Watch Hennessey-tuned Cadillac CTS-V run over 220 mph on a Texas road

Texas holds the excellent honor of playing host to the road with the highest speed limit in the US. It seems no coincidence, then, that the speed-hungry minds at Hennessey Performance call the Lone Star State home as well. Hennessey recently turned its attention to the freshly opened toll road SH130 for a quick sprint, and with the help of the Texas Departments of Transportation and Public Safety, driver Brian Smith ran the VR1200 all the way to 220.5 mph before running out of road. That's right, the wicked, much-modified Cadillac CTS-V Coupe actually had more left in its top end.

As you may recall, the VR1200 gets its grunt from a twin-turbocharged 7.0-liter V8 engine good for 1,226 horsepower and 1,109 pound-feet of torque. Hennessey paired that maniacal mill with a carbon fiber widebody kit and a set of carbon ceramic brakes, among other goodies, and the team says the VR1200 is good for a top speed of 242 mph.

 

Courtesy of Auto Blog

2013 Cadillac XTS AWD Platinum Road Test

At first we thought GM's President Mark Reuss and his minions had lost their minds. Like, big-time crazy. Like, book these bozos rooms at the funny farm 'cause they've lost it, man.

Now, after spending two weeks driving this 2013 Cadillac XTS AWD Platinum, we know it's true. Reuss and company are nuts. But in a good way.

Last year Cadillac retired the DTS and the STS, two large sedans popular with people who are, well...retired. Average age of DTS owners was 73, while the STS got the younger crowd at 68.

Those two large sedans are being replaced by one. This one, the 2013 Cadillac XTS.

And for months Reuss has been out on the interview circuit saying the XTS will battle the 2013 Audi A6, the 2013 BMW 5 Series and the 2013 Mercedes-Benz E-Class.

Huh? Battle the 5 Series? Take on the E-Class? Sounds like crazy talk. The XTS shares its front-wheel-drive platform and its drivetrain with the 2013 Buick LaCrosse, for heaven's sake. How can it possibly measure up to those now-iconic German sport sedans?

Well, the crazy part is that it does. Reuss and his gang of merry misfits have actually pulled off this miracle and the XTS, while not perfect, is ready to redefine the large Cadillac sedan.

No More Boatin'
The best way to appeal to a broad range of luxury buyers is with a car that rides smoothly, yet handles competently. In the case of the XTS, it attempts to do this with a standard set of two-mode magnetorheological dampers that can be set to either Tour or Sport.

Despite those dampers, which allow for instantaneous adjustment, our 2013 Cadillac XTS Platinum isn't as plush as we expected. Oh sure, it'll be supple enough for most, soaking up big hits adequately and giving a jittery-free highway cruise despite its massive 20-inch wheels and tires. Its ride is very comfortable, even in Sport. But the Tour setting (the softer of the two suspension modes) does not transform the XTS into the pillowy-soft magic carpet ride. This is a good thing, but traditional buyers will be left searching for a third, even softer setting.

Its agility is another pleasant surprise. The XTS moves for such a big boy. Its suspension does allow for lots of body roll, especially in back-and-forth transitions, and its steering is nearly devoid of feel, but it has plenty of grip and is kinda fun to toss around. At an extreme limit it's all understeer, which is to be expected, but a light lift of the throttle tucks the nose in smartly and gets the big sedan back on your chosen line.

At the test track, the XTS's 63.9 mph slalom run and its 0.80g skid pad mark are impressive for a 4,280-pound luxury sedan of its size.

The Cad's all-wheel-drive system is offered on all but the entry-level XTS. It's a system designed to improve all-weather capability rather than increase the car's handling limits. We drove our red AWD XTS test vehicle hard to expose any handling advantages the system might offer, and its presence went undetected.

Gone V8, Gone
You can have any engine you want in the new 2013 Cadillac XTS, as long as it's a direct-injected 3.6-liter V6. The Northstar V8 is in permanent cool-down mode.

Maybe the lack of a V8 won't matter, since the XTS's six makes 304 horsepower at 6,800 rpm versus the old 4.6-liter Northstar V8's 292 hp. This six is a bit timid below 3,500 rpm, but rev it hard and it delivers good power and the kind of sporty rasp that could almost tingle the hairs on an enthusiast's neck. Prod the throttle gently and it's perfectly hushed.

The six-speed automatic transmission provides ultra-lush yet surprisingly quick shifts. It also has paddle shifters, and the XTS does match revs when you use them to downshift. That is good. Too bad you need to move the console shift lever to "M" before the paddle shifters are active.

Whether cruising around town, scurrying up a freeway on-ramp or making a pass on a two-lane road, this drivetrain has guts. But it won't blow your hat off. It also won't keep up with a BMW 528i or Audi A6 3.0T in a drag race. Sixty mph arrives in 7.3 seconds (7.0 seconds with a 1-foot rollout as on a drag strip), with the quarter-mile done in 15.5 seconds @ 89.9 mph.

