It is no secret that I love wagons. Wagons of all shapes and sizes. Sadly in this country, wagons keep getting screwed over. Mercedes pulled its C-Class wagon when the latest C-Class debuted, BMW is pulling its 5-Series wagon in favor of the oddly shaped and hugely overpriced GT, Volvo (V70 wagon is leaving the US) and Subaru (Legacy wagon is long gone) seem to feel that they can only sell wagons that have been puffed up to look like crossovers (they are probably right), Ford is repackaging the former Freestyle as the new Explorer and the list goes on.
Enter the Cadillac CTS Sportwagon which proudly proclaims, "I'm just a wagon, not a jacked up, pseudo utility vehicle." Bold. Of course, it must battle the brand's own SRX crossover and Cadillac has already had to adjust the wagon's pricing because consumers were choosing the SRX "for a few dollars more."
Now Cadillac is testing the waters with this CTS-V concept wagon. While many blog readers have been screaming for it, I am unclear as to how many would fork over 60+ grand for such an all conquering wagon.
Cadillac's big news yesterday at the Detroit Auto Show was the introduction of the Cadillac XTS Platinum Concept. To learn more about the XTS, view this linked slideshow.
The XTS foreshadows the STS / DTS replacement model that will unify Cadillac's large sedan portfolio. The "Platinum" part of the title is a sub-brand that combined with the V-Series will mean that each Cadillac model will have either a more premium or sporty variant throughout the lineup. For example, there is an Escalade Platinum, but do not look for a V-Series to appear. However, a production XTS could theoretically spawn both Platinum and V-Series editions.
The concept sports both AWD and hybrid technologies. All wheel drive is almost mandatory as a front wheel drive flagship sedan would not be the image the Cadillac wishes to convey. I sincerely doubt that FWD will be available on any trim level. A hybrid option would also be important match the competition.
When asked how close this concept is to the production model, GM Design Chief Ed Welburn answered simply "We don't have time to mess around."
I had a chance to interview the XTS's interior designer Christine Park. She did such a great job of presenting everything that we discussed in the video clip embedded below that I will not bother to recap it here.
General Motors covered my expenses so that I could attend the Detroit Auto Show.
The CTS Coupe is already a bold design in and of itself, the V treatment capitalizes that design and adds an exclamation mark.
The CTS-V Coupe scores the same 556-horsepower, 551 lb.-ft. of torque 6.2L engine that breathes fire in the CTS-V sedan. That kind of whomp will send you to 0-60 mph in 3.9 seconds.
Cadillac chief Brian Nesbitt had this to say about the new addition to the Cadillac family,
The CTS-V Coupe marries our most potent and sophisticated technology with our most dramatic production design. This combination of visual and technical attributes is designed to create a very compelling choice for luxury sports car consumers.
When it comes to shifting gears, you can row it yourself with a Tremec TR6060 six-speed manual featuring a dual-disc clutch or let a computer do the work with a Hydra-Matic 6L90 six-speed automatic with paddle-shift control.
Bringing the whole thing to a halt are Brembo brakes with impressive six-piston calipers in the front and four-piston calipers in the rear. The Brembo's bite down on slotted and vented rotors. Michelin Pilot Sport PS2 summer tires are standard equipment.
Keeping things sporty inside are available Recaro seats and an exclusive Saffron color option. The same "suede like" microfiber steering wheel, seat inserts and shifter also make it over from the CTS-V sedan.
If you recall, there was a recent study that showed that men who drove a Porsche 911 Carrera Cabriolet for an hour had significantly higher levels of testosterone in their saliva than after driving a 16 year old Toyota Camry. I would like to see a similar test for drivers who spent an hour behind the wheel of this coupe: I would imagine that the levels would be off the charts.
Pricing is not yet available, but the CTS-V sedan starts at $62,845 with destination, so you have a framework for what the CTS-V Coupe will set you back when it arrives in early summer.
Like the rest of General Motor's brands, Cadillac is on a road of reinvention and rediscovery. Fortunately, its reinvention is moving along quite nicely with the CTS family portfolio one of the most impressive efforts in the domestic car business.
