Himafagy

Where the Cadillac V-Series moniker focuses on high performance, the Platinum Series tag being introduced in LA this week places the emphasis on luxury. Now, we believe that this emphasis should be the brand standard anyway, and not just a trim package, but if this represents a step towards bringing Cadillac to the next level, where we hope it's headed, then so be it.


Available for the XLR, STS and DTS, the Platinum Series trim level sets the cars apart by bestowing them with specific paint colors, badging, and interior appointments. The XLR, for example, sports an exclusive and attractive Liquid Amethyst paint color and healthy doses of chrome added to its grille, bespoke wheels and other trim bits. Climb into the Cashmere leather seats and you'll notice the "Platinum" badging on the doorsill, more wood trim, and hand-stitched leather covering the upper dash and door panels. Unfortunately, based on GM's press release, it appears to stop short of the full-blown "Cut and Sew" interior available on the SRX, but we'll wait until our guys in LA get up close and personal to make that call.


Keep reading after the jump for the rundown on the STS and DTS Platinum Series, plus more photos and the official release from GM.


[Source: GM]


Following the convertible's lead, the STS and DTS sedans also get similar treatments. That means specific paint and wheels, added chrome, "platinum" badging on the bodywork and in the doorsills, and hand-crafted interior elements that aren't available on the standard vehicles. In the case of the DTS Platinum Series, we're not so crazy about that cream-colored scheme, though. It's a bit too Boca Raton-retiree for us, as you'll see below.


The STS Platinum Series gets the grid-pattern grille that's popping up on other Caddys, which is an immediate improvement. It should also be noted that while the STS does get to play dress-up in its Platinum Series threads, it's still got the '07 interior -- an element that is improved here yet doesn't hold a candle to the cabin design of the newChinese-market SLS. That, we're hoping, will appear at another show this year in an updated 2008 STS.


All that said, we're enthused that GM continues to look for ways to improve on Cadillac's interiors, which are light-years better than what they were a few years ago. Flagship brands deserve top-notch cabins asstandard equipment, though, and while Cadillac is showing aptitude in this regard, we just hope that there's even better stuff (i.e. full "Cut & Sew" for all models) on the way for '08. And rest assured, there's reason to be enthusiastic. Note that the SRX gets singled out in the press release text. That's the benchmark Cadillac appears to be using. Good.


GALLERY:

Click Images to enlarge


STS Platinum





XLR Platinum







DTS Platinum

Bookmark this post:

We told you last week that reports of Cadillac building a long-wheelbase version of the DTS were true, and now we have confirmation in the form of official shots of the long legged sedan released by General Motors today. While no information accompanied the images, you can clearly see about 6 to 8 inches of extra wheelbase that makes itself evident behind the rear doors. That extra length also gets added to the C-Pillar, which will both protect important back seat passengers from prying eyes and be a challenging blindspot for chauffeurs to see around. It's also clear from these pictures that, as we reported, a high-performance V-Series of the DTS-L will not be offered. One is clearly meant to be driven in this car, not to drive it himself (or herself). The rear-seat legroom is ample, as we would expect, with enough space behind the front seats to park an Aveo.


Will the Cadillac DTS-L give the aged Lincoln Town Car a run for its money? It might, if Cadillac can keep the cost down and find enough livery outlets looking to switch. Keep in mind, however, that we haven't heard much about the Chrysler 300 Long Wheelbase making any waves in the human delivery market. The Town Car is a tough cookie to beat due to its total entrenchment in this market, relatively low cost and a library of maintenance that's well known and tolerated. We'll likely see the Cadillac DTS-L at the L.A. Auto Show next week in person where we'll certainly climb in back and kick our feet up.


Check out the interior shot after the jump.


[Source: GM]

Bookmark this post:

No, these are not super-secret spy shots of the 2010 CadillacCimarron. GM (hopefully) learned its lesson then, and is not creating a baby Caddy by grafting a Catera grille onto a 1998 Volkswagen Jetta.

Pictured here might be the Chinese-made Marindo 506 from Shanghai Maple. Due to major language barriers, it's hard to tell if this is a past model or one soon to be introduced. What is evident is the definite influence by Cadillac's art and science design philosophy, probably not used with Ed Wellburn's permission.

But from photos found on the Maple website, their current design language is a tribute to yet anotherluxury marque.


(More photos after the jump)



[Source: Carscoop]


PHOTO GALLERY:










These are current Maple models, though which one isn't clear. Can you guess what German company with the four-ring logo inspired this car's designer?

Bookmark this post:

GM is taking the care and feeding of its growing business in China very seriously. Case in point: The 2007 Cadillac SLS, which will make its public debut at Auto China (the Beijing Motor Show) next week. The SLS is essentially an STS lengthened an additional 100mm (~4 inches) to give backseat passengers additional room to stretch out. In the press release accompanying the above photo, GM states that in China, luxury cars are usually chauffeur-driven, and as such, the cabin has been designed to meet the "specific needs" of the market. We take that to mean that the aft section of the compartment is equipped with more creature comforts than you'd find on a regular STS. Unfortunately, we don't have any photos of the interior to share.


