Hummer, Cadillac, Saab's April Offers Uninspiring

Incentives are rarely surprising. They’re usually relatively consistent from month-to-month, with a few exceptions (this month’s crazy deluge of Ford and Chrysler deals falling squarely under that umbrella). So it goes with Hummer, Cadillac and Saab in April.

Neither Hummer’s nor Cadillac’s incentives manage to make their models’ high prices more enticing: the H2 has $2,000 available and the H3 offers $3,000, but with the starting MSRP for the H2 hovering above $50,000, anyone buying a Hummer probably doesn’t badly need a couple thousand off. (Then again, a couple extra thousand dollars never hurts.) The H3 was a big hit for Hummer just a year ago, but has seen sales slump a bit, leading to the relatively high cash-back here.

The Cadillac DTS has $3,000 cash back off a starting MSRP of around $46,000. Saab has seen surprising interest of late in its 9-3 sedan and 9-7X SUV and has yet to provide a deal on 2008 models beyond 5.9% financing for 36 months. All incentives expire April 30.

All Manufacturer Incentives (Cars.com)
More Incentives News (KickingTires)

Season Recap: Car We Want in Our Driveway

Now that we’ve tackled the best economy cars, hybrids, SUVs and concept cars, it’s time to decide which car we want in our own driveways. This post is kind of like asking us what we’d do if we won the lottery, but considering we’re a fickle bunch when it comes to cars, there’s a bit more to consider than pure fantasy.

Kelsey Mays: 2009 Cadillac CTS-V
Energy independence notwithstanding, I’d gladly shell out $4 a gallon for a CTS-V. The regular CTS is one of Lutz & Co.’s finest achievements yet, and the thought of 550 hp underfoot is stupefying enough to make me crave one. Reality bites, but this Caddy bites back: It still has a full backseat, commute-friendly amenities and a trunk that can fit a weekend’s baggage. Naturally, if I had one, most of my weekends would be spent at the track.

Recall Alert: 4,586 Cadillac STS and STS-Vs

Cadillac is recalling 4,586 Cadillac STSs and STS-Vs from the 2008 model year due to “premature tire failure.” The failure is due to a faulty tire pressure monitoring system that fails to alert drivers to falling tire pressure, according to NHTSA's recall summary. Such loss of pressure could cause drivers to lose control of their cars.

Repairs can be taken care of at Cadillac dealerships. Owners can contact Cadillac at 1-800-982-2339 or go to Cadillac's website here.

Cadillac, Saab, Hummer Dealers Next to Consolidate

At an important convention of automotive dealers this weekend, GM chief executive Rick Wagoner said the company is stepping up efforts to consolidate its three luxury brands, Cadillac, Saab and Hummer. Much like recent moves to bring all remaining Pontiac, GMC and Buick dealers under one roof, this move would save GM money.

Unlike the Pontiac, GMC, Buick trio, the three luxury brands don’t really share the same platforms, and there wouldn’t be a cut in the number of models each offers.

We’re not sure how luxury shoppers, especially those interested in Saabs, will feel about going to a showroom sharing the floor with Hummer. The changes won’t happen swiftly; Wagoner pointed out that the Pontiac, GMC, Buick consolidation has taken roughly five years and still isn’t complete.

GM Sees Room to Consolidate Luxury Dealerships (Yahoo! Finance)

Cars.com Faceoff: 2008 Cadillac Escalade, Infiniti QX56, Lincoln Navigator

Mike Hanley, David Thomas and Joe Wiesenfelder recently spent a lot of quality time in three large, luxury SUVs and had the hard task of determining which one topped the bling-obsessed heap. Besides tackling those big, bold SUV grilles, the trio also factored in cargo usability, interior refinement and how easy it is to navigate these beasts. 

Cars.comparison: Full-Size Luxury SUVs

Up Close: Cadillac CTS Coupe

The CTS Coupe introduced at the Detroit auto show is technically a concept, but it looks like it's closer to being a prototype. It's based on the sedan and shares its front end, with the exception of the domed hood. I think it looks a bit slab-sided, and I suspect the diamond-cut rear end will be controversial. 

