New Cadillac ATS Small Sports Sedan

A bare-shell of an unidentified model shown in a introduction video on GM’s corporate site caught the attention of a forum member ofGMInsidenews. The team over the website believes that this could be an early prototype of the upcoming 2014 Cadillac ATS sports sedan, with which GM wants to compete against the BMW 3-Series and Mercedes-Benz C-Class saloons.
The test vehicle’s compact dimensions and more importantly, the short front overhangs, and the distance between the front axle and the passenger cabin suggest that they could be on to something, but we wouldn’t bet the farm on it, at least not just yet and without any more proof.
The new ATS is expected to arrive in the market in 2013 and it will sit right under the CTS as Cadillac’s new entry-level model. Powertrain options are believed to include both four-cylinder turbo engines and larger displacement V6 units.

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Cadillac New Design for its Dealerships

While the bigwigs at General Motors are mulling to expand production of Cadillacs outside of North America before the end of 2012, here in the States, the focus is on improving the customer experience at the brand’s dealerships. Today, the Detroit automaker rolled out a new design for Cadillac showrooms that will become the standard across the country.
The new look includes contemporary architecture and premium materials, such as English Oak, matte porcelain tile and brushed stainless steel accents, and is the work of Gensler architects who worked together with Cadillac’s own design team. GM says the new showroom design features a more open layout that allows customers to better interact with the cars and the dealership staff and also features a customer lounge with a coffee bar.
The first dealership to receive the makeover is Suburban Cadillac of Ann Arbor, which you can check out in the photo gallery bellow. GM said more than 200 Cadillac dealers across the States will complete a similar upgrade to their stores within the next two years.
“If you want to compete in the luxury market, you have to create the right environment for customers,” said Mike Mosser, general manager of Suburban Cadillac. “The new showroom greets potential buyers with a look and feel that puts us at the top of class in the luxury market,” he added.

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FAB Design's Cadillac Escalade Proves Money Can't Buy Taste

Swiss-based tuning firm Fab Design will no doubt raise a few eyebrows with its most recent work on the Cadillac Escalade. Roland Rysanek, the owner of the aftermarket company, which specializes on Mercedes-Benz models, found himself in front of a dilemma when asked by a North African client to modify the heavyweight American SUV.

Rysanek eventually accepted the job, as the eccentric owner was a loyal client with plenty of Fab Design Mercedes models parked in his garage. Anything for a devoted customer, right? Well, this particular client wanted the car to look like no other Escalade and to have an interior lined with genuine snake leather and crocodile-imitating leather – lots of it.

However, this decision attracted the fury of animal rights group Pro Wildlife, which said too many snakes are being tormented for the sake of luxury lovers. Roland Rysanek replied that the leather used on the car comes from snakes that have been killed without causing them pain.

Moving away from the wild cabin, the Fab Design Escalade sports an equally shocking exterior. Nothing has been left untouched: the headlights, colossal grille, the large round fog lights, taillights, rims, obscured tailgate glass (why?), bumpers and the list continues on and on. Even the massive side sills are unique as they lower down when the doors open, thus acting as stepping boards.

Under the hood, Fab Design kept the Cadillac Escalade’s stock 6.2-liter V8 engine, which pumps out 409 horsepower. The owner did not reveal the price he paid for the transformation of the Escalade into the vehicle you see pictured below.

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2011 Cadillac CTS-V650 Sport Wagon

The Cadillac CTS-V Sport Wagon is already a car that can get most enthusiasts drooling. Just about all of the boxes can get ticked off instantly with just a quick look. Luxurious leather interior? Check. Enough space to haul the wife, the kids, the dogs, and all of the useless knick-knacks they decided to bring on the family road trip? Check. A 556 HP supercharged, Corvette-sourced V8? Check.

For many enthusiasts, the Caddy wagon is just about all they could ask for in a car. Ludicrously fast, reasonably priced, and practical all at once. What more could they possibly want? Well, as Jeremy Clarkson would say, “MORE POWER!”

That’s right, folks. In true tuner fashion, Hennessey Performance near Houston, Texas decided that the CTS-V Sport Wagon needed just a tad more power.

Here’s another tasty treat from the guys over at Hennessey. Their latest video for the CTS-V650 shows the Cadillac doing a few burnouts at Lonestar Motorsports Park. You may want to pump up the volume for this one.

Prices

The Hennessey Cadillac CTS-V650 Sport Wagon can be had for just a $16,115 premium over the standard Caddy CTS-V Wagon. For just $79,580, you too can get your hands on a Hennessey CTS-V650, including installation. If do it yourself projects are more your thing though, the V650 kit is also available by mail for a relatively reasonable $5,950.

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2012 Cadillac SRX

Less than two years after the market introduction of the new Cadillac SRX in North America in the summer of 2009, and General Motors has gone ahead and improved its premium crossover for the 2012 model year with a more powerful six-cylinder engine and additional equipment features.
The highlight for the 2012 Cadillac SRX is of course the new 3.6-liter direct-injected V6 engine with 300HP and 260 lb.-ft. (353 Nm) of torque, which replaces the current 3.0-liter direct-injected V6 engine with 265HP and 223 lb.-ft (302 Nm).
In addition to the higher output, GM says the new engine has a wider rpm range for its maximum torque while it also adds FlexFuel capability, meaning it can use either gasoline, E85 ethanol or any combination of the two. Performance figures and fuel economy ratings have not yet been finalized.
Other improvements on the 2012 model year SRX include standard Bluetooth phone connectivity on all models, a heated steering wheel on the luxury, performance and premium trim levels and door lock switches on the driver and passenger door panels. In addition, the 2012 SRX gains a new machined-face finish on the 20-inch wheels, which are standard on performance and premium trim levels.
The new SRX, which will be offered in both front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive versions, will arrive at Cadillac dealerships in late summer with pricing to be announced closer to the start of production.

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New Volkswagen Golf Cabriolet Mk6

The Golf Cabriolet series has been an on-off affair for Volkswagen ever since the introduction of the original model in the beginning of the 1980s. At the 2011 Geneva Motor Show, the Germans decided to give the Cabriolet another go with the presentation of a new model based on the 6th generation of the Golf that will be sold alongside the firm's Eos hardtop roadster.
The replacement of the roof with an electrically operated cloth top, the redesigned rear end and the more swept-back angle of the front windscreen frame along with the necessary structural reinforcements pretty much sum up the changes over the standard Golf hatchback upon which the Cabriolet is based.
At least in Europe, the Golf Cabriolet Mk6 will be offered with six direct-injection turbocharged diesel and gaosline engines with a power range from 105 PS to 210 PS. Scroll down for the photo gallery from the Geneva Show floors.
photos

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