2011 Changes at Cadillac

The new Order Books are here!  The new Order Books are here!

The GM Dealer Order Books now have the 2011 Models added.  Here are the major changes:

DTS:  Retired (!)

So far the DTS does not appear in the 2011 Order Book.

STS: V8 Retired, New Colors

Deletions
V8 Model 6DC29
Exterior color (GBO) Blue Diamond Tricoat
Exterior color (GIP) Black Cherry
(K59) Adaptive Cruise Control
(PDU) V8 Premium Luxury Collection
(PDV) V8 Performance Luxury Collection
(Q9Y) 18″ x 8″ polished cast aluminum wheels
(F55) Continuously Variable Real Time Damping
(LH2) Northstar 4.6L VVT SFI V8 Engine
(JL7) Enhanced 4-channel StabiliTrak with Active Steering
(FE3) 4-wheel independent suspension with Magnetic Ride Control
New Features
Exterior color (GAR) Black Ice. Available at extra charge.
Exterior color (GGU) Evolution Green Metallic. Available at extra charge.

Cadillac CTS Sedan: Add 2 Colors, Delete 2 Colors, Rear View Camera added to Lux 1

Deletions
Exterior color (GBO) Blue Diamond Tricoat
Exterior color (GIP) Black Cherry
New Features
Exterior color (GAR) Black Ice Metallic. Available at extra charge.
Exterior color (GGU) Evolution Green Metallic. Available at extra charge.
(UVC) Rearview camera now part of (Y40) Level One Luxury Package.

Looks like they forgot to add the new availability of the Recaro seats on the non-V CTS.

CTS Coupe , CTS-V Coupe Premiere

New Features
CTS Coupe (Model 6DP47 and 6DH47) CTS-V Coupe (Model 6DN47)
Exterior color (GAR) Black Ice Metallic. Available at extra charge. Not available on CTS-V.
Exterior color (GGU) Evolution Green Metallic. Available at extra charge. Not available with interior (AFK) Ebony with Saffron seat inserts.
New interior color (AFK) Ebony seats with Saffron sueded fabric inserts. Available on CTS-V Coupe only. Not available with exterior color (GGU) Evolution Green Metallic.
(UVC) Rearview camera now part of (Y40) Level One Luxury Package.
(CBF) Power sunroof, single glass pane/tilt only on Coupe.
(QIV) P245/45ZR19 Y-rated summer performance tires. Included and only available in (Y43) 19″ Summer Tire Performance Package. Coupe only.
(QYO) P235/50R18 V-rated all-season blackwall tires. Coupe only.
(P86) 18″ x 8″ premium multi-coat painted finish wheels. Coupe only.
(P87) 19″ x 8.5″ polished wheels. Included and only available in (Y43) 19″ Summer Tire Performance Package. Coupe only.
(P88) 19″ x 9″ front and 19″ x 9.5″ rear, high polished wheels. Available on CTS Coupe-V.
(P89) 19″ x 9″ front and 19″ x 10″ rear, premium multi-coat painted finish wheels. Standard on CTS Coupe-V.

Saffron interior only available on the Coupe.

Cadillac CTS Sport Wagon: Add 2 colors, Delete 2 colors, Rearview Camera added to Lux 1

Deletions
Exterior color (GBO) Blue Diamond Tricoat
Exterior color (GIP) Black Cherry
New Features
Exterior color (GAR) Black Ice Metallic. Available at extra charge.
Exterior color (GGU) Evolution Green Metallic. Available at extra charge.
(UVC) Rearview camera now part of (Y40) Level One Luxury Package.

Cadillac Platinum – for When You want the Very Best

Cadillac currently offers two Custom Series — the V-Series for ultimate performance, and the Platinum Series for ultimate luxury. Cadillac describes Platinum as:

The most generously appointed vehicles in the Cadillac portfolio. The Platinum Series makes the ultimate luxury statement, with impeccably adorned interiors and distinctive exterior styling.

2010 Cadillac Escalade Platinum Interior

For the Escalade Platinum, Cadillac has packaged all of the Platinum unique offerings into one RPO code, ULT (for Ultimate?), which includes:

ULT Platinum Edition, includes (UUM) audio system with navigation, (UVC) rearview camera system, (KA9) heated steering wheel, (ARS) power release second row bucket seats, (KB6) heated and cooled driver and front passenger seats, (CF5) power sunroof, (U42) rear seat entertainment system, (HNE) heated and cooled cup holders, (AYE) DVD screens located on backside of front row head restraints, (UFT) Side Blind Zone Alert, (T4Q) LED headlamps,(TQ5) IntelliBeam headlamps, LED rear tail lamps, (S85) 22″ x 9″ (55.9 CM x 22.9 cm) multi-spoke chrome wheels, (BRS) power-retractable assist steps, and (Z95) Magnetic Ride Control suspension system
1 – (KA9) heated steering wheel and (ARS) power release second row seats not available on Platinum Hybrid.

Taken item by item (to make them a bit easier to consider) they include:

  • (UUM) audio system with navigation,
  • (UVC) rearview camera system,
  • (KA9) heated steering wheel,
  • (ARS) power release second row bucket seats,
  • (KB6) heated and cooled driver and front passenger seats,
  • (CF5) power sunroof,
  • (U42) rear seat entertainment system,
  • (HNE) heated and cooled cup holders,
  • (AYE) DVD screens located on backside of front row head restraints,
  • (UFT) Side Blind Zone Alert,
  • (T4Q) LED headlamps,
  • (TQ5) IntelliBeam headlamps, LED rear tail lamps,
  • (S85) 22″ x 9″ (55.9 CM x 22.9 cm) multi-spoke chrome wheels,
  • (BRS) power-retractable assist steps, and
  • (Z95) Magnetic Ride Control suspension system

    All in all a very nice collection of features.