The front-wheel-drive XTS is rated at 17 mpg city/28 mpg highway. The EPA rates the heavier all-wheel-drive XTS at 17 city/26 highway/20 mpg combined. We averaged 18.0.

Its brakes, however, are unimpressive, despite 13.6-inch rotors clamped by four-piston fixed Brembo calipers up front. It wasn't so much the longish 123 feet it takes to stop from 60 mph, but more the spongy, long-travel pedal. Even around town, the XTS just never has that extension-of-your-foot feel to its brake pedal.

My Kingdom for a Volume Knob
The XTS's high-tech touchscreen CUE infotainment system (Cadillac User Experience) is both a marvel and, at times, a pain in the ass.

Here's how it went with the editors: Most were initially put off by the complexity/options/number of icons on the large 8-inch screen. After some familiarization, the cool factor of the haptic feedback, proximity sensing (which wakes up the screen) and being able to touch, swipe, pinch and expand icons as on a smartphone or tablet took over.

But after a couple weeks with the car we came to like it less. We were especially longing for a volume knob, as it's difficult to find the volume touchpads on the faceplate quickly. You can also adjust volume by sliding your finger left or right, but that usually either did next-to-nothing or cranked the volume too far up. The buttons on the steering wheel aren't much better, illogically separated by the large "Select" button.

While certain aspects of CUE are very cool, the eyes-away-from-the-road factor is bothersome.

Space To Spare
Although it's roughly the same width as the 5, A6 and E and only a couple inches taller, in the Cadillac tradition, the XTS is much longer than its European rivals. The XTS stretches over 202 inches from nose to tail, while none of the Germans is longer than 194 inches. Heck, it's even a couple inches longer than a BMW 7 Series.

Strangely, the XTS rides on a much shorter wheelbase than any of the Germans. Its setup is a unique mix of imposing exterior size and innovative interior packaging.

Interior space is not a problem. The XTS is simply cavernous. In the backseat there's enough head-, knee and foot room for anyone this side of an NBA forward. Not to mention the handiness of an 18-cubic-foot trunk.

Few will be concerned about the lack of a front bench seat option for six-passenger cruising, and the front bucket seats are covered in high-quality leather and look pleasantly overstuffed. They're on the firm side, however, and offer all-day support with zero numb-butt.

As for the purple stitching throughout our test car? We dig it. It's subtle.

Overall it's rich and properly quiet inside the 2013 Cadillac XTS. All the materials feel as they should, and there's enough leather and suede surfaces to keep even an Audi owner happy. However, we did notice a couple of rattles coming from the dash area, which was disappointing.

High Value
A base front-drive XTS starts at just $44,995 with destination, and our top-shelf all-wheel-drive Platinum tester was $62,300. That puts this loaded Cad in the high value category.

Sure, those Germans still perform better than the XTS, but you get a lot for your money here. A lot of space. A lot of features. Plenty of performance. And a lot of looks. This thing turns heads on the street. And not just heads topped with gray. Everyone looks at this car. Every kid. Every dad. Every granddad.

Honestly, Cadillac, give this thing a softer Tour suspension setting, make a couple of minor tweaks to CUE and the 2013 Cadillac XTS will appeal to young and old alike. Maybe even that guy with the big 'ol white Deville.

Like we said, crazy.

 

Courtesy of Edmunds

This silver 2007 Escalade is quick and classy!

 

This one owner Cadillac Escalade grips the road with its All Wheel Drive and V8 engine. It also features a compass, cruise control, and driver memory seats. You can't beat this deal! Click here to learn more about it and stop in soon to check it out for yourself.

Catch all the Cadillac Racing highlights from the 2012 championship season

Weekly Car Care Tip: Keep your car’s AC system in shape

Run your AC a few times throughout the winter to keep your car’s air-conditioning system fit for the next warm season. This will prevent moving parts in the compressor from seizing. Also, circulating the refrigerant will help keep the seals soft and pliant.

Courtesy of Readers Digest   

Cadillac 2013 XTS- Believe in perfection

Make an impression with this 2007 Cadillac DTS

 

This cashmere 2007 Cadillac DTS features Xenon headlights, leather seats, OnStar, and remote keyless entry. Click here for more details.

 

GM plans to build the all-new Cadillac ELR extended-range electric vehicle

 

The automaker expects to start production of the luxury coupe at its Detroit-Hamtramck Assembly plant in late 2013, GM North America President Mark Reuss was set to announce today at the SAE Convergence conference in Detroit.

The ELR will vault Cadillac into direct competition with other luxury electric vehicles like Fisker Automotive’s Karma and Tesla Motors’ Model S.

