Cadillac ATS Compact Luxury 2012

The small Cadillac will begin production next summer at Lansing Grand River, the same Michigan assembly plant that builds the award-winning midsize Cadillac CTS sedan, coupe, and wagon. 

"The car we codenamed ATS is being developed to be a driver’s car on an all-new Cadillac-specific RWD-AWD architecture," General Motors North America President Mark Reuse said. The Cadillac ATS Compact Luxury Sedan will be launched in 2012. 
Following months of rumors and spy shots, General Motors has released the first teaser image of its upcoming Cadillac ATS sedan. 

The ATS’ design is clearly inspired by the CTS sedan, highlighted by crisp lines and bulging wheel arches. XTS-like fog light opens also look to be a part of the ATS’s front-end treatment. 
Like the larger CTS, the Cadillac ATS will be available in sedan; coupe and wagon body styles, although the Euro-rival will also be available as a convertible. 

The entry-level Cadillac ATS is slated to come equipped with a 270 horsepower version of GM’s turbocharged 2.0L engine, backed by an eight-speed automatic transmission. Thanks to those eight cogs, the 2.0 ATS should return 22/32mpg. 

All ATS models will be assembled at the automaker’s Lansing, Michigan, assembly plant. 
Cadillac is moving forward with the often-teased ATS, a model slated for a 2012 debut and aimed straight at the Infiniti G37, Mercedes C-Class and other German and Japanese competitors in the entry-premium segment. 

"We're finalizing the four-door show car of the ATS first," a well-placed source told Inside Line. The source said Cadillac is currently "not too sure about the compromises of a folding hardtop."

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Cadillac SRX Turbo Premium 2011 Review

Cadillac introduced the first generation Cadillac SRX way back in 2004, with a major interior update in 2007. 

The Cadillac SRX features every major amenity that you would expect from a modern luxury vehicle while focusing on the needs of a modern SUV buyer. The shape of the 2011 Cadillac SRX Turbo maintains the classy form of the current Cadillac lineup while offering plenty of room inside – all without looking “clunky” like some other sport uses on the market. While some people might not care for the bold styling of the modern Cadillac, this is one sport utility vehicle that offers as much sport on the outside as it does utility inside. 

BIG POWER FROM 300-HP TURBOCHARGED V6 
The base engine is a 3.0-liter V6 that generates 265-hp and 223 ft-lbs of torque, and the upgraded power plant, which is only available in the all-wheel drive model, is a 2.8-liter turbo V6 that puts out 300-hp and 295 ft-lbs of torque at a very low and usable 2000 rpm, and remains flat until about 5000 rpm. 

The interior is the new Cadillac SRX is beautiful, luxurious, and inviting. There’s an LCD info screen in the center of the Speedo for all the electronic trip computer, fuel mileage, cruise control settings, etc. Each gauge has a surround of bright work, which is carried over to the steering wheel insert, HVAC outlets and center stack. 

The interior is covered in soft touch leather on the door armrests, and dual storage center console. A pop-up Navigation system dominates the top of the center stack. The test vehicle also was equipped with the reasonably priced rear seat entertainment system, which puts a dual TV screens behind each of the passenger seats, to keep the kids occupied with DVDs. The system comes with dual wireless headphones, and a remote control. 

Rear seatbacks also fold flat to double the cargo space. The base Cadillac SRX Turbo in Performance trims starts at $49315, while the Premium trim goes for $51,860. Cadillac has hit another home run with the SRX Turbo. 

Cadillac’s website lists the Lexus RX and Audi Q5 as its top competitors and the vehicle itself is built in Ramos Arizpe, Mexico alongside the Saab 9-4X. 

To note, the entry-level SRX lacks today’s luxury necessities such as a GPS, heated leather seats, remote start, keyless access and ultrasonic parking assist. The engine powering our tester is a turbocharged 2.8L V6 engine that makes 300 hp and 295 pounds-feet of torque, which is a significant boost from the base model’s 3.oL LF1 V6 engine that pushes out a more docile 265 horsepower and 223 pounds-feet of torque. The SRX was also made an NHTSA Top Safety Pick. 

There is no mistaking the Cadillac SRX for another crossover, as it rolls around with noticeably more swagger than the conservative design language of the Lexus RX — the sales leader of the segment. 

Our tester also felt confident in the corners thanks to its sporty FE3 suspension system and its all-wheel-drive. These features give the Cadillac SRX Turbo a much more dramatic and dynamic driving feel than the naturally aspirated base model, which uses a more cushy FE2 suspension system and starts with just front-wheel-drive before charging a little extra for the AWD system. However, the overall handling and suspension subtracts from the ride comfort, but such is the world of sport luxury crossovers. 

While the 2011 Cadillac SRX Turbo Turbo is leaps ahead of the base model in terms of a rewarding driving experience, it doesn’t fall in as a performance leader in this hyper-competitive segment. Compared to the Cadillac CTS, the SRX feels a little fancier, with subtle ice blue lighting illuminating the footwalls and striking through the dash. …It turns out that there is the lack of an electronic tilt/telescope option for the steering wheel across the board for the 2011 Cadillac SRX Turbo. If it sounds like I’m describing Audi’s MMI system, I am. From a sheer numbers standpoint, the SRX Turbo is all over the place. The SRX Turbo’s engine output was also nearly the same as the X5, being just under in the torque margin by 5 pounds-feet and even at 300 horsepower. 

More vehicles for the money one might say, but with its poor fuel economy rating of 22 MPG on the highway and 15 MPG in the city, the Cadillac SRX Turbo sports nearly the same fuel economy numbers as the much more massive Audi Q7, a crossover that is over 200 inches long and weighs in at 5,192 pounds. It’s one thing if you’re shopping for a sport luxury crossover or SUV the size of a Q7, as lower fuel economy numbers are commonplace in such a segment. If you could never put a finger on why over 90 percent of all SRX crossovers sold last year cradled the more economical 3.0L LF1 V6 engine instead of the thirsty 2.8L turbo, you can now. 
After my time with the Cadillac SRX Turbo, it became evident that those involved in deciding what they wanted the crossover to be couldn’t make up their minds. 

Though the" Cadillac SRX Turbo" is a fun and stylish crossover, I found too many things that kept me from really falling in love with it.

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Cadillac STS 2011 Overviews

For 2011, the Cadillac STS loses its V8 option. Being the middle child can be pretty tough; just ask the 2011 Cadillac STS. Overall, the 2011 Cadillac STS remains a decent luxury sedan. 

The 2011 Cadillac STS is a large luxury sedan available in three trim levels: V6 Luxury Sport, V6 Luxury and V6 Premium. 

The V6 Luxury (yes, it's a step up from Luxury Sport) adds wood trim, power lumbar for the front seats, a CD changer, Bluetooth, driver memory settings and heated front seats. Options for the Luxury Sport are minimal, consisting of a performance brake package and all-wheel drive. The Premium trim offers a Performance Handling package (includes upgraded brakes, high-performance summer tires and chrome wheels) as well as a Premium Luxury Collection package (includes a sunroof, a blind-spot monitor, lane-departure warning and a head-up display). 

All trims come standard with rear-wheel drive, and AWD is an option on the Luxury Sport and Luxury trims. 

Antilock disc brakes (with brake assist), stability control and a full complement of airbags are standard on every 2011 Cadillac STS. The Cadillac STS has not been rated using the government's new, more strenuous 2011 crash testing procedures. In side-impact tests, the STS scored four stars for front passengers and five stars for rear passengers. Depending on trim level, the STS's cabin is fitted with aluminum accents and real wood trim as well. 

Inside the STS works much better; Cadillac has paid attention to Germany, evidenced in the STS' sober, handsome cabin. The STS also has been a disappointing crash-safety performer. The IIHS (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety) is as mixed: it gives the STS "good" results in frontal-offset protection, "acceptable" results in side impact, and a "poor" grade for rear-impact tests. Safety options include a lane-departure warning system, adaptive cruise control, and a blind-spot warning system. 

The latest STS still sports standard climate control; an AM/FM/XM/CD/MP3 audio system; a heated, wood-trimmed steering wheel; and metallic and wood trim on the dash. 

The Cadillac STS carries over basically unchanged from last year. As a result, the STS do lose some features that were only available on V8 models. Three trim levels are available -- base, Luxury and Premium – all-wheel drive is available for about $2,300 on base and Luxury models, while Premium trimmed cars is rear-wheel drive only. A top-end STS Premium commands a $56,380 price tag and adds a rear-spoiler, auto-dimming xenon headlights, 18-inch wheels and a Bose surround sound audio system with navigation. 

If you expect a fair amount of standard features from your luxury large car, the base STS might disappoint. 

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Volkswagen CC 2011

2011 Volkswagen CC -The top-end model is powered by VW's VR6 3.6-liter, only available with 4Motion all-wheel drive and good for 280 horsepower. It pays for the power with a thirst 17/25 mpg city/highway and 20 mpg combined. Some will find even the front seating position a bit awkward because they're positioned low relative to the high door line. Raising the seats just compromises headroom.

Body Styles, Trim Levels, and Options
The 2011 Volkswagen CC is a four-passenger sedan that is offered in five trim levels. Starting with the base 2.0T Sport, standard features include 17-inch alloy wheels, rain-sensing windshield wipers, full power accessories, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, cruise control, air-conditioning, a trip computer, hill-hold assist, a leather-wrapped steering wheel with multifunction controls, leatherette premium vinyl upholstery, 12-way adjustable front seats and split-folding rear seats. The 2.0T Lux trim augments the Sport model by adding 18-inch alloy wheels, foglights, dual-zone climate control, brushed aluminum interior trim and a navigation system. The VR6 4Motion Executive trim features a more powerful V6 engine and all-wheel drive, along with polished 18-inch wheels, headlight washers, heated outside mirrors, steering-wheel-mounted shift paddles, a power rear sunshade, parking sensors, driver seat memory, leather sport seats and a premium 10-speaker audio system.

