfort, style and technology

The interior of the CTS-V Sport Wagon is shared with the sedan, including streamlined instrumentation, LED lighting and hand-cut-and-sewn accents. It includes performance seats featuring perforated sueded microfiber inserts designed to hold the driver and front passenger in place during cornering. Recaro performance driving seats are optional and provide excellent support for spirited driving. These 14-way adjustable performance seats include pneumatic bolster controls in the seat cushions and backrests.

Complementing the performance seating are a thick steering wheel and a gauge package designed for easy, at-a-glance reference during performance driving. Large instruments have bold readouts, including an LED-lit “tracer” function in the tachometer that flashes as the engine nears the red line. The gauge layout includes a boost gauge and a lateral acceleration display.

Obsidian Black accents grace the center stack, console, steering wheel and door panels. The production steering wheel and shifter are available in Alcantara, providing the luxurious character of suede. These accents are elegant to the touch and aid the driver during high-performance driving. Just like every CTS, the V-Series includes a hand-stitched instrument panel, door trim and center console.

Leading-edge infotainment features extend to the V-Series. Standard features include an advanced navigation system with a deployable screen, Bose 5.1 digital surround audio, factory-installed Bluetooth phone integration and a 40-gigabyte hard drive that allows the customer to store a large library of music files. The system uploads files via a USB port or the in-dash DVD/CD drive and allows stored tracks to be searched and selected through the radio controls.

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Nick Twork at Cadillac and Metropolitan Cadillac of Milwaukee got this Cadillac fan back into his favorite SUV — a Cadillac Escalade — after a sink hole swallowed his previous Escalade.

After losing his original 2008 Cadillac Escalade to a sinkhole during a Milwaukee, Wisconsin flood last month, Lance Treankler poses with his replacement Certified Pre-owned 2008 Escalade Thursday, August 12, 2010 at the Metropolitan Cadillac dealership in Milwaukee. Metropolitan and Cadillac's Certified Pre-owned program helped Treankler locate an almost identical Escalade that was part of the Cadillac Certified Pre-owned program - having gone through a 117-point inspection and reconditioning process. (Photo by Katie Derksen for Cadillac) (08/12/2010)

You have to like a car company that cares enough to help you get on with your life after a disappointing day.

MILWAUKEE – Lance Treankler, who lost his  Cadillac Escalade to a sinkhole, is again behind the wheel of his favorite vehicle thanks to Metropolitan Cadillac and Cadillac’s Certified Pre-owned program.

Treankler’s  original Escalade was left inoperable last month after plunging 20 feet into a sinkhole in downtown Milwaukee. Treankler was able to climb out of the sinkhole with the help of an onlooker.  Fortunately, the insurance policy on the Escalade covered the accident.

Cadillac and its dealer network worked with Treankler to find an almost identical Escalade in the Milwaukee area and ensure that the Escalade was part of the Cadillac Certified Pre-owned program, providing him warranty coverage and other benefits. Metropolitan Cadillac in Milwaukee presented Treankler today with another black, all-wheel-drive 2007 Escalade.

The incident is still hard to believe, said Treankler, a 25-year-old Milwaukee resident. He’s had some back pain from the fall but escaped serious harm.  While Treankler escaped from the sinkhole, his original Escalade kept running for 28 hours before being hauled out with a crane.

“It was a pretty surreal moment,” Treankler said. “Everything happened so quickly. I’m just happy to be out and alive.”

He’s also happy to have an Escalade again.  When he found out the original Escalade was totaled, he said he immediately wanted another one.  Treankler said he likes the space offered by an Escalade and its handling in tough weather conditions.

“I like the size,” Treankler said. “And living in Wisconsin, I like the way it drives. It’s a beast in the winter.”

Max Stephenson, owner of Metropolitan Cadillac, said his dealership was pleased to find an almost identical Escalade in its inventory. The sinkhole was a media sensation in Milwaukee.

“Every day there are people who have accidents,” Stephenson said. “For us, it’s common practice to help them out however we can. This one just happens to be a little more public because of everything that happened to Lance.”

As with all Cadillac Certified Pre-owned vehicles, the Escalade has been through a 117-point inspection and reconditioning process by a trained technician. The program also includes a fully transferable six-year/100,000-mile limited warranty from the original in-service date, 24-hour roadside assistance, courtesy transportation and a three-month trial of XM Radio and OnStar Directions & Connections service on vehicles equipped for those services.

