Cadillac Confirms Future Coupe, Wagon Variants—But Maybe Not for CTS

In the future, Cadillac will still offer at least one coupe and one wagon—but unlike now, they may not both be CTS models. The alternative for either or both body styles would be to offer them for the new ATS. Cadillac execs know it’s critical to offer a number of body styles in the luxury segment; in addition to bringing in more sales, they signal to shoppers that the brand and its products are strong.

“The fact that we offer coupes and wagons, that’s gonna continue,” Don Butler, the VP of marketing for Cadillac told us recently. But, he clarifies, “I’m not saying that will necessarily continue forward in the way we’re doing it today.”
Below, we hash out the details.

Cadillac Should Follow Audi’s Coupes

Today, Cadillac offers its CTS in sedan, wagon, and coupe forms. With the arrival of the entry-level ATS, the next-generation CTS will grow larger, better targeting rivals like the BMW 5-series and Mercedes-Benz E-class. A large CTS coupe would likely be a poor seller; the days of Eldorados and other big two-doors are long gone, with BMW’s 6-series and Benz’s E-class coupe moving in small numbers. Instead, we expect Cadillac’s two-door to slot between the ATS and CTS. Last year, a source at GM told us that the ATS will spin off a four-seat convertible positioned above the ATS but below the CTS. A hardtop coupe—which we now know for sure will be built—would sensibly do the same thing. Not only does Audi do this with its A5 and S5, but zombie rumors tell of BMW planning a similar move, christening the next 3-series coupe a 4-series.

Our ‘tweener Cadillac coupe—let’s not call it a BTS—would likely pull directly from the ATS’s powertrain options. Maybe the coupe will skip the naturally aspirated 2.5-liter four from the bottom of the ATS lineup, but could do well with the 270-hp turbo four and 318-hp V-6. As we know, a 400-ish-hp ATS-V is planned; we have no doubts that a coupe and convertible on that platform would get the same treatment.


Wagon On

Execs at General Motors have been clear that the CTS wagon was a success. It didn’t rack up tons of sales, but Cadillac claims it outsold the 3-series wagon, and attracted new customers. As such, we’re still expecting a second-gen CTS wagon. In the U.S., luxury wagons attract some of the most affluent car shoppers in any segment. In Europe, where Cadillac is hoping to finally make some inroads, wagons are hugely popular—especially in the CTS’s future segment, the E-class/A6/5-series universe. Barring interstellar catastrophe, Cadillac will build a V version of the next-gen CTS, and considering that roughly one in three CTS wagons sold was a CTS-V, the Terminator wagon will be back.

That said, it leaves us skeptical that we’ll see an ATS wagon. A CTS better meets the needs of the older, richer luxo-wagon buyers. The younger buyers that Cadillac hopes will prefer the ATS over a CTS would also probably prefer a crossover to a traditional wagon. Cadillac’s got that crossover in the SRX, and as bland as it is, the SRX sells like gangbusters.

Read More: http://www.caranddriver.com/features/dissected-2013-cadillac-ats-feature

Cadillac Dealers

High-tech Cadillac XTS is New Definition of Luxury

DETROIT –The 2013 Cadillac XTS luxury sedan, Cadillac’s most technologically advanced car yet, will be available at U.S. dealerships later this spring with a starting price of $44,995 including destination.

The all-new XTS is the only car in its class with standard Magnetic Ride Control, the world’s-fastest reacting suspension technology. Also standard and making its debut in the XTS, is CUE, Cadillac’s breakthrough in-vehicle user experience for control and connectivity.

Three option collections will be offered on the XTS: Luxury, Premium and Platinum. The XTS Platinum model represents the highest level of technology and luxury, including a unique front appearance, wheels and interior colors, materials and trim.  An advanced all-wheel-drive system, using Haldex technology to transfer power front-to-back, and side-to-side along the rear axle, will be offered on all three trim levels above the standard model.