The 2011 Volkswagen CC offers buyers the choice of two powertrains: front-wheel drive with a turbocharged inline-4 and all-wheel drive with a V6. Sport trim models come standard with a six-speed manual transmission, while a six-speed automated manual transmission (DSG) is available as an option. Other trim levels featuring the 2.0-liter turbo are only offered with the DSG automatic. The 3.6-liter V6 engine is only available on the all-wheel-drive VR6 4Motion Executive. The EPA estimates fuel economy for the DSG automatic at 22 mpg city/31 mpg highway and 25 mpg in combined driving.

Safety
All Volkswagen CCs come standard with antilock disc brakes (with brake assist), stability and traction control, hill-hold assist, front-seat side airbags and side curtain airbags. Last year's optional rear-seat side airbags have been discontinued.
It received five stars for front-passenger side crash protection and four stars for rear-passenger side protection.

Interior Design and Special Features
Rear seat headroom is limited by the sloping roof line, so taller rear passengers will find themselves slouching to fit, but average-sized adults should find these seats supportive and comfortable, with ample legroom.

While the strong, sleek appearance of the 2011 Volkswagen CC might suggest sport sedan, it's not quite that. Most of the lineup—especially the four-cylinder models—ride quite well, and lavish interior trims feel luxury-car caliber; the interior is tight and serene, too.
Backseat space isn't passable for adults, for head room reasons, while the front-seat position is, for lack of terse terms, a bit odd.

Volkswagen hasn't skimped on features in the Volkswagen CC sedans; all of them, even the base Sport, come very well-equipped. TheVolkswagen CC is available in Sport, Lux, and Executive models, with Sport and Lux models getting the four-cylinder engine and the Executive

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Volkswagen Golf Reviews 2011

The 2011 VW Golf has a powerful engines and a near-luxury cabin that reviewers say is worth the Golf’s high price. The 2011 Golf also has a diesel option that gets great fuel economy. 

The Volkswagen Golf has cruised American streets since 1974. Along with the name change, VW gave the 2010 Golf a makeover. The Golf stands out within the class for its available diesel engine. 

The Honda Fit will save you around $2,500 compared to the Volkswagen Golf, and averages 28 mpg in the city and 35 mpg on the highway, which beats the base Golf's fuel economy rating. In the name of going green, the Honda Civic Hybrid beats the Golf’s fuel economy, but matches its price. Details: 2011 Volkswagen Golf 

The Golf is largely unchanged for 2011. Volkswagen hasn’t released the 2011 Golf’s pricing, but the 2010 Golf starts at $17,620 for the 2-door, 2.5-liter engine, and the four-door TDI starts at $22,959. 

Outside of a few features being shuffled around, the Volkswagen Golf remains unchanged for 2011. 

Compared to other vehicles in its class, the Volkswagen Golf feels positively upscale. With either trim level, four-door models gain power-reclining front seats. 

The TDI models can be equipped with adaptive xenon headlights, a premium Dynaudio sound system, and a navigation system and (on four-door models) rear seat airbags. 

The base 2011 Volkswagen Golf 2.5L is powered by a 2.5-liter five-cylinder that produces 170 horsepower and 177 pound-feet of torque. The EPA estimates fuel economy at 23 mpg city/30 mpg highway and 26 mpg combined for the automatic and 22/30/25 mpg for the manual. 

Safety 
The 2011 VW Golf's standard safety features include antilock disc brakes, stability control, front-seat side airbags and full-length head curtain airbags. Rear-seat side airbags are unavailable on two-door models, but are optional on four-door models. 

Interior Design and Special Features 
The Golf is actually much nicer than the new 2011 VW Jetta sedan. 
Whether you choose the two- or four-door route, the Golf's interior passenger space remains the same. Access to the two-door Golf's rear seats is made relatively painless thanks to front seats that slide easily out of the way. The split-folding rear seats bump that figure up to 46 cubes. 

The 2011 Volkswagen Golf's high level of interior refinement is echoed in its composed, solid feel on the road. At highway speeds, theVolkswagen Golf is significantly quieter than other hatchbacks. The Golf's gasoline engine provides smooth power throughout the rev range. 

The Volkswagen Golf can't really be called sexy, but there are some classy details baked into its three- and five-door bodies--particularly around the rear door cuts. Stacked up against the dashing new Elentra, the Volkswagen Golf doesn't necessarily look dated, just conservative. The interior's solidly designed and built, more so than VW's own Jetta sedan that shares the Golf's assembly line. 

