Every year, many people’s favorite part of the Super Bowl are the commercials. Year after year, it seems like more and more automotive-related commercials are being aired. For 2012, the Super Bowl XLVI didn’t disappoint, with a range of funny car commercials. Check them all out below:

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Chevy Sonic “Stunt Anthem”

Hyundai Veloster Turbo – “Cheetah”

2012 Acura NSX – “Transactions” (Jerry Seinfeld)

Chevy Silverado – “2012″ (The one Ford asked Chevy not to air)

Cars.com – “Confident You”

2012 Honda CR-V – “Matthew’s Day Off” (aka “Honda’s Ferris Bueller Commericial”)

2012 Audi S7 – “Vampire Party”

2012 Toyota Camry – “It’s Reinvented”

Hyundai Genesis Coupe – “Think Fast”

2012 Kia Optima Big Game – “A Dream Car. For Real Life.”

Cadillac ATS – “Green Hell”

Suzuki Kizashi – “Sled” (with 50 Cent)

2013 Lexus GS – “Beast”

Fiat 500 Abarth – “Seduction”

Chrysler – “It’s Halftime in America”

2012 Volkswagen Beetle – “The Dog Strikes Back”

Bridgestone – “Performance Football”

2012 Toyota Camry – “Connections”

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The “black car” business in the United States has nearly exclusively relied on one vehicle for years – the Lincoln Town Car. If you want transportation to and from a major airport in the United States, or around a metropolitan area, the Town Car is likely what you’ll be riding in.

Operators like the car for its bulletproof reliability, and passengers for its carnivorous rear passenger compartment. It is a perfect car for this application. As such, there has been a lot of goodwill for the Town Car for use in this fashion. Its remarkable how the Panther platform found niches – Crown Victoria as a police car, Town Car as executive transport. In the retail market though, the Town Car fall out of favor as it was left to continue without any updates.

With a little investment things could have been different, but now Lincoln finds itself pushing a special-edition livery MKT Town Car instead. It remains to be seen whether operators will take to this vehicle, but Cadillac is hoping to jump into the market with a special version of the XTS.

The XTS was just revealed at the Los Angeles Auto Show as Cadillac’s stand-in flagship model. We heard some noises about the vehicle being aimed at the black car market, and this news confirms it. In Las Vegas at the International LCT show Cadillac will be showing off the XTS W20 Livery Sedan Package. It will be aimed directly at this market, and will include extended-wheelbase iterations. With the demise of this market, Cadillac is hoping the XTS will find a niche.

The question is, will it be a good thing for Cadillac if it is successful in this market? Many times vehicles that find homes in fleets suffer in the retail market. We’re sure that is a fate Cadillac would like to avoid. We think if the XTS is deployed in a limited fashion at high-end locations, it could be a good thing. If it becomes ubiquitous like the Town Car, retail sales will suffer.

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When you think of braking systems, Brembo usually comes up as a point of reference. The Italian company has clearly made a name for itself and penetrated into overall automotive culture. Brembo is a supplier to wide range of manufacturers, including performance and exotic makes like Aston Martin, Ferrari, Lamborghini, Pagani and Porsche. General Motors has worked with Brembo frequently on its latest offering. Brembo brakes are fitted on the Cadillac CTS-V lineup, Chevrolet Corvette ZR1, Camaro ZL1/SS and the Buick Regal GS.

With an ever-expanding list of clients to tend to, Brembo has opened a new manufacturing facility in Homer, Michigan. Hooray for U.S manufacturing! Brembo has announced that the first braking systems produced at the plant will be destined for the 2012 Cadillac ATS and XTS full-size sedan.

These two cars are key to Cadillac’s future sales growth, occupying spots at the top and bottom of the lineup. For the ATS, which is taking it directly to the BMW 3-Series, performance credentials are a key part of the equation. The units are four-piston, two-piece calipers constructed from aluminum to save weight. Don’t expect the traditional red or yellow caliper coloring on the Cadillacs though. The ATS’ calipers will be painted in black, while the XTS will get anodized black.

Bright colors should at least be an option on the ATS. We think that would enhance its sporting appeal and provide another dimension of color customization. Orange, yellow, red, black – it’d be pretty cool. But, we digress. Cadillac is clearly walking the talk with the ATS; it is serious about performance in every aspect. As if the CTS-V lineup wasn’t enough to prove they were serious already! The relentless focus on performance for the standard ATS has us looking forward to what is in store for the ATS-V. Bring it on!

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The Cadillac ATS breaks new ground for Cadillac, and we hope it is the sign of big things to come. Alpha is a competent, flexible rear-wheel drive platform that General Motors says is scalable. That means that future models like the Cadillac CTS could be based on the platform.

Even Chevrolets, like the Code 130R Concept and the future Camaro are slated to be Alpha-based. But what about some more products for Cadillac, like a new roadster and a crossover? They could be in the works. Cadillac’s last roadster was the high-priced XLR, and it was based on the Corvette. Given that as a basis, it was a full-size roadster.

Inside Line reports that Cadillac could add a smaller roadster to the lineup, as a two-seat BMW Z4 and Mercedes-Benz SLK competitor. We’d probably fall over if that happened. Cadillac is really changing, and a lineup that can go head-to-head with the Germans has been something we’ve dreamed up for years. Competition is good for buyers, and us enthusiasts love to see it.

