The XTS foreshadows the STS / DTS replacement model that will unify Cadillac’s large sedan portfolio. The “Platinum” part of the title is a sub-brand that combined with the V-Series will mean that each Cadillac model will have either a more premium or sporty variant throughout the lineup. For example, there is an Escalade Platinum, but do not look for a V-Series to appear. However, a production XTS could theoretically spawn both Platinum and V-Series editions.
The concept sports both AWD and hybrid technologies. All wheel drive is almost mandatory as a front wheel drive flagship sedan would not be the image the Cadillac wishes to convey. I sincerely doubt that FWD will be available on any trim level. A hybrid option would also be important match the competition.
When asked how close this concept is to the production model, GM Design Chief Ed Welburn answered simply “We don’t have time to mess around”.
Stuttgart, Around 100,000 readers of AUTO BILD magazine have voted the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Germany’s most attractive car. The super-sports car received the most votes of any newly launched model. Second place in the overall rating was taken by the new Mercedes-Benz E-Class Cabriolet. The Mercedes-Benz F 800 Style emerged as the winner in the “Studies & Concept Cars” category.
For the fifth time, Germany’s largest automobile publication AUTO BILD asked its readers to vote for the most attractive cars. There was a choice of 103 new products in five categories. Overall first place in this top-class automotive beauty pageant was taken by the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG. The readers voted the E-Class Cabriolet from Mercedes-Benz into second place. In addition, the AUTO BILD readers considered the Mercedes-Benz F 800 Style to be the visual highlight among the studies and concept cars.
Mercedes-Benz Chief Designer Prof. Gorden Wagener: “Our vehicles are self-assured examples of refined sportiness. The SLS AMG, the E-Class Cabriolet and the F 800 Style exhibit the unmistakable style of Mercedes-Benz design, and set design trends for the future”
Mercedes-Benz-SLS AMG 2011
Mercedes-Benz also led the field in last year’s vote: in the AUTO BILD Design Award 2009, the readers gave first place to the E-Class Saloon as Germany’s most attractive car, while the E-Class Coupé was the winner in its category.
The wraps have just come off the all-new 2011 Audi A8, which is set to sail into showrooms in the second half of next year with a choice of V-6 and V-8 powerplants.
As the fourth generation of the flagship A8 sedan, the 2011 A8 offers an all-new look and a range of updated technology. But what it will also offer is a brand new, high-performance S8 variant.
According to Audi design director Stefan Sielaff, the new S8 will be a very important model in the automaker’s lineup as it will influence the design of future performance models wearing the four-ring logo.
“It will create a new design grammar which will also go onto the next S6, S7 and S1,” said Sielaff, confirming the development of hotted-up versions of the upcoming A7 four-door coupe and A1 compact.
As for the new range of S models, Sielaff revealed that they would have more visual differentiation over the standard models than the current range. He also explained that the cars would have more aluminum and carbon-fiber trim inside the cabin to emphasize their performance aspect to occupants.
No details about the S8’s new powertrain were revealed but expect it to feature a forced-induction V-8 engine rather than the Lambo-sourced V-10 of the current model.
For the first time, Jaguar is making a diesel-powered sports car with a 3.0-liter twin-turbo V6 engine. Jaguar is planning to re-fashion the existing XK in a bid to outsell its contemporary rivals like the BMW 635d, which has become the best-selling car in its class in the UK and Europe.
Keeping this goal in mind, Jaguar XK is retaining great features like the bonded-and-riveted structure, while disposing off its older features.
Along with a 300 bhp V6 diesel -powered engine, the new Jaguar promises an acceleration of 0 to 60 miles per hour in less than five seconds, the average mileage being 30 miles per gallon. The body would be built of lightweight aluminum alloy, with more sculpting and surface development in the metalwork. The throwback fish-mouth shall be changed into a grille inspired by the XF. Jaguar claims that the interior shall be designed in a way unseen in any Jaguar model before. The highest quality cabin design is supposedly inspired by the newly released XJ which employs hand-stitched leather and high-tech materials in the interiors. The XK is expected to come with the TFT-screen instrument panel technology and the electrical harness system, both concepts taken from the XJ model.
Diesel engines are slowly gaining popularity among auto makers such as Audi and BMW. Jaguar has decided to join this league. Both the hard-top coupe and open-top convertible body styles will be available. The convertible will retain the soft roof for weight and packaging reasons. Jaguar is hoping to manufacture 10,000 to 12,000 units of the XK per year.
The moment Ford released the official power numbers for the 2011 Mustang, there were rumors that Chevrolet wouldn’t stand idly by and let Ford win. Unsurprisingly, the rumors were correct and Chevrolet announced today that the 2011 Camaro V-6 will produce more than 312 horsepower, beating the 2011 Mustang V-6 by 7 horsepower.