Cadillac needs to move on from playing a game of catch-up to actively grabbing the ball away from competitors and taking the lead. Part of this story will involve Cadillac's marketing efforts. Cadillac currently has three advertising agencies in "bake off" and hopes to move forward soon. I asked Cadillac general manager Bryan Nesbitt what was wrong with Modernista's Kate Walsh commercials and why Cadillac felt the need put the account under review. Nesbitt said that while the Walsh commercials received their fair share of notice, advertising is not just about television. For its part, Modernista told AdWeek,
Citing creative and strategic differences, Modernista! and Cadillac have decided to part ways. This ends a nine-year relationship between Modernista! and General Motors.
No matter the case, Modernista is out and Cadillac wants an integrated marketing proposal that captures not only television and print but digital (social) as well. Time will tell what GM and its choice for an advertising agency will come up with.
Previously, I had discussed the forthcoming Alpha (ATS) small sedan that looks to be a fierce competitor. Cadillac is also in need of a large car solution that will combine the STS and DTS model lines. When I asked Nesbitt which sedan, large or small, took priority he answered "Both." Cadillac certainly does need to crack the large car nut. Ideally, Cadillac introduces a large sedan that gives the CTS some pricing headroom and allows the ATS to comfortably slot itself into the lineup. Nesbitt said that Cadillac is looking at what elements will define the large sedan. Presumably that means that Cadillac is looking at differentiators between the CTS and STS/DTS replacement. For example, the ride and handling on the CTS might lean more towards the sporty side of things whereas the larger sedan may lean more towards a luxurious feel.
Cadillac has mastered exterior design, refining its models into unique, attractive vehicles that rival the best in the industry. The same goes for Cadillac's newer interiors, where its designs are appealing and there is a premium feeling throughout the cabin. Where I haven't seen Cadillac take a command position is in the use of cutting edge technology. To be sure, Cadillacs such as the CTS do have many "in demand" features, but Cadillac more often than not adds features after other manufacturers have premiered them. If you want to see what I am talking about, read through this press release on the 2011 BMW 5 Series, the amount of technological innovation and option availability is mind blowing. The bottom line is clear, if you want to sell in California, then look to what BMW is offering. Californians are tech crazy, they live in their cars with hellaciously long commutes. Thankfully, Cadillac's technology drought could be changing, as a recent NYTimes article on GM stated
G.M. will pay top dollar if it gets the most advanced technology before other automakers
The ATS sedan looks to be a real statement for the brand and if it all comes together it could be a competitive benchmark kind of car. I have very high hopes for this vehicle.
The other area that I feel that Cadillac should put some real effort into is getting its dealers up to a certain standard. Cadillac has a facility model in place, but to my knowledge very few dealers have implemented it. In these uncertain times, asking dealers to pony up for a refresh can be a tall order, but with the hardware side of things reaching such a high standard, the dealers selling and servicing those products need to be world class as well.
In summation, Cadillac is firing on all cylinders. The CTS is great, the SRX is selling well and the ATS has all the makings of being mind blowingly great. With product development momentum moving so strongly , the marketing and sales sides need to make sure they do not let these vehicles down. As for next year's Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, look for a very special matte finish Cadillac to wow the crowds.
Below this post, view a short video of Cadillac General Manager Bryan Nesbitt talking about the 2011 CTS Coupe.
General Motors covered some of my expenses to attend the Los Angeles Auto Show.
I was given the opportunity yesterday, while attending the press days at the Los Angeles Auto Show, to speak with Bryan Nesbitt, Cadillac's new general manager and Clay Dean, Global Design Director for Cadillac regarding the brand and its future plans.
I always enjoy my interviews with Clay Dean because he has an excellent take on the luxury car market and has the enviable job of helping Cadillac chart its future course. In my last interview with Mr. Dean at the January Detroit show, we had discussed the newly introduced Cadillac Converj concept and how its interior innovations might impact production Cadillacs. I followed up with Clay on how things were going. It turns out that Cadillac is about to show us some very tasty innovations in a forthcoming concept that pulls a lot from the Converj.
What will Cadillac be showing us? For example, look at the strong vertical elements in both the front and the rear designs of the Converj. Future Cadillacs will have narrower, taller daytime running lights and headlights that can be easy recognized from afar and separates the brand from the circles and squiggles of its German competitors. The same goes for the rear, where the fin-like tail lamps will continue to be emphasized. Moving to the interior, look for high tech control surfaces that feature feature configurability, capacitive touch screens and haptic feedback. While the center stack will be high tech, both Dean and Nesbitt emphasized that they do not want to introduce the competition's confusing controls that have been the target of so many critics. Cadillac controls will be simple, easy to use with minimal complexity that do not have to be explained over and over again.
With regards to the forthcoming Alpha project (click here for an outside artist's guess at what the Alpha sedan might look like) that will slot beneath the Cadillac CTS in size, look for many of these innovations. You can view a slideshow of the Converj's interior in this link to gain a better idea of what Alpha might offer. In additional, look for a wider color palate. Many of today's car interiors feature three color options: gray, white and black. Many German luxury marques offer a wider variety of colors and Cadillac will be looking to the same. The issue is what customers will be willing to pay for and keeping in mind that adding additional colors adds complexity which in turn adds cost. The Alpha will be another jumping off point for Cadillac and will try move the needle much like the CTS did before it.
In part two of this interview series, we will find out what Cadillac has in store for its marketing efforts. What the brand is thinking when it comes to a new large sedan and just what might be coming (and surprising) folks at next year's Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance.
General Motors covered some of my expenses to attend the Los Angeles Auto Show.
General Motors continues its assault on the City of Los Angeles with the release of the 2011 Cadillac CTS Coupe. Previously GM had given Tinseltown a look at the 2011 Buick Regal, but now GM swings for the fences with its new Cadillac CTS Coupe.
Originally previewed at the 2008 Detroit show in concept form, the 2011 production model sticks closely to the formula with only minor changes to the bombshell design. The coupe completes the Cadillac CTS family, joining the CTS sedan and CTS Sport Wagon which are already available. The CTS Coupe shares only the instrument panel, console, headlamps, front fenders and grille with its sisters, with the remaining items being exclusive to the coupe.
The coupe will be equipped with a 304-horsepower 3.6L V-6 Direct Injection engine mated to a six-speed manual transmission. A six speed automatic transmission with Driver Shift Control will be on the option sheet. All the usual CTS options and amenities apply, one unique feature to the coupe is the touch-pad operation for the doors which replaces conventional door handles. Previously touch-pad operation has been used by GM on the Corvette and the defunct Cadillac XLR.
More details and photography will be available once the Los Angeles show is underway in early December, but until then you can examine the CTS Coupe's lines in the gallery of photos below.
You might recall that Buick recently hosted a Tweetup in San Francisco for the 2010 LaCrosse. I was able to attend the Buick event and can report that an enjoyable time was had by all. If I had to criticize anything, the test route for the cars is a bit too short.
I have yet to take an SRX for a drive, although I did spend some time in a pre-production 2010 Cadillac SRX at the Detroit Auto Show. If time allows I will try to attend this event myself. For those who are interested, a link to the Tweetup with all the details can be found here. Santana Row is always a great place to be and if GM is willing to buy you a few drinks and apps, why not go?
What exactly are people seeing? Well, unfortunately yours truly was not invited to the event, so it’s off to Twitter for the latest and greatest in updates.
2011 Chevrolet Aveo and Chevrolet Spark: The Aveo could use a serious refresh and the Spark will be a new entry for Chevrolet here in the US. We know about the Spark, but the Aveo redesign is newsworthy. Without seeing it, it’s hard to tell how much of the gushing we read on Twitter is the free champagne talking.
Visitors are also being shows a pre-production Chevrolet Volt to help dismiss the moon landing conspiracy theorists who say the car isn’t real.
Cadillac is showing its wares as well. In addition to a mock up of the DTS/CTS replacement tentatively called the XTS, bloggers are being shown a sub-CTS model along the lines of the long discussed Alpha project called ATS. Would this actually be the Alpha project or something lower cost?
GMC also had a concept on display that was a “blend of old and new” according to one Twitterer.
A quick chat about the event with GM's Director of Global Social Media, Christopher Barger, revealed that tomorrow's "Will offer a sneak peek, but will only feature a few of the vehicles on display today." From what this author has read elsewhere, the new Buick crossover and the Caddilac XTS will probably be the models shown.
If you read accounts of this event on various automotive blogs, there is a mixture of excitement about new product with a touch jealousy that traditional journalists did not get the scoop first. How did GM come up with the list of invitees? I posed that question to Mr. Barger. According to Christopher, the group of the people invited today were people that GM has "met" on Twitter, a few were consumers who wrote in to "Tell Fritz," some were moms GM invited off of moms' message boards. Other invitees were college radio DJs or station managers. The idea was to go as "real people" as GM could. Today the concept was CONSUMER first.
