Design Tricks Make 2013 Enclave a Halloween Family Treat

With an estimated 41 million trick-or-treaters on the candy trail this Halloween, some of them will be driven to the neighborhoods with the best treats in the new 2013 Buick Enclave luxury crossover SUV. And they’ll find a number of features that make it an ideal family vehicle on October 31 and the 364 less-spooky days of the year.

The U.S. Census Bureau says 115 million housing units could be potential stops for costumed ghouls, princesses and superheroes. US News and World Report named the Buick Enclave 2012’s “Best Three Row SUV for Families,” ranking it first out of 22 vehicles in the segment, based on factors including performance, interior, exterior, safety and reliability.

Enclave is the only vehicle in its segment to offer third-row seating for three, and it’s more spacious as well – good for the candy-collecting plastic pumpkins and pillow cases. Enclave’s 33.2 inches of third-row legroom is 2.4 inches more than an Infiniti JX and 4.0 inches more than an Audi Q7.

“Aiming to achieve the best ease-of-access resulted in an Enclave with choices   second row captain’s chairs or a bench seat with SmartSlide, a system that slides the second-row forward with the pull of a single handle to open up a wide path to Enclave’s third row,” said chief engineer Sue Eckel. “On Halloween, costumed kids in an Enclave can make record time jumping from that back row to the doorbell.”

Behind the third row, 23.3 cubic feet of cargo space is enough to haul approximately 26,841 snack size boxes of Milk Duds, or some spare costumes and the family dog. And you can leave your kids wondering if the standard power liftgate is controlled by ghosts.

Safety is paramount on a night busy with pedestrian traffic. According to AAA Insurance, three measures can help ensure a safe Halloween drive:

    Avoid neighborhood shortcuts. If possible, avoid cutting through residential streets where trick-or-treaters are likely to be present. When providing directions to a party, avoid routing guests through neighborhoods unless necessary.

    Watch for children in the street.  Excited trick-or-treaters, often in dark costumes, may not pay attention to traffic and cross mid-block, walk in the street, on medians or between parked cars.

    Slow down. According to the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, a pedestrian is more than twice as likely to be killed if hit by a car traveling at 35 mph compared to 25 mph.

The 2013 Enclave has a strong list of vehicle safety features, including a standard Rear Vision Camera that provides visual and audible warnings when an object or person is near the rear bumper. A Rear Cross-Traffic Alert system uses radar sensors to alert the driver of approaching traffic from either side while the vehicle is in reverse.

Enclave comes standard with high-intensity discharge headlamps, which provide crisp, clear lighting of the road ahead. Articulating headlights, which rotate up to 15 degrees to follow the road ahead, are an option.

Every Enclave is also equipped with OnStar, which leverages the technology to connect to your car from anywhere. Through the RemoteLink smartphone app, owners can map a trick-or-treating route and send it to the vehicle remotely for easy turn-by-turn directions.

Courtesy of Buick Media

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Cadillac ELR to be Built at Detroit-Hamtramck

Preparations will soon be under way at the Detroit-Hamtramck Assembly plant to build the Cadillac ELR, a luxury coupe featuring extended-range electric technology, General Motors North America President Mark Reuss said Tuesday. 

“The ELR will be in a class by itself, further proof of our commitment to electric vehicles and advanced technology,” Reuss said in a keynote address at the SAE Convergence Conference in Detroit. “People will instantly recognize it as a Cadillac by its distinctive, signature look and true-to-concept exterior design.”

Production is scheduled to begin in late 2013.

The addition of the ELR to Detroit-Hamtramck represents a $35 million investment and increases total product investment to $561 million since December 2009. It is the first two-door car built at the plant since the 1999 Cadillac Eldorado.

“This investment reflects the corporation’s confidence that the highly skilled members of UAW Local 22 can successfully build one of the most technologically advanced vehicles in the world,” said UAW Vice President Joe Ashton, who directs the union's GM Department. “The hard work and dedication of our members demonstrates that we can competitively manufacture products for the future right here in Detroit.”

The ELR is the production version of Cadillac’s Converj, a concept vehicle revealed at the North American International Auto Show in 2009. The ELR will advance the design theme of the Converj while featuring an electric propulsion system made up of a T-shaped lithium-ion battery, an electric drive unit, and a four-cylinder engine-generator. It will use electricity as its primary power source to drive the car without using gasoline or producing tailpipe emissions. When the battery’s energy is low, the ELR seamlessly switches to a gasoline-powered electric generator to allow hundreds of additional driving miles. The lithium-ion battery will be built at GM’s Brownstown Battery Assembly plant in Brownstown, Mich.