2008 Detroit Auto Show Video: Cadillac Coupe Concept

Cars.com senior editor Joe Wiesenfelder grabbed a quick video of the Cadillac CTS Coupe concept when it moved from the stage to its final show perch on a rotating pedestal. We'll have more insight from Joe on the CTS Coupe soon.

More info and photos of the CTS Coupe Concept

2008 Detroit Auto Show: Cadillac CTS Coupe Concept

• Looks like: Someone forgot to bolt on the back doors
• Defining characteristics: Radically sloping rear
• Ridiculous features: None — this is one straight-shooting concept
• Chance of being mass-produced: 95% or so; the XLR proved a Cadillac sports car can’t be too expensive

The Cadillac CTS Coupe concept was one of the few real surprises at this year’s show. Held tightly under wraps, the CTS Coupe shows what a production two-door version of the recently redesigned CTS would look like. In fact, it looks so production-ready we’d bet even odds it’ll be at a dealer near you in 2009.

The coupe has the same wheelbase as the sedan but is 2 inches shorter overall, and the height is roughly 2 inches lower as well. There are two seats in the back, but this is clearly a driver’s car. Expect the engines in a production model to be the same as the sedan: 3.6-liter V-6s putting out 258 or 304 hp. We’d even bet on a CTS-V coupe coming along someday down the road, too.

Cadillac is winning over buyers because of its edgy looks and sporty driving nature; the new CTS isn't staying on lots long. The last time Cadillac dipped into the two-door category was with the XLR, which has an $80,000 price of entry. A sub-$40,000 sport coupe like this would definitely broaden appeal.  Check out all that appeal in more photos below.

2008 Cadillac CTS Earns Top Safety Pick

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety recently completed crash testing the redesigned Cadillac CTS, and the sport sedan earned the group’s top designation as a Top Safety Pick. Only the Volvo S80, Audi A6 and A4, and Saab 9-3 equal that feat in the luxury sedan market. Other cars the CTS competes with directly, like the BMW 3 Series, Lexus ES and Infiniti G35, didn’t receive that honor. So not only does the new CTS presumably “turn on” its drivers, it also keep them safe and secure. 

2008 Detroit Auto Show: 2009 Cadillac CTS-V

• Competes with: BMW M and Mercedes AMG sedans, Lexus IS-F
• Looks like: The CTS lost all its well-coiffed pretensions and now just wants to run you over
• Drivetrain: 550-hp (estimated), supercharged 6.2-liter V-8 with six-speed manual or six-speed automatic; rear-wheel drive
• Hits dealerships: Late 2008

Even though the CTS is priced to rub elbows with compact sport sedans like the BMW 3 Series and Mercedes C-Class, Cadillac says its CTS-V competes with those cars’ respective big brothers, the BMW M5 and Mercedes E63 AMG. Maybe that’s because the CTS-V makes an estimated — and just plain stupefying — 550 hp and 550 pounds-feet of torque.

Whatever the competitor, the CTS-V looks ready to rip it a new one. Under the hood, GM’s 6.2-liter V-8 gets an intercooled Eaton supercharger, and all power goes to the rear wheels through a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmission. With the manual, a dual-mass flywheel and dual-disc clutch aim to enhance the left pedal’s smoothness, but we hope the stick shift itself has improved over the regular CTS’ clunky setup. Like in the regular CTS, the automatic has paddle shifters on the steering wheel, and we’re impressed that Cadillac is offering both setups.

The CTS-V adopts the STS’ Magnetic Ride Control, which reads the road and varies suspension settings to match driving conditions. An optional Performance Traction Management system aims to optimize traction with an eye toward maximizing acceleration — as opposed to conventional traction control, which mostly just tries to optimize traction. GM’s electronic stability control system comes standard and includes a competitive mode that dials back its intrusiveness, allowing you to perform stunts you probably shouldn’t try outside a racetrack.

