Early August will see the introduction of the 2011 Cadillac CTS Coupe in dealerships, to be followed by the CTS V Coupe.

The RWD CTS Coupe will have a starting price of $38,990 while the AWD model will start at $40,890. The coupe will feature a 3.6L direct-injected V6 engine that can generate 304 horsepower and 273 lb-ft of torque, with an option between a 6-speed manual gearbox and a Hydra-Matic 6l50 6-speed automatic transmission with Driver Shift Control. It comes in three different packages: standard, performance, and premium collection.

Meanwhile, the CTS V Coupe starts at $62,990. With this amount, you’ll get a supercharged 6.2L V8 engine producing 556 horsepower and 551 lb-ft of torque. Like the CTS Coupe, it also comes with two transmission options: a Tremec TR6060 6-speed manual transmission with a dual-disc clutch or a Hydra-Matic 6l90 6-speed automatic with paddle-shift control.

Late last year, GM said that it would continue the production of the Cadillac Converj, an electric-drive coupe with the same design as the Volt. Recent news, however, states that the Converj is now cancelled in favor of cheaper luxury plug-ins. Two executives told Bloomberg that “GM concluded that the Converj couldn’t have enough amenities and electric range to be compelling to buyers and produce a profit.”

The said executives further revealed that it would take an additional cost of $30,000 just to let the Converj achieve half the mileage of the Volt, which is 40 miles. This is because of the additional amenities, and bulk, that will be included in the Converj.

Right now, some of the plans of GM along the hybrid line include a plug-in Cadillac XTS sedan and a plug-in version of some other models.

[Photo: OhGizmo!]

Reports say that the two-mode hybrid system incorporated in GM trucks may also be used in GM’s next generation rear-wheel drive cars. The Cadillac ATS and CTS are the possible vehicles to receive the said system.

The said system makes use of a combination of electric battery and gas engine. A newer system is currently in development, one that’s smaller by 25% and more powerful by 20%. The new system will also be integrated in GM’s full-sized trucks, but may also be included in other rear-wheel drive cars later on. The expected unveiling of the new motor will be in 2013.

[Source: Edmunds & Left Lane]

The CTS Sports Wagon was previously priced at $40,485. Now, it’s down to $39,150, with a price cut amounting to $1300. Cadillac spokesman David Caldwell told Motor Trend that the “move is really just about making some adjustments to our marketing approach - to strengthen our position with CTS in its competitive class.”

Other reports say that the price cut has been done because of a conflict between the CTS wagon and Cadillac’s very own SRX crossover SUV, which starts at $34,155. According to John Howell of Cadillac, “People would come in, see the price of the SRX and lose interest in the wagon.” [source: usatoday]

The said move is expected to make the CTS more competitive. Read the complete report at Motor Trend.

[Photo: OhGizmo!]

The readers have chosen, and among the top choices are two Cadillac models: the CTS Coupe and the Platinum XTS Concept. During the North American International Auto Show, 100 readers have picked their favorites among all the cars present. Of the 11 Reader’s Choice awards offered, Cadillac received two.

The said event has been a tradition to Detroit News every time the North American International Auto Show is held. One hundred readers are given the opportunity to see the cars at the show and then to choose their favorites.

This year, the readers have chosen the Cadillac CTS Coupe as the Best in Show vehicle while the Best Future Fantasy Award has been given to the Cadillac Platinum XTS Concept.

The CTS Coupe is a car that combines luxury and performance. With its 556 horses and good looks, it’s got to be a real killer on the road. And, buyers don’t have to wait because it’s going to be available in spring this year.

Meanwhile, the Platinum XTS Concept has a natural charm that has swayed the readers to its side with no effort at all. Its luxurious features and its hybrid propulsion technology make it a real winner.

That’s after it has been included in Car and Driver magazine’s “10Best” list for three years in a row now, with its new CTS Sport Wagon marking its third victory this year. The first CTS that made it to the list back in 2008 was the CTS Sport Sedan, followed by the CTS-V, and finally the CTS Sport Wagon.

According to Eddie Alterman, editor-in-chief of Car and Driver, “10Best winners are those vehicles that crack the greatness code, offering that elusive combination of driving enjoyment, mission fulfillment, and value. That the CTS has made the list for a third consecutive year is a tribute to the Cadillac’s fundamental integrity and staying power.”

Below is the complete press release:

Cadillac CTS Wins Car and Driver Magazine’s Highest Award for the 3rd Consecutive Year

DETROIT, Dec. 1 /PRNewswire/ — Cadillac’s CTS product line, the centerpiece of the brand’s revised lineup, has been selected by Car and Driver magazine for its annual “10Best” list for the third consecutive year.

“10Best winners are those vehicles that crack the greatness code, offering that elusive combination of driving enjoyment, mission fulfillment, and value,” said Eddie Alterman, Car and Driver editor-in-chief. “That the CTS has made the list for a third consecutive year is a tribute to the Cadillac’s fundamental integrity and staying power.”