Traditional media will get the same tour tomorrow, but as previously noted the webcast available to the rest of us will not include as much material.
The CTS-V is Cadillac's barnstormer, with enough horsepower and torque (556 horsepower, 551 lb/ft.) to pull my imaginary boat over the steepest mountain pass.
During the construction of the hood, the inner and outer portions of the hood are fused together and then sealed with a rolling hem, which allows for high-precision and quality along the edge. After the hood construction is complete, a personalized quality check is performed to ensure the hood meets the Cadillac's standards. The assembled car is then driven to my house where I personally check it before it is shipped to the dealer.
AutoWeek has some excellent spy shots of the CTS coupe posted for your review. Once available, the coupe will complete a tasty trifecta of offerings: sedan, wagon and coupe + the insane CTS-V. Could it get any better? I don't think so! More than likely the coupe will also offer a full range of powertrains just like its siblings. Few manufacturers given you a choice of RWD/AWD, auto/manual, regular and hi-po, but that is exactly what Caddy is serving up. The CTS gets my highest recommendation. If I could pop for a new car today, the CTS would be a the top of my list.
So where the heck is that foxy Cadillac CTS coupe? The production model was supposed to bow at the LA Auto Show and then was pulled from the program. No mention was made of the coupe at NAIAS where the Converj and SRX were the hot Cadillac items. Now word comes word from the inside that the CTS coupe has been delayed, as if you hadn't figured that one out already. The coupe was originally planned arrive in the summer of 2009, it will now more than likely arrive at dealers one year later in the summer of 2010.
Please note: The above photos are the concept, not the production version. Only a few members of the automotive press have seen the production model (at Pebble Beach last August), needless to say, ACATT wasn't invited.
I’ll get this right out of the way: I like the current generation SRX. Perhaps she was too big, but when it comes to people haulers, I like big. The styling wasn’t spectacular, but I didn’t mind it and I rather liked how the SRX drove.
Now here comes the 2010 SRX. She’s down on passenger capacity and up on elegance and sportiness which is probably good for the marketplace, but not as good for me. While I find the new SRX’s exterior styling to fit within the Cadillac family, it doesn’t wow me. I'm sure that this new design will be more appealing to customers. However, I rather like the lines of the new Theta-based Equinox better. That brings up a bit of a sore point for Cadillac reps. At one point or another, the 2010 SRX’s platform was referred to as Theta-Premium. If you want to see a bitter apple face, just say that to a Caddy rep. Needless to say, they wholeheartedly disagree with that designation. One Cadillac rep stated, “We probably did ourselves a disservice when we originally mentioned that name.” Truth be told, the SRX does have some Theta components as well as some Epsilon pieces, but not as much as you might think. Internally the SRX’s platform was referred to as T. Whatever the case, when I look “bones” of both the SRX and Equinox: I prefer Equinox.
When it comes to the interior, I am very much swayed by the SRX. There is a colorful driver information center nestled in the middle of the gages and for some reason that alone was a big surprise and delight when the car powered up. Overall, I like the layout of the dash, the materials used and the options offered. The SRX has more of a closed-in feeling than the Lexus RX. When seated in the driver’s chair, it seemed to “hug” me more that the ’10 RX. I wonder how that will play with female customers out there. There is no competition in terms of dash layout however, the ’10 SRX absolutely stomps the ’10 RX with the exception of Lexus’ new "Remote Touch" navigation controller, which I quite like.
The curvy backsides of both the new SRX and CTS wagon do lose some cargo room. While this does make for a sportier appearance, it does rob the area of some space and when it comes to space: I need all that I can get.
The 2010 SRX offers the choice of two six-cylinder engines that are new to Cadilla--the smallest-displacement engines it offers in North America. A new, 260 horsepower (using regular fuel), 3.0L direct injected V-6 engine is standard and a new, 300 horsepower (using premium fuel), 2.8L turbocharged V-6 is optional. Fuel economy in the mid-20s on the highway is expected, but testing isn’t complete. The optional AWD system includes an electronic limited-slip differential that distributes torque as needed from side to side along the rear axle, as well as from the front to rear axle. Eighteen-inch wheels are standard and 20-inch wheels are offered.
