Cadillac CTS Sport Sedan -"Race" (Video)

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First Drive: 2013 Cadillac XTS

For the past decade, Cadillac has been a true believer in the church of German luxury. It developed its own rear-wheel-drive platform, built a station wagon with a six-speed manual transmission, and has even been a regular at the pews of the Nuerburgring. But even the pious have their moments of doubt. For Cadillac management, that moment came about three years ago. All of the brand's hard work had yielded one celebrated success, the CTS, and several failures, including the rear-wheel-drive STS and SRX, as well as the Corvette-based XLR hardtop convertible. It didn't help much that parent company General Motors was very publically out of cash and had cut Cadillac's product development budget to the bone. What the brand needed was a quick, cheap, surefire hit.

The answer to this crisis is arriving in dealers now in the form of the XTS sedan. Cadillac bills it as a replacement for both the STS and the aging DTS sedan and a way to attract both brand traditionalists (read: old people) and import-intending buyers. Those with longer memories will find it's essentially a rebirth of the late-1990s Seville. Like that car, the XTS attempts to maximize the capability and luxuriousness of a corporate front-wheel-drive platform, in this case the Epsilon platform that underpins everything from the Chevrolet Malibu to the Buick LaCrosse. In old-school Cadillac tradition, the XTS is big -- longer than a short-wheelbase 7-series -- but its $44,995 base price allows it to compete against mid-size luxury sedans like the Audi A6. Although the 2010 XTS concept was a plug-in hybrid, the production car comes only with a 304-hp version of GM's 3.6-liter V-6 paired with a six-speed automatic. There will be a 2.0-liter turbo four-cylinder in China, but it's unlikely to come to market here. All-wheel-drive with an electronic limited-slip differential is available as a $2225 extra on all but the base trim level. The top-of-the-line Platinum model, which starts at $59,080, has the dubious distinction of being the most expensive front-wheel-drive car you can buy today.

Exterior: Lovely details, unfortunate proportions

Cadillac designers have spent much of the last decade trying to make a statement with razor-edged, in-your-face styling. That doesn't fly in the large luxury sedan segment, which prizes subtlety and hammers down protruding nails, be it the flame surfacing that's disappeared from the most recent BMW 5- and 7-series or the pontoon fenders that Mercedes is hurriedly getting rid of on its E-class. The XTS shouldn't have any trouble fitting in. Whereas the smaller CTS looks to be chiseled from a hunk of granite, the XTS is more like a block of marble that's been lovingly filed down to an intricate sculpture. Its roofline curves gracefully and its character lines express a hint of softness. Where the CTS is pointedly undecorated, the XTS has all manner of nicely executed details that identify it as a more expensive car. There are LEDs in the headlights, taillights, and -- here's a new one -- the door handles. Unlock the car with the key fob, and they light up in procession. The trim and the grille on top-of-the-line Platinum models are brushed aluminum. Even the softball-sized badge has unusual depth and detail.

Unfortunately, none of this impressive detailing can hide the stubby-nosed, long-overhang proportions typical of a front-wheel-drive car with a transversely mounted engine. The classic front-wheel-drive Eldorados of the late 1960s and 1970s -- not to mention most of today's front-wheel-drive-biased Audis -- have a longitudinal engine layout that preserves the long-hood proportions so important to a luxury car.

Best Cadillac interior yet

Front-wheel-drive proportions do afford an advantage when it comes to interior packaging. The XTS has more legroom, both front and rear, than the aforementioned short-wheelbase 7-series, and its eighteen-cubic-foot trunk looks ready to swallow a small boat. Cadillac plans to take the XTS into the livery market, and we suspect it will make many New York and Shanghai limousine drivers very happy.

In addition to feeling exceptionally roomy, the cabin feels genuinely expensive in a way no recent General Motors vehicle has been able to manage. Warm, flowing shapes and expensive organic materials dominate, and one is hard pressed to find a cutline or trim piece that hasn't been the object of close attention. There's also a good amount of tasteful experimentation with colors and textures. The top-of-the-line Platinum model, for instance, features smooth cut-and-sewn leather on the upper dashboard, perforated, purple tinged leather facing the driver and passenger, semi-aniline leather on the seats, and a suede headliner. It smells lovely.