Cadillac’s CTS Sport Sedan is the core of the brand, and initially was selected to Car and Driver’s 10Best in 2008. The high-performance 556-horsepower (415 kW) CTS-V model drove CTS back on to the 10Best list for 2009. And the new CTS Sport Wagon model that went on sale in September helped the CTS achieve the “3-Peat” this year.

The 2011 CTS Coupe and CTS-V Coupe join the lineup next year.

Car and Driver’s twenty-eight annual 10Best Award is the magazine’s highest honor, reserved for entirely new or substantially updated cars, and previous winners. Fifty-eight of the industry’s top new vehicles competed this year in the magazine’s extensive test. The entire 10Best award report appears in the January 2010 edition of the magazine, on newsstands now.

About Cadillac

Cadillac is a leading luxury auto brand since 1902. In recent years, Cadillac has engineered a historic renaissance led by dramatic new designs and global expansion. More information on Cadillac can be found at media.cadillac.com.

Shanghai GM Unveils Cadillac New SLS
Luxury Sedan Merges Elegance and Technology

Shanghai – Shanghai GM unveiled the Cadillac new SLS today. It is one of two new models – along with the Buick Excelle XT – that is making its global debut on the automaker’s stand at the Guangzhou Auto Show.

The new SLS is the next generation of Cadillac’s luxury business sedan that was first introduced in China in 2006. It combines the American luxury brand’s traditional elegance with cutting-edge technologies and is specifically tailored for business elites. It is the first model from Shanghai GM equipped with OnStar.

The new SLS comes in four variants that are priced between RMB 448,000 and RMB 698,000. Shanghai GM began taking orders today.

Choice of Fuel-Efficient SIDI Engines

The new SLS comes with a choice of two new world-class Direct Injection engines mated to a six-speed automatic-manual transmission. The 3.0-liter SIDI engine offers 272 horsepower with 300 Nm of torque, while the 3.6-liter SIDI engine generates maximum power of 310 horsepower and 374 Nm of torque. In addition to providing impressive power, the engines reduce fuel consumption by 9 percent and generate lower hydrocarbon emissions compared to similar powerplants.

OnStar Safety, Security and Information Service

The new SLS features GM’s OnStar in-vehicle safety, security and information service, which goes live in China in early December. With the press of a button, SLS owners will instantaneously become connected with the OnStar Call Center for service 24 hours per day/365 days per year.

OnStar will initially offer 14 services: Automatic Crash Response, Emergency Services, Automatic Air Bag Deployment Response, OnStar Vehicle Diagnostics, On-Demand Diagnostics, Good Samaritan, Stolen Vehicle Location, Remote Door Unlock, Remote Horn and Lights, Roadside Assistance, Hands-Free Calling, Point of Interest, Turn-by-Turn Navigation and Destination Download.

Redesigned Exterior

The exterior design of the new SLS follows the evolutionary styling of the Cadillac brand. The vehicle has a simple look with a well-proportioned, dynamic body. It has been thoroughly redesigned, giving it a more energetic and younger appearance.

Diamond-cut-like design elements appear in the new shield-shaped grille, headlights and tail lights, fog lights, turn signals and side skirts on the fender, adding to the luxury appearance.

The new SLS has a wheelbase that extends beyond 3,000 mm. Together with its wide doors, this provides greater convenience and roominess for passengers.

The SLS comes in a choice of five body colors: Black, Titanium Silver, Golden, Space Gray and Platinum Gray. In addition, Shanghai GM offers a choice of two interior colors: Champagne and Ebony.

Finely Crafted Interior

Fine craftsmanship defines the interior of the new SLS. Genuine leather is applied throughout the interior, accentuating the elegance and luxury of the new SLS. The “cut and sew” technique ensures the highest quality. The cabin also makes liberal use of Sapele Pammele, a wood that is normally used for crafting violins. The 360-degree wrap-around lights in the SLS give the interior a luxurious look at night.

All seats are ergonomically designed and wrapped with leather. The front seats feature 8-way power adjusted with four-way lumbar support. The rear seats are power adjusted with 4-way lumbar support, and heated, ventilated and the unique massages function.

Cadillac has adopted a range of noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) engineering advances to keep noise out of the cockpit for a quiet and pleasant driving experience.

The new SLS is equipped with a number of hi-tech amenities, including high-precision three-phase independently controlled air conditioning with temperature memory function; the Air Quality System (AQS), which automatically switches between air quality detection and inside circulation; an available independent three-screen entertainment system with six-disc DVD/CD and TV function; and the BOSE 5.1 acoustic system with 15 hi-fi speakers. In addition, the new SLS is equipped with an intelligent navigation system, remote engine start and a host of other functions to provide a unique and luxurious experience to owners.

Human-Oriented Safety Technologies

The new SLS, which was put through extensive road testing in North America, offers a high level of active and passive safety.