Styling changes from the freshly minted CTS include larger 19-inch wheels, a larger grille and the requisite lower body cladding. The cabin features deeply bolstered Recaro seats with grippier suede-like inserts, as well as dark Obsidian trim and a microfiber-lined steering wheel.

The CTS-V will arrive in the fourth quarter of 2008 with a yet-to-be-determined price tag. With the well-received CTS already selling briskly, don’t expect the V to sit on dealer lots for long.

Cadillac Provoq Hydrogen Concept

• Looks like: Cadillac slapped a grille on a Saturn Vue
• Defining characteristics: Escalade grille, hydrogen power
• Ridiculous features: Clear-covered wheels so they look normal but are really aerodynamic
• Chance of being mass-produced: None with hydrogen power; but as a small Cadillac SUV…

Instead of making a splash in Detroit next week, GM is using the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas to debut this hydrogen-powered Cadillac concept today. The underlying technology is similar to what has been planned for the Chevy Volt and an overseas concept called the Opel Flextreme.

The hydrogen-powered Provoq would travel 300 miles on a single fill of 13.2 pounds of hydrogen, held in two storage tanks under the rear cargo floor. There are also solar panels installed on the roof to power interior electronics and lighting. In true concept fashion, the already elaborate Cadillac grille has louvers that close at highway speeds to improve aerodynamics and open at low speeds to cool the fuel-cell stack.

Will we see a hydrogen-powered small SUV from Cadillac at dealers anytime soon? No way. Could we see a regular gas version of this concept at a dealer really soon? Probably. The new Saturn Vue is close to a luxury interior as it is, so Cadillac wouldn’t have to do much to adapt it. Check out the pictures below and tell us what you think.

Recall Alert: 275,000 Cadillac, Pontiac, Saturn Cars and Crossovers

Today, GM announced it would recall 275,936 vehicles in the U.S. due to a faulty seal. The recalled vehicles include:

• 2005-07 Cadillac CTS
• 2005-07 Cadillac STS
• 2005-07 Cadillac SRX
• 2006-07 Pontiac Solstice
• 2007 Saturn Sky

The company said it had received a “higher than normal” number of warranty claims for the faulty seal, which can leak fluid, leading to a loss of control. One crash has been reported, in which the rear wheels locked due to a leak. In another incident, a driver was injured when his vehicle lost control.

The seal will be replaced for free, and the recall will begin in February 2008. Owners can call Cadillac at 800-982-2339, Pontiac at 800-620-7668 and Saturn at 800-972-8876 for more information.

GM Announces Recall (BusinessWeek)

Best Cash-Back Finds: 12.07.07

Sifting through sales, incentives and various offers from car companies can be almost a full-time job for shoppers — and it is a full-time gig for some Cars.com staffers. We maintain a list of the Top 10 Cash-Back Offers here and a list of every available incentive here to help thrifty car shoppers. 

However, those charts aren’t helpful if you’re not sure about the cars on them. Is it OK to get the 2007 with a rebate and not the 2008? Could a car with a $4,000 cash-back offer be any good? The editors at Cars.com look at all the incentives and let you know which vehicles they recommend. These cars may not have the biggest rebates thrown on the hood, but our recommendations take into account our experiences driving the cars, along with some other factors, including safety and ownership costs. 

2007 Ford Edge

• MSRP: $25,320
• Cash back: $2,500
• Percent off MSRP: 9.87%
• Expires: 1/2/08
• 5-Year Ownership Costs
• Why it makes the cut: This is a classic example of a model where not much has changed for the new model year, besides the availability of that cool Sync feature we recently tested. If you don’t care about that, there are plenty of 2007 Edges left on dealer lots. The SUV has a lot of style and a healthy V-6 engine standard along with the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety's Top Safety Pick award. We’re not big fans of the interior fit and finish, but there’s a lot of utility here for the money.

