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The CTS is a mid size luxury car made by General Motors for the Cadillac brand. It was introduced as the replacement for the Cadillac Catera in 2003. Designed by Wayne Cherry, the CTS uses edgy styling that Cadillac calls “Art and Science”, which was first seen on the Evoq concept car. The CTS is credited with rejuvenating the Cadillac brand, and possibly saving it from extinction, as Cadillac sales fell in favor of imported luxury brands such as Lexus and Mercedes-Benz. Although Cadillac tried to capture a younger buyer base in the 1990s, the CTS was the first of these new models that was successful as Cadillac’s other attempts at luring in younger buyers, such as the Catera and Allante, were unsuccessful.
The 2008 CTS was unveiled at the North American International Auto Show. It borrows styling cues from the Cadillac Sixteen concept car, and went on sale in late August, 2007.
Introduced in 2002 for the 2003 model year, the CTS rode on the new rear-wheel drive GM Sigma platform. It was a return to rear-wheel drive, as well as being the first Cadillac with a manual transmission since the 1988 Cimarron. It replaced the mid-size rear-wheel drive Catera. The CTS was nominated for the North American Car of the Year award for 2002. The CTS is built at GM’s Lansing Grand River plant in Lansing, Michigan. The CTS was also assembled in China in 2006, but assembly was discontinued shortly thereafter due to poor sales in that market. The CTS in China is now an exported model once again.
Originally powered by a 3.2 L LA3 V6 producing 220 hp (164 kW), the CTS received a 3.6 L DOHC V6 with variable valve timing in 2004, producing 255 hp (190 kW) and 252 lb·ft (342 N·m) of torque. The 3.2 L engine went out of production in 2005, when a new 2.8 L version of the DOHC V6 debuted in an entry-level version of the CTS. In Europe, the 2.8 L replaces the previous entry level 2.6 L.
The CTS originally offered either a 5-speed 5L40-E automatic transmission or 5-speed Getrag 260 manual transmission. The Getrag was replaced with an Aisin AY-6 6-speed for 2005.
On April 2, 2006 in a 60 Minutes interview with Bob Lutz, part of a prototype Cadillac was revealed to audiences. The car appeared to take design influences both inside and out from the Cadillac Sixteen concept from 2003. Prototype models caught testing at the Nürburgring in Germany also carry many of the design features from the car showcased in April nearly unmasked. Spy shots from the Nürburgring prototypes also show that the car will still have a manual transmission.
At the North American International Auto Show in January 2007, GM introduced the all-new CTS that went on sale as a 2008 model. The base model features a 3.6-liter variable valve timing V6 with 258 hp (192 kW) and 252 lb·ft (342 N·m) of torque. A second version is offered, a new 3.6-liter direct-injection V6 VVT engine with 304 hp (227 kW) and 274 foot-pounds force (371 N·m) of torque using regular unleaded gas. A six-speed manual will be standard. The six-speed Hydra-matic 6L50 automatic transmission will be available on all models. On-demand all-wheel drive is offered with both engines when equipped with an automatic transmission. Some suspension, braking, and steering improvements from last year’s CTS-V have been added to the standard CTS.
The new model is wider and longer, measuring 191.6 inches (4866 mm) long, 72.5 inches (1841 mm) wide and 58 inches (1472 mm) in height. Wheelbase is unchanged at 113.4 inches (2880 mm), but with a wider front/rear track of 61.8 / 62.0 inches (1575 / 1585 mm).
Appearance changes from the 1st gen CTS include nine-spoke, 18-inch wheels surround larger high-performance brake calipers and rotors and side air extractors located forward of the front doors.
Standard features include 258 hp (192 kW), 3.6-liter engine, 17-inch wheels and tires, BOSE 8-speaker sound system, Stabilitrak, tire pressure monitoring, underhood strut tower brace, polished aluminum exhaust tips, and OnStar. Optional features include iPod integration, ventilated seats, swiveling headlights, Navigation system with 3D mapping of major US landmarks and real-time traffic and weather data, BOSE 5.1 Digital Surround Sound, 40 gigabyte Hard Disc Drive, and remote start.
