Cadillac Heads for New Beginnings

 

After spending more than 100 years connected to the Motor City (Detroit) Cadillac has decided to take their luxury line to the more luxury city of New York. In an attempt to distance themselves from Chevy, Buick, GMC, and other GM products, Cadillac thinks that New York would just be a better place to promote a true luxury line to keep up with other luxury brands.


On Sunday night during the big awards show, Cadillac made that very clear. They aired in three different commercial slots showing where there vehicles fit in more – in the high-class world of New York. In that commercial they became the first of all of the top luxury brands to show off a 2016 vehicle with what seems to be their new model “Tread Greatly”. The Cadillac CT6 showed us a very aggressive fronts grille smoothly integrating into bold body-lines seemingly running the length of a football field, no doubt, if there every has been a doubt, another beautiful car for Cadillac.

The CT6 will be the start of Cadillac's new alphanumeric name system, which is another attempt to look and sound more luxurious while trending with the other luxury companies across the pound. The CT6 will be a rear-wheel-drive V-8 and despite much speculation, no one really knows what drivetrain is going to be used. There is some talk about a dual-turbocharged V-8, but those could just be pipe dreams for GM enthusiasts. I would speculate, but I would rather just wait until the New York Auto Show where it is set to be unveiled and the true identity of the drivetrain will be too.


Either way, this attempt to take on a new look in the auto industry could be a good thing for Cadillac and GM. One things for sure, it sure can't hurt. Competing against companies like BMW, Audi, Lexus, and Mercedes, any edge you can get is a good edge. And in the end, the old saying goes – Location, Location, Location.

Silverado Latest "Black Out" Edition

 

Chevrolet has decided to add another special edition to their Silveroda line-up. It's called the "Black Out Edition" and it will be added to the work truck model. Although a special edition, the Silveroda doesn't take on a crazy expensive price tag like one would think. The package only cost $1,595.00 unless you option up to the 5.3-Liter V-8, than it will cost you an extra $1095.00. The extra $1095.00 will still keep your price tag under $30,000.00, which is still a pretty good price for a brand new truck. And by most all accounts, optioning up to that bigger motor will probably be a pretty good idea, I mean, who wants a truck that looks badass but doesn't have the balls to back it up. 


The nice thing about the Chevy Silverado Black Out work truck is it is a base work truck with a base work truck price, but you'll be eliminating the plastic bumper and the steel rims that the WT model comes with. Instead your truck will have 20-inch aluminum rims, dark factory tint, blacked out Chevy emblems all the way around and more. The edition only comes in the regular and crew cab, Chevy probably left the extended cab out of the running for this edition to help keep the cost down.


Chevrolet is no stranger to making limited editions for their trucks. As of right now there is five different editions in their 2015 Silveroda line-up: The High Country, Rally Editions, Midnight Edition, Custom Sport Edition, and Texas Longhorns Edition. Most of these special edition Chevy Silverodas will cost a little more than just a few grand over base price like the Black Out Edition, so choose wisely.

High Country

650- hp in a Hennessey 2015 GMC Yukon Denali XL That can Handle it

 


Who says a 6,000+ lb SUV that can carry seven-passengers and or can offer you a crazy amount of cargo space has to be sluggish when it comes to performance. The guys at Hennessey Performance Engineering definitely don't believe in that thought and that's why they decided to come up with a package for the 2015 GMC Yukon Denali XL (extended version) that proves a huge point.

When the Hennessey HPE650 performance package is applied to the Yukon's 6.2-liter EcoTech Supercharged V-8 it's pumps out a monster 650-hp. Now that 650-hp is not just designed for hauling the family around town or towing things, it's designed to go fast as well. In fact it performs so well it gets 0-60 mph in 4.7 seconds while toppling the standing quarter-mile in 13.3 sec. at 113 mph, not bad for a vehicle that size.


With that kind of power you don't ever have to worry about your big SUV having troubles getting in-and-out of traffic even if you were to be towing something that is quite big, like a RV. You get all the comforts of a SUV on the inside, but the power capabilities of an up-scale four-door sedan that's designed to go fast. The Hennessey Yukon is just a great combination of power, comfort and versatility. 

The cool thing is that Hennessey Performance has packages for the Cadillac Escalade and the Chevy Suburban as well. So if you're driving an Escalade, Suburban or a Yukon Denali and you think you could use a little more power under your right foot, a Hennessey HPE650 performance package will give you more than enough power to tool around with. 

CTS-V is Back for 2016 With 640 Horsepower

In 2004, Cadillac came out with their very inconspicuous V-Series Cadillac. Not too many people knew too much about it until it started breaking records as the fastest luxury sports sedan in the world. Breaking records at places like Nürburgring raceway and on the quarter-mile made it clear it was not just a prettier version of the CTS.    

                                              

Every since the third-generation CTS was introduced in 2013 as a 2014 model, we have yet to see a V-Series Cadillac. But after a 2-year hiatus, Cadillac has the new generation CTS-V ready to be introduced to the world at the North American Auto Show in Detroit. It will be introduced as a 2016 model, and with all of the speculation that surrounded it for most of 2014, a drivetrain is now confirmed. 

For a long time there were rumors of a 4.5-liter twin turbocharged V-6 and probably a lot of hope for one from some people as that would make the Cadillac a quiet, quick little sedan. But Cadillac decided to go with the sure bet, and you can't get much more sure than the 640-hp, 6.4-liter supercharged, LT4 V-8 from the 2015 Corvette ZO6.

This may be a little disappointing to some GM enthusiasts. The powerful Corvette motor will be mated to the very well-respected eight-speed 8L90E automatic transmission. But unlike years in the past, there will be no manual transmission offered this time around. 

What gives this Cadillac a smooth ride and the ability to hit corners like a racecar is the Magnetic Ride Suspension that GM uses on all of their performance vehicles. Michelin Pilot Super Sports with 9.5-inch wide tires in the front and 10-inch tires in the back also add some help. Slowing the Cadillac down are Brembo brakes with six-piston calipers in the front and four in the back.

Just like last time, the world-famous RECARO racing seats will fill the front seat area. Special badges, stitching, and trim will be placed all around the vehicle to let everyone know this is not just your average Cadillac. A big mesh front grille, special ventilated hood, rims and much more will help this Cadillac CTS-V standout in the crowd. And no worries, all standard CTS features including technology like Wi-Fi and Bluetooth will carry over to the powerhouse V-Series Cadillac. Look for its unveiling this January in Detroit at the North American Auto Show.   

 

   

2016 Camaro: Little Changes

 

Possible New Hood

Some Camaro lovers probably hoped for a little different look for the Camaro in 2016, but it does not look like that is going to happen. For the most part, what is flying around at the Nürburgring is a heavy camouflaged 2016Camaro that looks to have little change to the body and styling.

There was a lot of talk about a possible throwback design to the earlier 70's look. Then there was also a lot of talk about just moving forward with a new generation of design. Then there is the actually outcome, pretty much the same as last year and why not, this style Camaro has been selling like hot cakes and Camaro lovers really seem to like it.

We do know that there will be a slight change in the look, like every year, but what will really be different is that the Camaro will now be put on the Cadillac ATS frame. I can't see how a lighter, smaller frame could hurt with performance on the already powerful Camaro. What will really be cool is that smaller frame with a twin turbocharged V-6 that has been rumored as a very serious considered option for 2016. All-and-all, it will still be a fun car to drive.

The New El Camino: The Holden UTE

Ever since 1959, the Chevrolet El Camino has been somewhat of an infatuation for car lovers. The sedan-slash-truck is popular among car shows and car cruises and definitely stands out as a vehicle in a class of its own.  

Since 1987, the rare looking car has been discontinued, leaving a lot of El Camino fans wondering when and if they were ever going to bring it back. Chevrolet has brought back the COPO and the Yenko Camaro, GM as well has brought back other vehicles from the past and still planning to bring back others.

The question is if America loved the El Camino so much and Chevrolet was having such success with them, then why does Australia get to enjoy a version of the El Camino and Americans don't. The Australian car company Holden owned by GM produces a Holden UTE that looks just like an updated version of an El Camino.


General Motors has plans to have all of their production interest out of Australia by 2016 and that probably means that will be the end of the Holden UTE, especially since sales have been way down in the past 3 years on them. But one must wonder with GM making such strives by making big splashes in the industry from year-to-year with cars like the ATS-V, ZO6, Z28, a possible Grand National, etc. -- could an El Camino comeback be on the Horizon?

The UTE is already designed with all top-of-the-line technology. The SS-V Redline series UTE already packs a 6.0L V-8 engine with about 367hp connected to a six-speed auto or manual transmission. Nineteen-inch alloy wheels with Brembo brakes and an FE3 Ultra Sport suspension is what helps control that power. All this would make it very easy for Chevrolet to put an LS motor and drive train in it practically with no modifications.

The Bells and Whistles:         

                      
8'' touch screen with Mylink
5-star ANCAP safety rating
Electronic Stability Control
park assist
rearview camera
blind-spot alert
front collision alert
electric parking brake
push-button start
lane departure warning
full range of airbags

Trailer assists
And much more...

It would just be pretty cool to see these Holden UTEs in America roaming around with a Chevy emblem on the front grille.

Cadillacs Bad Ass 2016 ATS-V

Recently Cadillac has been working hard to keep up with BMW sports sedans, and yes, they have been doing a good job of it too. The CTS-V was a good start, the CT6 really puts Cadillac on the map with its design, and the 2016 ATS-V, just unveiled, looks, and has the power to definitely take some customers away from BMW. 

Competing against the BMW 3-series is what Cadillac had in mind when they went to work designing the new ATS-V. Skipping the V-8, like what they used for the CTS-V, was a huge risk, but a V-6 twin-turbo seems to work well and competes more equally with BMW and other vehicles from across the pond.


The V-6 twin-turbo that Cadillac went with packs 450-RWHP and 445 ft-lb of torque. Buyers will have a choice of an eight-speed paddle shifter or a six-speed manual gearbox. For more improved performance, the ATS-V will come with an optional track-pack that will add 100 lbs. of down-force at 100 mph. You will also find that the new ATS-V will have 50 percent more stiffness in the handling than the original ATS.

With a curb weight of 3,600 lbs. and riding on a Magnetic Ride Control suspension with Michelin Pilot Super Sport tires sticking to the ground, this is another Cadillac that not only can dazzle, while putting you in the lap of luxury, but also get you around corners like you're being chased in an action film.

Suspected price -- around $70,000.00