IL doesn’t have much details, other than to say the roadster could have the same drivetrain combinations as the ATS. We’d be down for that. The roadster isn’t the only thing that could get produced. At the show, Cadillac vice president of sales Kurt McNeil talked about a smaller crossover to slot in below the SRX. “We’re looking at options there…I think it would go a little bit more head-to-head with like the X3.” he told Bloomberg.

Alpha could be a perfect platform to base a future performance crossover off. Rear-wheel drive would help it compete with the X3 and not get laughed off by enthusiasts like the current Cadillac SRX has. The previous Sigma-based SRX won many awards for its handling prowess. Maybe Alpha can bring some of that excitement back across the lineup.

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It is finally here – a car we’ve been waiting a long time for. Last night the wraps were taken off the Cadillac ATS at the College for Creative Studies in Detroit. The ATS is a hugely important product for the Cadillac brand in many ways.

It is the first product aimed squarely at the BMW 3-Series, and has been developed with an uncompromising approach. It is part of Cadillac’s “bookend” strategy for 2012, introducing products at the top (XTS) and bottom ends (ATS) of the market. While there is a lot of marketing hyperbole about new most products, with the ATS it really can’t be stressed enough at what it really means for Cadillac going forward. Keep reading on to see why.

Cadillac = edgy. That pretty much has been the brand’s ethos ever since it debuted its Art & Science design language on the original CTS in 2003. The most recent CTS, introduced in 2008, had even sharper and more defined creases in the sheet metal. The ATS, like the XTS that came before it, shows a more refined and mature take on A&S.

Lines are a bit softer and more organic, while still remaining uniquely Cadillac. The ATS is a looker – it could have been edgier and pushed the envelope. Cadillac chose to offer a very handsome design with traditional proportions, one that we think they have pulled off brilliantly.

The focus with the ATS isn’t on design either. It is what is underneath – in fact Cadillac worked on the project for two and half years before ever sketching out the design. It wasn’t a car built to a design proposal – it was a set of objectives underneath and the design fit in around it. The ATS uses an all-new platform for GM – Alpha. It is scalable rear-wheel drive architecture that will underpin the next-generation CTS as well as other RWD products in the GM stable such as the Chevrolet Camaro. For the ATS though, it was purpose built for performance in this application. To compete with the 3-Series though requires nothing less than this kind of an effort.

Size wise, the ATS is squarely in the compact category. Cadillac engineers wanted the car similar to the size of the E46 generation 3-Series. That helps the car to be lightweight and nimble. Apparently the benchmark for handling was the E46 3-Series as well. A good majority of the ATS’ development time was spent on the Nurburgring track in Germany. Its chassis affords it a 50/50 weight distribution, and the base car comes in at less than 3,400 pounds. Lightness was clearly a priority – engineers threw out outdated GM standards and used aluminum, high-strength and ultra high-strength steel in key places to achieve this goal.

The interior is an area where the ATS shines. We’ve yet to sit in it, but on a design basis this interior is best-in-segment in our opinion. An extreme level of attention-to-detail is used, similar to the XTS we saw debut in Los Angeles. Real-wood, stitching and a clean, upright center stack define the interior. CUE will be offered, bringing what most say is a class-leading infotainment system to Cadillac’s smallest sedan. For those who don’t want that techno-gadgetry though, Cadillac will have a setup that ditches a center stack screen altogether.

Could this be the purest sports sedan in the segment? If you so choose, you can get a lightweight ATS with rear-wheel drive, a manual and lacking any kind of infotainment system. This could be the purists choice. As for us? We’ll take CUE with it – the ATS without a screen looks cheap. The switchgear looks right out of a Sonic. On upper end trim levels, the ATS is very stylish, with a variety of interior colors available, including red with a carbon fiber trim finish. You owe it to yourself to check out all the combinations in our gallery.

At launch, the ATS will offer three engine options. When the V-8 powered V-Series arrives, that will swell to four. These engine options will run the whole gamut of what people are looking for in this segment. Cadillac ditches standard six-cylinder power for a naturally-aspirated 2.5-liter four-cylinder making 200 horsepower and 188 pound-feet of torque. This engine will enable the car to offer a low starting price and attractive fuel economy. Being lightweight, 200 hp should provide adequate performance for many. For instance, the E46 3-Series, which Cadillac likes to talk about, had a six-cylinder making similar power with a similar weight as well. For those looking for more, a 2.0-liter turbo four puts out 270 hp and a 3.6-liter six-cylinder ups the ante to 318hp. The wealth of engine options indicates how aggressively Cadillac intends to compete with the ATS.

The real question will be how it drives. Indications are good, as that is the primary focus Cadillac put on this car. From what we can see, the ATS vaults to the top of its class, passing up the Audi A4, Infiniti G37 and Mercedes-Benz C-Class. Good enough to beat the BMW 3-Series though? The jury is out on that one, but it may finally get a run for the top spot.

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After the magnificent display that was the 2011 Los Angeles Auto Show, I wrote an article on the notion that the California coast was the place automakers preferred to display their latest creations and concepts. Wondering if the 2012 auto show in Detroit would be have the same amount of enthusiasm, the sensory overload-inducing debuts set to occur at this week’s opening of the North American International Auto Show leads me to concludes thoughts of the Motor City becoming less of an industry focal point seems a waste of mental energy. The biggest auto manufacturers of the United States, Japan, Europe and even India are expected to provide an automotive delight.

Ahead of major auto shows, the marketing departments of carmakers are challenged to entice interest in a vehicle debut without giving too much away from the physical spectacle. Leading into the 2012 North American International Auto Show in Detroit, various tactics are being rolled out by auto brands. Whether they want to unveil the entire full image of the vehicle or a mere teaser photo, the auto companies are careful in their attempts to grab the attention of media and the overall car-adoring public.