“The 304 horsepower in the 2010 Camaro was actually a conservative rating on our end,” said Tom Sutter, GM’s V-6 chief engineer. “But we knew already that this award-winning engine produced at least the amount of power we stated, but now we’ve gone the extra step in certifying the engine for this application and have verified an additional 8 horsepower.”
New Camaro
The recertification process also found an extra 5 pound-feet of torque hidden inside the Camaro’s 3.6-liter V-6, giving it a new total of 278 pound-feet. Mustang fans will of course point out that the Camaro still falls 2 pound-feet short of Ford’s V-6. Because GM hasn’t actually changed anything in the engine, just recertified it, the V-6 Camaro’s performance numbers shouldn’t change. That means a 0-to-60 time of 5.7 seconds and a quarter-mile time of 14.4 seconds at 98.3 mph, leaving it still just behind the Mustang, which hits 60 in 5.1 seconds and runs the quarter-mile in 13.7 seconds at 102 mph, owing to its lighter weight.
Chevrolet didn’t just recertify the engine for the 2011 Camaro. It also added some features. After proving popular in the Corvette and other GM cars, Chevrolet will now make its Head-Up Display optional on the Camaro. It’s capable of showing vehicle and engine speeds, OnStar directions, stereo settings, temperature, phone information, and more.
Chevrolet will also offer a new color on the 2011 Camaro inspired by a 2009 SEMA show car. Called “Synergy,” the special metallic green will be offered on all Camaro trim levels for a limited time during the 2011 model year as a $325 option. Chevrolet has been offering a Synergy Special Edition model featuring the new color that is only available with a V-6 and the 1LT trim level, and now the color is expanding to the rest of the range, at least temporarily.
2011 Camaro
“When we looked at the overwhelmingly positive reaction we received from SEMA attendees and consumers on Synergy Green, making the color available across the board was pretty much a no-brainer,” said John Fitzpatrick, Camaro Marketing Manager.
Exactly a year on from the presentation of the GranTurismo, Maserati makes a return to the Geneva International Motorshow with another world debut.
The Modenese company’s latest sportscar creation, the GranTurismo S, puts the emphasis on performance and driving enjoyment.
There are two main innovations on the new Maserati: a 4.7, V8 engine that produces 440 hp and the electro-actuated gearbox that boasts the superfast MC-Shift. The GranTurismo S also employs a transaxle layout which ensures optimal weight distribution and delivers unrivalled handling ability.
The GranTurismo S is equipped with state-of-the-art braking technology developed in collaboration with Brembo and introduced for the first time in the motoring world on the Maserati Quattroporte Sport GT S.
The brake discs are constructed using a dual-cast technique, which combines cast iron and aluminium. The discs are matched to six-piston, single-billet aluminium callipers to ensure the highest braking performance.
On the outside, the Maserati GranTurismo S features a number of discreet modifications. These changes enhance the visual look and aerodynamic efficiency of the body without compromising Pininfarina’s elegant design.
The interior, finished in Poltrona Frau leather and Alcantara, add to the high performance feel of the Maserati GranTurismo S. This is continued with the body-hugging front and rear seats that boast new horizontal piping on the central zone and seat back.
In its earlier years, Cadillac had little interest in making smaller cars. When market conditions finally convinced the company’s managers that the brand had to have them, the resulting products elicited little favorable reaction from consumers. The modern Cadillac CTS, however, is one entry-level Cadillac that has bucked that trend.
With a cutting-edge design and extensive development work on Germany’s famed Nürburgring test track, the CTS sport sedan is aimed squarely at the class leaders in one of the industry’s most competitive segments. It’s also a bit larger than many of the cars that it competes against in terms of price and design philosophy.
There have been two generations of the Cadillac CTS. Despite some obvious shortcomings in terms of interior design and quality, the first CTS went on to be one of Cadillac’s most popular models as well as the only main domestic entry to truly compete against the top European and Japanese entry-level luxury cars. It’s worth a look as a used or pre-owned model. For the second-generation CTS, Cadillac made substantial improvements regarding to interior design and materials quality. It’s an excellent luxury sport sedan, and consumers interested in this type of car should give it serious consideration.
Current Cadillac CTS
The second-generation Cadillac CTS sedan debuted for the 2008 model year. Compared to the original CTS, the new model is more refined and powerful. Overall body dimensions are similar to the original CTS, but there are an additional 2 inches of track width to give the sedan a more powerful stance. The first CTS’s lackluster interior has been remedied via a substantially higher level of quality and a more attractive design.
