Archive for May, 2006
Cadillac takes top spot in AutoPacific Vehicle Satisfaction Award
May 31, 2006 - 7:01 am
AutoPacific, an automotive consulting firm, has announced the 2006 winners of their Vehicle Satisfaction Awards.
AutoPacific’s VSA establishes numerical satisfaction ratings for virtually every car and light truck in the United States. Owner satisfaction is calculated across 45 specific areas related to a vehicle’s operation, comfort, safety and the overall purchase/lease experience. – AutoPacific
Cadillac unseated Lexus this year to take the top spot in Premium/Luxury Brand segment. CTS took top honors in the Entry Luxury segment with all other Cadillac models also scoring highly.
Read the AutoPacific announcement at:
GM announces 6L50 6-speed automatic and its debut in certain Cadillac models
May 31, 2006 - 6:49 am
GM announced on Tuesday (May 30, 2006) a significant investment in their Ypsilanti transmission plant in order to prepare for the new 6L50 6-speed automatic.
This transmission will be used in a wide range of rear and all-wheel drive models including some 2007 STS and SRX models (note, the 6L80 – in the picture above – is the current transmission used in the STS-V)…current STS and SRX models use the 5L40 (V-6) and 5L50 (V-8) transmission.
This likely marks a move within Cadillac to standard 6-speed transmissions across the board. This should help Cadillac stay in competition with moves from Mercedes and Lexus to go to ever increasing numbers of gear ratios in their models as well.
Expect the 6L50 to be the transmission of choice in the 2007/2008 CTS when it debuts within the next year.
Read the entire press release at:
First Escalades make it to the Middle East
May 31, 2006 - 6:30 am
It appears from a report in ‘The Peninsula’ that the very first 2007 Escalades have completed their trip to the Middle East. 90% of this first shipment is already sold.
Mannai Trading Co, the official dealer for Cadillac in Qatar even held a reception to celebrate the arrival of the new model to Qatar and the Middle East.
Read all about it at:
The Peninsula – Qatar first in Mideast to get Cadillac’s 2007 model
Automobile Magazine – Mercedes GL is no Escalade
May 25, 2006 - 1:54 pmCadillac V-Series cars to be featured in XBox 360 Project Gotham Racing 3
May 22, 2006 - 8:17 am
Cadillac is expected to announce a deal they have reached with Microsoft to feature the V-Series in the new XBox 360 game Project Gotham Racing 3.
In addition to adding the CTS-V, STS-V, and XLR-V to the game, players can also compete for ‘Cadillac Elite’ status on a virtual version of the Nürburgring.
Read more about it at:
New York Times – Cadillac Models to Join the Action in Xbox 360 Game
Motortrend comparison test, SRX vs Volvo XC90 vs Mercedes R500
May 18, 2006 - 4:29 pm
Motortrend.com tested the Cadillac SRX V-8 with 3rd row seating against the new Mercedes R500 and the new V-8 equipped XC90.
High points for the SRX are its power and handling with knocks going to its small, hard to use 3rd row seat.
Volvo gets points for better off-roadability and lower price than the other two.
The Mercedes R500 minivan-eque thing ends up winning the comparison with a better interior and even more performance for a $70k+ price as tested.
Read the entire test at:
Motortrend.com – 2006 SRX V8 vs. 2006 Mercedes-Benz R500 vs. 2006 Volvo XC90 V8
GM Readying 300hp Direct Injection 3.6l VVT V-6 for next CTS
May 18, 2006 - 11:32 am
GM announced today a Direct Injection 3.6l VVT V-6 for use in an, as yet unnamed, 2008 model year product.
Given that the new CTS is due around that time and that the BMW 3-Series coupe and Lexus IS have made 300+ hp the price of entry for thier top models – this would be a no-brainer for GM to debut in a Cadillac. Expect it to show up in the SRX and STS quickly thereafter, if not simultaneously.
GM is claiming a 15% horsepower gain over a non-direct injection 3.6l as well as 8% increase in torque, a 3% fuel economy improvement, and a 25% reduction in cold-start hydrocarbon emissions.
Show me more… »
