2009 Cadillac CTS-V gives you 556hp to play with!

Thanks to its 6.2 liter supercharged V8 engine, the Cadillac CTS-V clocks in at just under 556 horsepower on the power scale, placing it right under the 580hp Audi RS6 in the race for the most powerful factory D-segment sedan. That’s of course if you discount the Brabus E V12 based on the W211 E-Class, producing 640 horsepower from its S-Class-sourced V12 engine.

You may wonder how Cadillac ended up with names like the CTS and DTS when it used to have proper wordy names such as the Deville, Seville and Eldorado. Well, those names are still alive today actually. DTS stands for DeVille Touring Sedan while the CTS you see here actually replaces the Catera, so CTS actually stands for Catera Touring Sedan. The STS is the Seville Touring Sedan.

This is based off the second generation CTS, and the V at the end of its name denotes it belongs to the V-Series of high performance Cadillacs, which also include the STS-V sedan and the XLR-V hard top convertible.

0 to 100km/h only takes 3.9 seconds with this car, and Cadillac claims a sub-8 minute lap time around the Nurburgring circuit. Manual shifting via steering wheel shift buttons is available via a hardy 6-speed automatic transmission that has to handle 748Nm of torque, but for the full manual experience complete with clutch and all a 6-speed manual is also available.

The CTS-V also features what it calls the world’s fastest reacting suspension – Magnetic Ride Control shocks sourced from Delphi, who also supplies its MagnaRide adjustable magnetic suspensions to Audi.

2010 Cadillac SRX: with 3.0L V6 or 2.8L turbo V6

Cadillac has updated its SRX crossover SUV and it is now in its second generation since first introduced in 2004. The mid-sized Caddy SUV now looks more dynamic and in tune with current design trends, unlike the first gen which had a slightly boxy look that reminds you of a Dodge.

Two engines are available – a normally aspirated direct injected V6 and a more powerful turbocharged 2.8 liter V6. No SRX-V yet, but looking at how BMW is rushing to make M versions of their SUVs, I won’t be surprised if we see the introduction of a SRX-V, perhaps with the CTS-V’s 550+ hp LS V8 engine under the hood?

The 3.0 liter V6 is a downsized version of the 3.6 liter unit in the Cadillac CTS, which was named one of the world’s 10 best engines for 2009 according to Ward’s Auto. It’s equipped with the latest fuel-sipping technology such as variable valve timing and direct injection, and is paired to a 6-speed Hydra-Matic 6T70 6-speed automatic transmission. The more powerful engine is the 2.8 liter turbocharged V6 that puts out 300 horsepower and 400Nm of torque, similiar figures to BMW’s turbo inline-6.

To help with fuel economy, all-wheel drive is not a standard feature so customers who do not want or need it can opt for a two wheel drive version that sheds the AWD system’s heavy equipment. But for those who opt for all-wheel drive power, it is also equipped with an eLSD at the rear, which helps with torque distribution for maximum traction. There is also a real-time adjustable damping system which can vary the suspension’s parameters on the fly in response to road conditions.

Please check out a full high res gallery after the jump. Personally to me this is just another SUV from an American company, but I’m glad this article is coming to an end because the vehicle’s name is pretty hard to type, considering how R and E are next to each other on the keyboard!

Detroit 2010: Cadillac CTS Coupe

Other than the XTS concept, the usual fare of Cadillacs were there including the CTS Coupe, which has just had its CTS-V debut. Alot of North American media seem to like how the CTS Coupe looks like but I don’t know, blame regional tastebuds but despite the sharp clean lines it still just looks like a boxy hunk of metal with doors cut into the sides to me. Too much chrome and too much blank sheetmetal.

Cadillac CTS-V Coupe previewed ahead of Detroit

Following the trend of releasing images of a car before its motor show debut, Cadillac shows us the CTS-V Coupe ahead of the 2010 Detroit Motor Show, which starts in five days time. We will bring you live coverage from the first major motor show of 2010, but for now let’s turn our attention to this sharp looking Caddy.

