2008 Cadillac Models Under the Spotlight

There are millions of Cadillac drivers all over the world and many are restlessly awaiting for news from the USA car builder. Here are the best news on the 2008 Cadillac line up that will either have new facelifts or engine upgrades.

Cadillac CTS – This entry level Cadillac will jump up a few stages in 2008, mainly because of the optional all-wheel-drive system and a much more attractive front design. The CTS is also going to be slightly wider than Cadillacs up to 2007. A 263 horsepower model is available, but motoring addicts will certainly prefer the 3.6 liter V6 engine with direct fuel injection and an output of 304 bhp. The 2008 Cadillac CTS will arrive with 6-speed manual or 6-speed automatic transmissions. Directional headlights that turn progressively as the steering wheel turns are also a huge addition to the CTS. A more powerful CTS-V is also announced, but no launch date has been confirmed yet.

Cadillac DTS – The luxury sedan from Cadillac is receiving a few additions in 2008, such as lane departure warning systems and an optional blind zone. There’s also a Platinum Edition DTS that comes with a bigger powerplant and more luxurious dashboard trim.

Cadillac Escalade – not many changes on the current Escalade model. However, somewhere in 2008 we will see the first hybrid Escalade SUV and a brand new lengthier Caddy Escalade ESV.

Cadillac STS – a facelift is also coming for the 2008 Cadillac STS. The engine is a 3.6 V6 with a 6-speed automatic while the 4.6 liter Northstar V8 Cadillac engine remains optional. All wheel drive is also on the extras list and other new optional features include lane departure warning systems, blind zone and a Performance Handling Package that is only available on the V8 and rear-drive V6 Cadillacs. There’s also a Platinum Edition STS which is more bling with gold paint and a lot more chrome. The amazing supercharged 469 horsepower STS-V will also join the Cadillac line up of cars next year.

Cadillac XLR – Not a lot of changes for the Cadillac XLR in 2008. We do get to purchase it in an Alpine White Limited Edition that comes equipped with 18" chrome wheels and a cooler grille. The Magnetic Ride Control system is also tuned up for 2008 and there’s also the option of having a heated steering wheel. Chrome rims are also offered as options with 18" wheels for the XLR and 19" wheels for the XLR-V.

By Michael Rad.

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Cadillac's Proposed Exciting New Coupe

Automaker Cadillac has a rich tradition of building exciting, highly regarded sedans as well as coupes. However, changes made to its line up over the past decade have resulted in a fleet of vehicles that now consists exclusively of sedans, crossovers, and sport utility vehicles. Gone are the days of the super size Eldorado and the Coupe de Ville, vehicles that long stood for Cadillac quality and excess. Today, plans are underway to bring in a coupe to compete against European rivals Mercedes, Audi, and BMW. Please read on for more information about the proposed CTS derived coupe.

The proposed CTS coupe being planned by Cadillac will not be an Eldorado nor will it be an updated version of the Coupe de Ville. As a large midsize two door model, the CTS coupe will be larger than its European competitors, but vastly smaller than preceding Cadillac coupes.

A 2008 Calendar Year Introduction

Slated for an overhaul for the 2009 model year, the CTS sedan will be the basis for the new coupe, thus virtually all of the parts will be shared between the two cars with the majority of the differences showing up in the roof pillars. Cash strapped General Motors wants to produce the car badly, but they don’t want to go overboard with development costs. Thus, the coupe and sedan would share an overwhelming majority of the same components.

Downsides to the New Coupe

The CTS coupe does have at least two downsides to it. First of all, the luxury coupe market isn’t that large and it has been shrinking. Second of all, the CTS will be larger than its European competitors more along the lines of the biggest cars from Mercedes and BMW. This could cause confusion for buyers, especially if the CTS is aimed at smaller cars but is sized with the larger models.

Upsides to the New Coupe

On the positive side, the CTS coupe throws open an important and profitable area of the car market to Cadillac. As part of its ongoing appeal toward harnessing younger buyers, the CTS will do for Cadillac in 2008 and beyond what the Escalade did earlier in the decade: lower the average age of Cadillac owners. The younger the buyer is, the better the chance that Cadillac will have them as customers for the long haul.

GM’s Money Woes Could Scuttle the Project

Of course, GM’s financial woes could cast doubt on the new model even though the CTS sedan is a go. Plus, it isn’t certain yet just how many coupes Cadillac would have to sell in order to turn a profit. Yet, if the car is built it could further signal GM’s commitment to building cars that buyers really want, a complaint that some consumers have voiced as reasons why they have left the general behind.

The smart money says the CTS coupe will be given the green light. Cadillac needs this car and consumers want a luxury coupe to light up their world. Who better than Cadillac?

By Matthew Keegan.