The other big story inside is CUE, Cadillac's new user interface, which debuts on the XTS and appears on the 2013 ATS and SRX, as well. Much like MyFord Touch, CUE banishes buttons and dials in favor of an eight-inch color touch screen and a piano-black center console that incorporates touch-sensitive controls. There's also an optional LCD gauge cluster similar to that on a Jaguar XJ.

We got acquainted with CUE as we hustled along with Los Angeles traffic. The good news is that it's perhaps the best execution of a touch screen infotainment system to date. The graphics are excellent, and the center touch screen responds with the crispness we've learned to expect on smart phones but never experience in cars. That's because this system uses the same capacitive touch technology found in devices like the Apple iPhone. Another novel aspect of the Cadillac system is haptic feedback -- icons on the screen and the controls on the panel below send a pulse when you touch them, simulating the texture of physical buttons. When you scroll through radio stations on the touch screen, for instance, you can feel "bumps" over each station.

The bad news is that even a really good touch screen infotainment system requires you to take your eyes of the road in a moving car and aim for smallish icons to do things that are more easily accomplished with knobs and buttons. CUE also responds to voice commands. It works as well as that in any competitor, which is to say not all that well. It failed on several attempts to recognize our hotel name, instead offering to take us some place 60 miles away. Unlike most competitors, Cadillac has an excellent backstop in OnStar -- the live representative had no difficulty finding the same hotel and sending directions to the nav system over the phone. Still, we can't help but wonder how DTS owners -- their average is seventy -- will take to such an avante-garde interface. To help them, Cadillac is including an Apple iPad with every XTS and says it's training an Apple genius-like expert at each dealer to teach customers how to use the system. The XTS also has a raft of safety technologies, including lane departure warning, blind spot detection, and panic braking, to aid the distracted driver. These technologies are better integrated than on many competitors. The lane departure warning, for instance, notifies errant drivers by vibrating the left or right seat bolster -- much less intrusive than an annoying beep or steering wheel vibration.

There's no V in capable.

Cadillac makes no pretenses about the XTS's driving dynamics and notes, quite fairly, that most buyers of large luxury sedans aren't looking for V-series performance. It has, however, taken measures to make sure the sedan won't undermine the brand's performance ethos. Four-caliper Brembo front brakes, magnetorheological dampers, and nineteen-inch wheels are standard equipment (Platinum models have twenty-inch rims). Both front- and all-wheel-drive models incorporate GM's HiPer Strut front suspension that decouples the steering and suspension geometries to minimize torque steer and improve on-center feel. Bombing along the switchbacks of Mulholland Highway outside of Los Angeles, the XTS displays commendable body control and reasonably sharp reflexes. The light hydraulic power steering firms up at speed and the Brembos don't fade on fast downhill stretches. The 3.6-liter V-6 puts in its usual solid effort, though it can be caught a bit out of breath when accelerating out of a corner in second or third gear. A more powerful engine, perhaps a turbocharged V-6, might come later. Most surprising and impressive is the paddle shift manual mode for the six-speed automatic transmission: it serves up smooth and quick downshifts and will hold your gear right up to the rev limiter. As with the design, however, the nice details can't entirely make up for the front-wheel-drive chassis. The nose-heavy XTS understeers in tight corners where a 7-series would hold its line.

Conclusion: An apostate, but a very nice apostate.

In case we haven't already been crystal clear, we like the XTS -- it's good-looking, comfortable, and nice to drive in the way a large car should be. But we really don't like that it's front-wheel drive. This isn't just our rear-wheel-drive zealotry speaking. The front-wheel-drive Sevilles of yore were also very nice cars that nonetheless drove the brand to irrelevancy in the late 1990s because they couldn't entice buyers out of BMWs and Mercedes. All that's changed in the last decade is that the competition is even tougher and now includes the likes of Chrysler and Hyundai. There surely is a place for spacious, comfortable front-wheel-drive sedans, but not in a true luxury brand -- this is, we thought, why GM retains four marques. Including Buick.

Fortunately, Cadillac has not lost its religion. Thanks to the revival of GM's fortunes, the ATS, which began development before the XTS, finally arrives this summer. Its all-important new rear-wheel-drive platform will spawn a larger and slightly pricier CTS next year. Meanwhile, work on a line-topping model is rumored to be going forward once more, as evidenced by the debut of the Ciel concept last fall.

 

Courtesy of David Zenlea; Automobile.com

 

 

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2013 Cadillac XTS Mega Gallery – Video

The Cadillac XTS is the American luxury automaker’s new flagship sedan, and priced at $44,995 it’s poised to do a fine job competing against the Mercedes-Benz E-Class, Audi A6, Lexus GS, BMW 5-Series, and Infiniti M37.

Available in three trim levels, Luxury, Premium, and Platinum, the XTS will also feature Cadillac’s new CUE infotainment system and the American automaker’s new “directional tactile sensation” system, which is a fancy way naming a seat that vibrates to alert the driver of any eminent danger.

The XTS should be hitting dealerships any day now and to stir up some excitement, Cadillac has released dozens of photos of its flagship sedan, giving us a look at it from all different angles. Those interested in buying one up will have access to a 3.6-liter V6 powerplant with 300 hp mated to a six-speed automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive is standard while all-wheel drive is available as an option.

The front-wheel drive XTS has an estimated fuel economy of 17 mpg city and 28 mpg highway while the all-wheel drive will see just a slight decrease at 27 mpg highway, with city economy remaining the same.

 

Courtesy of AutoGuide.com

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Packing It In: SRX Designed for Summer Road Trips

The summer road trip season is near, meaning millions of drivers are planning getaways – with lots of stuff. The Cadillac SRX crossover’s unique Cargo Management System is designed as an ideal companion for long weekends and driving vacations.

“We put a lot of thought into what kinds of items Cadillac customers would want to bring into the SRX and where they’d want to put them,” said Elizabeth Pilibosian, SRX chief engineer. “The philosophy was not just to maximize total space but to have a place for everything and everything in its place. That makes a huge difference on longer trips.” 

The rear compartment Cargo Management System uses a segment-exclusive U-Rail track system with an adjustable cargo fence that segments the area to contain items of various sizes and restrict their movement when the vehicle is in motion. The fence is sturdy, but also easy to move around the U-shaped track to adjust to a variety of positions to suit a range of items and packing arrangements.

The cargo fence can be removed, retracted and conveniently secured beneath the load floor when not in use. An optional cargo net, organizer or area divider may be used in place of the tubular fence. Four steel loops positioned in each corner of the compartment provide convenient connection points for nets or bungee cords that a driver might bring into the vehicle.

The rear compartment’s load floor has a latch that reveals a waterproof bin, measuring 26 by 12 inches by eight inches deep. This easy-to-clean bin is ideal for storing damp or dirty items from a beach trip, or it can be used as a cooler, or to house smaller items under the floor and out of view. A smaller secondary bin holds the vehicle’s tire inflator kit that can be used as a pump for bike tires and beach toys depending on valve compatibility.

Flanking the main bin are two smaller discreetly covered compartments designed to be ideal for stowing small tools, such as a tire pressure gauge. Regular use maintains proper tire pressure, which can help maximize fuel economy.

A two-position cargo shade can be used to conceal the rear compartment when the hatch is closed.

In SRX’s passenger area are several additional storage areas. Each door has upper and lower bins, as does the glove compartment, which can cool fruit and beverages when the air conditioning is on. The center console offers an upper level for small items like an MP3 player or mobile phone, and a lower level for larger items.

The cup holders between the front seats are dual-level as well, with a retractable floor that lets the user go from a small coffee to a “grande” at the flip of a switch The false floor also creates a secret compartment that can hide a wallet or wristwatch.

In front of the cup holders is the SRX’s smallest bin, designed expressly to house mobile phones and sometimes known as the “phone throne.”

Open SRX’s rear programmable liftgate and more than 29 cubic feet of storage space behind the second row seating awaits, more than enough room for four rolling suitcases, sports equipment and sundries. With the 60/40 split rear seats folded flat, the cargo area grows to more than 61 cubic feet to accommodate items like a bike or baby stroller.

“We know that SRX customers are active people who value enriching experiences,” Pilibosian said. “They expect their journey to be just as enjoyable as their destination, and the SRX is tailored to meet their needs and exceed their expectations.”

Courtesy of Cadillac Media

Packing It In: SRX Designed for Summer Road Trips

The summer road trip season is near, meaning millions of drivers are planning getaways – with lots of stuff. The Cadillac SRX crossover’s unique Cargo Management System is designed as an ideal companion for long weekends and driving vacations.

“We put a lot of thought into what kinds of items Cadillac customers would want to bring into the SRX and where they’d want to put them,” said Elizabeth Pilibosian, SRX chief engineer. “The philosophy was not just to maximize total space but to have a place for everything and everything in its place. That makes a huge difference on longer trips.”   

The rear compartment Cargo Management System uses a segment-exclusive U-Rail track system with an adjustable cargo fence that segments the area to contain items of various sizes and restrict their movement when the vehicle is in motion. The fence is sturdy, but also easy to move around the U-shaped track to adjust to a variety of positions to suit a range of items and packing arrangements.

The cargo fence can be removed, retracted and conveniently secured beneath the load floor when not in use. An optional cargo net, organizer or area divider may be used in place of the tubular fence. Four steel loops positioned in each corner of the compartment provide convenient connection points for nets or bungee cords that a driver might bring into the vehicle.

The rear compartment’s load floor has a latch that reveals a waterproof bin, measuring 26 by 12 inches by eight inches deep. This easy-to-clean bin is ideal for storing damp or dirty items from a beach trip, or it can be used as a cooler, or to house smaller items under the floor and out of view. A smaller secondary bin holds the vehicle’s tire inflator kit that can be used as a pump for bike tires and beach toys depending on valve compatibility.

Flanking the main bin are two smaller discreetly covered compartments designed to be ideal for stowing small tools, such as a tire pressure gauge. Regular use maintains proper tire pressure, which can help maximize fuel economy.

A two-position cargo shade can be used to conceal the rear compartment when the hatch is closed.

In SRX’s passenger area are several additional storage areas. Each door has upper and lower bins, as does the glove compartment, which can cool fruit and beverages when the air conditioning is on. The center console offers an upper level for small items like an MP3 player or mobile phone, and a lower level for larger items.

The cup holders between the front seats are dual-level as well, with a retractable floor that lets the user go from a small coffee to a “grande” at the flip of a switch The false floor also creates a secret compartment that can hide a wallet or wristwatch.

In front of the cup holders is the SRX’s smallest bin, designed expressly to house mobile phones and sometimes known as the “phone throne.”

Open SRX’s rear programmable liftgate and more than 29 cubic feet of storage space behind the second row seating awaits, more than enough room for four rolling suitcases, sports equipment and sundries. With the 60/40 split rear seats folded flat, the cargo area grows to more than 61 cubic feet to accommodate items like a bike or baby stroller.

“We know that SRX customers are active people who value enriching experiences,” Pilibosian said. “They expect their journey to be just as enjoyable as their destination, and the SRX is tailored to meet their needs and exceed their expectations.”

Courtesy of Cadillac Media

Behind the Scenes of the 2013 Buick Enclave Design

In the design world, improving a successful product can be a bigger challenge than starting with a clean sheet. The Buick Enclave, the industry’s top-selling three-row luxury crossover, also carries the weight of being the originator of the brand’s current design philosophy.

For the new 2013 Enclave, designers evolved the vehicle’s exterior by refining details while preserving the overall identity.

