Cadillac CTS-V Coupe

When we think of the new, cool, sporty side of Cadillac that has emerged over the last few years, the CTS, and specifically the CTS-V, is the car that comes to mind. The CTS-V has been with us since way back in 2004, and has been a reigning super-sedan ever since. For the 2011 model year, GM expanded the appeal of the second generation CTS-V with a neat sport wagon and a very distinctive coupe.

For 2014, Cadillac is reworking the CTS lineup yet again, so this year will be the last of the first generation CTS Coupes. Luckily, we were able to really put a 2013 CTS-V Coupe through its paces as we took it on a long road trip to the famed Masters golf tournament in Augusta, Georgia. Such a drive allowed us to both put on the cruise control and to give all 556 horses a real workout, so we were able to get a good sense for what this Cadillac is all about. Now, for many the CTS-V Coupe has been an appealing car ever since it came out, and a 500+ horsepower Caddy with a six-speed manual will definitely garner some interest, but can this older design live up to the high expectations of 2013?

From the outside, it’s hard to call this two-door CTS pretty, but it’s not unattractive, either. It’s really just unique, and in a world where the only way to tell most any two new cars apart is by the badges, that’s refreshing. In a profile view, the hunkered down front end contrasts nicely with the somewhat big caboose, and almost looks like a dart. Unique to the CTS-V are the larger dihedral grille for more airflow as well as the 19-inch forged aluminum wheels. Our test car also had the optional red calipers for the Brembo brakes. These, combined with the not-so-subtle “V” badges on the doors and tail made for nice detail touches on this undeniably bold design.

Things are not so rosy on the inside. Next year, the interior on the CTS will be all new, and this is a good thing. The cockpit of our test car was, to put it simply, disappointing and rather dated. The Recaro seats and sueded steering wheel and shifter that our car was equipped with were exceptional, and the boost and lateral acceleration gauges were cool, but the newer, more forward-thinking interiors on recent Cadillacs  are all in all just much nicer places to be. The Navigation system was a bit frustrating as well. Two of us worked at it for quite a while on the side of the road, and we still didn’t get it quite right. Worse than the atmosphere or the GPS, though, was the visibility. The steeply raked wedge of the rear window naturally makes seeing out the back pretty tough and, since the doors are way up high, side-to-side viewing is less than ideal as well. Lucky for anyone walking behind it in a parking lot, though, the car comes with a rearview camera system, which admittedly gives a wide view of the area behind the vehicle. But just being inside the CTS-V Coupe, one can’t help but feel that next year’s version will be a welcome improvement.

The interior might be a letdown but the engine, predictably, isn’t. The 6.2 liter unit is an LSA V-8 fitted with an Eaton supercharger that has twin four lobe rotors for smoother and more efficient airflow into the engine. That makes for 556 horsepower and 551 lb/ft of torque. Cadillac says it’s their most powerful engine ever, and it certainly is a beast. It pulls really hard in every gear without being overwhelming, and speaking of gears, the Tremec six-speed is a welcome sight in a new performance car and, for a Cadillac, a surprising one. Changes are both tight and smooth, with heel-and-toe shifting a breeze. Combined with the sueded shifter and steering wheel, it’s a rewarding setup. At the same time, though, there’s something about the CTS-V Coupe that somehow makes it feel just a bit weaker than the specs suggest. Maybe it’s the size, maybe it’s something else, but even though the car certainly feels fast and you have to keep an eye on the speedo as you barrel down the highway, it just didn’t feel 556 horsepower fast. The general consensus was that we couldn’t hear enough of the lion of an engine inside the cabin. We know it’s there, so here’s hoping the next series of CTS-V Cadillacs have a little more of the outside on the inside.

We’ve been seeing pictures and videos of the CTS-V tearing up the Nurburgring for quite some time, and driving the car proves that this is no mere publicity stunt. The Magnetic Ride shocks are amazing in their ability to tighten up when needed, yet cruise along comfortably when not. Push the coupe into a tight turn and you’ll be rewarded by more grip than you need on a public road…and then some. Any understeer is flicked away quickly with a stab of the throttle. Another pleasant surprise from this Cadillac came from the brakes. The Brembos (6 piston in front, 4 in rear) are phenomenal, and are two-piece, dual-cast units up front, which combine the performance characteristics of iron with the lightness of aluminum. They are slotted and vented at all four corners, and stop this fairly heavy car with remarkable ease. This car does feel somewhat heavy, but nobody told the brakes that.

The CTS-V Coupe isn’t quite a supercar, especially at over 4,200 pounds, but it is an undeniably fast machine that offers more performance than most drivers would probably ever use. It is also a practical, tractable car that can be used every day, not one that overwhelms with excessive power and a brutal ride. It is in the $70,000 neighborhood, however, which makes you wonder what else you could do with that money. A well-optioned Corvette Grand Sport can be had for similar money, and if you need the two extra seats that the Cadillac offers, the smaller BMW M3 is right there as well. The Cadillac, though, is a standout and even with its faults, it’s still an interesting choice for the high-performance coupe buyers.