The new SRX does hit all the right notes in terms of content and the interior is impressive. If it came down to choosing between Chevy and the Caddy, I’d choose the Caddy because of all the extra goodies. However, the fact that I had to think about it speaks volumes to the design work that Chevy did. Between the SRX and RX, things become cloudier. I’ve never been a fan of the RX’s styling and the new model has not changed my opinion one iota, but Lexus’ sterling reputation for quality, reliability, resale and dealer service are a draw. In terms of the target customer, of which many are my wife’s friends, I don’t know if the SRX will be able to pull them in. The Caddy is a fine product, but Lexus has treated these ladies well and it provides them with a familiar, reliable and comfortable status symbol. I’m not sure that the SRX “over delivers” enough to these buyers to get them to jump ship.
I do believe that the SRX’s sales numbers will improve over the current model’s numbers as it is better positioned in the marketplace. To what degree, I’m not sure, but it will be appreciable. Production begins in the second quarter of 2009, with dealer availability shortly thereafter.
General Motors covered my expenses to attend the 2009 NAIAS.
“Cadillac is honored to again provide a new Presidential Limousine,” said Mark McNabb, North America vice president, Cadillac/Premium Channel. “This is a great American tradition that we’re delighted to renew with an all-new car featuring the best of Cadillac’s dramatic design and technology.”
I had a chance to speak with several representatives from the Cadillac division while attending the auto show. Here are some of the nuggets that I gleaned from those meetings:
Cadillac loves Kate Walsh. Don’t we all? We’ll be seeing some new commercials starring Kate later this year. The ad budget overall, like almost everything else, will get a haircut. For the first part of the year, the focus will be CTS and Escalade and then later on ramping up SRX. Cadillac will maintain its relationship with the television show Damages and the Monticello Motor Club. Cadillac may also host some additional driving academies since the previous events sold out quickly.
Marketing hopes that the CTS wagon will be able to win over some buyers by losing the mom-mobile stigma that a wagon body style can invoke. While not expecting to sell in big numbers here in the U.S., it is hoped that the wagon can help the division’s fortunes in Europe.
While Cadillac has to have diesel technology in order to be a player in Europe, none of the executives I spoke with were very optimistic about the fuel’s chances here in the states. The cost premium for diesel, the amount of resources necessary for 50 state certification and the added cost at the time of purchase mean that there is little chance for even a low volume diesel in any U.S. Cadillac.
A flagship sedan, one that will replace the DTS/STS, is a very high priority for Cadillac. While previous large sedans from Cadillac have had exteriors that were not instep with the CTS, that will not be the case with the next model.
Also important, is a sub CTS model based on the forthcoming Alpha platform. After speaking with a number of execs, I would imagine that we might see something in Detroit next year. Indications are that the Alpha will have quite a “techy” dash utilizing capacitive touch and haptic feedback controls. Certainly the Converj concept has those elements, but I look to the Volt production car for hints on what GM might be doing for the Alpha’s interior.
When the next generation Lambda models roll out, there might be one less in Buick-Pontiac-GMC showrooms and a new model in Cadillac’s portfolio. I come to this conclusion for several reasons. Firstly, it makes little sense for the GMC Acadia and the Buick Enclave to compete with each other at the same dealership. Now that Cadillac has left the 7-seater crossover market with the SRX dropping down to two rows, it would make absolute sense to make the next Enclave a Cadillac.
One of the last remaining hoops for Cadillac to jump though, in my opinion, is upping the standards at its dealers. Currently Cadillac has a Standards For Excellence (SFE) program, where dealers can opt in (and pay up) to have their practices reviewed and suggestions made on how they can improve their customers’ overall dealership experience. Reps for the division estimated that 90% of the sales volume has been through SFE, but that the percentage of total dealers participating in the program is less. I would like to see a stronger push in this area. As many GM reps have said, the company most “over deliver” in order to win customers and one of the last places that GM under delivers, in my opinion, is at its dealerships. GM argues that its dealer CSI scores are “better than most” manufactures, but that has never been the experience of myself, my family or my friends.
The Corvette-based XLR roadster will soldier on for now, but its fate is uncertain. There are no definite plans for a replacement model.