For the 2012 edition of the North American International Auto Show, the following is a few of the production-based 2013 model year vehicles making a world debut:

Toyota Prius c

The smallest member of the now established Prius hybrid family, Toyota plans to capitalize on the high efficiency small car market with what will become North America’s first subcompact gasoline-electric vehicle. Roughly 5 inches longer than the 2012 Yaris, the Toyota Prius c liftback body style is a careful execution of small car values with high technology.

Beyond the Toyota Synergy Drive powertrain technology, the interior of the Prius c will incorporate an array of infotainment solutions thoughtful to the youth market the Japanese-based automaker wants to attract. With Bluetooth standard, optional equipment to be offered on the Toyota Prius c includes Toyota Entune multimedia system. Through Toyota Entune, occupants of the Prius c are given access to traffic and weather updates as well as Pandora Internet radio.

Two vital unknowns remain with the pending introduction at the 2012 auto show. Firstly, what will be the fuel economy expectations from the Toyota Prius c hybrid powertrain? Toyota has indicated a city range of more than 50 miles per gallon is estimated for the smallest Prius. Secondly, when the Prius c reaches showrooms, what can the younger generation of Toyota buyers expect to buy for the subcompact? If placed around the $20,000 range (in between the Yaris and common Prius hybrid), the Toyota Prius c could be a major spoiler to the eco-car marketplace.

Cadillac ATS

No longer the 1950s and 1960s when Cadillac’s hulking convertibles defined American luxury, it’s become the objective of the division in the 21st century to redefine its image among the top premium cars. While not hitting a home run with every new product, Cadillac has cemented a reputation for featuring solid luxury and effective technology on smaller vehicles. Applying their lessons to what will be their smallest production vehicle since the disastrous Cimarron of the 1980s, the 2013 Cadillac ATS will be the General Motors division latest test in the modern luxury car marketplace.

The Cadillac ATS has expected to be the most vibrant display of compact vehicle refinement of their new car line-up at the 2012 North American International Auto Show in Detroit. Through the teaser image, we can expect to see the 2013 Cadillac ATS to resemble its bigger brother CTS sedan. One of the more compelling characteristics of the compact car is the use of an all-new rear wheel drive platform. Specifically aiming at the BMW 3-Series and the Mercedes-Benz C Class, the Cadillac ATS sedan will have a strong assortment of engine power to support what should be a fierce luxury car battle. To offer three powerplant choices, the 2013 ATS will offer a 2.5 liter 4-cylinder engine, the 3.6 liter V-6 already found on Cadillac products and a new 270-horsepower, turbocharged 2-liter engine to debut in the vehicle.

The 2013 Cadillac ATS will also feature available Magnetic Ride Control suspension and the brand’s latest CUE in-car infotainment system.

Ford Fusion

The third-highest selling vehicle in the Ford Motor Company behind the Ford F-150 and the Ford Escape, the Fusion exists in the narrow but important market segment of mid-sized family sedans.

Kept under a great deal of secrecy by the auto company, there has not even been as much as a teaser shot ushered out for the 2013 Ford Fusion. Unsure of how radical or tame the 2013 Fusion styling will be on the four-door sedan, observers at the unveiling should expect Ford to advertise the new vehicle’s improved fuel economy and technology. Judging from the discontinuation of the Escape hybrid with the 2013 model year vehicle, a hybrid version of the new Ford Fusion might not be a guarantee. What should be certain with the 2013 Fusion’s powertrain is the inclusion of an EcoBoost engine (likely the 2-liter, four-cylinder powerplant). Based on the competition in the vehicle category, expect the all-wheel drive option to return as a substitute to standard front-wheel power. New technology expected on the upcoming Ford Fusion’s interior is an available Lane Keeping System and the revised version of MyFord Touch.

Ahead of the 2012 North American International Auto Show debut, Ford provided potential customers a chance to interact with the 2013 model year sedan through a unique mobile app. Available free for Apple iPhone and Android devices at fordfusionapp.com, the app supplies an experience with 19 unlockable driving courses through augmented reality. When the 2013 Ford Fusion is presented on January 10^th, users of the Ford Fusion mobile app will be able to witness full images of the new car.

Dodge Dart

With close automobile rivals Chevrolet and Ford staking claims to the subcompact car category, Chrysler Corporation’s Dodge division stood on the sidelines unable to compete. Though many automotive photographers were able to snap spy shots of a proposed small car based on the Dodge Hornet concept for years, corporate restructuring of the auto company has tightened resources for new car debuts. Reactivating a long-running Dodge nameplate, the Chrysler Group’s subcompact 2013 Dart will be targeting the growing entry-level car segment.

Teasing automotive enthusiasts with the same successful spoon-feeding of images that welcomed the 2011 Dodge Durango’s return, only a front corner and interior panel shot defines the 2013 Dodge Dart leading into this year‘s North American International Auto Show. The first all-new product created for the North American market by Chrysler through its 2009 collaboration with Fiat Group, the 2013 Dodge Dart rests on the same compact platform as the Alfa Romeo Giulietta. While the Giulietta is a hatchback, the 2013 Dodge Dart making its debut in Detroit will be a more Americanized four-door sedan shape. Conforming to the Dodge brand identity, the Dart will be aggressively styled with touches found on the new Dodge Charger. Mechanicals for the 2013 Dodge Dart is likely to include a 1.4 liter and 2-liter engine with an available 9-speed automatic transmission.