The vehicle, based on the same extended-range electric powertrain as the Chevrolet Volt, is based on the Cadillac Converj concept vehicle that was introduced at the 2009 North American International Auto Show in Detroit.

GM said it would spend $35 million to upgrade equipment at the Detroit-Hamtramck plant, which already produces the Volt and is gearing up to make the redesigned 2014 Chevrolet Impala. A spokesman said the automaker does not plan to add any jobs to the 27-year-old plant’s 1,400 hourly and 160 salary employees.

Production volumes for the two-door, four-seat ELR are expected to be relatively low. GM hasn’t revealed pricing or details on the vehicle’s electric-only range. The $40,000 2013 Volt’s T-shaped lithium-in battery pack allows the vehicle to travel 38 miles on a single charge of electricity before a gasoline engine-generator kicks in and powers an electric motor.

The ELR will similarly rely on an extended-range system that provides all-electric drive with the option to switch to gasoline.

Reuss hinted that GM would reveal the production version of the ELR at the 2013 Detroit auto show.

“The ELR will be in a class by itself, further proof of our commitment to electric vehicles and advanced technology,” Reuss said, according to a copy of his prepared remarks. “People will instantly recognize it as a Cadillac by its distinctive, signature look and true-to-concept exterior design.

The news comes as GM is also expected to unveil a redesigned Cadillac Escalade in 2013 after delivering the all-new Cadillac ATS compact sedan and Cadillac XTS large sedan in 2012.

“ELR will contribute mightily to the brand momentum of Cadillac, as it continues a big product push in the global luxury market,” Reuss said.

 

Courtesy of Detroit Free Press

Need help getting the leather in your car shining like new? Look no further!

When dealing with neglected car leather that is heavily soiled with dirt and oils, traditional cleaning products and techniques will prove very ineffective. Tackling these heavy levels of dirt require additional levels of products and techniques of performance.

 

An all-purpose cleaner, along with both a scrub brush and scrub sponge will allow you to clean leather car seat to professional standards. Use the following checklist to get the kind of results normally reserved for professionals:

• Mix All-purpose cleaner 10:1 to start with. This means 10 parts distilled water, to 1 part cleaner.
• Break down each leather seat into smaller sections working on one section at a time until desired results have been achieved.
• For heavily soiled car leather, you may have to repeat cleaning steps using both the scrub brush and sponge 4 and 5 times. Each time you will be removing more and more layers of built up dirt.
• Some leathers change color as they are wet from cleaner; this is normal on some older leathers. Simply determine in an inconspicuous area that you are pulling up dirt and not color.
• If you are not original owner of car, the leather may have been re-dyed at one time. Re-dyed leather will often be removed during cleaning process, and you will have to make judgement call as to the lesser of evils: clean leather with uneven color variations due to de-dyed leather, or dirty leather. These cases are very rare and only when you are not the original owner.
• For excessive levels of dirt, you can raise dilution ratio to 4:1 for increased strength of cleaner.

 

Courtesy of Best Auto Detailing Tips

What's next for the Cadillac brand?

Newly appointed Cadillac global vice president Robert E. Ferguson has told The Detroit News that GM’s luxury brand is considering a new flagship sedan and two-seat sports car. Ferguson also suggested that the future Escalade may get an upgraded interior.

Ferguson’s statements are in line with earlier reports that GM is working on a flagship sedan for Cadillac that will not only define the brand, but be competitive against cars like the BMW 7 Series and Lexus LS. The 2013 Cadillac XTS full-size sedan may be the brand’s biggest sedan, but the front-drive-based four-door isn’t a flagship car. About the flagship sedan, Ferguson told The Detroit News that people will take one look at the car and say, “Wow, Cadillac is smoking.”

Also on the table is a potential Cadillac sports car. Ferguson acknowledged that GM executives have discussed such a possibility and, depending on the market response to the new 2014 Jaguar F-Type, we wouldn’t be surprised to see this car greenlighted. Previously, Cadillac built the two-seat Corvette-based XLR convertible and the front-drive Allante convertible.

Now that the refreshed SRX  cross over and new ATS and XTS sedans have been released, the automaker is working on distancing the Escalade from other full-size GM SUVs with a unique interior. If the next-generation Cadillac Escalade had a noticeably different interior from the GMC Yukon, the luxury brand might be able to better justify premium prices.

With the third-generation CTS and new ELR PHEV coupe on the way, Cadillac expects to have a completely revamped lineup by 2015. Does Cadillac need a flagship sedan and a two-seat sports car to make it competitive as a first-tier luxury brand? Share your thoughts below.

Courtesy of The Detroit News

Thunder grey Cadillac STS- Pure extravagance

This thunder grey V6 is nothing but luxury! With only one previous owner, it's a steal. This 2011 STS has a power tilt-sliding sunroof with express open, AM/FM stereo with DVD based navigation, and keyless technology for both the doors and ignition. Visit our website or stop in today and take it for a spin! 

