Cadillac re-enters small car market

After a 25-year hiatus, General Motors’ Cadillac Division returns to the compact segment with the 2013 Cadillac ATS.

Today, the compact car market commands one-third of the cars sold in the U.S. with more than 2 million sales annually.

Arrival of the 2013 Cadillac ATS completes the luxury brand’s passenger car portfolio.

“The return of a compact car to the Cadillac line up is drawing a younger buyer into our showroom,” said Paul Certa, sales consultant for Schepel Cadillac in Merrillville. “That is critical to the brand’s revitalization and growth.”

Cadillac ATS carries youthful appearance that mirrors dramatic design cues of recent Cadillac Concept Cars, bringing futuristic Cadillac front-end styling from concept to production.

“Concept car designs from yesterday are literally in the showroom today for a new Cadillac look,” Certa said.

The front half of the compact 2013 Cadillac ATS has similar room as the brand’s midsize CTS model, according to Certa. “Though most adults might find the back seat legroom a little short, young families see a ‘just right’ fit for a couple child seats.”

Recently, I tested a 2013 Cadillac ATS equipped with all-wheel drive powered by a spirited 2.0-liter, four-cylinder turbocharged engine that generates 272 horsepower. Rear-wheel drive is standard.

Other ATS engine offerings include a base 2.5L, four-cylinder with 202 hp and a 3.6L V6 that ushers 321 hp to the street.

All engines are paired to a six-speed automatic transmission. The 2.0L turbo also is available with a six-speed manual gearbox.

I am impressed with the over-achieved acceleration delivered by the 2.0L turbo engine.

Whether off the line or already at speed, the turbo provides plenty of punch for the daily commute while achieving fuel economy of 21 miles per gallon in town and 31 mpg on the Interstate.

Cadillac ATS is very well balanced courtesy of a 50/50 weight distribution teamed with nimble electronic steering control that helps to quickly plug holes in traffic.

The ATS all-wheel drive system became my silent ally during last month’s first-of-the-season lake effect snow bringing sure-footed traction and peace-of-mind while traveling across the Borman Expressway.

Inside, ATS is fitted with a handcrafted cut and sewn interior with contoured seat cushions that can hold up for long-distance travel comfort. A cold weather package ($600) provides heated front seats and heated steering wheel.

The Cadillac User Experience (CUE) system uses an 8-inch touch screen on the center stack to interface with infotainment and climate control functions. A wave of a hand within four-inches of the screen makes the display appear.

My test car came with an available driver awareness feature that vibrates the seat cushion bolsters to privately warn the driver of such hazards as lane departure, cross-traffic alert, side blind-spot detection and automatic collision preparedness.

The American-built 2013 Cadillac ATS comes in Standard, Luxury, Performance and Premium trim levels starting at $33,095.

Source: nwitimes.com

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"The Cadillac Sixteen is befitting of the great Cadillac tradition as the standard of the world."

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If you think you've seen all the Cadillac XTS has to offer, look again.

Cadillac XTS | Push

Our new Driver Assist technology uses cameras, radar, ultrasonic sensors and automatic braking to make everyday traffic situations safer.

 

 

Cadillac CTS gets limited-edition colors ahead of redesign

Cadillac added a pair of limited-edition CTS vehicles to its lineup on Friday. Silver Frost and Stealth blue will join the car’s color palette. Only 100 Silver Frost Cadillac CTS-V coupe will be produced with the low-gloss matte finish while the new blue will appear on all body styles.

The Silver Frost will go on sale in March. The color will only come on the performance-oriented V models offering features such as colored Brembo brake calipers, high polished or satin wheels and suede covering for the interior.

A new Cadillac CTS is expected to debut at the upcoming New York Auto Show; special editions are a common way for manufacturers to maintain interest in an outgoing model before redesigned vehicles are available for sale.

Cadillac says the finish was realized by applying a 30-gloss clear coat, as opposed to an 80-gloss found in standard finishes. The paint will still emit a low sparkle but the finish will be distinctly matte.

The company also says owners won’t have to significantly deviate from their normal paint maintenance, though they do note that the finish has to be hand-washed. It also can’t be waxed, and if bugs or sap get on the paint, they should be removed immediately.

The Stealth blue paint will be offered the CTS coupe and all CTS-V models, with a limited run starting in March. The blue is a standard finish hue, requiring no special care. Optional Twilight blue leather is offered to go with the paint.

Customers will be able to order the new colors at dealerships beginning this spring.

Source: AutoWeek

Cadillac ATS Drives U.S. Sales, Market Share Growth

Brand sees highest January retail sales in 23 years

 

DETROIT – Driven by the new ATS sport sedan, the North American Car of the Year, Cadillac U.S. sales increased 47 percent in January. Growing demand by individual buyers made January the best month for Cadillac domestic retail sales in 23 years.

Cadillac estimates that it gained approximately three percentage points of share in the U.S. luxury market in January, more than any major luxury brand.

“The award-winning ATS and the consistently strong SRX crossover drove a surge in demand this month,” said Chase Hawkins, vice president of Cadillac sales. “When you look inside the numbers, we’re even more encouraged to see our products building momentum, drawing new luxury consumers and expanding our brand.”

Ninety-four percent of Cadillac sales in January were retail, the highest since 1990. Growth was strong in the crucial East and West coast markets. Retail sales increased 41 percent in California and 42 percent in New York.

The new ATS gained on its European rivals in January. Market share in its segment nearly doubled in January compared to the previous month, to an estimated 12.5 percent. 

ATS has a crucial goal of attracting new buyers to Cadillac. In January, 56 percent of ATS buyers came from competitors, or did not trade in any other car. One-fifth of ATS buyers are under the age of 35, twice the rate of Cadillac in general.

SRX had its best January ever, gaining more than four points of market share to claim the No. 2 position among midsize luxury crossovers and SUVs. The 2013 model year SRX included design and technology updates inside and out, helping drive strong consumer demand.

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.

 

(Courtesy of cadillac.com)

1949 Cadillac Coupe de Ville Prototype Resurfaces After 64 Years

The 2014 Cadillac ELR has been given the mildly ironic nickname "Coupe de Volt," in honor of its Chevy Volt-based underpinnings--and Cadillac's legendary Coupe de Ville. This March, the Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance will feature the original prototype of the Cadillac Coupe de Ville by Fleetwood, a car that hasn't been shown to the public in 64 years.

Only four of the prototypes were built, each different, and this is the only surviving example.
Its history is unique, as well, as it was given as a gift by General Motors to former CEO Charlie Wilson upon his departure from GM to serve as President Eisenhower's Secretary of Defense in 1953. During his four-year stint as the defense secretary, Wilson droove the Coupe de Ville prototype.

The car itself is powered by a 331-cubic-inch overhead-valve V-8, the first to come from GM, paired to a four-speed automatic transmission. In 1949 dollars, the prototype cost $30,000 to build over its two-month construction process. In 2013 money, that's about $290,000.

The Coupe de Ville prototype also featured a one-piece curved windshield, another first for GM, a two-way radio/telephone, power windows, power seats, a lipstick holder, a perfume atomizer, and a back-seat secretarial kit for those on-the-road dictation sessions.

This stunning example of automotive history will make its first public re-appearance in nearly two-thirds of a century at the 18th annual Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance on the grounds of The Golf Club of Amelia Island, March 8-10, 2013. Cadillac's iconic 1959 Cyclone and 1953 Le Mans Roadster concepts will also be on display, along with the 2002 Cien concept.

Courtesy of foxnews.com