Video: 2009 Cadillac Escalade Hybrid

The onslaught of Escalade news is drawing to a close — we promise! — and with it comes some video of the 2009 Escalade Hybrid. If you want to see that bold sideboard proclaiming that this Escalade is green in motion, just click play.

More Escalade News

2008 Cadillac Escalade Platinum

Cadillac brought another Escalade to the party today. Besides the Hybrid, which will be a distinct model, the Platinum edition is a new trim level atop the Escalade lineup. Other Cadillacs have gotten the treatment before, but the Escalade seems to be one vehicle that deserves it.

The Platinum gets Magnetic Ride Control, which is basically constantly adapting shocks and suspension that should supply a smoother ride than the SUVs traditional setup. That’s not a small upgrade. The headlights are all LED — making it one of just a few cars around with that setup — but they won’t be available on the first Platinums that roll off the line this spring; you’ll have to wait for one produced after this summer. The grille is also designed to emulate the new CTS sedan. Of course, it has unique 22-inch wheels, not made out of platinum. The engine is a 403-hp V-8, so once you’re done with the show, you can get up and go. More photos below.

2009 Cadillac Escalade Hybrid

• Competes with: Lexus RX 400h
• Looks like: A regular Escalade with the word HYBRID plastered all over it
• Drivetrain: 2-Mode Hybrid system with 332 hp 6.0-liter V-8 engine and electric motor
• Hits dealerships: Summer 2008

There is one thing that holds a lot of people back from buying a big, bold SUV like the Cadillac Escalade: They don’t want to be a pariah for hurting the environment. The new 2009 Cadillac Escalade Hybrid is the third full-size hybrid SUV from GM, following the Chevy Tahoe and GMC Yukon which go on sale later this year.

The Escalade has a bigger engine, though, which not only has the assistance of a hybrid powertrain, but also features active fuel management so that when the SUV is cruising at highway speeds four of the eight cylinders shut off. Along with the regenerative braking system and other fuel-saving technologies, GM says the mileage for the hybrid Escalade will improve by 50% over its gas counterpart. That means the Escalade should get 18 mpg, up from 12, using the new EPA estimates. The government hasn't given official numbers yet, but we'd expect the Escalade to follow the other 2-mode SUVs which have highway mileage identical to the gasoline-only versions. That would mean the Escalade's would likely stay close to the 18 and 19 mpg for AWD and 2WD models respectively.

The Escalade will start from a dead stop, and drive at low speeds, entirely on electric power. It will also roll on 22-inch wheels.

We’ll have more photos of the Escalade Hybrid later today. Until then, tell us if you think this is a good idea for Cadillac.

2008 Cadillac Escalade Sport Concept

• Looks like: The Escalade your local NFL running back drives
• Defining characteristics: Mesh grille and 24s
• Ridiculous features: This is understated for SEMA
• Chance of being mass-produced: Probably not much chance of this being a production model, but perhaps some of the accessories will be available

The Escalade was the first Cadillac to feature the bold new grille that has made its way across the lineup. That grille is wild, and its standard. The custom mesh grilles we’re seeing at SEMA look almost subdued in comparison. Actually, we’re pleasantly surprised that this concept isn’t as garish as it could have been.

Besides ridiculously large wheels — 24 inches — the Sport concept is lowered just two inches, has more horsepower — 550 — features a high-performance exhaust system and has retractable side steps. To say we’re surprised by this show of restraint is an understatement. A shot of the SUVs backside is below. Feel free to give us your feedback.

2008 Cadillac CTS Sport Concept

• Looks like: A beefier Cadillac CTS
• Defining characteristics: Hood scoops and a mesh grille
• Ridiculous features: The idea that the new CTS’ grille needed more-radical styling
• Chance of being mass-produced: The Sport itself might not become a model, but it could serve as a precursor to the next CTS-V

Cadillac has added very little to enhance the performance of the new Cadillac CTS in this Sport concept, but interestingly enough it could be an early look at the next seriously beefed-up CTS-V. Since the V line came to the new generation of Caddies, they’ve brought bright grillwork. That’s definitely the trademark styling here, as well.