The 2013 Cadillac SRX: Your own personal home theater on wheels

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 Newsroom

When it comes to your car, who doesn't like FREE?

Visit our website today to schedule your FREE 27 Point Vehicle Inspection which includes a fluid level inspection, a brake check, and much more!

 

 

The 2013 Cadillac ATS: Seeing is believing

The 2012 Cadillac SRX is here at Capital Cadillac

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Latest Advances Contribute to 2013 Cadillac ATS Fuel Economy

Cadillac’s award-winning 2013 ATS sport sedan with the new 272 horsepower 2.0L Turbocharged engine today received an EPA fuel economy rating of 21 city and 31 highway mpg, evidence that its lightweight and aerodynamic design marries high performance and fuel efficiency.

The ATS is available with three engine options. The standard 2.5L four-cylinder engine with 202 horsepower offers an EPA rated 22 city and 33 highway mpg. The top-of-the-line 3.6L V-6 and 321 horsepower offers an EPA tested 19 city and 28 highway mpg.

ATS engines rank near the top of the industry for “power density,” or horsepower per liter. Unlike its European rivals, ATS takes regular unleaded fuel except for the 2.0L Turbo engine. And for that model, it is a recommendation not a requirement.   

“ATS is a no-compromise car,” said Don Butler, vice president of Cadillac Marketing. “The traditional sacrifices no longer apply.”

From a design standpoint, the vehicle’s sharp, swept-back styling allows the ATS to slice through the air with minimal resistance. On its front fascia, the vehicle features active aero grille shutters that automatically close when additional engine cooling is not needed. Underbody aero shields help redirect wind around and under the car, which also contributes to reducing cabin noise. ATS achieves a coefficient drag of .299.

With a base curb weight of 3,315 pounds (1,503kg) ATS is the lightest luxury sport sedan in the world contributing to the car’s quick acceleration and nimble handling. Its lightweight construction also benefits fuel economy.

Attention to detail during the design of its all-new body structure and chassis resulted in an architecture that is strong and lightweight. ATS uses advanced materials in many locations, including:

• Ultra high strength steels throughout the car.
• An aluminum hood and magnesium engine mounts.
• A laminated windshield that is lighter than traditional tempered glass.
• Door trim panels made from natural fibers are lighter than the standard-issue plastics.

Courtesy of: http://bit.ly/PLBGM0

Cadillac ‘Virtual Bumpers’ Can Help Avoid Crashes

Three new Cadillac models, including the ATS sport sedan, have a new advanced safety system that can automatically stop the vehicle in low-speed conditions to help avoid crashes. 

Cadillac’s Front and Rear Automatic Braking acts like a “virtual bumper,” slamming on the brakes as a last resort to help drivers in heavy traffic or even in parking lots and driveways where the driver might fail to see another vehicle or object in his path.

Automatic Front and Rear Braking is part of the new optional Driver Assist Package on the 2013 ATS sport sedan, XTS luxury sedan and SRX crossover. Relying on a network of sophisticated sensors and advanced electronics, the system can help drivers avoid crashes in low-speed conditions and reduce impact speed under higher speed circumstances.

“Radars, vision, and ultrasonic sensors in the vehicle are constantly analyzing data and working together to determine if a crash may be imminent,” said Charles Green, the driver performance specialist responsible for the development of the Driver Assist Package technologies. “Based on these calculations, the vehicle can automatically brake to avoid a crash or reduce impact speed, and if necessary, can apply the vehicle’s maximum braking capability.”

If the driver fails to respond to other alerts, such as the Safety Alert Seat vibrations, and a potential collision is imminent, the automatic braking is designed to apply the brakes and stop the vehicle.  The driver may override any automatic braking action taken by the vehicle. If the system brings the car to a stop, the electronic parking brake will hold the car in place until the driver presses the accelerator pedal.

In developing the technology, engineers had to finesse the system to avoid unwanted activations, ensuring that it is only a last resort.

“We have spent eight years researching driver behavior which has been incorporated into the design of automatic braking in the Cadillac ATS, XTS, and SRX,” said Green. “Our goal is to effectively provide an extra level of safety support while keeping the driver in complete control of the vehicle at all times.”

The Driver Assist Package will be available on Performance and Premium trim levels of ATS, XTS, and SRX. The package also includes side blind zone alert and full-speed range adaptive cruise control. ATS and XTS models will also feature a full-color, reconfigurable head-up display that helps keep the driver's eyes on the road.

Courtesy of: http://bit.ly/Rabf2O

The 2013 Cadillac CTS-V is here at Capital Cadillac

The 2013 Cadillac CTS-V is here and it's waiting for you! Visit us today and enjoy a test drive. Click here to learn more about this great car.