2013 Cadillac CTS-V Coupe

Base Price: $63,215
Options: Recaro Seats, Metal Pedals, Heated & Vented Seats, $3,400; Gas Guzzler Tax, $1,300; Crystal Red Tincoat, $995; Midnight Sapele Wood Trim Pkg, $600; Red Brake Calipers, $595; Sueded Shifter and Steering Wheel, $300

As Tested Price : $71,300
Engine Type: Supercharged LSA V-8
Displacement: 6.2 liters
Power: 556 @ 6,100 rpm
Torque: 551 lb/ft @ 3,800 rpm
Transmission: Six-speed manual
Curb Weight: 4,217 pounds
Performance: 0-60 4.0 seconds
Fuel Economy: 14 mpg city, 19 mpg highway

For more information, visit Cadillac.com.

[Source: Cadillac]

1931 Cadillac Golfer’s

he lead car in Barons’ sale at SandownPark on September 17th is guaranteed to turn heads. In fact, it could probably stop traffic! The 1931 Cadillac Golfer’s Drophead Coupé  - which is believed to have once belonged to the flamboyant pianist Liberace - features 23.75ct gold leaf-clad bodywork, silver external door handles and 24ct gold-plated internal door handles.

These gleaming embellishments are the results of a lavish, three-year project carried out in the 1970s by the then-owner, Jack Smith of Kansas, USA. Mr Smith sold the car at a Kruse auction in 1975, and in more recent years it has spent 12 years on display in a German museum - where it was presented as Liberace's car.

The gold leaf coachwork is offset by white leather upholstery and a working hood completes this truly extraordinary vehicle, which also has driving lamps that move with the steering wheel. The car is powered by a 5.7 litre V8 engine, mated to a three-speed manual transmission. The guide price for this very rare Cadillac - part of a large private collection which is being reduced - starts at £85,000.

2001 Cadillac LMP

2013 Cadillac Elmiraj Concept

Cadillac today revealed the Elmiraj Concept, a grand coupe expressing the pure enjoyment of driving and exploring new dimensions for Cadillac’s ongoing expansion. The Elmiraj Concept showcases a new vision for luxury driving and the top of the brand’s expanding range.

“Cadillac is fueled by the creativity of our designers, led by Ed Welburn,” said Bob Ferguson, senior vice president, Global Cadillac. “Elmiraj provides a look inside the Cadillac Studio on how we envision performance and luxury for the next generation of luxury drivers.”

A modern update to the classic format of a two-door grand coupe, Elmiraj is a pure expression of streamlined design and engaging rear-wheel drive performance.

At 205 inches (5207mm) in overall length, Elmiraj is four-seat coupe with presence and poise. Taking up from where the memorable Ciel Concept left off, Elmiraj is a statement of pure luxury and performance with a purposeful character and proportion.

The concept advances Cadillac’s philosophy of dramatic design and performance, and its commitment to lightweight, agile cars. Elmiraj is constructed with chassis and structural elements of an ongoing Cadillac vehicle development project slated for future production. This new vehicle architecture expands the brand’s commitment to lightweight RWD performance, exemplified in the ATS sport sedan and the all-new and elevated 2014 CTS launching this fall in the U.S.

“Elmiraj advances Cadillac’s provocative modern design and performance, contrasted with bespoke craftsmanship and luxury,” said Mark Adams, Cadillac design director. “It explores performance driving, as well as how we’re approaching elevating the Cadillac range and new dimensions of Art & Science philosophy.”

Elmiraj is powered by a 4.5-liter twin turbocharged V8 delivering an estimated 500 hp. The engine takes the baseline technology from the new Cadillac Twin Turbo V6 featured in the upcoming 420-hp 2014 CTS Vsport edition, and expands it to the classic performance format of a V8 engine.
Dramatic Exterior Proportion

With a heritage of imaginative designs, Cadillac approaches concept cars as a method for projecting design forward rather than simply exaggerating or “teasing” future production models. Elmiraj was created from this mindset, and therefore suggests new territory for Cadillac Art & Science.

“This concept is the second chapter, following the Ciel Concept, of our exploration of the personas of true luxury,” said Clay Dean, executive director of advanced design. “This project originated around the simple persona of “the drive,” or the visceral experience of driving a great luxury coupe. It’s an expression of the confidence and poise you feel driving a high-performance car, which we feel is an essential element of top-level luxury.”

The dramatic proportion communicates power and performance. A long dash-to-axle front profile, a Cadillac signature, gives the coupe a performance-oriented form. The long wheelbase and clean body side characterizes the car’s spacious dimensions and elevated status.

The fast cabin sits within a fuselage where taut fender lines spline through the full sectioned body, literally blending art and science. Cadillac’s vertical light signature is represented in both the headlamp graphic and tail lamp. A gently applied feature line in the sheet metal extends the full length of the body side, connecting those vertical front and rear elements.