The Sport concept also gets 20-inch polished wheels, stronger brakes and a Corsa cat-back exhaust with modified tips that integrate into the rear bumper, which is a look we actually like. That can’t be said for the hood scoops, which get decked out in wire mesh as well. That’s just too much mesh for our mesh-meter. A few more photos are below.   

Bob Dylan: Cadillac Spokesman?

We were a bit surprised — but not too surprised — to see three videos hit YouTube today featuring Bob Dylan in a Cadillac Escalade. It seems the rock ‘n‘ roll legend has a new radio show on XM and, to promote it, he’s promoting Cadillacs in the three spots you see here. The one above is a one minute spot, a two-minute version is posted below and a 30-second spot we’d expect to see on TV can be found here.

Bob Dylan has sold his soul for commercials before, most famously for Victoria’s Secret. At least this ad has a tie-in to a radio show. However, we’re a bit shocked that the ad gurus featured him in an Escalade SUV. Not only that, but they have the not-too-gas-friendly Escalade passing a gasoline truck prominently in all three versions. Couldn’t they just have picked a regular semi?

YouTube via Jalopnik

Sales of Redesigned Cars Soar

It sounds like a no-brainer, but guess what? New and redesigned models sell, especially if they get good reviews. Sales figures for September — widely projected to be a slow month for automakers — are in, and redesigned models like the Honda Accord, Cadillac CTS and Mercedes-Benz C-Class are selling well. Really well.

Unfortunately, the automakers don’t break out how many of the cars sold are 2007s versus 2008s, but we were able to glean a few tidbits from the numbers. The Cadillac CTS did the best of the three in terms of percentage increase, showing a 73.5% sales increase over September 2007. If you look at the CTS’ sales in August, they were down 9.1%.

Cars.com Faceoff: Luxury Sedan Showdown

Someone recently asked us what the heck it is we do all day at the Cars.com offices, you know, besides blogging here on KickingTires. Well, one of the things we do is compare some of the big players in segments from convertibles to SUVs. This month we took three of the best entries in the luxury sedan market and compared the good, the bad and the kind of expensive. The 2008 BMW 528i, 2008 Cadillac STS and Infiniti M35 deliver style and value, but which one brings home the win?

Cars.comparison: Luxury Performance Sedans (Cars.com)

What GM's Strike Means to Car Shoppers

At 11 this morning, the United Auto Workers union went on strike at American GM plants. This basically shuts down production of many new GM cars, trucks and SUVs for the foreseeable future. But does that mean you won’t be able to find that new GM car, truck or SUV when you go car shopping in the immediate future?

According to the latest inventory numbers, GM on average has enough vehicles for 67 days at the current rate of sales. Some hot vehicles like the Buick Enclave — built in Lansing, Mich. — only had a 26-day supply, which is roughly 3,600 vehicles, as of Sept. 1. Trucks and SUVs like the Chevy Silverado (90 days) and GMC Yukon (139 days) won’t be hard to come by, however.

Another big issue is how new cars built at striking plants will suffer. Those new cars include the 2008 Cadillac CTS, on which GM has already spent millions of dollars in advertising and marketing. If the strike drags on, the CTS could be hard to find, especially because it has received so much positive buzz. GM is also heavily betting on the all-new Chevy Malibu, which was set to begin production next month. We’d guess the strike will be resolved by that time, however.

UAW Strikes GM (The Detroit News)

Cadillac DTS and STS to be Axed

Automotive News has confirmed with high-level Cadillac executives that the current DTS and STS will eventually be axed in favor of a single up-level luxury sedan that could go by either moniker or a new name entirely. In 2007, the DTS was the better seller, but the STS recently went through a refreshing that added a sharp new exterior. Cadillac executives gave no time frame for when the changes would occur, but we’d expect it’s still a few years off.