“The all-new XTS redefines our approach to the luxury sedan by combining advanced technology, stunning design and confident performance,” said Don Butler, vice president Cadillac marketing.  “XTS brings new and exclusive technology, while still delivering the space and elegance that is Cadillac’s DNA.”

Cadillac is preparing for the debut of CUE first automotive use of capacitive touch, the technology used by many of today’s best tablets and smartphones.

A new CUE iPad Application, which replicates the center screen that is the hub of the system, is being used to familiarize dealers with the experience as well as provide videos and information. The App will be opened to the public via the App Store in May as the XTS launches.

“We're taking advantage of the fact that CUE is parallel technology to tablets,” Butler said. “CUE is intuitive, in part because its control and command structure aims to be consistent with popular devices millions of people already use. The App adds to this by literally putting CUE into your hands, even before you can get into the car.”

Cadillac also will use OnStar to provide live assistance to XTS owners for CUE questions.  And Cadillac dealerships will contain certified technology experts to familiarize shoppers and drivers with the system.

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.

Read More: http://media.gm.com/content/media/us/en/gm/news.detail.html/content/Pages/news/us/en/2012/Apr/0405_xts

Cadillac Signature Styling Enhances ATS Performance

Hundreds of testing hours in wind tunnel helps reduce drag, wind noise

DETROIT -- The 2013 Cadillac ATS’s all-new vehicle architecture provided Cadillac designers with the unique opportunity to tailor the compact luxury sedan’s styling and refinement cues to improve driving performance. This aspect of the ATS’s development is highlighted in the fifth chapter of a YouTube video series.

“The primary function of the ATS is to be a driver’s car, fun to drive, nimble and quick,” said Bob Boniface, Cadillac exterior design director. “It has a great powertrain, great chassis, so we wanted the exterior design to reinforce that message. We worked very closely with Engineering to ensure our design met all of the performance metrics they had set out.”

A long, 109.3-inch (2,775 mm) wheelbase and wide front/rear tracks are the cornerstones of the ATS’s firmly planted stance, which is enhanced by short overhangs and taut sheet metal that appears to wrap tightly around the tires.

Cadillac’s prominent shield grille is more agile and athletic, featuring active grille shutters that close at certain highway speeds to reduce aerodynamic drag and enhance fuel economy. The center, high mounted stop light (CHMSL) on the rear decklid provides downforce to improve aerodynamic performance.

“When you start a new program, a new architecture, it’s much different than re-skinning something else. The opportunity is both challenging and rewarding,” said Taki Karras, Cadillac ATS exterior design manager. “The ATS has a lot of gesture in the line work and that leads to the overall performance nature.”

The ATS’s clay models and full sheet metal models spent hundreds of hours in wind tunnel testing to reduce wind noise and drag, improve air flow and performance and enhance fuel economy.

A driver-focused interior with integrated technology and crafted materials complements the exterior elements and supports the ATS’s driving experience. Everything from the placement of the pedals to the position of the shifter is designed for effortless and intuitive performance driving. Available performance seats have power-adjustable bolsters to optimize lateral support during high-load cornering.

“I think what will surprise people most when they get in the ATS is we’ve given them a beautiful driving environment with plenty of space in what seems like a small exterior,” said Eric Clough, Cadillac interior design director.

Contributing to the interior’s intuitive feel is an instrument panel that wraps into the doors and a center stack in the mid-instrument panel that flows into the center console. LED lighting for the bold gauge cluster enables clear, at-a-glance viewing in all lighting conditions, while ambient lighting accents functional elements of the console and doors.

Read More: http://media.gm.com/content/media/us/en/gm/news.detail.html/content/Pages/news/us/en/2012/Mar/0321_atsdesign

March Specials at Ettleson Cadillac

2013 Cadillac XTS First To Use Greener R-1234yf Refrigerant

In addition to tailpipe emissions and greenhouse gases, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency also regulates other materials in cars that may emit substances harmful to humans.