The smallest vehicle in a brand line-up, the 2013 Dodge Dart will perhaps face the fiercest fight in the modern car industry. Ford Fiesta, Chevy Sonic, Hyundai Accent and Toyota Yaris have either new or redesigned products each providing competitive powertrains, standard equipment and fuel economy.

Nissan Pathfinder Concept

Nissan’s most enduring SUV (sport utility vehicle) brand, the Pathfinder lived up to its name since debuting in 1986. In constant production since introduction, the Nissan Pathfinder’s ability to connect with the North American consumer led the Japan-derived brand to share the Pathfinder name briefly with the large Amanda SUV. Rolling out at the 2012 North American International Auto Show as a concept vehicle, the exterior design for Nissan’s latest generation of the Pathfinder should remain close to the production model set for release later this year.

A four-wheel drive set to offer seating for seven passengers, the Nissan Pathfinder Concept will feature a refreshed exterior design. A more aerodynamic look than the predecessor model, the teaser photo of the Pathfinder Concept unveils a roof similar to the Nissan Quest minivan and body panels featuring aggressive flaring like the Juke. Buyers of the next generation Nissan Pathfinder should feel confident that the powerplant options should consist of the VQ series six-cylinder and the VK series eight-cylinder engine.

Users of Facebook will be some of the first observers to see the Nissan Pathfinder Concept. After 8:30am on Monday, Facebook users who log into the Nissan page will be able to view the new vehicle after clicking on the “Pathfinder Reveal” tab.

Information and photo source: Chrysler Group, Ford Motor Company, General Motors, Nissan Americas, Toyota Motor Corporation

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Merging the particular tastes of luxury car buyers with their popular full-sized sport utility vehicle platform of the 2000s, General Motors’ brand Cadillac adopted the Escalade. After tweaking the Escalade into the 2002 model year, Cadillac struck gold in creating a desirable premium SUV. An eight-cylinder now topping 403 horsepower, four-wheel drivetrain and spacious leather interior with high-tech entertainment items were the exact features Cadillac needed to lure buyers back to American luxury excellence. Expanding to the Escalade EXT pick-up bed truck, extended length ESV and the Escalade Two-Mode Hybrid model, the large premium vehicle rose to become a staple among the contemporary luxury-seeking crowd.

While popularity brought fortunes to a then-struggling Cadillac sales tally, the increased attention to the Escalade line-up has made the full-sized vehicle candy those perpetuating grand theft autos. In August, the Cadillac Escalade (specifically 2008-2010 models) topped a list tallied by the IIHS (Insurance Institute of Highway for Highway Safety) for most preferred vehicles among thieves in the United States. According to the data collected by the IIHS, more than 8 times the average vehicle claims have been filed on the Escalade EXT pick-up model. Revealed as a North American-wide issue, the 2002 Cadillac Escalade was also established as the fifth most targeted vehicle in Canada by the country’s insurance bureau at the end of 2011. The value of the Escalade, as well as its expensive high-end components including Xenon headlamps and custom wheels, has made the sport utility vehicle attractive for parts or as a whole.

Realizing that the Cadillac Escalade owners are now facing a higher-than normal chance of being parted with their over $60,000 vehicle, the 2012 model year sports a new arsenal of factory-installed automotive security. Five individual security enhancements are introduced on the 2012 Cadillac Escalade insuring greater protection among several common thefts.

Standard on all 2012 Cadillac Escalade will be a tougher steering column lock system as well as an improved car key. Designed to greater resist manoeuvring the sport utility vehicle, the new steering column locking mechanism on 2012 Escalade is said to be nearly temper-proof. The only method to unlock the steering column will be the new, improved PASS Key 3+ featuring highly detailed encryption.

Highlighted oddly in the 1980s comedy film ‘Twins’ where Arnold Schwarzenegger deactivated a car‘s alarm system by picking up the rear of a Cadillac sedan, some less sophisticated vehicle warning sirens were electronically programmed to turn off when a vehicle is lifted to a particular angle. A program meant to determine when a vehicle is being legitimately towed, some advanced car thieves have exploited this by using a tow truck to steal an Escalade. An available feature on the 2012 Cadillac Escalade is called an inclination sensor if an unintended change of vehicle angle is detected. The inclination sensor upgrade also prevents flat-bedding or even attempts to steal wheel and tires. Also protecting the lavish wheels of the 2012 Escalade will be a new locking system.

While the Cadillac Escalade can be the objective of some thieves, other criminals settle for the potentially valuable items inside of the sport utility vehicle. Protecting against property theft, the 2012 model year Escalade has an available shock sensor designed to detect breaking of glass.

An OnStar equipped vehicle, the 2012 Cadillac Escalade line-up has electronic tracking technology to relay to law enforcement. In addition, in efforts to slow a fleeing theft, the OnStar system on the Escalade can be used to send a message to the vehicle’s electronic controls slowing the Cadillac safely.

Along with the new security solutions introduced on the 2012 model year Cadillac Escalade, General Motors published the following list of precautions owners of all vehicles should take in reducing car thefts and break-ins:

• Do not leave valuables unattended in unlocked cars, or in plain sight
• Park vehicles in well-lit areas or inside locked garages
• Don’t leave cars running with the keys in the ignition.
• Do not defeat the ignition/key cylinder immobilizers with aftermarket remote- start systems
• Always lock your vehicle with the key fob, which also sets the alarm system
• Use wheel locks with premium wheels
• Do not leave driver’s license, registration or insurance certificate in your car
• Purchase a vehicle with OnStar or the aftermarket OnStar FMV mirror, which will enable your vehicle to be tracked if stolen.