The 2013 Enclave delivers a high level of craftsmanship and comfort. The sculpted exterior design evolves the sophisticated elegance of the segment-leading crossover. The new exterior includes revised front and rear fascias, LED lighting, a new hood and black-chrome waterfall grille, integrated exhaust outlets, new wheel designs, and more monochromatic design elements than the current model.

Working with the nuances of a vehicle that had its best sales in its fifth year of existence fell to lead sculptor Nick Barkley and a design team. In addition to manipulating full-scale clay models, much of Barkley’s creative work is done in the digital space with three-dimensional modeling programs.

“Buicks have been some of the toughest work I’ve done because they are so sculptural,” said Barkley, a General Motors designer for 12 years. “There are so many concave and convex forms. To make an organic, hand-shaped look show through the forms is both difficult and rewarding.”

Asked to name the most-challenging element of the Enclave’s design, Barkley immediately pointed to the traditional waterfall grille that went through countless iterations before a final form emerged that met both the design team’s standards and manufacturing capabilities. The production part remains true to the earliest clay mockups.

Barkley is most proud of what he calls the “check mark” along the bottom of each headlamp and the recessed intersection in the fascia just below. “Designers start with two-dimensional sketches where surfaces aren’t fully imagined. It’s my job, and really my signature, to add surface quality and execute form and intersections in 3D. It’s like completing a puzzle.”

In his free time, Barkley uses his skills in a home studio to create life-size clay and wood sculptures inspired by works of iconic artists like Michelangelo and Bernini.

“My work at home is completely free of constraints and lets me work with my hands more, but I’d like to think my art benefits my work on car design,” he said. “Some cars I see seem to be designed around lines and the surfaces between them feel forced. Inspired by my art, I like to create vehicles that instead have the surfaces influence the lines. The Buick Enclave is a great example of that.”

But Barkley deflects the credit for the Buick’s continued design renaissance. He had lots of help.

“A car designer is like a composer,” he said. “Sculptors like me are the first violins of the design organization. Our job is to play the music.”

Buick is a modern luxury brand offering vehicles with sculpted designs, luxurious interiors with thoughtful personal technologies, along with responsive-yet-efficient performance. Buick is attracting new customers with its portfolio of award-winning luxury models, including the Enclave crossover, LaCrosse sedan, Regal sport sedan, Buick Verano sedan and the all-new 2013 Encore crossover. Learn more about Buick cars and crossovers at www.buick.com, on Twitter @buick or at www.facebook.com/buick.>

Courtesy of Buick Media

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Innovative Customer Care Comes With CUE Launch

An extensive network of services will accompany the launch of the Cadillac User Experience (CUE), the breakthrough in-vehicle system to access entertainment and information. Each 2013 Cadillac XTS buyer will receive an iPad with their new car as part of the customer experience.

“CUE is intuitive, bringing touch and voice controls into the car in really unique and helpful way,” said Don Butler, U.S. vice president of Cadillac marketing. “With CUE becoming a signature feature of Cadillac, and with the launch of the XTS luxury sedan, this is an opportunity for us to build a new level into the luxury customer experience.”

Cadillac is launching CUE with training and support resources to enable dealers and customers to provide feedback, ask questions and access support in a number of ways. New customer care elements include:

    A Cadillac CUE App that enables shoppers to “test-drive” the system on an iPad, anytime, anywhere. The CUE app replicates many of the controls and features of the CUE center stack. The CUE center screen and control panel represents the first automotive use of capacitive touch and familiar multi-touch gestures.
    Every 2013 Cadillac XTS sold in the United States includes an iPad customized for Cadillac buyers with the CUE App, along with the MyCadillac App and OnStar RemoteLink.
    Each U.S. Cadillac dealership has a trained technology expert to assist customers, providing a personal, local first line of contact during both the shopping and ownership experiences.
    Twenty-five new Connected Customer Experts are being deployed across the United States. to support the launch of CUE. These connectivity experts provide a resource for in-car electronic technological training, sales and service assistance.
    Cadillac’s existing customer assistance services have added specific CUE experts to answer owner questions. Cadillac’s customer assistance center in Austin, Texas, has specially selected and trained advisors who have expertise in infotainment and mobile devices to help answer questions.
    OnStar, standard on every Cadillac, will have a direct link to these CUE experts as well, for any owners with questions or wishing to provide feedback.
    Every new Cadillac XTS and ATS buyer will receive a welcome call, creating a personal contact to answer questions or provide feedback.