According to a recent issue of Motor Trend, a coupe and station wagon version of the CTS may be produced and sold in the USA, although GM feels that they may be more successful in Europe. Similarly, Cadillac had considered releasing the European-only Cadillac BLS (based on the Saab 9-3) in sedan and wagon form, but plans have been placed on hold until the debut of the Alpha car, which will be closer in size to the BMW 3-series as opposed to the BMW 5-series by which the CTS is closest to.
In late 2008, the CTS is expected to be launched in Australia representing the return of the Cadillac brand to Australia
The 2nd gen high-performance CTS-V will be in the 4th quarter of 2008 as a 2009 model year. This car will share a 550 hp (410 kW) detuned version of the LS9 used in the 2009 Corvette ZR1. The standard transmission will be the 6-speed TR-6060 manual with the option for a 6-speed 6L90 automatic.
On January 13, 2008, at the Detroit Motor Show, General Motors unveiled a Coupe version of the CTS. The CTS Coupe is expected to go into production in 2009 as a 2010 model. Recent spy pics of the coupe being tested show that much of the concept remains unchanged, including the center exhaust.
The 2008 CTS won the Motor Trend Car of the Year and was selected to the Car and Driver 10 Best Cars list
The Cadillac CTS’s success has been credited to its appearance in The Matrix Reloaded. When creating the film, the creators of the film were looking for a car for a chase scene for the film, and were looking for a car that would fit the atmosphere of the film. General Motors heard about this, and suggested the CTS to the filmmakers.They also suggested the Escalade, but the filmmakers rejected it. They showed more interest in the Escalade EXT, but it wasn’t scheduled to go into prototype stage until 2001. Because of this, General Motors took production Chevrolet Avalanches and converted them into Escalade EXTs using prototype parts. Joel Silver, the Executive Producer of The Matrix stated, “We selected Cadillac to play a major role in The Matrix Reloaded because we knew the CTS and EXT could handle our rigorous production demands, as well as fit seamlessly into the innovative, hyper-stylized world of the Matrix.” Ten CTS prototypes were used for the film, each showing different extents of damage.
The Cadillac CTS-V is a high performance and V8 version of the standard CTS. It features a 6.2L LSA V8 engine producing 550 horsepower and 550 lb/ft of torque.
GM News

The XLR is a retractable hardtop marketed by the Cadillac division of General Motors, assembled in Bowling Green, Kentucky. It is based on the Y-body platform shared with the Chevrolet Corvette. The XLR uses the Cadillac Northstar engine rather than the GM LS2 engine found in the Corvette — along with its own styling, interior, and suspension, and power-retractable aluminum hardtop. The engine is Cadillac’s 4.6 L Northstar tuned for 320 hp, mated as of the 2007 model year to a 6-speed automatic transmission.
Cadillac introduced the XLR at the 2003 Detroit Motor Show, and it entered production in the 2004 model year. Prior to production the XLR appeared as the Evoq in auto shows. It has a base price of US$76,650. Sales have been below expectations. Rather than reaching 6,000 per year, Cadillac had sold just 4,745 in 18 months as of March 2005. According to Cadillac, 3,730 were sold in the United States in all of 2005.
Designed for both performance and luxury, the XLR comes with heated and cooled leather seats, wood interior trim, 18 inch alloy wheels, and side airbags. Navigation, audio, and DVD are all displayed via a 7-inch dashboard screen, and Remote Keyless Access is included. All of these features are standard.
The XLR is the second roadster offered by Cadillac in recent years. The first was the Cadillac Allanté, produced from 1987 to 1993.
The XLR was nominated for the North American Car of the Year award for 2004.
Competitors include the Mercedes-Benz SL-Class, Lexus SC, BMW 6 Series, Jaguar XK, Porsche 911 and Maserati Spyder.
Engine:
Cadillac gave the public its first glimpse of the supercharged XLR-V in its Super Bowl commercial, which aired February 6, 2005. Super Bowl MVP, Deion Branch was also awarded an XLR. The car was formally introduced at the 2005 New York International Auto Show.
The XLR-V uses the same supercharged Northstar V8 as the STS-V, though output is down somewhat. For the XLR-V, the engine is certified by the SAE to produce 443 hp (330 kW) and 414 ft·lbf (561 N·m). The supercharger and four intercoolers are built into the intake manifold. A six-speed automatic transmission, larger brakes from the Z51 Corvette, and 19-inch wheels will also be used.
The XLR-V can accelerate to 60 mph in 4.7 seconds according to Car and Driver’s tests. The magazine also timed it at 11.3 seconds to 100 mph and recorded a 13.0 second quarter mile at 110 mph (177 km/h). Its top speed is limited to 155 mph (249 km/h).
The XLR-V was introduced in the United States in early 2006 for a base price of $98,000. Its pricing makes it General Motors’ most expensive vehicle.

The Cadillac SRX is a mid-size luxury crossover SUV produced by the Cadillac division of American automaker General Motors since the 2004 model year.
Engine options include the 4.6 L 320 hp Northstar V8 and 260 hp High-Feature V6. It is based on the GM Sigma platform and comes with a five or six-speed automatic transmission; rear-wheel drive and four-wheel drive are available.
An all-leather interior and curtain side airbags are standard in both models. Heated front seats and wood interior trim are standard in the V8 and available as options in the V6. DVD, sunroof, navigation system, and a foldable third-row seat are all available options.
The base price is US$ 36,990 for the V6 and US$ 44,990 for the V8.
The SRX won Car and Driver’s Five Best Trucks “luxury SUV” award for 2004, 2005 and 2006 and was nominated for the North American Truck of the Year award for 2004.
As of 2006, there will be no V-Series SRX-V, and the vehicle will not be replaced before 2008, though the interior will be upgraded with more luxurious materials and trim for the 2007 model year. A Sport model, also launched for 2007, will be an appearance package with larger wheels and less chrome. It will make a new look on the SUV itself.[citation needed]
The original plan for updating Cadillac SRX was reported to be cancelled. Instead, Cadillac BRX will replace SRX in 2009.

The Cadillac BLS is a compact executive car designed specifically for the European market by the Cadillac marque of General Motors. The car is based on GM’s Epsilon architecture and is built in the same plant in Trollhättan, Sweden, that builds the Saab 9-3 and the Saab 9-5. Sales began on March 2006, with a station wagon joining the line for 2007. Though originally designed for the European market, the BLS was introduced to the Arabian, Mexican, South African, and South Korean markets for the 2007 model year. The car has so far not been a huge success, however. For instance, in 2007, Cadillac sold a total of 282 cars on the German market (in a market totalling 3.15 million annual sales), and in 2006, just 3,257 cars left the factory in Sweden, followed by 2,772 in 2007.
A range of engines are available in the BLS: one diesel engine, a 1.9 L turbocharged four-cylinder, one petrol engine a 2.8 L turbocharged V6, and one petrol engine a 2.0 L available with two power levels.
At 184.3 in (4681 mm) in overall length, the BLS is almost six inches shorter than the CTS, the smallest Cadillac available in North America.
Engines:
In 2005, General Motors vice chairman, Robert Lutz, announced that a second generation BLS would be sold worldwide starting in 2010. It will be built alongside the next generation Saab 9-3 in Rüsselsheim, Germany, and will be produced in Lordstown, Ohio at General Motors’ Lordstown Assembly. It’s name will likely change (possibly ATS) to fit in with the rest of the Cadillac lineup of cars.(CTS, STS, DTS)

Shanghai, China
6-speed automatic
The STS (Seville Touring Sedan) is a luxury car sold by Cadillac.
The STS is the successor to the Cadillac Seville. That car used the STS name, standing for “Seville Touring Sedan” on upscale performance-oriented versions from at least 1988. In 1992, Cadillac split the Seville line into STS and less performance-oriented SLS (for “Seville Luxury Sedan”) trim lines. The next year, the STS got Cadillac’s then-new Northstar System, including the aluminium DOHC L37 “Northstar” V8 engine. Throughout its existence, the STS was Cadillac’s highest-priced sedan model. Worldwide, the STS is Cadillac’s flagship model. In North America, the STS is positioned between the mid-size CTS and larger DTS, and is priced above the DTS.
The front wheel drive Seville was retired in 2004, replaced by an entirely new STS model based on the rear wheel drive GM Sigma platform. All wheel drive is offered as an option, the first Cadillac sedan to be available with this drive system. The STS carries on the Magnetic Ride Control suspension, which has bragging rights as being the ‘fastest reacting suspension ever,’ before it was ever utilized on newer Corvettes and Ferraris.
The Cadillac STS is assembled at GM’s Lansing Grand River facility in Lansing, Michigan along with the smaller Cadillac CTS sedan and Cadillac SRX crossover SUV.
As of 2007, Engines are a 3.6 L High Feature LY7 V6 with 255 hp (190 kW) and 252 ft·lbf (342 N·m) and the 4.6 L Northstar LH2 V8 which outputs 320 hp (239 kW) and 315 ft·lbf (427 N·m) in the STS. All engine models feature a DOHC and VVT. Remote ignition is standard. Although most 2005 and 2006 Cadillac STS models offer a 255 hp (190 kW) engine, an option for a 3.6L 320 hp (239 kW) engine was available at the time through Cadillac’s performance packages. As of 2007, Cadillac now has different packages and car models, which no longer support this option.
Wheelbase is 116.4 in (2957 mm), though overall length is shorter than the Seville. Interior space is greater than its predecessor, though. A heads-up display is optional, as is a 300 Watt Bose stereo system with MP3 capability. Base pricing starts at US$40,995, and extends to US$52,240 for the AWD V8 model.
The 2006 V-series STS-V was introduced at the 2005 Detroit Auto Show. It features a supercharged 4.4 L version of the Northstar V8, along with handling upgrades. This engine is certified by the SAE to produce 469 hp (350 kW) and 439 ft·lbf (595 N·m).
Cadillac gave the public its first glimpse of the STS-V in its Super Bowl commercial, which aired February 6, 2005. The STS-V has a 0-60 mph acceleration time of 4.9 seconds with roll-out and 5.1 seconds without roll-out.
The STS-V has a 6 speed manu-matic transmission with two shifting modes, bigger brakes by Brembo, larger 10 spoke alloy wheels (18-by-8.5-inch front, 19-by-9.5-inch rear), Pirelli run-flat tires, a faster steering ratio, and a stiffer suspension than the standard STS. The STS-V also has upgraded leather and suede interior appointments by the German company Dräxlmaier who also does the interior for the Maybach. Interior color choices were Ebony and Gray, both of which are offered on the standard STS as well, and a unique two tone Ebony/Tango Red which is only offered on the STS-V.
It went on sale in the United States in late 2005 for just under US$80,000.
In 2006, Cadillac introduced a stretched STS called the SLS. Only available in the Chinese market, and assembled by Shanghai GM, the SLS adds 3.9 inches (99.1 mm) of rear-seat legroom and has a different interior.
For 2008, the STS has been updated. Changes include a refreshed exterior, with styling cues resembling the 2008 CTS, such as larger, more aggressive grille and chrome fender vents. The interior has also be updated, with new materials and a new steering wheel, though the overall interior design remains the same, despite previous rumors of an all-new interior similar to that of the Chinese-market SLS. The standard powertrain is now a direct-injected 3.6 L V6 mated to a six-speed automatic transmission, which in the STS will produce 302 horsepower (225 kW) and 272 ft·lbf (369 N·m) of torque. It also offers enhanced safety features, including a lane departure warning system, a blind spot monitoring system, and an improved version of GM’s StabiliTrak stability control system, which can now operate the steering system in addition to the brakes to help correct a skid. Additionally, options previously limited to the V8 model (such as HID headlamps and heads-up display) are now available with the V6. The 2008 Cadillac STS debuted at the 2007 New York Auto Show.
