Cadillac’s luxury sports sedan, the Cadillac CTS has been bringing fame to its brand as well as unforgettable experiences for its drivers and passengers. The Cadillac CTS actually stands for “Catera Touring Sedan”. It holds four doors and has the capacity to take in a maximum of five passengers in its spacious cabin. This vehicle has also been made available in two trims which comprise of the 2.8 L Sedan, and the 3.6 L Sedan.
Upon its introduction, the Cadillac CTS 2.8 L Sedan comes equipped with the standard 2.8 liter V6 engine that is very much capable of providing some 210 units of horsepower. It also gives the Cadillac CTS the chance to achieve 17 mpg for city driving and 27 mpg on the highway. As per the Cadillac CTS 3.6 L Sedan, this vehicle comes with a standard 3.6 liter V6 engine capable of making 255 horsepower. It can give the Cadillac CTS a chance to roll along with 17 mpg in the city and 27 mpg on the highway. Standard for both of these trim levels is a six speed manual transmission system with overdrive. Given as an option is a five speed automatic transmission system with overdrive.
General Motors has been taking a beating for over a year now due to sales dips, make/model image problems, and labor and legacy issues. Truly, if there was a better time to jumpstart the company, I don’t know what it would be. Fortunately, someone in GM’s walnut-trimmed boardroom is getting the message: build what we want and we will buy it. The Buick Enclave, a luxury SUV making the rounds of the U.S. auto shows, appears to be one such winner.
I realize that I am in the minority of car critics, but I think that Buick is on the right track. The Lucerne, a full sized car based on the Cadillac DTS, is a beauty and Buick’s next newest model, the mid sized Lacrosse, is another attractive looking car. Still, Buick’s remaining fleet has been scaled back with only two SUVs and one crossover vehicle, the Terraza, left. At times it isn’t clear what plans GM has for its “near luxury” division, but if the Enclave is one example, then Buick has a promising future.
They had to make sure that they got it right this time and they did instead though they got it spot on and it is truly stunning to get behind the wheel of one of these Cadillac’s. These are exactly the cheapest cars to purchase so you have to make sure that you save up before you buy one of these cars.
Cadillac and racing usually are not found in the same sentence or in the same place. However, the 2006 Cadillac CTSV was tested on a race track in Europe. The 2006 Cadillac CTS is Cadillac’s speed machine with a combination of art and science and marketed that way. The 2006 CTSV was created and produced to compete with comparable cars in the auto market place like the BMW 528i. The ride is extremely smooth which fights against hard turns but not to the point that it hurts your neck. The steering is always linear and the engineers working on the 2006 Cadillac CTSV used racing cars as influence to CTSV position of pedals, operation of the brakes, and the design of the interior especially the design of the seats. Additional features include the extended length of the control arms, anti roll bars in the front and bas, and gas charged shocks. There is also a suspension system levels itself, increased handling, and huge 17 inch tires.
Posted in Vehicles | Also tagged Cadillac CTS, cts v |
We all know those black and white stretch limousines that seem to be everywhere nowadays. They all look the same. They all look just like normal luxury sedans if it weren’t for the stretched passenger compartment. It doesn’t really matter if the stretch limousines are based on Cadillacs, Lincolns or Mercedes Benzs.
Luckily limousines don’t have to be that boring. Limousines that are a lot more exciting do exist, but they are better at hiding from public view. Maybe it’s because they are more expensive and difficult to make? The only thing we know is that most limousine companies seem to prefer the traditional stretch limousines to the more exciting models.
Driving enthusiasts have come to expect more and more technological features equipped with their new cars. Just one generation ago, getting something above an AM radio was considered a bonus, but today there are so many electronic devices out there, that motorists expect more…a lot more in fact. Lexus is about to push up the ante a bit more by introducing its all new LS-460, a car that has been electronically “tricked out” to the max. If you thought your personal computer had power, just wait: the LS-460 will likely have you beat by a high tech mile.
The world’s love affair with all things high tech continues unabated. Personal computers, cell phones, wi-fi, IPODS, are some of the electronic devices we use on a regular basis. Imagine a world without consumer electronics…a scary thought, right? Well, the good folks at the Toyota Motor Company don’t want you to be without as evidenced in the cars that they are building. Toyota’s luxury division, Lexus, is a leader in providing top quality, extremely reliable luxury cars, but the company doesn’t stop there. Many models are equipped with all of the latest electronic gadgetry and the coming LS-460 will be the leader of the pack as it will offer the following features:
Posted in Vehicles | Also tagged Acura, Audi, Bentley, BMW, Chilton, Ford, Haynes, Infiniti, Jaguar, Lexus LS-460, Mercedes |
Located smack dab on your car’s intake manifold, an EGR [Exhaust Gas Recirculation] valve functions by sending exhaust gas back into the combustion chamber as “exhausted air” is much hotter than intake air. By bringing warmer gas into the combustion chamber, your engine operates much more cleanly and efficiently.
