The Demo Site

Click image above for live gallery of the 2010 Cadillac SRX from Detroit

When the 2010 Cadillac SRX rolled onto the stage at the Detroit Auto Show, we knew what was to expect. But seeing it in the sheetmetal gave us a new found respect for the styling of the Caddy crossover.

It's an all-new vehicle for Cadillac, replacing the very competent, but slow-selling current model. The only carryover is the name, although a lot of the mechanicals have appeared in the corporate garage before. It also signals a switch for the General, as they've ditched the larger powertrains for an efficient direct-injected 3.0-liter V6 and a 300 horsepower, 2.8-liter turbocharged unit. Sounds like it will have performance to match its sexy good looks. Read all about the details and watch the live reveal after the jump.

Cadillac Converj from Detroit

Cadillac just took the wraps off a new concept based on the Chevy Volt's "Voltec" drivetrain (that's a new moniker, by the way). The angular coupe is called the Converj and it is drop-dead gorgeous. With styling that is instantly recognizable as Cadillac, Bob Lutz told us at the press conference that the car was designed to be aesthetically pleasing on its own. It's just a great shape that holds great promise. Lutz and Co. referred to the Converj as the "CADILLAC OF ELECTRIC VEHICLES" and even if that sounds trite, it could well bring Cadillac back to the top of the luxury car heap, with a solid foundation of SRX and CTS below it.

Like the Chevrolet Volt, GM says the Converj will be able to travel up to 40 miles on electricity alone, and it will have a small helper motor to help drivers avoid "range anxiety." That's the term for the fear of running out of charge when you're still miles away from your final destination. As Lutz pointed out, you can't run down to the gas station for a 5-gallon can of electricity. There's a lengthy press release after the jump with plenty of stats. All we can say is that we'd love to hear that that the Converj is going into production tomorrow, but the reality of GM's current financial situation probably means they won't be able to make any firm commitments for awhile. Hit the jump to view video of the live unveiling.

Photos copyright (C)2009 Drew Phillips, Frank Filipponio / Weblogs, Inc.

One of the perks of being the Commander-in-Chief is getting to ride in the back of a presidential limousine. And while certain presidents have had hand-me-down chariots, President-Elect Barack Obama is set to get a brand-new, high-tech model.

Looking much like a standard Cadillac DTS stretched to the limits, Obama's new ride is an altogether different beast, with the highest levels of protection, technology and luxury a presidential limo has ever seen. Described as "a rolling tank with windows," word is that the limo is actually not a Cadillac, but rather something built on a medium-duty truck chassis.

Spy shooters have captured the limo testing alongside a pair of GMC Topkick pickups, and keen observers have noted that the wheels and rubber appear to be dimensionally identical to those found on the big trucks (the limo sports 19.5-inch Goodyear Regional RHS tires). Bystanders even contend that a the limo sounds like its sporting a diesel engine underhood.

The exterior is an amalgamation of various Cadillac bits, with Escalade headlights flanked by Caddy's corporate grille and a set of taillights pulled from the STS. It's doubtful that all this kit -- and the massive fender flares -- will find their way onto the model bound for the White House car port, but the ultra-thick doors should provide a presidential-sized barrier between POTUS and the outside world. The only question left is whether Obama's code name (Renegade) will carry over when he moves into Pennsylvania Ave. on the 20th, or if it the Secret Service will change it to Caddyman.

Hit the jump to view a video of Obama's new ride in action.

2010 Cadillac SRX

The current Cadillac SRX is a competent vehicle, although it hasn't come close to selling as many units as the Lexus RX350, let alone the Acura MDX. GM is looking to change that with the thoroughly revised 2010 Cadillac SRX. Gone are the station wagon looks and rear wheel drive, and in its place is a new front drive platform and sheetmetal that looks the part of a true crossover contender. General Motors has ditched its larger powertrains for an efficient 3.0L, direct injected V6 and a 300 horsepower, 2.8L turbocharged unit that have the potential to quell fears that the new 2010 model will be lacking in the performance department. We had the chance to speak with Cadillac Marketing Director Steve Shannon to get an in-depth tour of the new SRX, and you can get the inside story in the video after the jump.

2010 Cadillac SRX

Almost exactly a year after revealing the Provoq Concept, Cadillac is debuting the redesigned 2010 SRX wearing essentially the same suit of clothes. At that time, the Provoq was thought to be a preview of a new smaller crossover called the BRX, but Cadillac informed us last summer that the "BRX" was actually the all-new SRX.

We'll be seeing the new SRX in production form at the Detroit Auto Show, and while automakers often throw the term "all-new" around, in this case it really seems to apply. There is almost nothing carried over to this version of the SRX compared to the old one, although many of the greasy bits are shared with other GM vehicles. The biggest difference going from the Provoq concept to the production SRX is the powertrain. The Provoq used a Volt based E-Flex powertrain with a fuel cell range extender. The SRX is a far more conventional though fully modern luxury crossover. Read all about the details after the jump.

A busted car theft ring has turned up a vintage Cadillac once owned by one of the Magnificent Seven. The five-finger-discount drivers out of Colorado, headed by Jeffrey Earle Piper, would steal expensive rental cars, change their VIN numbers and "sell" them. The new "owner", who was in on the whole thing, would then report "his" car stolen and collect on the insurance policy. One of the cars found among the loot: a $133,000 1959 Cadillac - looks like a Series 62 convertible - that once belonged to Steve McQueen. It's other claim to fame: a guest spot on the TV show MacGuyver. The mystery we're still trying to solve is which one of its owners put the Yeti pelt over the driver's seat? Hat tip to Derek!

[Source: Denver Post]

Click above to watch video after the jump

The 2010 Cadillac CTS Coupe was originally scheduled to makes its world premiere at the 2008 LA Auto Show. However, low on cash at the time General Motors decided to cancel the debut along with the world debut of the 2010 Buick LaCrosse.

Well, the General now has access to some government bailout money and will bring both cars to the 2009 Detroit Auto Show next month. Sources say that there will be little change from the CTS Coupe Concept we saw at the 2008 Detroit Auto Show earlier this year.

Insiders say that a CTS-V Coupe is under discussion. Power will come from the CTS-V Sedan's 556-hp V8. However, we're guessing executives may cancel or delay the model due to a shift in focus to smaller and fuel-efficient cars. We'll try to find some details for you at the 2009 Detroit Auto Show.

Cadillac CTS Coupe Concept:

Through some circumstantial evidence, "rumblings" and tea leave-reading, Autoweek has come to the conclusion that General Motors may unveil a new Cadillac model at the Detroit Auto Show powered by the Chevrolet Volt's range-extending hybrid powertrain.

Rumors of a Caddy-badged Volt have been circulated since earlier this year, with Bob Lutz and other GM execs hinting at the possibility of new hybrid model joining the Cadillac line-up. Lutz told reports back in September that "there's definitely room" for an eco-conscious Caddy and that "there's going to have to be some kind of dramatic environmental statement" from GM's luxury brand. So what form could it take?

Opel and Vauxhall versions of the Volt are already planned, but a Cadillac variant would likely be a small- to mid-size crossover. Just such a vehicle is slated to arrive in the second quarter of 2009 - the next generation SRX -- inspired by the Provoq concept unveiled earlier this year. While the Volt is supposed to carry a price tag of around $40,000, the range-extended, plug-in hybrid CUV from Cadillac would be priced significantly higher, and that could help GM recoup some of the costs associated with the Volt's advanced drivetrain development. We'll know for sure in a few weeks time.

[Source: Autoweek]