Along with the DTS sedan, Cadillac has confirmed that it will be discontinuing both cars for the 2010 model year. They will be replaced with one performance sedan.

The Cadillac Escalade is a full-size luxury sport utility vehicle sold by the General Motors luxury brand, Cadillac. It was the division’s first major entry into the popular SUV market. The Escalade was introduced for the 1999 model year in response to German and Japanese competitors and to Ford’s 1998 release of the Lincoln Navigator. The Escalade project went into production only 10 months after it was approved. The standard Escalade is built in Arlington, Texas. The name Escalade refers to a siege warfare tactic of scaling defensive walls or ramparts with the aid of ladders or siege towers.
The Escalade was originally based on the GMC Yukon Denali, but was redesigned for the 2002 model year to make its appearance fall more in line with Cadillac’s new design theme. The Escalade was not the first Chevrolet-based Cadillac: the first generation Seville and the 1980s Cimarron were based on entry-level Chevrolet vehicles (the Nova and Cavalier, respectively). As of today, the Escalade and Escalade EXT pickup are, together with the Cadillac BLS, the only Cadillac vehicles made outside of the United States. Previously, the 2006 Cadillac CTS was briefly assembled in China for the local market, and the Cadillac Catera was assembled in Germany until the 2001 model year. Both the Escalade ESV (Based on the Chevrolet Suburban) and Escalade EXT (based on the Avalanche pickup truck) were made in Silao, Mexico before the 2006 redesign; the new Escalade ESV is sourced from Arlington, Texas.
The introduction of the Lincoln Navigator in 1998 necessitated that General Motors be able to compete in the burgeoning American market for full-size luxury sport utility vehicles. This generation was only a five-seat SUV. The first Escalade was a largely unsuccessful endeavor from the start. Fearing the growing hegemony of the Lincoln Navigator, the Escalade was rushed through the design process to reach dealer lots quickly. Essentially little more than a badge-engineered GMC Yukon Denali, the SUV’s aesthetics were similar and identical to the Denali and the final vehicle was smaller than the Navigator. The Escalade’s wheels were borrowed from the Denali line, with the GMC logos on the center caps replaced with Cadillac’s crest. The Escalade also used the same 5.7 L Vortec 5700 V8 at 255 hp (190 kW). All first-generation Escalades featured Autotrac selectable 4×4.
There was no 2001 year Escalade sold for the 2001 model year. The lineup went directly from model year 2000 to 2002. This was done by introducing the 2002 model in January of 2001 while still selling the present production 2000 model year car. Rear-wheel drive was standard, as was a 5.3 L V8, with all-wheel drive and the special high-output Vortec 6.0 L V8 engine as options. All models (except for the EXT) began seating 8 people.
The “StabiliTrak” stability control system was upgraded to a four-wheel version for 2003 and power-adjustable pedals were added. For 2004, 20-inch chrome wheels (also known as dubs) were offered, and XM Satellite Radio, second-row bucket seats, and a tire pressure monitoring system were made standard on all Escalades except the EXT. The 5.3 L engine was dropped for 2005 and the OnStar system was upgraded. Also in 2005, the Platinum edition introduced, at the price of $75.000 the Platinum Edition featured heated and cooled cup holders, 20+ chrome wheels, moon roof, three DVD screens, chrome accents on the steering wheel, and grille.
The HO Vortec takes premium fuel while the other two engines can take a lower grade.
The Escalade moved to the new GMT900 platform for the 2007 model year. Its introduction was accelerated as sales began slipping. The regular Escalade was again joined by a stretched ESV version as well as a new EXT pickup truck. The 2007 Escalade was the official vehicle of Super Bowl XL, with MVP Hines Ward being awarded one of the first Escalades produced.
