Monthly Archives: September 2008

Cadillac Escalade Hybrid – the counter-argument

Posted on by
Reply

I am a fan of well expressed opinions, even if I disagree with them. I think that our level of discourse is very important, and the better the debate the more actual information and truth sneaks in.

Keith Ritter over at Consult Keith blogged a nice thought piece which at heart contains this statement:

Cadillac’s brand message is not about environment-friendly or great gas mileage.  A Cadillac has always been A STATEMENT about who you are and that you’ve “made it.”  It’s about Kate Walsh and your vehicle turning you on and not about gas mileage.

I would like to disagree. Cadillac has always been a vehicle for the Affluent. But more to the point, Cadillac is about precision, technology, performance, and luxury.   Cadillac has had many WORLD firsts in technology, starting with the electric starter for example.  Cadillac has traditionally had the best, the latest, and the most innovative.    Although in the 80s GM lost their way a bit with badge engineering, the latest and newest technology is an important part of the Cadillac DNA.

Cadillac Escalade Powertrain Status display

Cadillac Escalade Powertrain Status display

The hybrid powertrain in a Cadillac Escalade is no more amazing to me than having the new lane change detection system in the Cadillac STS or heads-up displays in the STS-V and XLR-V. Cadillac gets the latest technology, premium powertrains, and luxury accessories that GM as the World’s largest vehicle manufacturer can bring to the streets.

Also, keep in mind that most people are not choosing between a Cadillac Escalade Hybrid, which is a fullsize SUV, and an economy car.  There is a valid and necessary market for these vehicles among people who need the room, want the up-high driving position, storage space, need the towing capacity, etc.  Not all vehicles fit all people; there are a variety of markets. IF you NEED or WANT a fullsize SUV, and you want it to get the best MPG possible, the Escalade Hybrid is a good choice.

The only surprising thing in the current markeing plan is that the new E-flex technology started out in a Chevrolet Volt instead of in the new smaller-than-a-CTS upcoming Cadillac model.  And I suspect we will see the E-flex powertrain in a Cadillac as the next production example.

Design Police wave Cadillac CTS on through

Posted on by
1

The Car Design Police blog has a thoughtful blog post on the Cadillac CTS redesign in 2008.  I am mainly a function over form person, but I do appreciate a detailed analysis of design elements with explanations, rationale, and examples.  Very well done opinion piece.

I also love seeing the Allante advertisement that they use to start the article.   This reference because the Allante, designed by Pininfarina, was arguably a clean design.  It was definitely the 1990s-Cadillac-chic look and not the current approach.

Overall positive review:

But after seeing them on the road for a while, the latest CTS is actually a very nice design. It maintains the Art and Science aesthetic but is fuller and more dynamic than the previous CTS or the XLR.

but I would still like this type of analysis even if it were not positive. I know what I like, but not always why. This type of discussion can help educate all of us on what works and why we like it.

C&D test shows 2009 Cadillac CTS-V Outraces the Competition

Posted on by
Reply

Car & Driver via Autoblog — Car & Driver runs an annual event called the Lightning Lap.  They get the fastest cars in the world together, and run them all on the same track under similar conditions and publish the results.

This year they included the 2009 Cadillac CTS-V in the mix.  How did the new high performance Cadillac do?  Amazing.  Check the details.  The new Corvette Z51 won for under $60K; but the CTS-V posted the 2nd highest times in the event for vehicles under $60K, and 6th highest overall of 22 performance cars!  Go Cadillac!

Remarkable thrust from the LSA [The Cadillac CTS-V has an LSA engine] with no hint of the angry bull bellow that afflicted the previous CTS-V. Remarkable, too, is its six-speed manual gearbox, providing precise shifts and crisp engagements. Remarkable balance, allowing the driver to drift and pivot this big sedan with ease. Remarkable brakes, offering formidable stopping power without a hint of fade, lap after lap.

The BMW M3 came in just behind the new CTS-V, followed by the Mercedes C63 AMG.  Not sure why the new Corvette ZR1 was not in the test.

The Cadillac did 0.92g’s in the first section; have to love that.

2009 Cadillac CTS-V Supercharged Performance

2009 Cadillac CTS-V Supercharged Performance

I know, 6th. But the first five were the Mosler MT900s, Dodge Viper SRT10, Ferrari 430 Scuderia, Nissan GT-R, and Corvette Z51. Very fast company, and none of them have four door, four seats, and Cadillac luxury.