Two V6 engines are available. Standard power comes from a 3.6-liter V6 generating 258 horsepower, while the available 3.6-liter direct-injection (DI) V6 puts out 304 hp. Both engines can be equipped with either a six-speed manual transmission or a six-speed automatic. The CTS is also offered in both rear-wheel and all-wheel-drive (AWD) configurations, though AWD models are limited to the base engine and automatic transmission.
Standard equipment for the Cadillac CTS is decent, and a full complement of the latest safety technology is standard as well. There are a variety of luxury options, including leather seating, a premium audio system and a hard-drive-based navigation system that can store digital music files. Two sport suspension packages are also available to further the CTS’s handling capabilities.
Overall, the upgraded interior and spirited powertrains have pushed the CTS into top-tier status for a luxury sport sedan. While it might not qualify for “Standard of the World” status just yet, Cadillac’s entry-level model has evolved into a much more capable car all the way around and can now more than hold its own against the best cars in this segment both in terms of luxury appeal and driving prowess.
Past Cadillac CTS Models
The first-generation Cadillac CTS was sold from the 2003-’07 model years. When it debuted, the CTS was one of Cadillac’s first cars to fully emphasize the brand’s modern, angular styling themes. It was also a significant departure from traditional modern Cadillacs because of its rear-wheel drive, available manual transmission, stiff body structure and sport-oriented handling dynamics.
The car’s larger-than-average exterior dimensions translated to a roomier cabin that could accommodate five adults. A fair number of features came standard, including antilock brakes and side curtain airbags. Upscale features were typically bundled as part of optional packages. Common options included a premium Bose audio system, a DVD-based navigation system, xenon headlights and a sunroof. A sport package provided a sport-tuned suspension, bigger wheels and tires, and stability control.
In its first year, the Cadillac CTS came only with a 3.2-liter V6 good for 220 hp. This was joined in 2004 by a more desirable 255-hp 3.6-liter V6. At the time, the base V6 was available with a five-speed manual transmission or a five-speed automatic. The larger V6 came with the automatic only. In 2005, however, the 3.2-liter engine was dropped in favor of a smaller, 210-hp 2.8-liter engine. Cadillac also upgraded the manual transmission to a six-speed unit and made it available for the 3.6-liter V6 as well.
Previous to the CTS, Cadillac’s entry-level vehicle was the Catera. Based on Europe’s Opel Omega, it was offered from 1997-2001. This model was not particularly popular with consumers or Edmunds.com’s editorial staff, and it’s recommended that used-car shoppers consider other vehicles in this segment.
Bandar Seri Begawan – In A span of only two weeks, the new BMW 750Li has received two prestigious car awards, notably as the `Best Big Luxury Sedan’ in the Autobild Indonesia Award 2009, and the `Best Exclusive Luxury Sedan’ in Mobilmotor Car of the Year 2009.
The new BMW M3 is also Autobild Indonesia Award 2009′s top pick in the `Best Sports Car,”Best Acceleration’ and `Best Handling’ categories.
The awards were yesterday presented to BMW (Indonesia) President Director Ramesh Divyanathan, who said, “It’s clear that 2009 is the year of the 7 Series.
“This luxury performance car has not only won the hearts of our clientele, but also numerous global awards from Europe to Asia, including Indonesia,” said Mr Divyanathan.
“I would like to take this opportunity to thank our valued customers for their support and also to congratulate them on making the right choice of vehicle,” he added.
The award for Best Exclusive Luxury Sedan from Mobilmotor Car of the Year 2009 was presented on November 3, 2009.
The new BMW 7 Series led to the growth of BMW sales in Indonesia this year, with 43 units sold up to October 2009, including 38 units of the BMW 750Li and 740Li.
These sales results position the model as the bestselling luxury limousine priced above 2 billion rupiah in Indonesia.
The recently launched BMW 730Li is another attractive option for corporate and business leaders who opt for a limousine below the 2 billion rupiah price range.
Due to its outstanding attributes, the BMW 7 Series is the choice of corporate and government leaders. The limousines were used to transport the heads of states .attending the APEC Economic Leaders Meeting in Singapore two weeks ago.
The Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Ministry has also purchased 132 units of the BMW 7 Series for use at its embassies around the world.
“The BMW M3 is another success story for BMW in Indonesia. From the launch of this high performance sports car in early 2009, it has gained overwhelming praise from customers and the media,” Mr Divyanathan told.
The BMW M3 is equipped with an all new V8 power unit displacing 4.0 litres and developing maximum output of 420 hp plus peak torque of 400 Nm at 3,900 rpm, maximum engine speed of 8,400 rpm, optimum power and torque throughout the entirer engine speed range. It needs only 4.8 seconds to reach 100 km/hour. — Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin
