In today’s Detroit News, we have a blurb about a $300 million investment in the Tonawanda engine plant in New York state.

The money is earmarked to update the plant to begin production of a new “dual-overhead cam V-8” that John Buttermore, GM Powertrain vice president of global manufacturing says, “This all-new engine will play a critical role in GM’s exciting future luxury vehicle portfolio.”.

Sounds like a new Northstar. It would also likely be designed to accommodate larger displacements and power than the current mill that is available in just 4.6l and 4.4l (in supercharged form). The current shortfall makes it difficult to compete with the likes of Mercedes which have V-8’s in sizes exceeding 6.2l (especially in their AMG models).

Production of the new V-8 should begin in 2009 and find its way under the hood of many Cadillacs in the 2010 model year.

Detroit News: GM to build new V-8 engine in Tonawanda, N.Y.

Categories: News
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Automotive Rhythms Communications has named their 2007 Urban Elite car and SUV of the year.

Criteria for the Urban Elite award are:

• Urban Appeal: Is it suited for tough and trendy urban environments?
• Price Point: Does it represent the best value in its segment?
• Ability to Customize: How easy is it to “Flip?”
• Showroom Looks: Does it have influence as a base model?
• Street Buzz: What type of “Street Cred” and respect does it command?

Read all about it at:

Automotive Rhythms: 2007 Urban Elite Vehicles of the Year

Categories: News, Escalade, Awards
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We had heard that the SRX replacement was up in the air. Now, Automotive News is reporting that, in a conversation with product guru Bob Lutz himself, that he has stated he would like to see a new SRX brought to market.

Expectations are that the SRX would be Sigma-chassis based, just like the current SRX. However, due to slower than desired sales, the product planners are looking into what would need to be changed to better fit what customers want.

Expect the new SRX to hit the market by the 2011 model year.

Categories: News, SRX
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Tuesday, January 9th, 2007 – Eyes on Design honored the new 08 CTS their Award for Best Concept Implementation.

Here you see (left to right) General Motors Vice President of Global Design Ed Welburn, Cadillac General Manager Jim Taylor, Cadillac Chief Engineer David Leone and GM Executive Director of Global Car Design Michael Simcoe after accepting the award.

Way to go Cadillac – may this be the first of many awards for the new CTS.

Categories: News, CTS, Awards
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GM has posted a video interviewing members of the CTS team including Jim Taylor, Cadillac General Manager; John Manoogian, Design Director, Cadillac CTS Exterior; and Eric Clough, Design Director, Cadillac CTS Interior about the new CTS.

Check it out (note, video is hosted on YouTube.com – so if your ISP/employer blocks that site you won’t be able to see anything):

Categories: News, CTS, Video
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