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With the 2011 Cadillac CTS Coupe out, the CTS Sedan is out of the spotlight.  The sedan got some interesting changes this year too:

• Standard Cadillac Premium Care Maintenance; covers scheduled oil changes, tire rotations, replacement of engine and cabin air filters and a multi-point vehicle inspection for four years or 50,000 miles
• Rear-vision camera now available on sedan models; models without navigation include a rearview camera display in the rearview mirror
• Rear-vision camera now standard on CTS-V Sport Sedan
• Heated steering wheel available on CTS Sedan
• New fender vent design on all models
• New inside rearview mirror design
• New 19-inch all-season tire and wheel available on CTS AWD and RWD models
• New exterior colors: Carbon Flash Metallic and Evolution Green Metallic
• Ninth-generation OnStar technology, which includes significant improvements to the system’s voice recognition software

The CTS Sedan has good rear visibility, but I love the gadget-ness of a rear view camera so that is  a welcome addition.

The base/upgrade wheels continue from 2010, but a nice change from the 08/09 base wheels.  The new 19″ all weather wheels will appeal to those who like the way that the 19″ wheels fill up the wheel well but need all weather rubber.

The Premium Care Maintenance is a nice addition, and will help Customers stay in better touch with their Dealer and latest vehicle updates.

I have been neutral on heated steering wheel, but I am assured by those who have this feature that one quickly comes to appreciate it.

I have not seen the new colors in person yet, but more options are always better.  Overall seems a good evolutionary year for the Sedan.  I still would like to see an LS3 V8 option in the Performance/Premium models to spice things up.

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I see some CTS Luxury models coming up on my standard nicely used Cadillac searches, like this one at Crest Cadillac.  What do you get with this model?

The “1SD” 2010 Cadillac CTS Luxury Package is a step up from the standard CTS, and includes the Luxury level 1 package, Seating package, memory seating, and wood trim package with the 3L DI V6.

Luxury Level One Package, includes (ARH) heavy-duty pet guard cargo net, (RYJ) retractable cargo area shade, (UA6) theft-deterrent alarm system, (U2R) audio system, and (TSQ) accent lighting

In other words, you get all of the appearance and “texture” items, with the Luxury package. The Luxury model is one of three configurations for the 3L:  Standard, Luxury, or Performance.

The Luxury package is available with or without the Navigation system.

What it dos NOT have:  The Luxury CTS does not include the Luxury Level 2 package or the Performance Package, the  Rear Parking Assist, or the Adaptive forward lighting Headlights.  So if those are important to you, you will want to shop for a more highly equipped model (Like the Premium!)

Luxury Level Two Package, includes (KB6) heated/ventilated front seats, (AM9) split-folding rear seat, (N38) power rake wheel and telescopic steering column, (ATH) Keyless Access-Passive Entry, (BTV) Keyless Access-Remote Start (not available with [MN6] 6-speed manual transmission), (BTM) Keyless Access-Keyless Ignition, (K14) Automatic cabin odor filtration and (UD7) Ultrasonic Rear Parking Assist

Performance Package, 18″ (45.7 cm) All-Season Tire, includes (T4F) HID headlamps, (T3U) fog lamps, (P75) 18″ x 8″ (45.7 c x 20.3 cm) aluminum wheels with premium multi-coat painted finish, (QKE) P235/50R18 V-rated all-season blackwall tires, (G80) limited slip differential (AWD only), (J55) performance brakes (AWD only) and (FE2) sport suspension

Rear Parking Assist, Ultrasonic

Headlamps, high intensity discharge with Adaptive Forward Lighting System and flash-to-pass. Windshield wiper activated

The 3L Cadillac CTS Luxury Package makes a lot of sense to me.  You get all of the things many people want in a CTS at a good price point, and you can add in the Navigation if that is desirable to you.

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In a 2009 study, Scientists considered the relationship between different types of consumption (buying stuff) and happiness among older Americans.  Once of their result set dealt with vehicle consumption:

However, an important contribution of our findings is that we can reject the conventional wisdom that “material goods can’t buy you happiness.” In fact, two forms of expenditure are associated with increased happiness—leisure and vehicles—and vehicle spending had the largest association with happiness in our data.

Can buying a new or new to you Cadillac make you happy?  Scientists cautiously say “yes”, but it depends somewhat on WHY you are buying the new Cadillac, and how you enjoy it.

Generally a new vehicle will make you happy in relation to its social connectedness.  If you perceive the new vehicle as a leisure experience, and if it makes you feel more connected with others, then it will tend to make you happier.

If you buy it just to have the latest, newest thing, you will soon ‘adapt’ to it as a ‘new’ item, it will soon no longer thrill, and you will “need” to buy another, newer item in order to stay happy with newness.

A second main finding in the study is that money spent on leisure activities tends to generate more happiness than on material items.  So taking a vacation makes most people happier than buying furniture.   The key to this part of the study to me is that happiness comes from things that make memories for you.

If your Cadillac is a leisure item for you, a hobby purchase as well as mundane transportation, then it is more likely to be a source of happiness on an ongoing basis than if one is simply buying a generic car to get from point A to point B.  In other words, if your Cadillac makes you smile every time you get in it, then as a material purchase it is a happiness investment.

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