Friday, September 28, 2012
Thursday, September 27, 2012
Wednesday, September 26, 2012
Tuesday, September 25, 2012
Design, Engineering Contribute to ATS Fuel Economy
DETROIT – Cadillac’s award-winning 2013 ATS sport sedan with the new 272 horsepower 2.0L Turbocharged engine today received an EPA fuel economy rating of 21 city and 31 highway mpg, evidence that its lightweight and aerodynamic design marries high performance and fuel efficiency.
The ATS is available with three engine options. The standard 2.5L four-cylinder engine with 202 horsepower offers an EPA rated 22 city and 33 highway mpg. The top-of-the-line 3.6L V-6 and 321 horsepower offers an EPA tested 19 city and 28 highway mpg.
ATS engines rank near the top of the industry for “power density,” or horsepower per liter. Unlike its European rivals, ATS takes regular unleaded fuel except for the 2.0L Turbo engine. And for that model, it is a recommendation not a requirement.
“ATS is a no-compromise car,” said Don Butler, vice president of Cadillac Marketing. “The traditional sacrifices no longer apply.”
From a design standpoint, the vehicle’s sharp, swept-back styling allows the ATS to slice through the air with minimal resistance. On its front fascia, the vehicle features active aero grille shutters that automatically close when additional engine cooling is not needed. Underbody aero shields help redirect wind around and under the car, which also contributes to reducing cabin noise. ATS achieves a coefficient drag of .299.
With a base curb weight of 3,315 pounds (1,503kg) ATS is the lightest luxury sport sedan in the world contributing to the car’s quick acceleration and nimble handling. Its lightweight construction also benefits fuel economy.
Attention to detail during the design of its all-new body structure and chassis resulted in an architecture that is strong and lightweight. ATS uses advanced materials in many locations, including:
- Ultra high strength steels throughout the car.
- An aluminum hood and magnesium engine mounts.
- A laminated windshield that is lighter than traditional tempered glass.
- Door trim panels made from natural fibers are lighter than the standard-issue plastics.
Courtesy of media.gm.com
Monday, September 24, 2012
Thursday, September 20, 2012
Cadillac Donates First ATS to Duchenne Research
DETROIT – The first 2013 Cadillac ATS produced for a customer will be auctioned with 100 percent of the proceeds going to Team Joseph, a non-profit organization that funds Duchenne muscular dystrophy research.
The car was retained by Cadillac since it was built recently in Lansing, Mich. The ATS is on its way to Barrett-Jackson’s Las Vegas auction on Sept 20-22.
Barrett-Jackson’s collector-car show will take place at the Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino, broadcast nationally on SPEED. Barrett-Jackson will waive its commission fee from the auction so every dollar of the winning bid goes to Team Joseph.
In 2008, 5-year old Joseph Penrod was diagnosed with Duchenne, a disease that robs children of muscle function and ultimately attacks the heart and lungs. Joseph, now eight and living in Michigan, inspired the founding of Team Joseph and its mission to fund research for Duchenne treatments.
“There are therapies in development right now that could help this generation of children, but we have to keep the momentum going. Someday soon, when a child is diagnosed with Duchenne, it will not be a devastating disease but simply a manageable condition.” said Marissa Penrod, Joseph’s mother and founder and CEO of the non-profit. “Team Joseph is thrilled to be the recipient of Cadillac’s generosity through the donation of the first ATS,”
Duchenne is a lethal form of muscular dystrophy affecting one in every 3,500 male births around the world. Only through recent advances in care have some patients been able to live with Duchenne beyond their teenage years.
“Donating the first Cadillac ATS will allow us to raise money and awareness for a very important cause,” said Don Butler, vice president of Cadillac marketing. “It’s our way of supporting treatment for Duchenne, with some of that research occurring in our home state of Michigan.”
The crystal red, Premium-trim ATS up for auction will be fully equipped with a 3.6L V-6 estimated at 320 horsepower. The car will also feature CUE, Cadillac’s comprehensive in-vehicle user experience that merges intuitive design with industry-first controls and commands for information and media.
About Cadillac
Cadillac has been a leading luxury auto brand since 1902. In recent years, Cadillac has engineered a historic renaissance led by artful engineering and advanced technology. More information on Cadillac can be found at media.cadillac.com.
About Team Joseph
Team Joseph is a 501c3 non-profit organization with a mission to aggressively fund cutting-edge research to find a treatment or a cure for Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Team Joseph’s focus is to rapidly move basic research into applications that can make a difference for the current generation of children afflicted with Duchenne.
