Consumer Affairs is reporting that the United States National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is opening an investigation into reported differential failures in 2003-2006 CTS and 2005-2006 STS models. Interestingly, the SRX, which, at least in rear-drive form, should be using the same rear differential is not being investigated.

There are 20 reports from owners of rear differential failures, including 9 that resulted in loss of vehicle control. The reported failures occurred at as few as 3400 miles.

An investigation would be the first step toward a recall – though many investigations result in no further action. A recall could impact over 350000 cars.

ConsumerAffairs.com: NHTSA Probes Cadillac STS and CTS

Categories: News, CTS, STS / SLS
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CnD is a pretty good magazine – one I’ve subscribed to for years.

However, this latest article on what Cadillac has up their sleeve is only partially consistent with the conventional wisdom.

Short version is that they expect Cadillac to offer (at least in some markets):

CTS coupe
CTS wagon
sub-CTS (they hint that the second generation BLS is coming, but don’t mention the rumored Alpha rwd chassis)
next SRX (unlike other sources, CnD expects the next SRX to stay on the Sigma chassis)
next DTS (flying in the face of everything we’ve heard, they expect there to be a new front-drive DTS due to fuel economy regs – as if front drive is magically more fuel efficient).

All-in-all, a pretty fluffy article that is less than I’ve come to expect from Car and Driver.

There is a nice slide-show of the new CTS that accompanies the article though.

Car and Driver: The Future of Cadillac

Categories: News, BLS, CTS, SRX, DTS
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It’s time for Cadillac to let their new baby get thrashed by the automotive press (how do I get an invite to one of these Nurburging track days?).

MotorTrend.com has posted series of photos and driving impressions of the new car as well as some insight to how this car was designed and what changes were made from the latest versions of the Sigma chassis (a la STS).

The short version? They like it – a lot.

Expect links to more first drive stories as they get posted online.

MotorTrend.com: First Drive – 2008 Cadillac CTS

Categories: News, CTS
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As I think we’ve all learned by now, Cadillac has a tough row to hoe in establishing themselves in the European markets as a viable luxury maker.

Back in 2003, we were told to expect 20000 units per year later in the decade.

Now, Cadillac has restructured their sales channel and revised the targets down to 10000 units per year.

Given that sales of the BLS have not taken off like they’d hoped, even this number is being viewed as aggressive and potentially optimistic (let’s hope the new CTS w/ diesel will help hit those numbers).

Read about it at:

Automotive News (via Petrol Head): Cadillac lowers its sales target in Europe

Categories: News, BLS, CTS
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This morning, I found that the pricing details of the 2008 CTS had been leaked.

UPDATE – despite reports to contrary, we have confirmed that the manual transmission/AWD combination will not be produced. This decision will stand unless Cadillac sees demand sufficient to make producing the combination worthwhile.

Shortly afterward, Cadillac put out an official press release with some, but not all the information (see the press release below).

The good folks at Cheers and Gears have let us know the following:

Base pricing
2008 CTS 3.6l 6MT – $32,245 (2007 CTS 3.6l 6MT – $33,530)

2008 CTS 3.6l 6AT – $34,545 (2007 CTS 3.6l 5AT – $34,730)

Show me more… »

Categories: News, CTS
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