“We’re blending the advanced technology of CUE with the personal touches of a luxury experience,” Butler said. “We’ve built a thorough approach, enabling customers to give us feedback on the technology as they use it, as well as providing support for dealers and buyers who have questions.”

Launching later this spring in North America, the new XTS is Cadillac’s new interpretation of the luxury sedan. Positioned directly above the brand’s centerpiece CTS product line, the XTS is the most technically advanced car Cadillac has produced so far. In addition to the debut of CUE, XTS is the only luxury sedan featuring standard Magnetic Ride Control, the world’s fastest-reacting suspension. XTS also offers a 360-degree network of cameras and sensors to enhance driver vision.

Cadillac has been a leading luxury auto brand since 1902. In recent years, Cadillac has engineered a historic renaissance led by artful engineering and advanced technology. More information on Cadillac can be found at media.cadillac.com.

 

Courtesy of Cadillac Media

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Smart Material Use Drives Cadillac ATS Performance

When engineers set out to make the all-new 2013 Cadillac ATS as light as possible they used advanced materials to minimize weight throughout the compact luxury sports sedan but never compromised performance capability.

Lightweight parts such as an aluminum hood and magnesium engine mounts help ATS achieve a curb weight less than 3,400 pounds, and highway fuel economy well over 30 mpg. Keeping weight down also enabled balanced distribution of vehicle weight that helps delivers a world-class driving experience.

“We designed and engineered ATS’s vehicle architecture to deliver quick, nimble and fun-to-drive dynamics,” said David Masch, ATS chief engineer. “We distributed mass to key areas, much like an athlete builds muscle where he needs it most. This enabled ATS to achieve the performance characteristics that luxury sport sedan buyers demand.”

One seemingly heavy way the ATS engineering team achieved its performance goals was using cast iron in the rear differential instead of aluminum, a learning taken from the performance-tuned CTS-V.

The differential provides torque and rotation to the wheels, and ATS’s cast iron design helped distribute weight equally between the front and rear wheels to provide agile handling while reducing noise and vibration. Cadillac benchmarked it against world-class competition to deliver a driving experience that is as well-tuned for sound as for ride and handling.

Unlike a differential made from aluminum, which expands and contracts twice as much in response to temperature change, a cast iron differential is stronger and retains its shape better under temperature extremes, which allows the ring and pinion gears to operate more quietly. As a result, a cast iron differential also requires less energy to operate, contributing to higher fuel efficiency. To the consumer, this means more miles between fill-ups.

The ATS team also achieved significant weight reduction in the rear suspension by using specially engineered straight steel links with lightening holes instead of using aluminum.

“The team focused on grams, not pounds, every day of the ATS’s development,” Masch said. “Even the smallest of changes could contribute to the overall mass goal.”

ATS’s wheels also benefited from 50-50 mass distribution between the front and rear. While heavier cars need larger wheels, tires and brakes to account for heavier mass, ATS’s relative light weight enabled the use of optimized high-strength aluminum wheel forgings and Brembo brakes that deliver stopping distance of approximately 129 feet decelerating from 60-0 mph, which is expected to be best in the segment.

Inside the ATS, the vehicle team took advantage of a new process that places sound-absorbing material between two layers of laminated steel. By doing so, Cadillac refined a part and process it pioneered on CTS.

These sound-buffering materials help reduce noise coming into the cabin from the powertrain and fine-tune the sound to a sporty growl that communicates powertrain response and road characteristics to the driver.

ATS also uses an acoustically laminated windshield and side windows that are lighter than standard tempered glass and provide better wind and powertrain noise reduction for a quieter interior. Acoustically laminated glass also offers almost double the amount of ultraviolet ray protection.