“Elmiraj is about poise and proportion,” said Niki Smart, lead exterior designer. “We wanted a mature statement for Cadillac, where simplicity and subtle adornments create a purposeful presence.”

Elmiraj contains design elements emphasizing Cadillac’s capabilities for engaging driving performance in its production portfolio. Two vents in the car’s long hood are functional, acting as hot air outlets for the twin turbo engine. Elmiraj has 22-x-9-in. aluminum wheels are backed by large ceramic brakes with Cadillac monoblock calipers. The car’s rich blue exterior finish wears the brand’s Vsport designation, Cadillac’s new level slotting directly under the high-performance V-Series.

The face of Elmiraj experiments with new visual elements, yet is unmistakably Cadillac. The grille emphasizes the car’s substantial road presence. The Cadillac Crest appears in a conceptual form, streamlined and tailored to the car’s overall design. This design idea for a revised crest reflects the fact that Cadillac’s unmistakable symbol has evolved dozens of times through history to mark new eras or design achievements.
Exquisitely Crafted Interior

The interior of Elmiraj blends elegantly crafted luxury and generous space with driver-focused performance elements. The upper section of the instrument panel is a single piece extending across the full width of the car, while the lower forms a cockpit space tailored for performance.

“A concept provides not only an opportunity to explore new design ideas, but to pursue new techniques for elegant craftsmanship and materials,” said Gael Buzyn, lead interior designer.

Backlit titanium trim curves from the cowl to the doors, dividing the rich upper camel leather from the wood trim. Cadillac Studio craftsmen handpicked fallen Brazilian Rosewood, a wood veneer prized for its use for hundreds of years in home furnishings and musical instruments. The wood is hand-cut into three dimensional sections for perfect control of the grain flow.

The car’s instrumentation features an analog tachometer and speedometer that are transparent. Directly behind the analog gauges sits a wide screen, high resolution display which projects driver information and the output of a front-mounted camera. A 10-inch touchscreen for navigation and connectivity can be concealed inside the instrument panel when not in use.

The 2+2 layout features high-performance seats, designed to support spirited driving while also delivering luxury accommodation. Elmiraj passengers might actually lobby to sit in the back. The rear bucket seats each contain a valet feature to ease entry and exit. The front bucket seat slides 10 inches forward while the rear bucket seat slides 4 inches forward to meet the passenger, then slides him or her back into position once seated. The rear bucket seats recline for additional comfort.
Many of the most celebrated automotive designs through history have been luxury coupes

“We were influenced in particular by the 1967 Eldorado, both its actual design and the fact that in its time that car was a very stark contrast and a new direction. More recent design like the CTS-V Coupe and the ELR are provocative,” said Dean, the advanced design director. “Both of these cars were major statements of performance and luxury and drove Cadillac forward into new territory.”

Designers at General Motors’ advanced design studio in North Hollywood, Calif., under the direction of Frank Saucedo, led the development of the car’s interior and exterior. Elmiraj was hand-built by in-house craftsmen in Michigan.

2014 Cadillac ELR

2014 Cadillac 3.6-liter twin-turbo V6 - official details

Turbocharging increases power and performance with efficiency,but the delay in the delivery of power – known as “turbo lag” – hashistorically been its key limitation. That’s about to change.

Cadillac’s first-ever Twin-Turbo, available on the 2014 CTSVsport midsize luxury sedan and XTS Vsport full-size luxury sedan in the U.S.this fall, kicks turbo lag to the curb with a unique combination of smallerturbochargers, top-mounted throttle body and shorter air pathways.

The Cadillac Twin-Turbo V6’s patented air flow design, whicheliminates circuitous heat-exchanger tubing, makes the most of engine packagingefficiency to improve torque response time over other air flow designs

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Rated at 420 horsepower in the all-new 2014 CTS Vsport andpaired with Cadillac’s first eight-speed transmission, the Twin Turbo is one ofthe most power-dense engines in the midsize luxury sedan segment, rated at anSAE-certified 420 horsepower (313kw) and 430 lb-ft of torque (583 Nm).

Air flow routing volume is reduced by more than 60 percent whencompared with a conventional design that features a chassis-mounted heatexchanger. The water-to-air cooler system achieves more than 80 percent coolingefficiency with only about 1 psi (7 kPa) flow restriction at peak power forfast torque production.

Using two smaller turbochargers rather than a single, largerturbo also helps ensure immediate performance because smaller turbochargersspool up quicker to generate horsepower-building air pressure that is fed intothe engine. An integrated charge air cooling system also contributes becausethe compressors blow through very short pipes up to the intercooler.

The single, centrally located throttle body atop the enginecontrols the air charge from a pair of turbochargers after the temperature isreduced in the intercooler. This design fosters more immediate torque responseand reduces complexity by eliminating the need for a pair of throttle bodies.

Together, smaller turbochargers, top-mounted throttle body andshorter air pathways help sustain peak torque over a broad range – 1,900 to5,600 rpm.

2013 Cadilac VR1200 Twin Turbo Coupe

2014 Cadillac Escalade كاديلاك اسكاليد