The combination of Cadillac’s new high-tech security advancements as well as the highly prudent actions of the Escalade owners in 2012 and beyond will be key to assure the luxury vehicle loses its flavour to car thieves.

Information and photo source: General Motors

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Rear-wheel drive Cadillacs! Those are the ones we like. While the Cadillac XTS looks impressive, for enthusiasts the Cadillac ATS is the car to wait for. The 2013 ATS is our most anticipated (along with the 2013 Lincoln MKZ) debut at the North American International Auto Show.

Regardless of whether it topples the BMW 3-Series (don’t bet on it), its great to see a new competitor on the block. Cadillac has just announced more details about one of the ATS’ engine options, a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder. A four-cylinder Cadillac? Yes, times are changing. It is a forward-looking move that presages a switch to the availability of four-cylinders in the segment. BMW is doing the same thing with the 3-Series.

A few years ago we might not have been sure about it, but these cars are small and for those looking for good economy and power, a four-cylinder can do the job nicely. It isn’t as if they don’t generate impressive horsepower figures. Just make sure the V-6 is an option for those who want it.

The 2.0-liter unit puts out an impressive 270 horsepower and 260 pound feet of torque, utilizing a twin-scoll turbocharger with 20 pounds of boost, direct injection, variable valve timing and a air-to-air intercooler. The engine makes 135 horsepower per liter, which Cadillac says is the best out of all its competitors.

Other engine options in the ATS will include a 3.6-liter V-6 at the top end and a naturally-aspirated 2.5-liter four-cylinder as the base engine. No word yet on power outputs of either engine, and it appears the 2.5-liter may be an international-only offering. Take into account the upcoming V-8 powered V-Series and the ATS will be offered with a total of four engines spanning 4-, 6- and 8-cylinders. How is that for variety? The ATS can’t get here soon enough.

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For a luxury car brand once riding high on mammoth-sized cars, Cadillac’s reputation for big cars has declined through the 21st century. While success for the modern Cadillac CTS level of vehicles, the car was vital in allowing Cadillac to recover from a period of stale, out-of-touch luxury. Since the 2002 genius of the mid-sized vehicle, Cadillac has tried to replicate the trend with larger vehicles. The Cadillac STS was created to the CTS design theme copying the smaller car almost too well. On the other hand, the lingering desires of old-school luxury kept the DTS in production until the spring of this year. Discontinuing both models for 2012, Cadillac bases their large car philosophy on a single product, the XTS.

After a long-awaited final presentation, the brand new large, luxury flagship for Cadillac debuts in one of the United States’ premium car magnate regions. Immediately planning to lure trendy, status-seeking buyers for when the vehicle goes on sale this upcoming spring, the all-new 2013 Cadillac XTS premieres at the 2011 Los Angeles Auto Show.

Smart and graceful, the 2013 Cadillac XTS formal presentation mimics the stunning XTS Platinum Concept in outer design. The production example of Cadillac’s “Art and Science philosophy”, the 2013 XTS features all the staple characteristics found on the brand’s luxury products including the vertical headlamps and chrome grille design. The most strikingly identifying mark on the 2013 XTS is a contoured streak along the side of the sedan.

Measuring 10.4 inches longer in total length than the Cadillac CTS at 202 inches, it’s amusingly that the 2013 Cadillac XTS design isn’t entirely the grandest proportions found in the General Motors luxury car range. The XTS sedan 1.7 inches slimmer in wheelbase length compared to the mid-sized CTS. Exterior features of note on the all-new sedan includes a capless fuel filler and the selection of 19 or 20-inch wheels. Magnetic Ride Control (fast-acting road comfort technology pioneered by Cadillac) is found as support of steady travels inside the 2013 XTS sedan.

With 104.2 feet of passenger volume for 5 passengers, the 2013 Cadillac XTS delivers the cabin comfort luxury car buyers are expecting in 21st century sedan. With electronics important to the 21st century appeal, Cadillac will introduce their new CUE technology inside of the XTS sedan. The basis of Cadillac’s CUE system is an eight-inch center screen but introduces voice and even gesture recognition for interactively. Capable of connecting with up to 10 Bluetooth enabled devices at a time, CUE features numerous loadable apps as well as Pandora Radio. Besides entertainment, the CUE system on the Cadillac XTS also allows the 12.3-inch instrument panel to be driver-customized so only the information wanted is shown.

In times of vigilance, the Cadillac XTS will be communicated additionally through the seat itself. Called the Safety Alert Seat, the enhancement vibrates the seat on either the driver’s left or right side as a warning. The Safety Alert Seat comes as an available feature along with an advanced safety equipment bundle that includes Forward Collision Alert, Side Blind Zone Alert and Lane Departure Warning. Colour Heads-up Display and adaptive cruise control is also optional safety aids found on this premium quality vehicle.