Like any part, your Ford EGR valve or Toyota EGR valve is subject to getting clogged with dirt or crud. A clogged unit may cause your car to stall, hesitate, or idle roughly. Sometimes, simply cleaning the EGR valve with a product like STP carburetor cleaner will resolve the problem. Still, if you take your car in for its MV inspection and the diagnostic tests shows that your EGR valve is not working, you will fail inspection and be forced to swap out the device before bringing your car back in for a follow up inspection. What a hassle, but something you just don’t want to forget about.
Hyundai’s all-new near-luxury sedan, the Azera, has been received with critical acclaim. Consumers and critics are calling the Hyundai Azera the highest quality, most luxurious Hyundai to ever appear in the highly competitive US market. A recent award from the automotive consultant group, AutoPacific has underscored what many are quickly learning: the Hyundai Azera is a car that leads in customer satisfaction. None of this is a surprise to Hyundai, but it may be as surprise for you. Read on for a look at Hyundai’s darling near-luxury sedan.
Near-luxury, you say? Yes, it is a category reserved for cars that have many luxury appointments and high engineering standards without the price. Retailing at just over $27,000, the Hyundai Azera is a bargain when compared to similar cars from BMW and Lexus, but not quite the engineering and technological marvel of these two competitors, however. Yet, the Hyundai Azera is offering plenty for consumers at prices well below that of its would-be competitors.
Sold by General Motors’ under its luxury brand, Cadillac, the Cadillac Escalade has been designed, crafted, and manufactured as a large sports utility vehicle. This is the first ever Cadillac to enter the now popular SUV segment. It has actually came to the market back in the year 1999 as a response to German and Japanese competition as well as the Lincoln Navigator. Its major competitors include the Mercedes Benz G Class, the Mercedes Benz M Class, the BMW X5, the Lexus LX series, the Infiniti QX56, and the previously mentioned Lincoln Navigator.
Ever since hitting the market, the Cadillac Escalade has become very popular with the market especially to those people who has the knack of personalizing vehicles for its wealthy customers. The most popular customizations done to this vehicle is adding in larger wheels, increasing engine performance, and customizing the paint color and job. And because of its popularity has a luxury vehicle and as a vehicle that the rich would like to have, it has also gained reputation among car thieves as something worth taking the risk.
Back in the automaker’s heyday, the Imperial was the top of the line car for Chrysler. Big, bold, and luxurious, the opulent Imperial line was eventually cancelled, but the car would later show up from time to time as a top of the line Chrysler model, just above the New Yorker. Fortunately, an ugly late 80s/early 90s version of the car never caught on, but the damage was already done. The Imperial name was sullied! DaimlerChrysler [or DCX] is hoping that you have forgotten those truly horrible Imperials as they show off a concept Imperial at well attended auto shows throughout the US in 2006. Will the Imperial make a come back? Maybe, but they need to work on the concept first!
The best thing that has happened to Chrysler was its “merger” with Mercedes to form DCX. Okay, now I have said it. Initially, the relationship between the two companies was extremely rocky but thanks to good management, many of the earlier problems have been worked out. Today, several products which are in Chrysler, Jeep, and Dodge showrooms are there thanks to the cash infusion of DCX. Indeed, the Dodge Charger, Dodge Magnum, and Chrysler 300C are each directly derived from older “M” body Mercedes platforms. This platform has allowed Chrysler to build a line of popular rear wheel drive cars and the three names I just mentioned are part of that line.
Lots of folks are speculating about GM’s future. If you take all the press reports at heart, you would think that General Motors is on life support. Quite frankly, the opposite is true especially when you look at the global picture. In 2005, “the General” sold more than 9 million cars worldwide, the first time the automaker reached that figure since 1978. Yes, U.S. auto sales are down and some are calling for GM to reduce its many brands, currently numbering 8. Who should GM let go? Or, should General Motors stick with the game plan and maintain all 8 brands?
For the record, GM’s 8 brands are: Cadillac, Buick, Pontiac, Chevrolet, Saturn, GMC, Hummer, and Saab. You could take Saab out of that pack as the Swedish automaker (although fully owned by GM) builds few cars in North America. Still, GM includes Saab in its marketing schema so we’ll keep them in for argument’s sake.
