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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Cadillac CTS-V 2011

he Internet Car and Truck of the Year voting jury has just announced its pair of winners for 2011, and top honors go to both the Cadillac CTS-V and Jeep Grand Cherokee. For 2011, the CTS-V is offered in a trio of body styles, all of which boast a 556-horsepower supercharged V8 and seriously good driving dynamics. Likewise, the 2011 Grand Cherokee remains one of the best off-road vehicles in its class, and points the way forward for the "new Chrysler."

In addition to the vehicles picked by the Internet Car and Truck of the Year jurors, the motoring public was able to cast its vote for the "Average Joe" awards. Unlike the professional jury, the public voters named the 2011 Ford Mustang GT as Car of the Year, its new 5.0-liter V8 and reworked suspension geometry making it more of a true sports car than a stereotypical muscle car. However, both the "Internet Pros" and "Average Joes" saw eye to eye on the Truck of the Year award, with the Grand Cherokee taking the cake from both segments of voters.


Vehicles aside, the ICTOY jury also honored recently deceased and legendary automotive journalist Jerry Flint with the 2010 Journalist of the Year award. Flint, who died on August 7th of this year, covered the automotive beat for over 50 years, and was once named one of the 100 most prominent business reporters of the 20th century.

[Source: Internet Car and Truck of the Year] 

INTERNET PROS AND AVERAGE JOES PICK THEIR FAVORITE NEW CARS AND TRUCKS

Jerry Flint Posthumously Honored as Internet Automotive Journalist of the Year

Boston (Dec. 1, 2010) - The Internet Car and Truck of the Year website has announced the winners from the Internet Pros and Average Joes votes for their favorite new cars and trucks. Domestic brands swept all four categories.

The winners, announced from the New England International Auto Show today, are:

Internet Pros:
Car of the Year: 2011 Cadillac CTS-V
Truck of the Year: 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee

Average Joes:
Car of the Year: 2011 Ford Mustang GT
Truck of the Year: 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee

The Internet Pros are comprised of a select team of 15 online writers from some of the leading automotive Internet sites, while the Average Joes consisted of thousands of votes from the motoring public. Complete biographies of the jury members are available at www.internetcarandtruckoftheyear.com.

So while the Internet Pros and Average Joes agree on the Truck of the Year (for the second year in a row) they have slightly differing opinions when it comes to their favorite car. The Pros like their speed in the form of a luxury sports car with the Cadillac CTS-V while the Average Joes voted for classic American muscle with the Ford Mustang GT (with only a 1 percent margin of victory over the Cadillac CTS-V). However, both groups demonstrated their respect for the vastly improved Jeep Grand Cherokee by wide margins.

Internet Automotive Journalist of the Year

The Internet Automotive Journalist of the Year award was given to Jerry Flint for his long body of work in automotive journalism, most recently as a columnist for Forbes – both in print and online. It will be presented to his widow, automotive journalist Kate McLeod, at the Dec. 9 International Motor Press Association meeting in New York City.

A prolific award winner, including the Gerald Loeb Award for Distinguished Business and Financial Journalism in 2003, for his Forbes "Backseat Driver column," Flint was not afraid to point out when the Emperor was wearing no clothing. That insight, and his grasp of the automotive industry, earned accolades that included his naming by Business News Reporter as one of the 100 most prominent business reporters of the 20th Century.

The 2010 Automotive Journalist of the Year was John Neff, editor of Autoblog.

The Internet Car and Truck of the Year awards were created by Keith Griffin, the Guide to Used Cars for About.com, a writer for TorqueNews.com, and the National Hyundai Examiner for Examiner.com, as well as a print automotive journalist and vice president of the New England Motor Press Association.

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