“Smart material selection and styling modifications that reduce complexity are key enablers in our quest to reduce vehicle mass,” said Bob Boniface, Cadillac exterior design director, who spoke Thursday during a panel discussion on lightweighting at the Automotive Press Association.

“As consumer demand for more features, space and comfort continues to increase, so too has our proficiency in designing vehicles that offer aerodynamic performance and efficiency equivalent to lower vehicle weight,” he said.

The ATS, which starts at $33,990, goes on sale this summer.

Cadillac has been a leading luxury auto brand since 1902. In recent years, Cadillac has engineered a historic renaissance led by artful engineering and advanced technology. More information on Cadillac can be found at media.cadillac.com.

Courtesy of Cadillac Media

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2013 Cadillac ATS Priced from $33,990

The all-new, rear-wheel-drive Cadillac ATS compact luxury sport sedan with a fuel-efficient 2.5L engine and next-generation six-speed transmission will be priced starting at $33,990, including destination charges. Highway fuel economy will be well over 30 mpg.

“The ATS enters a vehicle segment this year that’s one of the most competitive in the market, from both a price and performance standpoint,” said Don Butler, vice president of Cadillac Marketing. “ATS will bring a distinctive presence and compelling value while offering quick, nimble, fun-to-drive dynamics that will appeal to the lifestyles of modern luxury buyers and challenge the segment’s status quo.”

A mid-level model with a lightweight and powerful 2.0L turbocharged engine costs $35,795 including destination and will offer automatic and manual transmissions, and rear- or all-wheel drive.

Topping the engine range is a 3.6L V-6 with a preliminary rating of 320 horsepower, costing $42,090 including destination with an automatic transmission and standard content that includes CUE, leather 8-way power seats with memory, remote start and more. All-wheel drive will be available.

A full breakdown of availability and pricing of packages and options will be available later.

ATS goes on sale this summer, but already the new sport sedan is positively impacting Lansing, Mich., where more than 410 new employees have been hired at Cadillac’s Lansing Grand River plant where the ATS will be assembled. A total of 600 new employees are expected to be part of Cadillac’s $190 million investment in the facility.

A dedicated engineering team has traveled the globe refining and advancing the ATS to meet customer demands. The addition of advanced materials has reduced curb weight to less than 3,400 pounds, more than 100 pounds less than an Audi A4 or Mercedes-Benz C250.

Time spent at premier race tracks around the globe, including Road America, Road Atlanta, Phoenix International Raceway and the Nürburgring in Germany has enhanced the ATS’ sporty ride and handling and engine tuning. The 3.6L model is expected to have a 0-60 mph acceleration time of well below six seconds.

Cadillac’s new CUE user interface, standard on most ATS models, offers the first automotive use of capacitive touch to create an intuitive, modern way for drivers to interact with the car. This technology, used for most smartphones and tablet computers, uses electrodes to sense the conductive properties of objects, such as a finger.

Cadillac has been a leading luxury auto brand since 1902. In recent years, Cadillac has engineered a historic renaissance led by artful engineering and advanced technology. More information on Cadillac can be found at media.cadillac.com.

Courtesy of Cadillac Media

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GM Reports First Quarter Net Income of $1.0 Billion

General Motors Co. (NYSE: GM) today announced first quarter net income attributable to common stockholders of $1.0 billion, or $0.60 per fully diluted share. These results include a net loss from special items related to goodwill impairment that reduced net income by $0.6 billion, or $0.33 per fully diluted share.

In the first quarter of 2011, GM’s net income attributable to common stockholders was $3.2 billion, or $1.77 per fully diluted share, including a net gain from special items of $1.5 billion or $0.82 per share.

Net revenue in the first quarter of 2012 was $37.8 billion, an increase of $1.6 billion compared with the first quarter of 2011. Earnings before interest and tax (EBIT) adjusted was $2.2 billion, an increase of $0.2 billion compared with the first quarter of 2011.

