Archive for March, 2007
Edmunds recaps Cadillac future product plans
March 29, 2007 - 2:01 pmEdmunds’ Inside Line sub-site decided recently to give a run-down of all the latest rumors of Cadillac’s future products. Lots of this isn’t really news to regulars of the Caddy Edge – but it might be interesting to put all of this in one post for future reference.
I’ll put the abbreviated version here – if you want more commentary you can check out the link to their post below…
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2008 CTS gets high-tech lighting
March 29, 2007 - 10:24 amEarlier this week, Cadillac executives brought in journalists to show off the work that went into the design of the new 2008 CTS interior and exterior lighting systems.
The designers sought to create a signature look for the CTS both during the daytime (via innovative daytime running lights) as well as at night.
Key to the CTS’ daytime look are LED ‘Light Pipes’ that define the outer edges of the head and tail light modules. They glow even during the day as a bar of light effect at the outer corners of the car.
Inside, the CTS uses 15 soft glowing LED’s to accent the interior at night (see the linked article for more pictures of the glowing dash effect).
In addition, the CTS has active exterior lighting that can turn the headlights up to 15 degrees out from straight ahead and 5 degrees in, in response to cornering. This provides extra light where you need it when driving around a corner at night.
Read about the demo at:
Detroit News: Light it up: System helps put spotlight on redesigned Cadillac CTS
Holden Engineering Director – “V-12 Cadillac isn’t happening”
March 29, 2007 - 9:20 amLately, there have been some pretty strong rumors about the development of a V-12 (based on the high-feature VVT V-6 family) for use in a Cadillac S-Class/7-Series competitor.
Autoweek even went so far as to run a rendering (based on the Sixteen concept) – registered users only – as well as saying that Bob Lutz had confirmed that the development was far along.
Now, Tony Hyde, Executive Director of Engineering at Holden (the division of GM that has been tasked with engineering the rear-drive Zeta chassis that was supposed to be the basis of the new high-end Cadillac sedan) has flatly denied the rumors in Australia’s ‘GoAuto’ magazine.
We are definitely not doing it. It might be possible to join two V6s, but we are not doing it. None exist in our part of the world and we are certainly not testing anything like that at Lang Lang. – Tony Hyde
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2008 STS mid-cycle refresh unveiled
March 27, 2007 - 1:09 pmWe expected a refresh of the STS was on its way (due in no small part to both spy shots as well as a new interior in the STS-based, China-only SLS).
Now we have our proof.
Significant are the revised styling that brings a bit of the 08 CTS look to the STS, including chrome fender vents, a CTS-style grill, and revised lower cladding. The interior is right in line with what we saw months ago on the SLS with the exception of a different steering wheel that is more in line with the 08 CTS wheel. Update: Further inspection of the 08 STS interior shows that it is, in fact, not the SLS interior we have been waiting for but rather the previous STS interior with some additional metallic accents. Cadillac – what do we have to do to get the nice interior from the SLS?
Also significant are the new base V-6 that brings the direct injection, 298hp goodness to the STS (and makes the Northstar practically redundant). The V-6 also comes mated with a new 6L50 6-speed automatic.
On the safety front are a Cadillac debut of lane-departure and blind-spot warning systems as well as a revised StabiliTrak with active steering that allows the new STS to steer into a skid for the driver, improving its safety margins even further.
The revised STS certainly shows that Cadillac is as serious as ever – investing heavily even in existing product to stay in the game.
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Ah, the wonder of Direct Injection
March 27, 2007 - 8:25 amSalvation of the BLS – thine name is Alpha
March 22, 2007 - 11:36 amThe good folks over at Winding Road have something very interesting to report about the future of Cadillac’s BLS model.
Conventional wisdom has been that the next BLS would ride on the Epsilon2 chassis and would therefore be front and/or all-wheel drive. The only way for BLS to be a legitimate 3-series competitor in Europe would have required the AWD route since front drive simply does not appeal to the sport sedan buyer that is looking for the most involving driving experience.
Now we hear what is really going on behind the scenes…a new, sub-Sigma rear drive platform that pulls parts from both the small Kappa (Pontiac Solstice, Saturn Sky, Opel GT) and from the Zeta chassis (Pontiac G8, Holden Commodore). The new platform’s name – Alpha.
This new chassis will serve as the basis for not only the 2nd generation BLS but also for a new replacement for the Pontiac G6 (on Pontiac’s way to becoming a rear-drive, enthusiasts brand).
Way to go Cadillac! Let’s get that BLS redesign fast-tracked.
This should also allow Cadillac to easily move the CTS into direct competition with the BMW 5-series/Mercedes E-Class – since it is already the right size. And then allow Cadillac to bring over the BLS to the North American market as a more direct 3-series/C-class competitor.
GM confirms – V-12 for Cadillac being developed
March 21, 2007 - 9:46 amAutomotive News is reporting that GM has finally confirmed development of a V-12 that would be slated for higher-end Cadillacs in the not too distant future.
Based on the high-feature V-6 architecture (2.8, 3.6, 3.6 Direct Injection) family of engines, this V-12 would be mechanically similar to two 3.6l V-6′s joined at the crank. This would give displacements upwards of 7.2l and horsepower numbers in excess of 600hp.
The engine is currently undergoing testing in Australia in a modified Holden Commodore (Pontiac G8) – which is built on the same Zeta chassis that Bob Lutz has previously suggested might make a good basis for a high-end Cadillac.
Expect a decision to be made soon as to what model(s) the V-12 might make it into.
We’d expect a high-end sedan as the most likely, with an ultra Escalade, and a V-12, 2-seat super sportscar as other, less likely options.
See Autoblog’s coverage at:
Autoblog.com: Lutz confirms V12 in development for Cadillac flagship