Team Joseph is a founding member of the Duchenne Alliance, an international consortium of Duchenne organizations whose mission is to collaborate, share information, and co-fund research projects all in an effort to quickly bring a treatment or cure to Duchenne patients worldwide. More information on Team Joseph can be found at www.teamjoseph.info.
courtesy of media.gm.com
Wednesday, September 19, 2012
Tuesday, September 18, 2012
Cadillac ‘Virtual Bumpers’ Can Help Avoid Crashes
DETROIT – Three new Cadillac models, including the ATS sport sedan, have a new advanced safety system that can automatically stop the vehicle in low-speed conditions to help avoid crashes.
Cadillac’s Front and Rear Automatic Braking acts like a “virtual bumper,” slamming on the brakes as a last resort to help drivers in heavy traffic or even in parking lots and driveways where the driver might fail to see another vehicle or object in his path.
Automatic Front and Rear Braking is part of the new optional Driver Assist Package on the 2013 ATS sport sedan, XTS luxury sedan and SRX crossover. Relying on a network of sophisticated sensors and advanced electronics, the system can help drivers avoid crashes in low-speed conditions and reduce impact speed under higher speed circumstances.
“Radars, vision, and ultrasonic sensors in the vehicle are constantly analyzing data and working together to determine if a crash may be imminent,” said Charles Green, the driver performance specialist responsible for the development of the Driver Assist Package technologies. “Based on these calculations, the vehicle can automatically brake to avoid a crash or reduce impact speed, and if necessary, can apply the vehicle’s maximum braking capability.”
If the driver fails to respond to other alerts, such as the Safety Alert Seat vibrations, and a potential collision is imminent, the automatic braking is designed to apply the brakes and stop the vehicle. The driver may override any automatic braking action taken by the vehicle. If the system brings the car to a stop, the electronic parking brake will hold the car in place until the driver presses the accelerator pedal.
In developing the technology, engineers had to finesse the system to avoid unwanted activations, ensuring that it is only a last resort.
“We have spent eight years researching driver behavior which has been incorporated into the design of automatic braking in the Cadillac ATS, XTS, and SRX,” said Green. “Our goal is to effectively provide an extra level of safety support while keeping the driver in complete control of the vehicle at all times.”
The Driver Assist Package will be available on Performance and Premium trim levels of ATS, XTS, and SRX. The package also includes side blind zone alert and full-speed range adaptive cruise control. ATS and XTS models will also feature a full-color, reconfigurable head-up display that helps keep the driver's eyes on the road.
Courtesy of media.gm.com
Monday, September 17, 2012
DIY Car Maintenance Moves for Fall: Check Battery Terminals and Lights
As part of regular car maintenance, and for safety, make sure all of the car's lights are working; it's important for you to see, as well as be seen, during autumn's longer and darker nights, adds Molla. "Replacement bulbs will typically cost a dollar or two, with the exception of headlight bulbs, of course. They're considerably more expensive, but you can replace them all quite easily on your own without tools and save yourself a hefty labor charge in the process."
Headlight bulbs range in price from $14 to $27 for a single bulb to $25 to $50 for a dual pack.
Thursday, September 13, 2012
Cadillac Sponsors Bergdorf Goodman Documentary
DETROIT – Cadillac will be the presenting sponsor of the debut showing of “Scatter My Ashes at Bergdorf’s,” a documentary celebrating the 111th anniversary of the iconic luxury retailer. The documentary bows September 12 at the Paris Theatre in New York City during Fashion Week.
Cadillac, which celebrates its 110th anniversary this year, will display the all-new ATS compact luxury sport sedan, the XTS luxury sedan and a CTS-V Coupe at the theater. Cadillac is featured in a spread in the September collector’s issue of BG Magazine and in the Bergdorf Goodman Holiday Gift Book.
“Bergdorf Goodman and Cadillac share an influential heritage and bright future as American luxury brands,” said Don Butler, Cadillac vice president of marketing.
The documentary is written and directed by Matthew Miele and features New Yorkers and personalities speaking of the magic, myths and mysteries of the retailer at the apex of luxury. Some of the documentary’s stars include Vera Wang, Tom Ford, Joan Rivers, Giorgio Armani, and Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen.
Courtesy of media.gm.com
Wednesday, September 12, 2012
Tuesday, September 11, 2012
Cadillac ATS Wins 2012 Esquire Car of the Year
NEW YORK – The all-new Cadillac ATS is the 2012 Esquire Car of the Year, editors of the men’s fashion and culture magazine announced today. The award is featured at Esquire.com and in the October print and digital editions to be released September 18.
“The new ATS is Cadillac’s spirited challenger, built to take on the world,” says Don Butler, vice president of Cadillac Marketing. “Having its design and performance validated in this fashion is a meaningful step in our journey.”
Cadillac’s new sport sedan, arriving in U.S. dealerships now, was chosen by Esquire from a field of the world’s finest new cars.