Posted in Vehicles | Also tagged Buick, Chevrolet, Chevy, Daewoo, GM, Gmc, Holden, Hummer, Oldsmobile, Opel, Pontiac, Saab |
German premier automotive maker BMW continues to maintain its hold as the top selling luxury auto brand in the world. Battling with archrival Mercedes-Benz year in and year out for the highest laurels, BMW continues to constantly tweak its existing line and add new vehicles to its line in a bid to stimulate and strengthen customer interest. One area where BMW has found much of its recent success is with its race car inspired line of vehicles, the M Series. Since 1979 various Motorsports [M} tags have been affixed to vehicles that have been developed by the BMW Motorsports division, including the BMW M3 a car based on BMW’s popular 3 Series. Today, BMW engineers are hard at work on developing an all new BMW M3 and, if all of the auto buzz is correct, very few cars will be able to keep up with this 400 hp road commander. Please keep reading for a closer look at the all new, soon to be released, BMW M3.
A pitched battle in autodom continues to gather force pitting German automaker against German automaker. Legendary Mercedes-Benz is taking on heralded BMW for the right to call themselves the top selling luxury brand in the world. For years, the honor belonged exclusively to Mercedes-Benz, but a recent stumble on Mercedes’ part coupled with a surge of new products from BMW has placed BMW in first place. Not far behind the two is Lexus, the luxury division of Toyota, but for now the battle remains a fight between these two German automakers.
It is an all-new Sigma based car. It is a highly crafted entry level car into the automotive market that deals on global luxury. It is very much a Cadillac in all aspects. It has been available with a rear wheel drive or an all wheel drive system. It is equipped with either the Northstar 4.6 liter V8 VVT engine or the 3.6 liter V6 VVT engine. For a much more balanced ride and handling, this vehicle has an installed Dynamic Integrated Chassis Control System. It is the Cadillac STS.
The Cadillac STS is a luxury sedan or a luxury sports sedan. It sports four doors and has the capacity to take in a maximum of five passengers in its luxurious cabin. It has been made available in two trims which comprise of the V6 and the V8. Made standard for both trim levels is a five speed automatic transmission with overdrive.
DaimlerChrysler Nets $3.3 Billion Profit
DaimlerChrysler has reported a profit of $3.3 billion for 2005 based on the strength of its Chrysler Group and commercial truck divisions. The company’s Mercedes division actually lost money in 2005 as it undergoes an extensive overhaul of its operations.
Posted in Vehicles | Also tagged auto blog, auto writer, Chevrolet, Chrysler, Ford, GM, honda, Pontiac, Saa, Suzuki, Toyota |
I, like so many people who have been following General Motors’ fortunes for some time, am wondering what the company’s long term plan of action is in the face of historic losses, plant closings, and unrelenting and widening competition. No, I am not talking about GM’s global operations, rather I am talking about the North American fortunes of the world’s largest automaker. Quite frankly, the North American market is currently unprofitable for the company while GM holds its own, even thrives, in many markets beyond our borders. The following are some suggestions to help “The General” not only get back on its feet again, but to halt the bleeding in North America.
File For Bankruptcy — It is time to play hardball with recalcitrant unions and government authorities who don’t understand that GM is playing on an uneven field. Toyota, Honda, Nissan, and Hyundai all build cars in the U.S. None of them are saddled by huge legacy costs, i.e. health and pension benefits, local tax burdens, etc. Yes, GM negotiated their contracts in good faith, however the market has changed tremendously over the past several decades and is wholly unfavorable to the way GM has been doing business since then. In addition, GM often operates at a disadvantage in foreign markets as local laws limit their ability to effectively sell their vehicles.
I have been enjoying reading the news these past few days, perhaps in a perverse sort of way. Pundits and prognosticators are all forecasting the pending doom of the world’s largest automaker as if the approaching layoffs and restructuring are signaling the venerable automaker’s end. Certainly, GM has some problems – big ones – but the company isn’t likely to go away or even file for bankruptcy. The news isn’t all that it seems to be on this subject either…GM will survive and likely thrive in the decades ahead.
Okay, I am not crazy. Could GM go away? Of course, as could any poorly managed company. Yes, executives are overpaid and so are union workers. There…I said it. GM has been taking it on the chin from Asian automakers for three decades now and their U.S. market share continues to dwindle. Still, it isn’t doomsday for the general. Far from it. Here are some things that I believe GM is attempting to do to as they restructure.