The Escalade uses an all-aluminum 6.2 L Vortec V8. This pushrod engine includes variable valve timing, a first in a mass-produced non-overhead cam engine. The system adjusts both intake and exhaust timing between two settings. The engine produces 403 hp (301 kW) and 417 ft·lbf (565 N·m) of torque. A new six-speed 6L80 automatic transmission is used. The new body completes a 0.363 drag coefficient, though the large frontal area badly affects aerodynamics.
The Escalade has gone under two minor changes for the 2008 model year. On the automatic trunk button, the “off” signal has changed from an “O” to the word “off.” Also, the word “Escalade” has gone from the left side of the trunk lid to the right side. Another change was that it started seating 9.
One major new feature absent from the production vehicle is American Axle’s “I-Ride” rear independent suspension module. Instead, a conventional five-link suspension is used.
Production of the redesigned Escalade began at Arlington Assembly in January 2006. It is priced from US$57,280, though the rear-wheel drive version at this price was not produced until August. The more expensive all-wheel drive version was produced first, followed by the long wheelbase ESV and EXT pickup (the latter sourced from the Silao, Mexico, plant) in June.
The Escalade EXT has been outsold by the Lincoln Mark LT luxury pickup truck right from its launch for the 2006 model year. The new 2007 EXT, however, has gained consistently on its Lincoln competitor and edged past the latter in March, May, October and December 2007 sales, yet ending the calendar year stll lagging by 5% with 7,967 units sold (Mark LT sales were 8,382) A special Platinum ESV model will follow in 2007. GM’s Active Fuel Management will come in 2008.
A Hybrid version debuted at the 2008 South Florida International Auto Show in Miami, and goes on sale in 2008 as a 2009 model.
The Escalade can accelerate to 60 mph (97 km/h) in 6.8 seconds. Fuel economy is rated at 14 mpg (16.8 L/100 km) in the city and 19 mpg (12.4 L/100 km) on the highway.
The Escalade EXT pickup truck (released alongside its twin, the Chevrolet Avalanche) was introduced in 2002 from the Cadillac division of General Motors. It features a “Convert-a-Cab” composite pickup bed that can be expanded into the truck’s cab through a bottom-hinged door. Like the Avalanche, the EXT has four full-size doors and seating for five. The EXT was only offered with the 6.0 L High Output engine. high-intensity discharge headlights were offered for 2003. The Escalade EXT also appears in the movie, The Matrix Reloaded along with the CTS in product placement ads. All Escalade EXTs are built in Silao, Mexico.
The Escalade EXT (based on the Cadillac Escalade) was created as a direct competitor to the failed Lincoln Blackwood, a luxury pickup truck based on the Ford F-150. Currently, it competes with the soon-to-be-discontinued Lincoln Mark LT, another F-150-based pickup truck that made its debut in 2006.
GMT800 Cadillac Escalade EXT
2007 Cadillac Escalade EXT
The Escalade has quickly become an easily recognizable presence in pop culture, where it is commonly identified with hip hop culture. It has been featured in many hip hop music videos. Comedian Bernie Mac drives an Escalade on his hit sitcom, The Bernie Mac Show, continuing the brand’s popularity among TV stars and stand up comedians. Tony Soprano began driving a black Escalade during season 5 of The Sopranos, and after wrecking it in order to avoid a raccoon in the road, he quickly replaced it with a white one. The Escalade was also mentioned in an episode of Family Guy as God’s vehicle of choice. Also, the Twins in the Matrix Reloaded drive an Escalade EXT in the car chase sequence. Kendra Wilkinson, one of Hugh Hefner’s girlfriends, drives an Escalade and she is often seen driving it and car-washing on the E! reality show The Girls Next Door. Second generation Escalades are featured in video games Midnight Club 3: DUB Edition and Need for Speed: Underground 2.