"It's been heartening to watch the American auto industry re-assert itself over the last couple of years,” says David Granger, editor-in-chief of Esquire. “The ATS is an exciting new chapter in that process—a balls to the wall effort at reinvention. It's fantastic."
In addition to the Car of the Year award, Esquire’s October issue contains a long-form feature documenting the making of the ATS, from design to manufacturing, which began recently in Lansing, Mich.
A compact sport sedan, smaller than Cadillac’s centerpiece CTS product line, the new ATS is the lightest car in its class with a unique architecture designed for nimble driving performance. The new ATS is offered in rear- and all-wheel drive versions, with a choice of powerful and efficient four and six-cylinder engines.
The new ATS debuted to millions of television and online viewers during the recent Summer Olympics. The unique campaign, called “ATS vs. The World” resumes in September, demonstrating the car’s performance in a series of cinematic challenges.
Courtesy of media.gm.com
Monday, September 10, 2012
Friday, September 7, 2012
Thursday, September 6, 2012
Wednesday, September 5, 2012
Hey Cadillac fans! Check out the latest manufacturer’s incentive for the 2012 CTS-V Coupe.
2012 CADILLAC CTS-V Coupe
0% APR for 36 months for qualified buyers. Monthly payment is $27.78 for every $1000 you finance. Example down payment: 18%. Some customers will not qualify. Take delivery by 10-31-2012. Residency restrictions apply. See Dealer for details. 
Tuesday, September 4, 2012
Cadillac to reveal 10 new or redesigned cars in 3 years
DETROIT -- General Motors plans to introduce 10 all-new or redesigned Cadillacs within the next three years, executives said last week.
Within the next year, the company plans to show off a redesigned production version of the CTS sedan and the next generation of the Escalade sport-utility vehicle, said Don Butler, Cadillac's vice president of marketing.
The plan reflects the automaker's bid to capture a larger share of the luxury vehicle market. The 10 vehicles, which were not all disclosed, include the all-new ATS compact sedan and XTS large sedan already introduced this year. The list does not include a refreshed SRX crossover, which will be introduced later this year.
GM's goal is to "restore Cadillac to be the standard of the world," Butler said.
Butler declined to say when the new CTS and Escalade vehicles would reach showrooms.
Cadillac also hinted that it plans to extend its reach into other markets throughout the world. Right now, the brand is strongest in the U.S. with a small but growing footprint in China, Europe and the Middle East.
Before the introduction of the XTS and ATS, GM sold Cadillacs in only 50 percent of luxury segments. With the ATS set to hit showrooms within days, Cadillac offers products in 80 percent of luxury segments.
GM's new product plans also include the production of the ELR, an all-new electric luxury coupe, which the company officially announced last year.
"The way I like to describe that is it is a fantastic, phenomenal-looking luxury coupe that happens to be electric," Butler said.
The new CTS will "build on the positive hallmarks we've established with the CTS -- that's been an award-winning vehicle for us," Butler said.
In its global push for Cadillac, GM will find new markets, Butler said.
"You can't be a luxury brand without being global," he said. "Using U.S. and China as our foundational pillars, you will see us begin to broaden our global footprint and begin to move these products into other areas throughout the world."
For now, Cadillac's focus is trained on making the ATS and XTS a success. GM sold 1,739 XTS vehicles in July as sales geared up. Some dealers, however, still are getting their first XTS deliveries.
The compact ATS, which GM hopes will battle with strong competitors like the BMW 3-Series and Mercedes C-Class, started production at GM's Lansing Grand River plant and will hit showrooms within days.
GM placed a big bet on the ATS, launching an ambitious advertising campaign during the Olympics in an effort to lure customers from its competitors.
"What I can say with confidence is we are absolutely in the conversation," Butler said. "We are in the conversation in a meaningful way. We are really excited about what this vehicle means for us in the marketplace."
Chase Hawkins, Cadillac's new vice president for sales, said the Olympics commercials drove extensive foot traffic to Cadillac's 943 U.S. dealers. But dealers didn't have the ATS yet.
"There is a lot of demand to get into ATS," he said.
Cadillac expects to boost the percentage of buyers who lease its vehicles with the introduction of the ATS. Right now, the brand's lease rate is 37 percent, but Butler said that could approach 40 percent after the ATS hits the market.
The brand's rollout in China trails the U.S. The XTS, for example, won't hit showrooms in China until the end of this year, spokesman David Caldwell said.
In Europe, where consumers are conserving cash in the midst of a sovereign debt crisis that has pummeled the industry's profitability, luxury buyers are pulling back, Hawkins said.
But the company has no plans to stop pursuing luxury buyers there, he said.
"For us to be a strong global player, we've got to be a player in Europe," Hawkins said.
Courtesy of Indystar.com