And so it is that the 2013 Cadillac XTS large luxury sedan will become the first U.S. vehicle to use a new refrigerant for its air-conditioning system with a lower carbon-dioxide impact.

The new substance is known as R-1234yf, and it replaces today's standard refrigerant, known as R-134a.

Vehicles built in the European Community since January 1, 2011, are required to use the new refrigerant. It is presently supplied from just a single large plant in China that's operated by a joint venture of chemical companies DuPont and Honeywell.

However, General Motors has contracted for a supply of the refrigerant, and it will be rolled out in the XTS this spring, and then the smaller ATS compact luxury sedan late this summer.

Because the new refrigerant is considered to reduce a vehicle's carbon dioxide (CO2) footprint, the U.S. EPA offers a slightly increased fuel-economy rating for vehicles that use R-1234yf (or other low-global-warming refrigerants, if any are developed).

Conversion to the new material has its challenges, however.

First, there's up to $7,000 of new equipment to refill the new systems--which have additional safety features to prevent risk from the mildly flammable new refrigerant.

Read More: http://www.greencarreports.com/news/1073757_2013-cadillac-xts-first-to-use-greener-r-1234yf-refrigerant

Cadillac Most Desired Auto Brand in U.S.

2012 consumer survey measures emotional connections to brands

DETROIT – Cadillac is the most-desired automotive brand in the United States by men, according to results of a market research test by a company that studies emotional connections.

The 2012 “Most Desired Brands in the U.S.” survey was conducted by the global strategic neuro-insight firm Buyology Inc and uSamp, which measured personal and emotional connections to 220 well-known brands across 10 industries.

Cadillac saw retail sales growth of 6.8 percent in 2011, led by the CTS family of cars, which were up 19 percent over 2010, and the mid-size luxury SRX crossover, which increased sales by more than 9.6 percent last year.

Cadillac is poised to further extend sales in 2012 with the introduction of the XTS full-size luxury sedan and the ATS compact luxury sedan, which will be released in the spring and summer of 2012 respectively.

Read More: http://media.gm.com/content/media/us/en/gm/news.detail.html/content/Pages/news/us/en/2012/Feb/0217_gm_cad_desired

Cadillac Super Bowl Spot Most Watched in U.S. History

2013 ATS commercial timing paid off in record-setting broadcast

DETROIT – Cadillac’s 30-second preview of the upcoming 2013 ATS compact sport sedan shown in Sunday’s Super Bowl XLVI broadcast was the most-viewed single advertising spot in U.S. television history, according to a study released Tuesday.

Kantar Media’s Super Bowl audience study found that the Cadillac spot reached an audience rating of 43.5, highest among all advertising spots shown during the NBC-TV telecast. With Super Bowl XVLI reaching a record U.S. television audience of 111.3 million viewer), this means the Cadillac spot had the highest audience ever for a single commercial.

”We have a big message this year – Cadillac is expanding with new models challenging the world’s best luxury cars. This stunning viewership data proves that Cadillac’s big message reached the largest audience,” said General Motors Global Chief Marketing Officer Joel Ewanick. “When it comes to Super Bowl ads, everyone has opinions on their favorites. But it’s a fact that this Cadillac spot had the biggest audience during the game.”

The Kantar Media analysis showed that spots airing in the hotly contested game’s fourth quarter had higher viewership than those appearing earlier. Cadillac’s spot, called “Green Hell,” aired at 9:37 EST, during the game’s “two-minute warning” official timeout.

The previous record for the largest audience viewing a single commercial was “Miss Evelyn,” a spot for the Chevrolet Camaro in Super Bowl XLV last year. The U.S. telecast of the Super Bowl has achieved record audiences for three years running.

Read More: http://media.gm.com/content/media/us/en/gm/news.detail.html/content/Pages/news/us/en/2012/Feb/0207_ats