“The U.S. economic recovery, record demand for GM vehicles in China and the global growth of the Chevrolet brand helped deliver solid earnings for General Motors,” said Dan Akerson, chairman and CEO. “New products are starting to make a difference in South America, but Europe remains a work in progress. We’ll continue to work on both revenue and cost opportunities until we have brought GM to competitive levels of profitability.”

GM Results Overview (in billions except for per share amounts)

	Q1 2012	Q1 2011
Revenue	$37.8	$36.2
Net income attributable to common stockholders	$1.0	$3.2
Earnings per share (EPS) fully diluted	$0.60	$1.77
Impact of special items on EPS fully diluted	$(0.33)	$0.82
EBIT-adjusted	$2.2	$2.0
Automotive net cash flow from operating activities	$2.3	$(0.6)
Automotive free cash flow	$0.3	$(1.9)

Segment Results

• GM North America (GMNA) reported EBIT-adjusted of $1.7 billion, including restructuring costs of $0.1 billion, an improvement of $0.4 billion compared with the first quarter of 2011.
• GM Europe (GME) reported an EBIT-adjusted loss of $0.3 billion compared with break-even results in the first quarter of 2011.
• GM International Operations (GMIO) reported EBIT-adjusted of $0.5 billion compared with $0.6 billion in the first quarter of 2011.
• GM South America’s (GMSA) EBIT-adjusted of $0.1 billion was flat compared with the first quarter of 2011.
• GM Financial earnings before tax was $0.2 billion for the quarter, a $0.1 billion increase from the prior year.

Cash Flow and Liquidity

For the quarter, automotive cash flow from operating activities was $2.3 billion and automotive free cash flow was $0.3 billion. GM ended the quarter with very strong total automotive liquidity of $37.3 billion. Automotive cash and marketable securities was $31.5 billion compared with $31.6 billion at the end of the fourth quarter of 2011.

2012 GMNA Outlook

With the strengthening U.S. economy helping release pent-up demand, GM now expects that full-year 2012 U.S. light vehicle sales will be in the 14.0 million – 14.5 million range. Previously, the company expected sales to fall between 13.5 million – 14.0 million units.

Based on the company’s current outlook, GMNA’s results for the second and third quarters of 2012 are expected to be comparable to the first quarter of 2012 due to the scheduled downtime at factories that produce full-size trucks.

“We are aggressively eliminating complexity to reduce our costs, and at that same time, we are preparing for more than 20 major vehicle launches around the world in 2012 to drive revenue this year and farther into the future,” said Dan Ammann, senior vice president and CFO.

 

 

Courtesy of Cadillac Media

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Cadillac’s Super Cruise Technology Explained

Cadillac is currently testing a semi-autonomous technology called Super Cruise, in preparation for launch in production vehicles by mid-decade. The name Super Cruise suggests it’s something like the adaptive cruise control Mercedes has been offering for years. But it’s more than that for one good reason; Cadillac’s system also does fully automatic steering.

 

Designed mainly for freeway driving, the system uses information from radars, ultrasonic sensors, cameras and GPS map data to detect curves and other road characteristics, and pilot the car in the right direction, make steering corrections, and brake if necessary. The integration of lane-centering technology is critical here.

This technology, of course, has its limitations. When there isn’t sufficient data available for the system to operate - such as in bad weather and visibility of lane markings – it cannot be engaged and the driver needs to do the driving. He can still uses the cruise control function, but the auto steering won’t work.

Cadillac Super Cruise uses many technologies – and will be offered as part of – the Driver Assist Package. It currently consists of features like:

• Rear Automatic Braking
• Full-Speed Range Adaptive Cruise Control
• Intelligent Brake Assist
• Forward Collision Alert
• Safety Alert Seat
• Automatic Collision Preparation
• Lane Departure Warning
• Side Blind Zone Alert
• Rear Cross Traffic Alert
• Adaptive Forward Lighting
• Rear Vision Camera With Dynamic Guidelines
• Head Up Display

Courtesy of Motorward