Cadillac’s lineup could angle smaller, with possible future models including both an entry-level sedan slated below the CTS and a small SUV slated below the SRX and Escalade. There’s also a reference to a higher-priced flagship sedan in the Automotive News interview.

Related
2008 Cadillac STS Expert Review (Cars.com)
More Cadillac News (KickingTires)

GM Extends Financing for 2006 Models

GM has beefed up its incentives programs, extending 0.0 APR financing offers on most models in its family — including Chevrolet, Cadillac, Buick, Hummer, Pontiac, Saturn and Saab — to 60 months. The bad news is that the zero-percent-for-60-months-on-every-model offer only applies to 2006 models, which are often hard to find. On many of those models, GM has added an additional $1,000 cash bonus to those financing offers.

Customers also have the option of bigger cash rebates without the financing deal. Cash back ranges from $500 all the way up to the 2006 Cadllac STS’ ever-generous $9,000 offer. All offers expire Oct. 1.

For a complete rundown of GM and other manufacturer incentives, see Cars.com’s incentives page. You can search new car inventory, including new 2006 models, on Cars.com here.

Cars.com Video: 2008 Cadillac CTS

While we were all hard at work test driving the new Cadillac CTS on the track a while back, Kelsey Mays was goofing off filming this informative video on Cadillac’s redesigned entry-level sedan. Check out that navigation screen popping up out of the dash. That and the TiVo-esque stereo system is pretty cool.

CBS and CTS: Cadillac Banks on TV Comedies, CSI

As the DVR/TiVo-ing of American continues, advertisers have to find new ways to get themselves in front of couch potatoes. Cadillac is going all out this month by tying into the launch of CBS’ Monday night lineup to advertise its own launch of the all-new CTS sedan. While we think the idea of putting the CTS in numerous episodes of “CSI: Miami” is a no-brainer, we’re not so sure how the sleek sedan relates to two hours of comedy, or its audience.

More Driving in the new 2008 Cadillac CTS

Kelsey Mays has already given the CTS the full review treatment, but every single writer at the GM event last week was lined up waiting to take on this new player in the entry-level luxury segment: 

The original CTS was the first sign that GM had a clue and the commitment to compete with the stalwart sport sedans from Germany. I thought the styling was the right idea but clunky in execution, in ways that years of tweaks could only alleviate so much. This one is cohesive and bold and exactly what Cadillac should be doing. Ditto for the interior and especially the driving experience. It’s genteel on the street, and on the track it almost drove itself. Considering that a manual wasn’t available and the automatic’s gearing wasn’t quite right for the track we were on, I was knocked out. A little more backseat room would be nice, but in general the CTS is a winner. — Joe Wiesenfelder, senior editor

Cars.com Reviews the 2008 Cadillac CTS

The redesigned 2008 Cadillac CTS has to be one of the most anticipated new models of the year. It’s already arriving at dealerships, and we just posted our full-fledged review. Kelsey Mays tackles the burning question on everyone’s mind: Is the CTS able to take on the German and Japanese luxury competition? It’s not an easy answer.

2008 Cadillac CTS Expert Review

Video: 2008 Cadillac STS Technology

Kelsey Mays recently reviewed the new 2008 Cadillac STS and came away impressed not only by its road manners, but by its use of new technology. In the video above, he tackles the car’s lane departure warning system and the blind-spot warning system, similar to one on the Volvo S80. Check it out and tell us if you like the idea of these new safety devices.

First Drive: 2008 Cadillac CTS

Oh, the things we do for you. Cadillac invited journalists this week to pilot its latest sport sedan, the redesigned CTS, across some 250 miles of challenging mountain roads south of the Bay Area. The CTS proved to be one capable four-door — planted on the highways, poised in the corners and a flat-out riot when you put the pedal to the floor.

About that pedal: It drives Cadillac’s 3.6-liter V-6, which now has direct injection to make 304 hp. The base V-6 makes 263 hp; we had a chance to drive both. The uplevel engine doesn’t feel 40-plus hp stronger, but that’s mostly a testament to the unexpected strength of the regular one. Both V-6s move the CTS swiftly, with a gratifying exhaust snarl under hard acceleration. Aggressive drivers might still choose the high-output engine, as it gets stronger at higher revs – and on the highway, it scoots a bit quicker from 60 to 80 mph — but the base car should still induce plenty of smiles.