Powering the new 2013 Cadillac XTS sedan is a capable 3.6 liter V-6 featuring gasoline direct injection. An enhanced version of the General Motors High-Feature V-6 engine that powered the CTS and STS, the LFX design embodies numerous weight-saving features includes integrating the cylinder head with the exhaust manifold to form a single lightweight component. The 2013 model year XTS will be offered with front-wheel as well as all-wheel drivetrains through a six-speed automatic transmission. For the 2013 XTS sedan, Cadillac has estimated horsepower just on the 300 plateau. 300 horsepower seems a little light for a large scale vehicle like the Cadillac XTS keeping in mind that the 2012 CTS receives 318 horsepower from the exact same LFX engine. The one performance avenue where the XTS’ direct-injected 3.6 liter V-6 excels over large luxury car sedan is fuel consumption. Producing around 22 miles of travel from each gallon, the XTS tops many class rivals including the six-cylinder BMW 7 Series. For those looking for more than fuel economy, some individuals will likely need to wait for a V-Line edition of the XTS rumoured to have a twin-turbocharged powerplant.

The production of the XTS and the lavish principles shown in the Ciel Concept displayed during the summer shows that Cadillac is ready for a return to the time their biggest cars were the marvels of the world. With its pending release, Cadillac will be eager to reassume their position as a large luxury car industry mainstay.

Information and photo source: General Motors

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Cadillac has been seeing healthy sales increases recently, mainly off the back of its two core models, the CTS lineup and SRX crossover. The STS is a lackluster product that has never sold well, and the aging DTS is clearly at the end of its lifespan. That basically leaves just one competitive sedan.

Cadillac aims to change that over the next year with the addition of two new models; ATS and XTS. The ATS will compete against the BMW 3-Series and Mercedes-Benz E-Class while the XTS is an in-between model that will replace both the STS and DTS. For now at least, it will serve as the brand’s flagship model.

Edmunds Inside Line reports that the XTS will make its debut at the Los Angeles International Auto Show next month. We’ve been hearing rumblings of that ever since Cadillac introduced the car’s interior as well as the Cadillac User Experience (CUE) infotainment system.

Both will be making their debuts for the first time at the LA show next month. With the XTS taking center stage at LA, the ATS should debut at the North American International Auto Show next month. There were some who expected the ATS to make its debut in LA.

The sedan will look nearly identical to the XTS Platinum Concept introduced at NAIAS 2010. What isn’t clear is what will power the new sedan; it definitely won’t be the hybrid system that the concept used. The Ciel Concept shown at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance car show in August will also make an appearance.

While the XTS is a stopgap for now, based on GM’s Epsilon product, it will be much more competitive than anything Cadillac has fielded in the full-size segment for years. As such, we expect it to help continue Cadillac’s strong sales growth throughout 2012. The rear-wheel drive ATS is the Cadillac we’re really looking forward to though.

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In the 1950s, most auto company has defined safety features in a more simplistic way. Instead of engineering handling the safety aspects of a vehicle, carmakers tragically left the progression of safety to automotive stylist. Over decades, safety has evolved from being a laughing matter to a realistic intent for saving lives of motorists and passengers. Anti-lock brakes, airbags, electronic stability and better vehicle construction have been effective in reducing deadly accidents to a series of whiplash compensation claims.

With all the great innovations created to protect vehicle occupants and pedestrians, sometimes the quest for safe driving has taken a wrong turn. The following are four leading examples of automotive safety equipment set on a collision course for failure.

Chrysler’s Electronic Voice Alert

In an age where computer technology delighted a first generation of youngsters with Pac Man, one auto company’s idea for modern safety involved treating experienced motorists like a teenager driving their family’s car for the first time with an obsessive parent. Evolving loosely from the early 1980s Speak & Spell education toy, Electronic Voice Alert provided audio messages in addition to the vehicle information center (aka. dashboard warning lights).

Introduced on the upscale K-car models including 1983 Chrysler LeBaron and Dodge 600, the Electronic Voice Alert system was initially admired for its ability to promote safe driving as computer voice warnings were given to buckle seat belts or insure doors were closed. Incorporated in higher scale vehicle in the Chrysler line-up, the Electronic Voice Alert quickly earned a reputation for diminishing the driving experience with the repeated voice warnings. The constant instruction from the Electronic Voice Alert ended up being more of a nuisance than an advantage leading to the discontinuation of the feature after the 1988 model year.

Cadillac Night Vision

Applying military-inspired technology into automobiles is far from a new phenomenon. Finding a widespread citizen use for advances in night vision equipment, the beginning of the 21st century was to witness the vision of objects more clearly in minimum light conditions.

A highlight feature added to the 2000 Cadillac DeVille, General Motors installed the Night Vision system into the full-sized luxury car trying to infuse life to a rather dreary Cadillac division after the 1990s. Operating through a camera mounted behind the grille of the Cadillac sedan, the Night Vision view broadcasted onto the DeVille’s windshield. Allowing views at night to be highlighted in a monochromatic black and white display, the system demonstrated effectiveness on the Cadillac DeVille but failed to win over buyers. The fact the Cadillac DeVille’s Night Vision system was a most expensive $2,000 option did not entice Cadillac luxury seekers forcing the brand to drop the advanced safety unit after the 2004 model year.

Not working for Cadillac, the notion of car-based night vision systems is not an extinct piece of automotive safety technology. Still restricted to luxury vehicles, version of night vision are currently found on the Lexus LS sedan as well as certain Audi, BMW and Mercedes-Benz vehicles.

Rear-Engined Cars

Accepted largely as a design feature created in the interests of practicality or performance, rear-engined vehicles were briefly promoted by auto makers in the late 1940s and 1950s as a safety feature. The safety theory of a rear-mounted powerplant car was to put the dangers of engine fires behind the passenger compartment. If an engine fire would occur at speed, the flames and fumes would not rush into the cabin. In During the post World War 2 era, several high-profile American auto brands sought to master the rear engine configuration.

The 1948 Tucker Torpedo was one rear-mounted powerplant car built around a vehicle that would be seen ahead of its time for multiple safety features. In a lesser-known concept, Kaiser-Fraser Motors featured a rear-engined sedan they believed would be the future of American motoring. Clearly, that future was not realized. At least in a safety aspect, rear-mounted powerplant would not prove itself as a safer alternative to conventional front engined automobiles. The highly publicized campaign against the Chevrolet Corvair pointing at the rear-engined compact’s alleged handling issue did not help.

Automatic Seat Belts

In 1972, Volkswagen engineers began to experiment with a technology that would automatically apply the vehicle safety belt too many drivers continued to avoid. For American driver up to 1979, it seemed that the only way to improve driver seat belt usage was to strap the safety device to their wrist. Mandatory on new vehicles sold in the United States since 1968, a 1983 National Highway Traffic Safety Administration authored by B.M. Phillips found that only 11 percent of drivers were using safety belts. While those numbers of seat belt usage was troubling, the automatic seat belt was a safety solution that did more harm than good.

When the automatic seat belt reached production, the only effective way the system would work was to allow only the shoulder belt to be applied to the driver requiring the driver to still buckle a lap restraint. With only part of the safety restraint engaged, the driver improper usage of the automatic seat belt system compromised protection in an accident. There was also an issue automatic seat belts were rigged on the venerable doorframe rather than a sturdier roof B-pillar.

During the late 1980s, the United States Department of Transportation buoyed the cause of automatic seat belts by allowing automakers to install the devices in new vehicle as an alternative to more expensive driver-side airbags. Naturally, penny-pinching auto company executives during this era attempted to adapt the automatic seat belt hastily in production vehicles. Volkswagen and Jaguar products as well as the Honda Accord were examples employing the automatic seat belt technology during its brief popularity. As time progressed, the automatic seat belt was considered a safety gimmick gone bad and was abolished from new cars as of the mid-1990s in favour of airbags.

Information source: General Motors, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, United States Department of Transportation
Photo source: Chrysler Group, General Motors, Honda, Volkswagen

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It’s only Wednesday, but there is been a lot going on in the automotive and technology world. For Apple fans, iOS 5 is a big leap forward, while General Motors has confirmed several new products.

With Cadillac’s new CUE infotainment system, the two worlds have converged. CUE stands for Cadillac User Experience, and it debuted last night at the CTIA Wireless trade show. CUE is entirely different than anything GM has released before; for brands like Chevrolet the company recently introduced a system called myLink. CUE is a radically different, Cadillac-exclusive system that promises to leapfrog everything that’s available in the marketplace.

One of the big selling points of the iPhone when it first hit the market was the capacitive touch screen. Capacitive screens have hard surfaces rather than the squishy, less accurate resistive screens. Resistive screens were used on most phones up until that time. CUE brings more-expensive capacitive screens to the automobile for the first time, offering a similar leap in control and feedback. Not to mention they just feel higher-quality. This isn’t just any capacitive screen though; Cadillac takes the experience to new levels by including multi-touch software, haptic feedback, and motion-sensing.

Thanks to the motion sensor, elements only appear on the screen when the driver or passenger’s hand is within eight inches of it. During normal driving, those controls fade to eliminate distraction and provide for a more aesthetically appealing view.

CUE debuts along with an entirely new Cadillac approach to interior design. The new design ethos goes all-out with the latest technology, eliminating traditional buttons below the screen as well. Traditional buttons are thrown out for capacitive ones that feature haptic-feedback. This reduces clutter and allows for certain buttons to fade from view when not in use.

In front of the driver is a 12.3-inch screen that is customizable with four different views. You can have as much or as little information displayed as you’d like. For instance if you’re traveling there is a mode that puts turn-by-turn directions right within easy view of the driver. As you can imagine, a system like this needs some serious processing power to work properly. CUE is powered by a three-core ARM 11 processor running a modified Linux operating system. Other systems on the market like MyFord Touch have been criticized for sluggishness, and this processor should ensure that is a criticism CUE avoids.

Using most systems in today’s cars is frustrating because they are not nearly as effective for getting tasks done as the average smartphone. Clunky and outdated best describes the interfaces, but CUE turns that on its head. It provides a system for vehicles using the latest technology, and we’re excited to try it out for ourselves.

CUE will be available on Cadillac’s 2013 lineup, including the XTS, ATS and SRX. From the looks of it, what Cadillac is offering is nothing less than class-leading, giving credibility to the tagline “We don’t just build luxury cars, we build Cadillacs.”

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“Four-door coupes” sell better than real two-doors in today’s marketplace. The reason why that happens usually comes down to practicality. Most buyers want to carry more passengers and gear. When you have more expendable income to kick around on a second car, it can be less of a concern.

The Cadillac CTS Coupe makes a bold statement in that regard. It is much more than a CTS sans two-doors. The standard CTS sedan and their V-Series counterparts are viewed as star products by the automotive press- and there is good reason for that. Widespread praise is earned because of their design and rear-wheel drive handling dynamics. If we had the cash, we’d order a CTS-V Coupe Diamond Edition in a heartbeat. Oh yeah!

The CTS-V series goes head-to-head with the BMW M5 and Mercedes E63 AMG in pricing and performance. Downstream, CTS pricing is more in 3-Series territory, despite being 5-Series in size. That situation will be rectified when the ATS arrives. Until then, the CTS is bread-and-butter at Cadillac.

