When the 2011 Cadillac CTS coupe debuted at the Los Angeles auto show, it was practically a given that General Motors would follow up with the ultra-hot CTS-V coupe at the Detroit auto show.

With the CTS-V sedan’s supercharged powertrain and other go-fast mechanicals fitted to the two-door’s wedge-y profile, the V coupe will be a sexy and formidable alternative to other existing performance coupes, the mightiest of which is BMW’s M3. As with the regular CTS coupe, the V shares the sedan’s 113.4-inch wheelbase, while being both two inches lower and shorter and with a one-inch-wider rear track.

The V coupe is identical to the V sedan from the base of the A-pillar forward, carrying over the aggressive front fascia with gaping air intakes, the V-signature mesh grilles, and the bulged hood that covers the 556-hp, 6.2-liter supercharged V-8. As with the V sedan, a choice of six-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmissions will funnel power to the rear wheels. Also carrying over are large Brembo brakes—15.0-inch front, 14.7-inch rear—the specifically tuned suspension with driver-adjustable magnetorheological shocks, a limited-slip differential, and 19-inch alloy wheels shod with Michelin PS2 summer rubber. The V coupe also adds a taller center brake light that doubles as a spoiler and a unique rear fascia that frames the two large center exhaust outlets.

Opening the doors is accomplished via Corvette-style touch pads. Once inside, the interior is familiar to those who have seen those of the base coupe or sedan. V-specific touches include optional Recaro sport seats, black center-console and door trim, wheel-mounted paddle shifters for automatic models, and suede-like seat inserts. While optional on the sedan, the faux suede material is fitted to the coupe’s steering wheel and manual shifter as standard equipment. A new Saffron interior-color option—exclusive to the V coupe—is available as well and offers contrasting seat inserts and leather stitching.

Performance should be at least as blistering as the sedan’s—we’ve tested the four-door to 60 mph in as little as 3.9 seconds—and we expect the V coupe to be just as serious a challenger to the M3. We don’t have specific pricing yet, but figure on a $3K to $5K premium over the four-door, which starts at $61,545, when the V coupe goes on sale this summer.

Source (article & pictures): CARANDDRIVER.COM

Plaisance Vehicle Brokers located in Downtown Orlando will be liquidating a fleet of eight 2007 and 2008 Cadillac Escalade ESVs. These vehicles were used by a major transportation company as executive limos servicing high end Disney hotels. They are all in excellent condition and fully serviced. These vehicles feature 403 hp, 6.2 liter V8 engines with 6-speed automatic transmission. For safety, all four wheels have anti-lock brake systems and the vehicles feature front impact airbags as well as curtain overhead airbags. The cars seat up to seven and the entire interior is leather and these vehicles come loaded with extras. Features front A/C and rear A/C with separate controls, cruise control with steering wheel controls, power windows with driver and passenger 1-touch down, remote keyless entry, heated steering wheel with manual tilting, full floor console with covered box, mini overhead console, 5 12V DC power outlets, heated seats, power seats, and XM AM/FM/Satellite Radio with six-disc CD changer. These vehicles also feature rear cameras and sensors to aid with parking.

As President Barack Obama rides about Washington in his new custom-made Cadillac, he should remember that the men and women who furnished his stylish ride need to hear from him, and soon.

The domestic auto industry’s outlook is brightened only modestly by Chrysler’s announced partnering with Italian automaker Fiat. It’s a reasonable move for Chrysler, offering an opportunity to diminish the company’s historical reliance on minivans and Jeeps. Fiat’s strength in small cars and high-end nameplates will bring balance in exchange for a 35% stake in Chrysler.

But Fiat’s reluctance to invest the first euro of its own money in Chrysler is telling. So is the unhappy history of Fiat’s short-lived partnership with GM, which began with a similar vision of geographic and segment synergy.

Chrysler’s desperate need for cash persists, and some doomsayers suggest its alliance with Fiat could even exacerbate that predicament by triggering a repayment provision in the terms of its emergency loan from Uncle Sam. In any event, the Fiat partnership does nothing to address Chrysler’s immediate problems.

Equally ominous is UAW President Ron Gettelfinger’s warning that it will be “almost impossible” for the Big Three to meet the Feb. 17 deadline the Bush administration ordained for the delivery of detailed restructuring plans. The new administration shouldn’t wait three weeks to find out if this is more than hyperbole.

Appointing a car czar with broad, proactive authority should be a priority on par with tackling the foreclosure crisis. It’s also consistent with the new president’s commitment to fiscal transparency and more energy-efficient automobiles.

In his inaugural address, Obama warned that “our time of putting off unpleasant decisions … has surely passed.” That is doubly true in the auto industry, and the new administration should seize the initiative now.

SOURCE: Freep.com