Front passenger space is ample, but the three-door's rear seats might seem a little cramped. The turbocharged Volkswagen GTI is reviewed separately. 

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Volkswagen CC Reviews 2012

2012 Volkswagen CC Reviews-The six speed dual clutch automated manual transmission is standard. Lux Limited- Adds adaptive xenon headlights, and different 18 inch wheels. All other engine, transmission, and standard safety equipment remain the same. 

The 2012 Volkswagen CC is a four-passenger sedan available in six trims: 2.0T Sport, 2.0T R-Line, 2.0T Lux, 2.0T Lux Plus, 2.0T Lux Limited and VR6 4Motion Executive. The Sport comes standard with 17-inch alloy wheels, automatic headlights, automatic wipers, heated mirrors, cruise control, automatic climate control, heated eight-way power front seats with lumbar adjustment, premium vinyl "leatherette" upholstery, a tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, Bluetooth and an eight-speaker sound system with a touch screen interface, HD radio, auxiliary audio jack, an iPod interface and satellite radio. 

The Volkswagen CC Lux adds to the Sport different 18-inch wheels, fog lamps, heated washer nozzles, dual-zone automatic climate control, a navigation system (deletes HD radio) and brushed-aluminum interior trim. Lux Limited gets different 18-inch wheels and adaptive xenon headlights. 

Stepping up to the VR6 4Motion Executive adds to the Lux Limited's equipment a V6 engine, all-wheel drive, headlamp washers, parking sensors, steering wheel shifter paddles, a power rear sunshade, driver memory functions, leather upholstery and a 10-speaker Dynaudio sound system. 

The 2012 Volkswagen CC 2.0T models are front-wheel drive and powered by a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder that produces 200 horsepower and 207 pound-feet of torque. EPA-estimated fuel economy is 22 mpg city/31 mpg highway and 25 mpg combined with the automatic. A conventional six-speed automatic is standard. EPA-estimated fuel economy is 17/25/20. 

All Volkswagen CCs come standard with antilock disc brakes (with brake assist), stability and traction control, hill-hold assist, front-seat side airbags and side curtain airbags. The VR6 stopped in 124 feet. 

From the base Sport model to the top-of-the-line Executive trim, the 2012 Volkswagen CC shows off the luxury amenities and workmanship normally associated with premium luxury brands. The front seats offer a plethora of adjustments to fit nearly any body type. 

The Volkswagen CC Sport, R-Line and Lux models feature a peppy four-cylinder engine that delivers a respectable 200 horsepower. The Volkswagen CC Lux also includes the RNS 315 navigation system as a standard feature as well as an available technology package that includes a DVD player, upgraded navigation screen and rearview camera. 

The sports-tuned suspension of the 2012 Volkswagen CC ensures a smooth, comfortable ride even on bumpy terrain. 

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Aston Martin V8 Vantage Convertible 2011

2011 Aston Martin V8 Vantage Convertible
Aston Martin claims the car will reach 60 mph in 4.7 seconds with the standard transmission. Other major options comprise 19-inch wheels, a Hard-Dick Drive navigation system, satellite radio, Bluetooth communication interface, and Xenon HID headlights.
Aston Martin stated that the Roadster model records identical performance tests to the Coupe model, despite being two hundred pounds heavier.

Or is that a V12 Vantage? Looking at the pics of this Aston Martin test car snapped by our crack team of spies, it's tough to say if we're looking at a refreshed V8-powered Vantage Roadster, or what might in fact be a V12 Vantage Roadster. Namely, and aside from the gray carbon-look wheels, a carbon fiber front splitter and a rear carbon fiber diffuser.

It all starts with Aston Martin's all-aluminum platform, the same basic chassis that also underpins the Aston Martin DB9, Aston Martin DBS and Aston Martin Rapide. The 2011 Aston Martin V8 Vantage is a two-seat sports car available in two body styles: a hatchback coupe and the convertible Roadster. The V12 Vantage is reviewed separately.

The V8 Vantage N420 gets a sport suspension, a lightweight exhaust system, different wheels, carbon-fiber bodywork trim, clear-lens taillamps, power folding mirrors, front parking sensors, cruise control, sport seats, memory functions and Bluetooth. Most of the regular V8 Vantage's options are available, along with faux-suede seat inserts and special paint colors that celebrate Aston Martin's racing heritage: Rose Yellow, Kermit Green, Elwood Blue, Asia Cup Black and White, and Aston Martin Racing Green.

Every 2011 Aston Martin V8 Vantage is powered by a 4.7-liter V8 good for 420 hp and 346 pound-feet of torque. In terms of practicality, the V8 Vantage falls between the comfortable Audi R8 exotic car and the practical Porsche 911 sports car.

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