Cars.com Reviews the 2008 Cadillac STS

Cadillac’s new STS gets the full Cars.com review treatment, and Kelsey Mays weighs in with his thoughts on the midsize sedan. Teaser: There’s a bit of Jekyll and Hyde going on with this car, depending on what you focus on when you're sitting in the driver’s seat. Details and photos here.

Friday Fleet Notes: 8.10.07

This week we had a trio of $100,000 cars in the office. That’s a rarity, let me assure you. Still, we don’t turn our noses up at cars like these when they do arrive.

Cadillac XLR-V

My time with the XLR-V was tragically brief, but it didn’t take long for me to appreciate its exceptional powertrain. The gutsy supercharged V-8 alone will get your attention, but its harmonious integration with the six-speed automatic is inspiring. The gearing is very well matched, and the revs stay at remarkably low rpm in normal driving, much like the Chevy Corvette on which this Caddy is based. Stand on it, though, and the XLR-V takes off like a shot. Chirping the tires when already in motion is one thing; doing so when moving at highway speed is an accomplishment — one I accomplished enough to ensure I wasn’t imagining it. Though it’s not marked, if you move the gear selector into the manual-shift gate, it seems to activate an eager automatic sport-shift mode. Only when you push up or back does it start locking in gears. There are no shift paddles, and I certainly didn’t miss them.

Bank Breakers: The Cadillac XLR-V and Jaguar XKR

If you're considering a high-performance convertible like the Cadillac XLR-V or Jaguar XLR — both of which are at or around six figures — it's not asking too much to expect everything to be top-notch, right? You would think so, but after driving and examining these two cars, it's clear that certain areas received more of those hard-earned dollars than others.

Next: 2008 Cadillac CTS Prices Here, Too

When it rains it pours, it seems. Along with today’s earlier announcements of prices for the all-new 2008 Jeep Liberty and 2008 Subaru Impreza, we just received news of pricing for Cadillac’s redesigned CTS sedan. The all-new CTS will go on sale in late August with prices starting at $32,245, not including $745 in destination charges. This is for the base model with a manual transmission. Full pricing for the automatic transmission, as well as the all-wheel-drive CTS, has not been released.

The 2008 CTS comes with new standard features, including 17-inch wheels, an eight-speaker Bose sound system, electronic stability control, a tire pressure monitoring system and polished aluminum exhaust tips.

Related
2007 Detroit Auto Show: 2008 Cadillac CTS (Cars.com)
More Cadillac News (KickingTires)

Cadillac May Go Hybrid

Cadillac’s product chief, John Howell, is focusing a green eye on GM’s luxury lineup. “Pretty much every program I am looking at going forward has got a hybrid as part of it," he told Bloomberg News. The brand is already planning a hybrid Escalade SUV for the 2009 model year and could add the powertrain to Cadillac’s four other current models: the new CTS sedan, STS, DTS and SRX SUV.

Easy money would be for the popular CTS to go hybrid after it relaunches with its second-generation design at the end of the summer. Howell wouldn’t give a timeframe for more hybrids, but if Cadillac did go all green it could be a surprise marketing success. 

Cadillac Mulls Hybrids of all Models as Sales Slump (The Detroit News)

The Week in Ask.cars.com

It’s been another week of terrific questions from Ask.cars.com readers. Our crack research staff has been hot on the phone with automakers and questioned our reviewers about driving impressions and more to make sure no automotive inquiry is left unturned. Check out the latest entries below. If you have a question you want answered, submit it at Ask.cars.com.

• Does the Nissan 350Z convertible have a hardtop?
• When will the new 2008 Ford Taurus X go on sale?
• How can you spot an all-wheel-drive Cadillac?
• Does the Honda CR-V or Mitsubishi Outlander have easier steering?
• Does the Impala use drive-by-wire technology?

Friday Fleet Notes: 05.25.07

We’ve got a healthy list of staff reviews this week, as we’ve been flooded with some particularly interesting cars, such as the 2007 Chevrolet HHR Panel and a couple of new models from Saturn. Senior reviewer Joe Wiesenfelder gives his take on the Audi RS 4 and 2008 Saturn Vue that we recently posted full-length reviews of earlier this week.

2007 Chevrolet HHR Panel

I’m not sure who would buy this car. A florist in Malibu? A contractor in the Hamptons? Purely as a delivery skiff, it didn’t impress me. I hauled my mom and her luggage to the airport one morning, and the rubber floormats could’ve used some dividers to keep things from shifting around. We didn’t mess with the dual storage bins behind the front seats, but they seemed large enough to swallow a bag or two.

Not that anyone looking for serious storage would choose this. With a starting price north of $18,000, you could easily ramp up to a Dodge Caravan cargo van — it has more than double the room in back, and with the current discounts the outgoing 2007 model starts in the same price neighborhood.

Granted, the HHR panel has a higher cool factor than the Caravan, but some of its features have more style than substance. The two rear doors unlatch with the push of a dashboard button, but that requires you to climb up front first. I wish the buttons had made it onto the key fob, or — imagine this — Chevy had left the handles on the back doors. The paneled windows, meanwhile, make for a wicked blind spot. My advice: Change lanes reeeaaal slow.

• Kelsey Mays, assistant editor

In Your Grille: New 2008 Cadillac STS Gets Braces

The lead-up to the New York Auto Show is heating up. After all the action yesterday and last night, Cadillac just released the first images of and information on the 2008 Cadillac STS. In most ways, it’s not that different from the outgoing model. The major change revolves around the huge new grille and side vent. The STS’ look is now more in line with the new Cadillac Escalade and the upcoming CTS, which debuted at the Detroit auto show.

There are some changes with the engine options, as well. There’s a new direct-injection V-6 engine. This is the standard engine, and it gets an impressive 298 hp mated to a six-speed automatic transmission. All-wheel drive remains an option on the 2008 STS. A lane departure warning system will also be available for the first time.

V-8 equipped models and AWD V-6s will get an electronic stability system, although we think it should be standard throughout the lineup. We’re also disappointed with the mostly unaltered interior.

Prices aren’t available at this time, but will be released closer to the midsummer on-sale date.

More photos below.

GM Launches Behind-the-Scenes Cadillac Blog

Earlier this month, GM launched a blog called Cadillac Drivers’ Log. It’s not a blog for Cadillac owners, but one by engineers about what they do to test a car and bring it to market. It seems the car they’re working on now is the new CTS, shown at the Detroit auto show, though we’re unsure why it would be camouflaged.

One post explains how engineers calibrate the all-wheel-drive system. There’s also a pretty impressive video of a Cadillac moving through a ton of snow and ice.

This is a terrific way to expose car-shoppers to the real nitty-gritty of what it takes to produce a new car these days. The development process is highly secretive because of concerns other automakers will steal some secret or design, but that also means the average Joe is kept in the dark about how much actually goes into his or her new ride. Plus, it seems Cadillac found a few engineers who know how to write readable blog posts (though we wonder why they can’t get the bylines figured out). Ping us, guys. We’ll gladly show you how to fix that.

Cadillac Drivers’ Log

A Peek at GM's New Interior Innovations

BusinessWeek wrote an in-depth story on the amount of work GM is putting into its interiors to make them seem more luxurious. We’re not sure where BusinessWeek got the photos it posted to go along with the story, but one, shown below, looks to be an updated interior for the 2008 Cadillac STS. Otherwise there are some nifty potential innovations, like the light-up stalk shown here that will help drivers find the control they need in the dark without having to turn on a light.

[GM's Design Drive Hits the Road, BusinessWeek via GMInsideNews]