Detroit-Hamtramck is the only U.S. automotive manufacturing plant that mass produces extended-range electric vehicles. The plant is home to the Chevrolet Volt, Opel Ampera, and Holden Volt extended-range electric vehicles. Extended-range electric vehicles are exported to 21 countries from the plant.

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

Williamson Cadillac Advertised Specials

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2014 Cadillac Escalade on the prowl

Spy photographers have nabbed our first look at the 2014 Cadillac Escalade. The luxury SUV is set to ride on the new GMT900 truck platform will underpin next-generation General Motors workhorses like the Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra. While the machines in these photos are heavily camouflaged, we can see the truck will bow with front fascia akin to what we've seen from both the Cadillac XTS and ATS, albeit on a much larger scale. LED accent lighting stretches from each headlamp all the way down to the lower bumper, and a massive, tight-mesh grille looks to be part of the package as well.

Under the hood, the Cadillac Escalade will continue to offer buyers a V8 option, though word has it the company's engineers may also be hard at work on new twin-turbo V6 based on the current 3.6-liter unit. A next-generation CTS with that same mill has already been spotted in development.

Meanwhile, the interior will enjoy the addition of the Cadillac CUE infotainment system as well as a full aesthetic update.

 

Courtesy of Autoblog

Go to Dolphins.com/Cadillac to register for your chance to win!

Go to Dolphins.com/Cadillac to register for your chance to win an Alumni Weekend prize and choose your favorite defining moment.  You and 7 of your friends can enjoy a weekend with members of the 72 team at the Honor Roll Party, Nat Moore’s BBQ Bash and then enjoy the game against Jacksonville. Cadillac, the Standard of the World.

 

Cadillac ATS wins Esquire Car of the Year award

General Motors' all-new Cadillac compact sedan won Esquire magazine's 2012 Car of the Year award.

The Cadillac ATS, which is assembled at GM's Lansing Grand River plant, started shipping to dealers a few weeks ago.

GM is betting on the ATS to inject a fresh dose of youthfulness into its global luxury brand. The company invested heavily in a documentary-style advertising campaign during the Summer Olympics to give the launch a boost.

"The new ATS is Cadillac's spirited challenger, built to take on the world," Don Butler, vice president of Cadillac marketing, said in a statement. "Having its design and performance validated in this fashion is a meaningful step in our journey."

The ATS is one of 10 all-new or significantly redesigned vehicles Cadillac is introducing over the next few years.

 

Courtesy of Detroit Free Press

Team Cadillac Racing - 2012 Season Recap (Video)

Catch up on all the Cadillac Racing highlights from the 2012 championship season.

Turbo Boost, Euro Feel: 2013 Buick Verano Turbo

Introduced last year, Buick's compact Verano returns for it sophomore season with an available, turbocharged engine. What a difference a drivetrain makes.

The addition of the new turbo for 2013 gives Verano an entirely different feel. Imported from the Buick Regal, intercooled and turbocharged, the power output of the direct injection, Ecotec four belies its size. The 2.0 liter turbo makes 250 horsepower @ 5,300 rpm, and 260 lb. ft. of torque @ 2,000 rpm. That's plus 70 and 89, respectively, compared to the 2.4 liter four that's offered in standard Veranos, and it translates to a 0-60 mph time of 6.2 seconds, in the 3,300 lb. Buick. Quick it is, with a smooth, lag-free power flow. The power boost doesn't extract a perceivable penalty at the pumps, either. Whereas the EPA expects standard Verano models to return between 20-21 mpg's city, 30-32 highway, Turbo versions rate 21/30.

Ably assisting the turbo is the 6-speed manual transmission. Drivers have their no-cost choice of either the stick or a six-speed automatic. We've reached the point where a manual transmission is rarely found on anything but a sports car or an econobox.

So finding a three-pedal option on the Verano Turbo comes as a happy surprise. The turbo four/six-speed stick combination really wakes the car up. Carving my way through a curvy road at the Verano's launch event, I used the stick to plant the engine right in the middle of its sweet spot, and held it there. Great fun. And once that road was ironed straight, a couple of crisp shifts through the remaining gears set the car up to cruise at highway speeds.