The car will be built in Shanghai, with three engines -- the 2.8L V6, the 3.6L V6, and the Northstar V8 -- available to choose from. News of the long-wheelbase Caddy comes on the heels of BMW's announcement that the 5-Series is getting asimilar treatment in China, as automakers scramble to take advantage of every opportunity the growing Chinese market presents to them.


(Press release after the jump)


[Source:GM]



PRESS RELEASE:
Cadillac showcases new SLS at Auto China 2006

* Shanghai GM continues to fuel record sales
with new models for China
* Cadillac introduces all-new SLS model for Chinese market
* Cadillac Escalade is due to go on sale later this month


Detroit -The General Motors China Group recently reported another sales record for the first nine months of 2006 (645,680 vehicles). These record sales are driven by Buick (+ 27.8 percent), Chevrolet (+51.0 percent), Cadillac (+27.1 percent) and Wuling (+38.7 percent), China's number one brand of mini-vehicles. At "Auto China 2006", this year's international motor show in Beijing, Shanghai GM is showcasing new models such as the Cadillac SLS and Escalade. In addition, an important new offering from the Wuling brand is to be premiered. Furthermore, GM concept cars such as the Saab Aero-X, Buick Enclave and Chevrolet WTCC Ultra will make their public debuts in China.


GM's luxury brand, Cadillac has enjoyed remarkable success since its introduction to the China luxury market in 2004. The Cadillac China portfolio, consisting of the CTS sedan, the XLR roadster and the SRX crossover, will now be complimented with the all-new SLS and the Escalade SUV. Based on the STS sport sedan, the SLS has been lengthened by 100mm to add rear seat legroom. The interior is designed to meet specific local needs in this primarily chauffeur-driven luxury segment. Three engine options will be available which include the 2.8L V6, a 3.6L V6 and the top-level Northstar 4.6L V8 with 239kW/320hp. The new SLS will be built at the Shanghai GM plant for the Chinese market.


"The Cadillac SLS is a very important addition to our line-up in China as it meets very specific market needs," said Jim Taylor, general manager of Cadillac. "Cadillac reacts to country specific requirements and is proud to offer the SLS to Chinese luxury customers who demand extra space in the rear and other features." Earlier this year, Cadillac introduced the new BLS sedan in Europe and other international markets to satisfy the need for a smaller Cadillac model and a turbodiesel engine option.

"The Cadillac SLS is a strategic addition for the Cadillac brand in China, which will enable Cadillac to strengthen its presence in the luxury sedan market," said Mr. Ding Lei, president of Shanghai GM.


"The new Cadillac SLS and Escalade as well as the new offering from Wuling will strengthen our position as the market leader in China. GM's multi-brand approach in China enables us to successfully compete in all important segments of the fastest growing market in the world. I am looking forward to finishing 2006 as another year of record growth for GM in China," said Kevin Wale, president and managing director of the GM China Group.

Bookmark this post:

This year's North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) will serve as the venue for Cadillac to debut the redesigned 2008 Cadillac CTS. The entry-level and uber-popular sedan will receive a thorough exterior tweaking, as seen during the 60 Minutes spot back in April. The revisedlook of the CTS will foretell the future of Cadillac designs, just as the current generation had; however, little information has been made available about what will be beneath the new CTS' sheetmetal. Rumors of a 3.6-liter V6 producing somewhere in the 280-300 HP realm have been heard and the forthcoming V-series model is expected to make around 400+ HP, when it debuts, likely sometime in 2009.



The press release (posted after the jump) states that the CTS will come to market in late 2007 as a 2008 model.



PRESS RELEASE:
Cadillac To Premiere All-New 2008 CTS In
January



DETROIT, Mich. - It is the subject of online discussions, rumors and spy photographers. It is the successor to an award-winning and popular luxury car. And it's coming in January. Cadillac confirms that the all-new 2008 CTS will make its world premiere in January at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit.



"Cadillac has engineered an historic renaissance, with a completely new product portfolio, driven in large part by the original CTS," said general manager Jim Taylor. "Success can drive conservatism, but not for Cadillac. The next chapter, beginning in January, promises to be even more dramatic."



The debut of the redesigned 2008 CTS in the marketplace is scheduled for late-summer of 2007 in the U.S., with worldwide exports to follow in the fall. As this new chapter prepares to open, the current CTS model continues to be an automotive success story.



"CTS has built a strong record of success on many levels," Taylor said. "It has exceeded our goals for sales volume, set new design trends, won championships in racing, and earned awards for quality and customer satisfaction."



Cadillac sold more than 61,000 copies of the CTS in the U.S. in 2005, compared to roughly 38,000 in 2002, an increase of 60% over that period. This sustained sales growth over nearly five years is counter to conventional industry logic that says a new car's hottest sales occur shortly after launch. There are roughly 275,000 CTS owners worldwide, and industry researchers say they are among the most satisfied in the automotive market. AutoPacific rated CTS as the top Entry Luxury Car in its annual Vehicle Satisfaction Awards in 2006.

Bookmark this post: