New Cadillac CTS-V Coupe Racer Hits the Tarmac for the First Time

Cadillac is getting ready to return to the fabulous world of motorsports with its new CTS-V Coupe race car. Following the two-door model's world premiere at the Detroit Motor Show last week, the race-prepped CTS-V Coupe hit the track for the first time on Monday driven by Johnny O’Connell and Andy Pilgrim, for tests at Sebring International Raceway.

GM's luxury car division had pulled out of racing before the U.S. government bailed out the company in 2009. More specifically, the last time Cadillac competed was in 2007 in the Sports Car Club of America World Challenge GT series. Now, the company will reenter the series, beginning with the season-opening race in St. Petersburg, Florida on March 25-27. Hit the jump for a comprehensive gallery.

2014 Cadillac ATS and ATS-V Spec Sheet Makes the Internet Rounds, but is it Real?

A supposedly official preliminary spec sheet of Cadillac's forthcoming new small luxury sedan surfaced on the internet today. We're not going to call it a leak just yet as we're not at all certain for its authenticity. That said, we'd advise you not to take anything you read on the paper after the jump for granted.

Labeled as the 2014 Cadillac ATS, the spec sheet says the Detroit firm's BMW 3-Series rival will be offered with three engine options including a 270HP 2.0-liter turbocharged four-banger and a 330HP 3.6-liter V6 for the standard versions, and a 470HP 6.2-liter V8 for the M3-challenging ATS-V. The four-and six-cylinder models are said to be hooked up to an 8-speed automatic transmission, while the flagship V8 comes with a 6-speed auto.

While we can't vouch for the numbers and data shown on the spec sheet, we can tell you that the ATS, or whatever else GM decides to name its new entry-level sedan, is expected to hit the market within the next two years.

Via: Cheers and Gears & Atsforums

Lingenfelter Raises the Bar with 700HP+ Tuning Package for Cadillac CTS-V Models

If there's one company that knows a thing or two about tuning GM's products, it's Lingenfelter. The Indiana-based tuning firm has just announced its latest package for the Cadillac CTS-V series, which covers the sedan, station wagon and coupe models. In stock form, the CTS-V's 6.2-liter supercharged V8 churns out 556HP and 551 lb.-ft of torque.

Lingenfelter's engine tune includes a variety of mods such as ported LSA cylinder heads and the addition of LPE's GT9 ZR1 supercharger camshaft, which help push the V8's output to more than 700-horses at the crankshaft. The long-time GM tuner also tried out a CTS-V Coupe with a manual transmission on the dyno, with the test yielding 623HP and 617 lf-ft at the rear wheels. Follow the jumps for a video and detailed info on the tuning package.

Lingenfelter Cadillac CTS-V Turnkey Package:

- Engine removal and removal of supercharger assembly, cylinder heads and camshaft
- Lingenfelter CNC porting & polishing of LSA cylinder heads for optimal flow
- 2.165" diameter hollow stem intake valves
- 1.59" diameter high temperature inconnel exhaust valves
- Lingenfelter multi-angle valve job, cc chambers, surfacing and spring height adjustment
- Competition Cams valve springs, titanium retainers, 10 degree locks
- Lingenfelter GT9 camshaft
- GM Head gaskets & head bolts
- 2.55" diameter steel supercharger drive pulley - powder coated black - 8 rib
- 8 rib serpentine belt
- Lingenfelter LS9 solid supercharger isolator coupling
- Port and polish supercharger front cover
- Lingenfelter air intake duct
- K & N Air Filter
- Lingenfelter 10% overdrive harmonic balancer
- 63 lbs/hour fuel injectors
- Fuel injector connector change
- 160 degree thermostat
- Professional installation
- Engine testing and expert ECM tuning
- Chassis dyno testing before and after installation
- Excellent drivability, highway mileage not adversely affected
- Lingenfelter certificate of authenticity
- Lingenfelter 2 year/24,000 mile warranty

Cadillac, Hummer and Saab Chief Mark McNabb Resigns from General Motors

After being at the helm of GM's premium Cadillac, Hummer and Saab brands for just over a year during which time the automaker took the decision to sell two of the three brands, Mark McNabb decided to jump ship resign from his position. The 48-year-old Vice President will be replaced on June 1st on a temporary basis by Stephen J. Hill, general sales manager of the autmoaker's premium channel since 2008. "He elected to pursue other career opportunities," said Cadillac spokesman Klaus-Peter Martin. "A big part had to do with he wanted to be closer to his family in New Jersey," he added.