I drove both engine/transmission combos, by the way, and if you want an automatic, this one works nicely with the turbo, too. The only caveat is that it is not a dual clutch unit, so even if the car had paddle shifters (which it doesn't), you wouldn't have the grin-inducing sensation of instantaneous gear changes, when you shift it yourself.

A quick word here about quiet. Like all Buicks, Verano undergoes a combination of treatments aimed at reducing, absorbing or blocking out noise and vibration. Collectively, Buick refers to this as Quiet Tuning, and it does make for a noticeably low noise level in the cabin. So when I set the car into that twisting road at 3,500 rpm, I could feel the power on tap under my foot, but engine noise was a non-issue. The use of laminated glass in particular (everywhere except the backlight) seems to be particularly effective at stifling exterior sound.

Quiet Tuning is one thing; chassis tuning is something else. Buick has done both, tweaking the Verano Turbo's suspension and electric power steering calibration to sharpen its reflexes. The Verano is positioned as a luxury sedan, not a sport sedan. But, turbocharged and with chassis tweaked, it's clearly athletic enough to be very fun to drive. At the same time, it maintains a level of ride comfort that buyers expect of an upscale compact car.

The Turbo model enters at the head of the Verano class. This means that beyond the amped up powertrain and beefed-up suspension, Verano Turbo is packing a generous complement of standard equipment — fully contented, as they say.

Skimming some highlights from the Turbo's roster of gear: dual exhaust, sport pedals, rear spoiler, a Bose, 9-speaker premium sound system, leather-appointed upholstery, push-button start, rear park assist and rearview camera, side blind zone alert and rear cross-traffic alert, heated front seats and a heated steering wheel. About the only options are a power sunroof, a navigation system and some special, exterior colors.

Also standard is Intellilink, which connects your smartphone to the color, touch screen display, using a USB port or Bluetooth. Smartphones can then be controlled by voice command or steering wheel mounted switchgear. The system also allows streaming audio through your phone via services like Stitcher or Pandora.

Verano Turbo's interior will suit virtually any height passenger up front. With six footers up front, like-size passengers can fit in back (snugly), with some compromises.

Visibility is generally good, and the army of electronics mentioned above has your back when parking, changing lanes or just trying to back out of a parking lot spot, without getting clipped. Interior fit and finish is nicely done, with an upscale look and feel. HVAC controls on the center stack are easy to reach and operate. Above them, other controls are clustered together, and harder to pick up at a glance. That starts with the starter; the push button for which is less prominent than it ought to be.

Inside storage is limited (small center console, door pockets, glove box), however, the trunk is usefully sized (14.7 cu. ft.) and shaped. Trunk hinges impinge on the contents, but there's an extra, small, hidden storage space below the load floor. Rear seatbacks fold (mostly) flat for extra cargo carrying options.

Verano Turbo is cleanly styled, quiet and well appointed. And, particularly in manual transmission guise, the Buick has a distinctly, European driving feel. One of the goals for Verano is to bring new people to the brand. On that score, after one year, the numbers are impressive. Some 52 percent of Verano buyers are conquests from other manufacturers. That was before the debut of the Turbo.

The addition of this model pretty much guarantees a new pool of Buick shoppers; ones who favor a sportier sedan. I think they'll find a lot to like here.

Courtesy of Times Union

Here's A Tip To Extend the Life of Your Car

Go easy when you’re stuck.

When stuck in mud or snow, don’t make the problem worse by damaging an expensive component. Gently rocking in an attempt to free the car is fine. But if it looks as though you’re really stuck, don’t keep at it. Throwing your car from forward to reverse repeatedly, as well as spinning tires at high speeds, can generate lots of heat and spell trouble for transmissions, clutches, and differentials. It may be cheaper in the long run to call the tow truck rather than risk big repair bills down the road. It’s a good idea to carry a traction aid in the trunk, such as sand, gravel, or cat litter.

Luxury Meets Technology: 2013 Cadillac XTS

Cadillac's transformation continues. Gone from the lineup is the DTS, and with it the last of the company's former generation of full-size luxury sedans. Assuming the flagship role is the XTS. The styling of the four-door sedan shows another variation of Cadillac's "Arts and Science" design language.

Though more toned down than some of the new generation Cadillacs (like the CTS), the razor cut edges, bold grille and big (19-, 20-inch) rims put a modern, Cadillac stamp on the XTS. One hallmark of a good design is that it can make a large car seem smaller than it is. That's true here: The XTS is sneaky big, though it's still half a foot shorter than the DTS was.

XTS is offered in Base, Luxury, Premium and Platinum trim levels, with prices starting at an MSRP of $44,075. Front-whee-drive is standard, with all-wheel-drive available on all but Base cars. My test drive was split between two AWD models; one in Platinum trim, and the other Premium.

The sole powertrain pairing for XTS links a 3.6-liter V-6 with a six-speed automatic transmission. The LFX engine is rated at 304 h.p. and 264 lb. ft. of torque. That's translates to a 0-60 time in the high six second range, and in practice, it's ample power for your driving needs. Really, the only surprise about the powertrain has to do not with what's here, but rather with what's not.

The luxury class is about surplus; giving you more than you need (but might possibly want). The option sheets on many premium cars include multiple engines, at least one of which typically provides more power than you'll ever find a use for. Not here, at least not yet. That said, the sole six is smooth and competent, and it also returns some respectable numbers for fuel economy. Interestingly, the choice of FWD or AWD has little impact on your MPG's. The EPA estimates that the XTS will return 17 miles per gallon city, 28 highway (FWD); 17/26 for AWD models.

The car's interior is impressively large and comfortable. Six-footers fit easily in either row. The look and feel of the cabin are in line with expectations for a fine car. Materials look rich to the eye and feel substantial to the touch; creature comforts abound. Ambient lighting give the car a cozy, luxury vibe after dark. The layout and format of the digital dash can be selected by the driver. A head's-up display is also part of the equipment list on Premium and Platinum models. The content of the display can be configured to suit the driver's needs.

Cadillac eschews traditional knobs and switches for controlling many functions, in favor of touch-sensitive technologies. You swipe and poke at the 8-inch screen and related access points, using moves that will be familiar to many smart phone or tablet users, and perhaps foreign to some Cadillac shoppers. Addressing both markets, an iPad is included with each new XTS. Preloaded with several, Cadillac apps, it provides new age owners with a gateway for interacting with their new car, as well as some cross-training for less tech-oriented buyers.

A Driver Awareness Package is standard on the top two trim levels. It includes forward collision warning, lane departure warning, rear cross-traffic alert, blind spot alert and Safety Alert Seat. The latter feature is intriguing: the seat cushion vibrates, to warn the driver of potential problems. With all the potential distractions from one's driving that we deal with today – inside and outside the car — any reminders to pay attention are a good thing. The effectiveness of this particular method of notification depends on how willing you are to take advice from the seat of your pants.

Speaking of pants, they have pockets, and when it's time to unload them, the interior has a fair number of spots to park your belongings. Larger items go "trunkward," and while XTS is far from old school, in this regard, it's downright traditional. The XTS trunk measures 18 cubic feet. Vacation sized, it is, with fold down rear seats to accommodate longer items, and an additional small, storage bay hidden beneath the trunk floor.

All XTS models enjoy the benefits of GM's Magnetic Ride Control suspension. Experience in other GM products so equipped has impressed us with the reflexes of this system. Real-time adjustments keep the car's suspension on the same page as its driving conditions. In this application, the emphasis is more on ride comfort than handling, and it's still very effective. The XTS corners competently, and has a firm, yet comfortable ride quality. Cadillac's use of a hydraulic power steering unit in favor of the electromechanical units currently in vogue is surprising, but also welcome. The XTS steering is well-weighted for feel, yet properly boosted for ease.

XTS is slotted, sized and priced about midway between the midsize and full-size premium segments. So, while future product plans from Cadillac may well include a full-size rear drive sedan that would bump XTS from its flagship role, it would slide to a spot still distinct from its premium, midsize competition. For luxury leaning buyers who appreciate comfort and cutting edge electronics, XTS offers real value for the money.

Courtesy of Times Union

 

 

2013 SRX Delivers Home Theatre-like Tech

 The refreshed 2013 Cadillac SRX will offer an entertainment package featuring a Blu-Ray DVD player that extends Cadillac’s signature CUE system for connectivity to the rear seats along with a redesigned kid-tested gaming-style remote control that allows each of the 8” flip-up rear screens to play unique media.

With CUE, users can pair of up to 10 Bluetooth-enabled devices at once, including mobile phones, SD cards, USBs, and MP3 players. For the first time, rear-seat passengers can connect to and manage their own music players and playlists. A special connector cable sold separately allows watching movies stored in media players.