For the most part, however, Cadillac is quite happy with its positioning. I tend to agree as the CTS family of vehicles is going to develop a core competency for the brand. If the SRX is able to build some momentum, then the last two areas of major importance would be a flagship and entry level models. Well, that and a seven-seater crossover :-)
please note: the image above was supplied by gm, i did not interview all those pictured above
I had a nice chat with Clay Dean, Global Design Director for Cadillac. I'll cover more of the interview later, but there was one item that really stood out for me. Clay was giving me an overview of the Converj concept's interior and was focusing on controls that feature configurability, capacitive touch screens and haptic feedback. As you know, many designers are in love the with iPod/iPhone and they are itching to integrate that kind of slick look and functionality into instrument panel designs. As we were talking about the capabilities of the system, Clay mentioned "You'll see this on Alpha." I had asked him earlier about the Alpha platform and when we might be seeing something from Cadillac. While Mr. Dean wasn't going to part with any confidential information, he did say that next year's auto show circuit would probably be a good one for Alpha watching.
The Alpha project is of keen interest because it will be a smaller, sporty entry slotting in beneath the CTS. Details to date have been slim. Perhaps you recall when I asked Bob Lutz about Alpha last year at the Detroit show and he responded by saying that it was way too soon to be talking about it. It is great to hear that Cadillac is going to be doing some trick things, some of which is foreshadowed in Converj's interior, on the Alpha vehicle.
I'm not sure where other manufacturers are on this, but certainly vehicles like the Volt and Converj are showing that the iPod-ization of the interior is upon us. Notice that even the steering wheel features these types of controls. Certainly there is a wow factor here, always a plus, but this is also more than a a/c vents motoring open or a transmission selector rising out of a dash, these controls allow you to further customize the interior of your car. You control your music the way you like it, why noti have the same flexibility in your luxury ride?
I also asked Mr. Dean if the Converj hinted at the Alpha in terms of exterior styling. His response was pretty much a resounding no. The mission of both cars is quite different, so folks shouldn't infer too much about the Alpha project when looking at the Converj. Mr. Dean did let it slip that in terms of size, the Converj and Alpha are somewhat similar, but that's where it ends.
Cadillac released a slate of images and videos of the 2010 SRX over the weekend. The 2010 model could almost be named something else, like BRX, because it really doesn't share anything with the current model. The new Theta-Premium based SRX is smaller, tighter than the current SRX which is actually quite a large vehicle. Marketing seems to believe that the new approach, SRX crossover plus the CTS wagon, will yield better results for the brand. Certainly the 2010 SRX will size up better against the like of the Lexus RX, Acura MDX, Lincoln MKX, etc. As Cadillac temporarily abandons the seven seater crossover market, Lincoln will be joining it with the MKT. We'll hear more about the new Lincoln shortly. As for now, enjoy this video.
We already saw the SRX's exterior, but now we have a shot of the interior courtesy of the Detroit News. An initial opinion would be that Cadillac has another nice interior on its hands. Of course, I can't really tell much about the quality of the materials, but recent efforts from Caddy give no reason to worry.
Things were a bit lonely in the GM area during press days. There was activity by the Volt and Camaro, but everywhere else it was all quiet on the western front. When the crowds start pouring in, I doubt that anyone will notice a thing since all of GM's brands' displays are chock-full of cars.
One little gem tucked away in the Cadillac corner was the CTS Sport Wagon. Regular readers already know that I love hatches and wagons and that a CTS wagon was something that I had been hoping for ever since I saw the sedan.
While I would have liked a little more cargo area, overall I'm very happy with the finished product. The fact that GM is going to offer the complete range of powertrain options is fantastic. My final wish would be for a diesel version to be made available.
If you attend the LA show, be sure to check out this display!
Here is a promo video from GM showing the CTS-V at the Milford Proving Ground, the Monticello Raceway in New York and at the Nurburgring track in Germany. Personally I found the 304HP, 3.6L DI engine to be a fine performer, so I'd expect that the CTS-V's 556HP, 6.2L, supercharged would do unholy things on the highway.
We'll see how this sedan does in the marketplace. Given both the cash crunch and looming fuel economy standards, I have to wonder what the future holds for special models like the CTS-V. Word is spreading the that next Corvette is being delayed, so if GM's marquee performance car is having troubles, then future V-series from Cadillac are also probably being reviewed as well.
I'll be honest, I'd be more stoked about a diesel CTS that offered serious torque and better fuel economy. I've got nothing against a maxed out performance sedan, but this bad boy would probably cause me to go way too fast and collect speeding tickets along the way. I got into enough trouble when I had a Saab Viggen and Subaru WRX! Having said all of that, if Kate Walsh showed up in a CTS-V and offered me a ride...