As its name suggests, the CTS-V Coupe is a two-door version of America’s BMW M5 fighter. It shares the sedan’s 6.2-litre supercharged V8 with 556 bhp and 747 Nm of torque, which propels it from 0 to 100 km/h in 3.9 seconds – the sort of figure that was reserved purely for high-end exotica not too long ago. Choose between a manual or automatic with paddle shifters, both with six speeds. Power goes to the rear wheels via a limited-slip differential

The CTS-V Coupe has a Magnetic Ride Control system with two modes (Tour and Sport) and big Brembos (6-pistons up front and 4-pistons at the back). Inside, desirable options include 14-way adjustable Recaro seats fitted with pneumatic bolster controls. More information to come when we see it in the metal at Motor City!

Detroit 2010: Cadillac XTS Platinum concept

Cadillac has of late been quite successful in ditching its old man’s car image, spearheaded by hip-hop’s favourite SUV, the Escalade, and the sharply styled CTS sports sedan. But some remnants of its conservative past remains in the range, such as the DTS, which looks stuck in the 90s and totally out of sync with Caddy’s new image.

For Detroit, GM’s luxury brand shows off the XTS Platinum concept, a big car application of Cadillac’s “Art & Science” design language which would complete the brand transformation should it replace the STS/DTS. It’s pretty much the big brother of the CTS – carrying the same sharp, angular lines, but with more restraint.

The XTS is powered by a 3.6-litre direct injection V6 paired with a plug-in hybrid system, which is estimated to produce 350 bhp and 400 Nm. The concept uses an AWD chassis. The XTS’ Magnetic Ride Control uses shocks controlled by magneto-rheological tech, rather than mechanical valves, to govern body control and ride comfort.

Like current Platinum Edition Caddys, the concept’s interior is full of hand cut-and-sewn materials. The XTS injects more contemporary forms and themes into the cabin, including the use of Organic LED displays in place of traditional gauges and screens, which contrasts the warm wood trim. “We envisioned this concept as an automotive personal headquarters, using advanced technology to enable new levels of connectivity and luxury,” said Bryan Nesbitt, Cadillac’s GM.

Barack Obama wants hybrid limo.

Contrary to what many people think, the President of the United States of America doesn’t always get what he wants. ABC News reports that Barack Obama wants to go green by having hybrid power in his motorcade, but his wish is being denied with a sharp NO by the Secret Service.

The US President said that security reasons was why his presidential limousine could not be a hybrid vehicle. “I asked can we make these cars hybrids,” Obama said at a town hall in Charlotte, North Carolina. “Secret Service said no. Now, the reason is not because Secret Service are bad guys. It’s because the cars that I’m in are like tanks.”

Obama explained that his Cadillac, nicknamed “the beast” for being big and black, is reinforced with armour plating and a host of protection gear, causing it weighs over two times the normal weight of cars. “They just couldn’t get the performance in terms of acceleration using a hybrid engine.”

The US Government recently announced that they have purchased more than 5,000 hybrid cars and trucks. “We are using our purchasing power to help encourage the clean car industry,” the Commander-in-Chief said.

Cadillac CTS-V Sport Wagon targets a very small niche

Cadillac is answering a question not many in the US are asking with its latest model – the
The CTS-V Sport Wagon has seen the green light and production starts later this year. It will be powered by the same potent engine as the saloon – a supercharged 6.2-litre V8 with 556 bhp and massive torque of 747 Nm. That “Boeing figure” is more than what German rivals from quattro, AMG and M produce. Drive is channeled through six-speed transmissions (choose between manual or auto) to a rear axle that features a limited-slip differential within a cast iron housing for greater thermal management and “asymmetrical half-shafts” to smoothly manage the big torque.

Cadillac’s Magnetic Ride Control is also standard. Claimed to be the “world’s fastest-reacting suspension technology” MRC uses shocks controlled by advanced magneto-rheological technology (rather than mechanical valves) to accelerate response time and precision. Electronic sensors at all four wheels “read the road” every millisecond, making constant adjustments to damping. Brembo brakes are at all four corners and include powerful, six-piston calipers in the front and four-piston calipers in the rear.

The Brembo brake rotors use “dual-cast” technology (cast iron and aluminium) for weight reduction and better performance. The CTS-V rides on specially tailored Michelin Pilot Sport 2 tyres.