The addition of Blu-Ray allows families the same video quality on the road as they’re accustomed to at home. Front-seat passengers will be able to watch videos via the 8” touchscreen CUE display on the center-stack while the vehicle is in park. With audio playing throughout the vehicle’s speakers, the SRX becomes a home-theatre on wheels. 

A dual-play capability feature allows one user to play a video game on one monitor while another user watches a movie or listens to the radio on the other.

“Having multiple media connectivity options really gives owners flexibility with entertainment, especially families,” said Charlene Goike, rear seat entertainment lead engineer. “One can easily pop in their camera’s SD cards on the way home from their kid’s sports games to let the young ones instantly relive the action.”

The rear-seat entertainment package also gets an all-new cordless remote control, designed for familiarity and ease of use. Shaped like a video game remote control, it mimics the layout of buttons to help young users access their favorite media more easily. A quick-reference sheet will also be provided so users know what each button on the remote will do.

“We actually invited a group of kids to test and interact with the new rear-seat entertainment features,” said Shannon Chiarcos, human factors engineer responsible for gathering consumer feedback on entertainment options in the vehicle. “The data we collected allowed us to go back and make several adjustments to the system, including simplifying the remote control so that kids could use it without the help of an adult.”

The SRX gets a pair of updated wireless headphones designed to fit more comfortably than previous versions as well as the ability to toggle between what is being played on either back-seat monitor. Users can also adjust volume directly on the headphones themselves.

The rear-seat entertainment package will be available as an option on Luxury (with navigation,) Performance and Premium SRX trim models and will retail for $1,595.

Courtesy of Cadillac Media

Williamson Cadillac Buick GMC Advertised Specials

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Industry-First Lighting Tech Benefits 2013 Enclave

The Enclave luxury crossover SUV was a harbinger of a new era of design for Buick when it arrived in 2007. By the end of this year, owners of the new 2013 Enclave will experience the next generation Enclave with advanced exterior lighting, including an industry-first taillight technology.

Working with supplier 3M, Buick developed a unique LED taillight design with a soft, uniform red glow in a complex and unique shape. Like Enclave’s standard LED daytime running lamps and accent lighting, this contemporary lighting effect previews a future design element for other models the Buick lineup.

“As a brand driven by intelligent design and technology, Buick has to be at the forefront of purposeful, modern design cues,” said Mark Adams, executive director of Buick Design. “Our signature LED lighting serves a double purpose of providing a premium look and making sure our vehicles are unmistakable in the eyes and mirrors of other drivers on the road. Some of the new Enclave’s design cues will carry over to other Buick models to come, but every execution will be true to each model’s character.”

Enclave’s taillight glow is made possible by 3M Uniform Lighting Lens technology, which uses a precision engineered micro-patterned, thermoformable polycarbonate material that provides even illumination around complex shapes with fewer LEDs, reducing both complexity and energy use.

For 2013, Enclave comes standard with signature L-shaped LED daytime running lamps and high-intensity discharge headlamps, which provide a light clearer and brighter than halogen. Articulating headlamps, which use small motors to rotate the light up to 15 degrees with the curve of the road, are an option.

The 2013 Enclave’s advanced lighting story continues inside, with a cabin bathed in the Ice Blue glow of ambient lighting.

Courtesy of Buick Media

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Cadillac ATS 3D Experience (Video)

The ATS comes to life through chalk at the Cadillac ATS 3D Experience. Take a look here!

 

Care and Maintenance Tips Keep Your Car Running in Top-Notch Condition

Maintain your car’s battery.

Maybe the manufacturer says your battery is maintenancefree, but don’t you believe it! Check your battery regularly to extend its life and avoid the hassle of being stranded with a dead battery.

    Begin with the simple: keeping your battery clean. A dirty case can actually cause current to drain. Wipe with a damp rag. Use a mild detergent if necessary.
    Next, clean the battery posts or terminals. Loosen and remove the negative cable (black or minus sign) first, then the red positive cable. Use a brass wire battery brush dipped in a paste made from a few tablespoons of baking soda and a little water.
    Inspect the battery case for damage, such as cracks or bulges — signs that a battery needs to be replaced.
    Reinstall the cables, positive first, and coat the terminals and clamps with a thin coating of grease to prevent new corrosion.