Before joining the ranks of General Motors, McNabb served as senior vice president of sales and marketing at Nissan North America Inc.

source: http://carscoop.blogspot.com

Cadillac Escalade Platinum Edition Docks in Europe

Catering to the needs of soccer players, singers and business men of all sorts (including of course the shady type) who want to stand out from the crowd of Porsche Cayenne, Range Rover and BMW X5 SUVs, GM of Europe is launching a new and exclusive edition of its larger-than-life Escalade.

The Escalade Platinum Edition includes nearly every option of the regular Escalade and offers numerous unique additional features made available only on this version. The only option offered to buyers is the exterior color.

Along with the special Tehama aniline leather that covers the seats, instrument panel and center console, the top-of-the-line Caddy SUV adds genuine olive ash and burled walnut woods with wood inlays and aluminum trimmed instrument panel and console.

Rear passengers are treated to a separate entertainment system with DVD player, while heated and cooled front cup holders are included as well as a modified instrument panel, all set in a unique interior color combination of cocoa/light line.

Other standard features include hard drive-based navigation, keyless entry, electrically adjustable leather seats with memory function and xenon adaptive forward lighting.

A set of unique 22-inch multi-spoke chrome wheels completes the package.

source: http://carscoop.blogspot.com

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GM Recalling More than 26,000 Cadillac, Chevrolet and GMC SUVs and Trucks

General Motors is expanding a previous recall concerning a faulty rear-axle cross pin to include another 26,751 SUVs and trucks from the 2011 model year. The first recall was issued in late December and concerned approximately 1,260 Cadillac Escalades, Chevrolet Avalanche and Silverado 1500s, and GMC Sierra 1500s, all from the 2011MY.

The updated recall now covers certain 2011MY Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Escalade EXT; Chevrolet Avalanche, Colorado, Silverado, Suburban, Tahoe; and GMC Canyon, Sierra, Yukon and Yukon XL vehicles.

The Detroit automaker said the rear axle cross pins were not properly heat treated and could fracture and become displaced within the rear axle.

"Should the pin shift out of position, it could create an interference condition and cause the rear axle to lock. The driver may not be able to maintain directional control of the vehicle and a crash could occur without warning," said GM in a statement on NHTSA's website.

As expected, GM's dealers will install a new rear axle cross pin free of charge, with the safety recall to begin before the end of the month

Cadillac Announces CTS-V Black Diamond Edition

The 2011 Black Diamond CTS-V Coupe. Image: © GM Corp.

When it comes to colors, I’ll generally pick black, at least until something darker comes along. Maybe it’s because things just look better in black, or maybe it matches the color of my soul. When it comes to favorite American cars, Cadillac’s CTS-V series is near the very top of my list. Combine the two, and you definitely get my attention; apparently, Cadillac thinks the way I do, because they’ve just announced a special edition of the CTS-V, called the Black Diamond Edition.

The Black Diamond Edition, which will be available in the sedan, coupe and wagon variants, starts with a special multi-layered paint. The black tri-coat paint gets blended with microscopic aluminum flakes, embedded in magnesium fluoride. That’s the science part, but the net result is a finish of unmatched depth and dimension that shines like a diamond in the sunlight. To complete the exterior look, Black Diamond Edition CTS-Vs roll on Satin Graphite 19 inch wheels, and get yellow-painted Brembo calipers.

On the inside, the special edition cars come with the superb Recaro seats and Midnight Sapele wood trim. Coupe buyers can opt for the “Saffron” interior, but I’d pass since even the microfiber suede inserts take away from the inherent blackness of the car. It looks like the suede steering wheel is standard on Black Diamond cars, and that’s a good thing.

If there’s a disappointment, it’s just that Cadillac didn’t do a thing to the motor on these special edition cars. Not that an engine producing 556 horsepower needs much improvement, but still; you’re paying for a “better” car, but it’s just an appearance package. Pricing on the CTS-V Black Diamond Edition, regardless of body style, is $69,190 for the six speed (yes, please) and $70,490 for the (oddly faster) automatic. That’s a premium of $4,850 over a base CTS-V, but it’s less than the sum of all the upgrades it includes. If I hit the lottery, you can rest assured I’ll be in to snap up a Black Diamond Edition CTS-V sedan.