More than 80 percent of the body of the SLS uses high-strength steel plate. The hydraulic anti-collision column shrinks while absorbing energy in the event of a crash for the safety of all passengers.

Individual front and rear-suspension systems with Cadillac’s MRC (MagneRide) Electromagnetism Active Sensing Suspension System, the power steering with speed sensitive, variable assist system and the Active Air/Control Auto Leveling System ensure smooth handling and control under all driving conditions.

Dual HID headlamps with AFL (Adaptive Forward Lighting) change their lighting angle according to different road conditions, while the SBZA system and rear view advanced parking camera watch out for blind spots, alerting the driver of any abnormal situations in the rearview mirror. Electronic stability control and the tire pressure monitoring system come standard.

During the unveiling of the new SLS, Han Sanping, President of China Film Group Corporation and a leading figure in China’s movie industry, joined Shanghai GM President Ding Lei to announce that Cadillac products will be featured in 20 upcoming movies.

Shanghai GM is a joint venture between GM and SAIC that was formed in June 1997. It operates vehicle and powertrain manufacturing facilities in Shanghai; Yantai, Shandong; and Shenyang, Liaoning. Shanghai GM builds, imports and sells a comprehensive range of Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet and Saab products. In 2008, the joint venture sold domestically 445,709 vehicles. In the first 10 months of 2009, Shanghai GM sold domestically 548,708 vehicles.

The Detroit News reported that General Motors is producing the Cadillac Converj, after all. According to the publication’s sources, it has been presented to General Motor’s Board of Directors in November 2. If this is true, the Converj will be an addition to the electric vehicles offered by GM.

The Cadillac Converj is an electric concept car that was first shown in the 2009 North American International Auto Show. The car can run on battery alone for 40 miles, after which it will be propelled by a 4-cylinder engine that can produce 161 horsepower and 273 lb-ft of torque. The car features a top speed of 100 miles. Battery charging time is from 3 hours (240 volts) to 8 hours (120 volts).

GM has not given any confirmation yet regarding the production of this model, but many are surely waiting for the Cadillac Converj.

After all the delays, it seems that the Cadillac CTS Coupe is finally ready to take on the race tracks. In GM’s latest full-line “re-imagined, re-invented, re-inspired” advertisement, which features Cadillac’s CTS Sport Wagon and its 2010 SRX Crossover, it has shown the CTS Coupe toward the end of the video—the luxury coupe’s very first video appearance. And although only a little of the vehicle has been shown, the video can tell us a lot about the direction Cadillac is taking. Check it out:

Aside from featuring the new styling of the newer Cadillac vehicles, the unique rocket concept of the advertisement also helps the brand establish its orientation not only toward luxury but more so toward performance.

Formerly planned as a 2010 model, production of the CTS Coupe has been pushed back and it is now to be slated as a 2011 model offering. It will share the same powertrain with the CTS sedan and sport wagon and will be powered by a direct-inject V6 engine. If the advertisement tells us one thing about the CTS coupe, it’s that it will signify a new beginning for GM.

If you haven’t seen the new Escalade 2010, let the experts talk about it…..

The 2010 Cadillac Escalade’s 6.2-liter V8 now comes with GM’s Active Fuel Management cylinder deactivation. Otherwise, this premium large SUV is largely unchanged. Escalade is basically an upscale version of the Chevrolet Tahoe and GMC Yukon. It’s available as a wagon in standard trim or a long-wheelbase ESV. The Escalade EXT is a crew-cab pickup truck that’s similar in design to the Chevrolet Avalanche. EXTs have a folding midgate separating the cab from the cargo bed. Standard-length and ESV wagons seat seven in a 2-2-3 layout, or they seat eight with an optional three-person 2nd-row bench seat. The top-line Platinum Edition package reprises specific trim and GM’s Magnetic Ride Control suspension. The uprated suspension is standard on the Hybrid and optional on other Escalade models. Wagons are available with rear-wheel drive or all-wheel drive. EXTs are AWD only. All conventional models have a 403-hp 6.2-liter V8 engine and a 6-speed automatic transmission. Maximum towing capacity is 8300 lb. The 6.2-liter V8 engine can run on E85 ethanol-blended fuel.

The 2010 Cadillac Escalade Hybrid is a standard-length wagon with rear- or AWD. Like the Chevrolet Tahoe and GMC Yukon hybrids, Escalade uses a 6.0-liter gasoline V8 engine paired with an electric motor for 332 hp. Hybrids can tow up to 5800 lb. The hybrid system allows Escalade to run on one or both of its power sources to balance acceleration and fuel economy. No plug-in charging is necessary. It has a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). Available safety features for all Escalades include ABS, traction control, antiskid system, front side airbags, and curtain side airbags. Leather upholstery and power-adjustable pedals are standard. Blind-spot alert and a power-tilt steering column are also available. This report is based on evaluations of the 2009 Cadillac Escalade.