    For the Cadillac STS, the Platinum Edition includes:

    W21 Platinum Edition, includes unique grille finish, (PGK) 18″ (45.7 cm) chromed wheels, specific deck lid emblem, Olive Ash wood trim with Saddle stain, leather-wrapped interior, Alcantara sueded fabric material headliner, premium floor mats, specific door sill plates, (Q12) P235/50R18 front and P255/45R18 rear Michelin W-rated all-season blackwall tires, (ZAA) compact spare tire and Tuscany full-leather seats in either Ebony or Cashmere with Cocoa interior accents
    1 – Also includes (CF5) power sunroof. Not available with (PCZ) Performance Handling Package or any Fleet order types.
    2 – Not available with (PCZ) Performance Handling Package or any Fleet order types. (ZAA) compact spare tire is not included in (W21) Platinum Edition since it is included in the 1SG PEG.

    Item by Item:

    • unique grille finish,
    • (PGK) 18″ (45.7 cm) chromed wheels,
    • specific deck lid emblem,
    • Olive Ash wood trim with Saddle stain,
    • leather-wrapped interior,
    • Alcantara sueded fabric material headliner,
    • premium floor mats,
    • specific door sill plates,
    • (Q12) P235/50R18 front and P255/45R18 rear Michelin W-rated all-season blackwall tires,
    • (ZAA) compact spare tire and
    • Tuscany full-leather seats in either Ebony or Cashmere with Cocoa interior accents

      For the Cadillac DTS, the Platinum Collection includes:


      Badging, Platinum Collection

      Console, leather-wrapped, instrument panel top pad

      Door handles, lift bar, chrome insert

      Door inserts, French seam

      Floor mats, premium

      Grille, chrome finish 1 – Not available with (K59) Adaptive Cruise Control.

      Headliner, Alcantara microfiber, including sail panels and pillars
      UFL Lane Departure Warning

      Lighting, LED front and rear footwell
      F55 Magnetic Ride Control
      UFT Side Blind Zone Alert

      Sill plates, illuminated “Platinum”, front and rear

      Steering wheel, wood, heated with chrome rings
      FE3 Suspension, 4-wheel independent, Performance
      QJE Tires, P245/50R18 H-rated, all-season, blackwall

      Trunk mat, unique, reversible
      PWG Wheels, 18″ x 7.5″ (45.7 cm x 19.1 cm) unique chrome aluminum (ChromeTech)
      Wood trim, genuine Light Ash with decorative inlay

      For the DTS, Platinum appears to have taken the place of the previous DTS Performance Sedan.

      Conclusion?  All in all, the Cadillac Platinum Series vehicles are very special examples of their breed.  The new definition of a fully equipped Cadillac is PLATINUM.

      2010 Cadillac STS — More HP, More Space than a CTS

      The Cadillac STS is perhaps in its final years in 2010 and 2011, pending the release in 2012 of the new Cadillac XTS large car that will replace the STS and the DTS.   As sometimes seems the case, the current Cadillac STS has evolved into a very interesting, if mostly overlooked sedan.  It does not sell nearly as well as the CTS — and it costs a step function more than the CTS is not small reason — but also offers a higher level of standard features and options than the CTS offers.  The STS starts at $46,845; the CTS at $35,165.

      Image 1: 2010 Cadillac STS

      New for 2010: Two exterior colors: Vanilla Latte and Tuscan Bronze ChromaFlair

      Originally I felt the STS did not sell as well as the CTS due to the more muted appearance of the STS design.  Updated in 2005, the new Rear-wheel drive STS is on the same Sigma platform as the 1st Generation CTS was.  It is also made at the excellent Lansing Grand River Factory alongside the CTS.

      Image 2: 2005 Cadillac STS c GM

      If you compare the 2005 STS (image 2) with the 2010 STS (image 1) you can see that Cadillac has improved the front-end grill and spoiler treatment nicely over the years.  The STS still has what I think is a crucial flaw — a very plain hood line — as flat as sales for the STS have been.

      What features can you get on the STS that you can’t get on the CTS?  (What do you get for the more money? More features):

      • 320 hp Northstar V8 provides more power than the 304 hp VVT DI V6 in the CTS (also available in the STS)
      • Lane Departure Warning System
      • Side Blind Zone Warning
      • Adaptive Cruise Control
      • Heads-up Display
      • Magnetic Ride Control — STS V8 Performance Model
      • Heated Steering wheel
      • More rear leg room — 35.9 inches in the CTS compared to 38.3 inches in the STS, so 2.4″ extra room in the STS.

      Notably, once you get a fully-equipped STS Performance Sedan out the door it rings up at US$68,785.  That is more than even the CTS-V, which starts at $62,020 — another sign of what a tremendous performance value the CTS-V is.

      The STS is available in V6 or V8, Rear wheel drive or All wheel drive.  A certified pre-owned STS is a terrific value in the current market place.  Because they did not sell very well, and are not nearly as well known as the CTS, one can often find unbelievable bargains on lightly used examples.