Today Cadillac has announced that the CTS Coupe has become the best-selling model in its segment. So far this year, Cadillac has sold 15,711 Coupes, representing 27% percent of overall CTS sales. Given that the Coupe is pretty new, isn’t too shocking. However, Cadillac has shown sales strength elsewhere as well. The CTS lineup is up 24% over last year and the SRX crossover is also up strongly, becoming Cadillac’s best seller. CTS isn’t far behind with a total of 4,663.

The SRX sold 4,901 units last month, versus the 5,003 sales for the Lexus RX, the best-selling crossover in the segment. The SRX is making inroads into a market long-dominated by the RX. What’s more, Cadillac’s sales growth has been done with a lineup that is much smaller than its competitors. With new models like the ATS and XTS, Cadillac could eclipse Lexus in the near future.

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Featuring an exciting product line-up, the flow of Cadillac’s creative juices (taking on the texture and taste of fine Nappa valley wine in the case of a luxury company) is fuelling the production of three new vehicles. Rubberstamping the full-size XTS and compact ATS for production early this month, a third assembly line product was unveiled this week. Based on the insatiable Cadillac Converj concept car, the General Motors luxury carmaker declared a planned entrance into the plug-in hybrid vehicle market with the ELR sport coupe. As past Cadillac concept cars are being transformed into extravagant production reality, the General Motors luxury brand’s latest design study presented at the 2011 Pebble Beach Concour d’Elegance gains some extra clout.

A four-seat convertible show car, the Cadillac Ciel concept car premieres at the ultra-exclusive California golf and country club as a profuse expression of luxury embracing the Golden State. Covered with a charmingly regal Cabernet paint finish, the Ciel is a grand touring vehicle concept merging comfort with a high-class driving experience.

Named the Ciel (the French translation to the word Sky), the pronunciation of the Cadillac concept is expelled as ‘C-L’. An amusing name for the fact the General Motors luxury brand reuses a name once worn by a roadster from the auto corporation’s former Saturn division, premium car rival Mercedes-Benz could probably be heard voicing some other colourful words realizing Cadillac’s choice for concept car naming.

The Cadillac Ciel concept is accomplished with a long, elegantly sculpted appearance playing on classic and modern exterior styling traits. Featuring horizontally directed LED headlights and taillights, the overall appearance of the Cadillac Ciel beckons remembrance of the mid-1960s Eldorado convertibles. On the other hand, a big front Cadillac grille and the smooth side texture of the Ciel radiates design characteristics shown on the XTS concept sedan. The super large 22-inch aluminum wheels and carbon-ceramic brake rotors insures a strong expression of 21st century technology.

Realized as an all-wheel drive hybrid vehicle with lithium-ion battery storage, the main power for the Cadillac Ciel comes from a potent twin-turbocharged V-6 powerplant. Projected to produce 425 horsepower and 430 pounds-feet of torque, the Ciel concept’s 3.6 liter, direct-injected six-cylinder gasoline engine could be close to production. Speculation regarding the upcoming XTS has implicated a twin-turbo V-6 powerplant as an equipment option.

Residing on a wheelbase measuring 125 inches, the Ciel interior is presented as spacious luxury. With rear doors swinging backwards to open, the Cadillac Ciel cabin opens up for a grand entrance thanks also to the absence of a B-pillar frame. Unmistakable luxury is echoed throughout the four-passenger accommodations with Italian Olive wood, nickel plating and aluminum decorating the Ciel’s interior quarters. Unique design touches inspired by California are carefully inserted into the Cadillac Ciel concept’s cabin including pullout blankets for passengers and compartments designed for holding weather-worshiping items such as sunglasses or sunscreen. Cordless inductive charging and ambient lighting brings the technological culture of California to the passengers of the Cadillac Ciel.

More than a just a delightfully pompous occasions for the past day history to be celebrated in an outdoor country club, the Pebble Beach Concour d’Elegance has rapidly morphed into an event demonstrating relevance for modern motoring luxury. Presented in the California sun, the Cadillac Ciel may not have the momentum to reach production car attitude. Cadillac’s latest experiences with convertibles have resulted in the less than successful Allante and the forgettable XLR. The Ciel’s concept production could truly depend on a wish upon a star.

Information and photo source: General Motors

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In the electronics world, the latest to have new gadgets are known as the early adopters. They’re the ones who fork out the cash and put up with the idiosyncrasies of a new product. With innovation and new technology, the usual course is starting with a high price tag. Over time that price comes down and it becomes available on a wide scale.

Tesla followed this pattern, introducing the Roadster with the intent to quickly move down in price. The Model S is the next car in this downward pattern, coming in at a little over half the Roadster’s price. The model following is looking to halve that further. General Motors, one other hand, took a different tack with the Volt.

They aimed to start at the lower end of the market first, which is an admirable goal. However, many thought GM would have been smart to introduce a Cadillac model with the Voltec system. Doing so would have absorbed some of the initial high cost, while alo giving prestige to the Cadillac brand. Such an effort was previewed by the stunning Converj concept.

There has been an off and on nature about whether that car would be produced. Today, production has been confirmed by Cadillac. Instead of being called Converj though, it will be known as the ELR.

Don Butler, vice-president of Cadillac marketing said that “The concept generated instant enthusiasm…like other milestone Cadillac models of the past, the ELR will offer something not other wise present – the combination of electric propulsion with striking design and the fun of luxury coupe driving.”

The ELR could be just the ticket for Cadillac, which is in need of a high-style halo right now. We’re looking forward to seeing the Converj make it to production as the ELR. Hopefully, the beautiful lines of the concept will remain intact.

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