There was a time not too long ago that Lincoln and Cadillac fought over the high-end auto market in the United States. These days, the field is pretty much wild open for Caddy, though Lincoln still sells some nice vehicles. A few years ago, Lincoln commissioned the boys from Orange County to build a chopper commemorating the beginning of production of the Mark LT pickup. Cadillac apparently had to keep up, so the company will be showing off a new chopper at the upcoming LA Auto Show. This will actually be Cadillac's second commissioned bike, but this one is a bit special, as it's been designed to run on ethanol and will supposedly represent GM's "strength in science and technology." With all due respect to the builders of the bike, there's not a whole lot that's technologically advanced in a chopper built with a big fat rear tire and an air-cooled V-Twin, even one that has been jetted properly for alcohol fuel. Still, the machine should make a wee bit more power running on ethanol, and we look forward to seeing the new Cadillac bike in LA.

[Source: D Business via Autoblog]

The video above is an exclusive look at the Cadillac Provoq concept. It was taken just before Rick Wagoner showed off the concept in his keynote at CES yesterday. As you probably know by now, the Provoq is based on GM'e E-Flex platform and has a 300-mile range, in wheel electric "hub" motors, hydrogen fuel cells and a top speed of over 100 MPH. At the end, some questions about sources of hydrogen and regulation were sneaked in but they were skillfully dodged. Apparently, "production of hydrogen" is not a problem and "sooner the better" for more regulations so GM "can do the right thing." Where's Bob Lutz when you need him?

Related:

• CES 2008: Cadillac Provoq concept debuts during Wagoner keynote!
• Detroit 2008: Cadillac Provoq E-Flex fuel cell concept
• "Petroleum-free" Cadillac Provoq will be unveiled at CES tomorrow

[Source: Market Watch]

A new dual overhead cam V-8 engine for General Motors luxury car applications that was scheduled for production in 2009 has been canceled. This is the first known change in future product plans to follow the recent passage of new fuel economy rules. GM had announced plans a year ago to invest $300 million in their Tonawanda, New York engine plant to build the new V-8 to replace the current NorthStar V-8 used in various Cadillac models. Production of the NorthStar is scheduled to end in 2010.

Instead of the new V-8, GM will use upgraded versions of their current 3.6L V-6 with direct injection which make nearly as much power as the V-8 (304hp vs 320hp) and weigh 150-200lbs less. In addition GM also has the small-block V-8 as used in the Corvette and the CTS-V which makes over 400hp, weighs less and has a smaller package size than an overhead cam engine. GM also has a new 4.5L V-8 and the 2.9L V-6 diesel which will help it achieve a 35mpg fleet average.

[Source: Automotive News - Sub. req'd]

That Cadillac will release a hybrid Escalade (thought the very thought makes my head hurt) is no secret. Spy photos surfaced back in June, and we know this monstrosity will be at the L.A. Auto Show next week. HybridCars says journalists at the South Florida International Auto Show got a sneak preview of the Cadillac Escalade Hybrid today. Buyers can get their own Escalade with a two-mode hybrid system sometime next summer. Price and most details (including official pictures) have yet to be revealed, but HybridCars says the MPG will be increased from 12 city/18 highway in the non-hybrid version to an expected 18 city/22 highway. HybridCars also has a nice discussion about the value of adding a green sheen to the luxury of the Caddilac Escalade image, and notes that GM is using "Intelligent Indulgence" for the slogan. Talk about making my head hurt.

Related:

• SEMA 2007: Canola oil Caddy EXT
• Spy Photos: Cadillac Escalade hybrid caught in the wild again

[Source: HybridCars]

Here is another one of those posts where we extract a single comment from a long interview and obsess over it... you know the type. The interview was conducted by The Detroit News (we nabbed it from Autoblog), and the individual being interviewed is John Howell, from Cadillac. John would know about Cadillac's future plans, as he is the head of products at the GM division. He was quoted as saying, "Pretty much every program I am looking at going forward has got a hybrid as part of it."

That does not mean that we can expect to see a snarling new 7.0 liter V8 CTS-V-H with a two mode hybrid, although it sure would be cool! But, we might see a more pedestrian CTS with a hybrid option. As a rear wheel drive platform, the CTS or the STS could focus on hybrid performance, à la Lexus. If we hear any more details, you can count on us to share 'em.

UPDATE: Our old friend Joel points us to this.

[Source: The Detroit News via Autoblog]

Some hybrid vehicles are unmistakable in that everybody knows they are hybrids, while others are much more discreet, having badges as their only identifiable clue. Then there are the unmistakeably un-green vehicles on the road, such as the obvious Hummers, Escalades and Navigators of the world. But, is it possible to combine the two? Can a company take a vehicle that has a very non-green image, make it a hybrid and have it gain acceptance in the green-friendly crowd?

The answers to those questions are yes and we'll see. Yes, GM is taking it's outlandish Escalade model and adding a hybrid drivetrain, and a sophisticated one at that. The vehicle will feature a 6.0 liter V8 engine with cylinder deactivation and attach it to a new transmission which also accepts motive power from two electric motors. The motors are capable of driving the vehicle under certain conditions without aid from the gasoline engine. Cadillac is also hinting that there will be a different front end on the vehicle, possibly one with better aerodynamics to complete the fuel efficiency theme?

The other question will be answered in 2008 when the hybrid Escalade goes on sale as a 2009 model. Will the vehicle be gobbled up by stars with a desire to be coddled while they portray a green image, or will it see duty as a family hauler for the wealthy who want to make a dent in their environmental impact? We'll see, won't we? One thing that I can't imagine is that people who can afford to purchase a hybrid Escalade will be all that worried about how much they can save filling it up, but what do I know? I can't afford the vehicle or its gas bill!

Related:

• GM full size SUV hybrids spotted undergoing hot weather testing

[Source: Car and Driver]

Click on the image for two high-res images of GM's new 2.9-liter V6 turbo-diesel engine.

General Motors has debuted a new 2.9-liter V6 turbo-diesel engine, destined to find its way into the 2009 Cadillac CTS. Indicating that it will be "sold mainly in Europe", GM have signalled their intentions to go after Europe's finest in the hotly contested executive saloon market with the powerful new engine.

Delivering 184 kW / 250 hp of power and a monstrous 550 Nm / 406 ft-lbs of torque (compare this to the 155 kW and 526 Nm of the new Mercedes-Benz E320 Bluetec), the oil burner is built to match Cadillac's performance-oriented brand character. But Cadillac is likely to be far from the only brand in GM's stable which will eventually get to take advantage of this new engine; it can be installed in a longitudinal or transverse layout and can be adapted to a wide range of two- or four-wheel-drive vehicles so expect it to pop up all over.

Other high tech features include a closed-loop combustion control system which has been designed to give the engine longevity by allowing it to meet future emissions standards; state-of-the-art injection and combustion technology for low emissions and high performance; a variable geometry turbo; and an advanced engine management system for optimal fuel economy as well as reduced emissions and noise.

Analysis: GM's getting serious about the European market where you have to be packing an advanced clean diesel under the hood to be taken seriously when petrol prices are so high. It looks like a lot of work has gone into making this a really flexible engine through the emissions controls employed and its ability to be installed in a longitudinal or transverse layout. No word yet on whether it meets the latest Californian emissions standards or what the fuel economy can expect to be. I'll be looking forward to the details.



Full press release after the jump.

Related:

• Los Angeles Times: E320 Bluetec is best car Californians can't buy
• Geneva Motor Show: VW's new diesel line-up detailed
• Geneva Motor Show: Lotus unveils EVE Hybrid technology demonstrator

[Source: GM]

The new 2007 Cadillac BLS Sport model has just gone on sale in Europe to extend the BLS sedan lineup. "Sports" features include bigger 18-inch wheels, lowered sports suspension, and chassis tuning to take advantage of the powerful engines available and to give more dynamic handling performance without compromising comfort.

Engine options include two 2.0 litre turbocharged petrol engines which output 129kW / 175hp and 154kW / 210hp, while a 2.8 liter V6 unit puts out 188kW / 255hp. Also available in the Sport range is a direct-injected, common rail turbo-diesel engine fitted with a maintenance-free diesel particulate filter, developing 110kW / 150hp plus, no doubt, a mountain of torque. Transmission options are six-speed manual or an automatic with a "Sport Mode". The interior features aluminium trip instead of wood and a tweaked instrumentation panel, along with a three-spoke leather steering wheel.

Related:

• First Cadillac turbo diesel, but only for Europe
• Cadillac 1.9 Turbo Diesel tests at 55.6 mpg

[Source: GM]

For the history-minded, there's a short, interesting article on AutoWeek's website about GM's early difficulties and eventual success with their cylinder deactivation system. The article starts with GM's failed attempt at rolling out their first production engine with the system installed under the Cadillac badge called V8-6-4 in 1981. The system had so many problems that Cadillac dealers often disconnected it because there was no known fix.

Chris Meagher, a GM engineer who worked on the V8-6-4 project, also worked on the successful cylinder deactivation system that was rolled out on 2005 models. He said the problem with the old Cadillac system was three-fold: faulty throttle-body injectors, primitive computerized engine management controls and flawed execution.

Because of GM's unsuccessful history with variable displacement, Tom Stephens, GM's power train chief, approved funding for the new cylinder deactivation project with a disclaimer. He told Meagher that the new system had to transition between eight and four cylinders seamlessly. He said that if drivers could perceive the change, the new system would not make production.

So far, complaints are nonexistent and GM expects to equip 2 million engines with the system at a cost of about $50 per engine annually by 2008.

Despite not reaching production until 2005, Meagher says that GM engineers never gave up on the idea of cylinder deactivation. He adds that one major development in component design significantly helped to bring forth a successful system - supercomputers that enable engineers see how parts work on a screen. He says that back in the '70s, "we had to build it, try it, build it, try it. Now our tools for developing this kind of stuff are just so much better."

[Source: AutoWeek]

We can add one more fuel saving vehicle to the list of the ones the U.S. won't see in a showroom near you anytime soon. The Cadillac BLS, produced at GM's Saab headquarters in Sweden on the Saab 9-3 platform, is a European-only Caddy positioned to compete in the mid-sized, luxury-car segment. The BLS is offered with a range of engines with displacements from 1.9 to 2.8-liters and maximum horsepower varying from 150 to 255. The Cadillac BLS with the 1.9-liter direct-injected, turbocharged diesel engine is really what stands out on this car, since it is the first turbo diesel ever offered in a Cadillac. The diesel engine offers an average fuel-consumption rate of 6.1 liters of gas per 100 kilometers, which corresponds to 38.6 mpg. This does not compare favorably with the 20.1 mpg fuel economy of the American made Cadillac CTS, powered by the 2.8-liter gasoline engine. While the article claims any type of diesel engine is a first for Cadillac, Eric Bryant reminded me that Cadillac used the infamous LF9 Oldsmobile 350 diesel back in the '70s.

[Source: Wired]