July 28th, 2010
Cadillac’s new CTS V – V6 Coupe is likely to get your attention. Ever since they came out I’ve been a fan because I love sleepers. A sleeper is a vehicle that you wouldn’t expect to be fast until you’re staring at its tail lights as it tears up the concrete and leaves you speechless. The CTS V does just that.
But of course, not every person can handle 550 hp. If you’ve never been behind the wheel of something that powerful, or been in the passenger seat, you probably would be scared to experience it if you had not been warned.
The CTS V is definitely the black sheep, it’s sinister looking and the pride and joy of GM. Last year, Bob Lutz of GM challenged any takers, including Mercedes-Benz and BMW etc. to a match. At first he had some takers but at the last minute they all backed out, citing some lame excuses for pulling out.
So with the respect that the CTS V has, it’s younger brother with a V-6 engine making 306 hp, is likely to be feared in its class as well. Making 306 hp with a V-6 engine is substantial and commendable. Doing so in a luxury vehicle like a Cadillac is even more insane.
On top of that, Cadillac has answered with a coupe outfitted with a V-6 and a suggested MSRP starting at $38,990. A price point that a younger generation can swallow. The CTS V will likely be hot considering all those who want to be owners just may see their dreams come true with such a lower and more manageable pricepoint.
Cadillac has been extremely talented in combining the raw horsepower one wants with a level of luxury that everyone expects from them.
Tags: 2010 Cadillac CTS
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July 9th, 2010
The Cadillac SRX is at the top of its game, it’s leading the brand in sales and in residual value. Lets take a look at how the SRX has been able to pull it off.
The SRX size is in high demand. We’re seeing more and more demand for midsize crossovers, which are “Mini SUV’s” you might call them. They do a great job of delivering the advantages of owning an SUV without the overages in size and inefficiency.
People are after the SRX because its a vehicle they can use for hauling the kids around, going on roadtrips or simply a commuter to the office. As with all Cadillac’s there is no doubt the target market for this vehicle can appreciate the finer things when it comes to the driving experience.
When crossovers started hitting the market, many of them had a awkward looking appearance, people just couldn’t put their finger on what they were. To big to be a station wagon, too small to be an SUV, so they ended up saying it was somewhere in between.
SRX is what you get when you take the looks and features of a full size Cadillac SUV and put it onto a smaller chassis. The result is simply a condensed and refined version of what no longer will be looked at as wasteful from a mileage perspective.
The Cadillac is a great crossover at a suggested MSRP of $33,300 it’s sure to be a contender in this segment.
Tags: 2010 Cadillac SRX
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June 16th, 2010
Google and OnStar struck a deal that will permit OnStar users to leverage Google Maps and transmit destinations to the navigation system in their vehicles. Other features of this system include the capability to accept emails and text messages, as well as displaying useful data such as gas mileage evaluation and when applicable, remaining battery life.
People will start using this application for convenience, a different purpose than what has been the typical use case for OnStar. This new connectivity feature will provide advantages such as setting the car’s interior temperature ahead of time and a grid-friendly program for charging.
By the end of the month Onstar eNav, which is turn-by-turn navigation, will become accessible. Drivers will have knowledge of the destinations whenever they desire and get immediate directions from OnStar as needed. In the automotive market turn-by turn navigation is a feature few have had the opportunity to try out, GM aims to change this with this integration.
According to Onstar Vice President, eNav is an ideal solution for many who are often using Google Maps for planning their trips before leaving the house, this just completes the process as it should. In addition, eNav increases safety behind the wheel by limiting the distractions for drivers. An option of pushing the blue Onstar button in order to communicate to a live advisor will be the final step in getting as much assistance as needed to reach a destination.
The Google Maps integration will be offered on all General Motors vehicle that are turn-by-turn capable and will incorporate Onstar Destination Download to forward locations directly to the navigation system’s screen. For the year 2011, Onstar Connection Service is standard on all OnStar outfitted GM vehicles.
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May 25th, 2010
The Jeep Grand Cherokee is as American and original as they come, and now Chrysler is taking it’s timeless design up even more with all kinds of improvements.
Jeep is no doubt the offroad vehicle enthusiasts favorite and has been for decades. The Grand Cherokee is not only offroad innovation, it’s a layer of luxury on top of that and one that Chrysler is continually investing it’s resources into becoming greater each year.
Take the new 3.6L Pentastar V6 engine it’s getting. This engine is beyond brilliant, and for a V6 it’s picking up 23 mpg and keeps you on the road for 500 miles between refills. That’s an 11% increase in mileage, not bad.
In case you’re looking for luxury but you’ll always want that piece of mind in the 4wd capabilities, the Grand Cherokee is hard to argue with. One way that Chrysler is serving this experience to both on road and off road excellence is the new suspension system that completely revamps the way the Jeep feels in terms of stiffness.
Looking at the stance of this new Grand Cherokee you can see that it’s a stronger and more broader stance. The profile looks sharp from every angle, just follow the lines and you’ll see no flaws. It’s no question that Jeep was pushing hard on this one, it’s a spectacle that each and every dealer will brag about when customers come in to get introduced to Chrysler’s new comeback kid.
Jeep Grand Cherokees will start arriving next month, so finding one that you can stop in and test drive is just around the corner. Even if you’re not in the market for a new truck, you’d appreciate this new engine platform and what it’s done to pave the way for some great technology from Chrysler in the coming years.
Tags: Jeep Grand Cherokee
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April 28th, 2010
The Buick LaCrosse, a midsized sedan and now Buick’s flagship vehicle came on the scene in model year 2005. At that time the LaCrosse was thought of as a “Buick’ and equated as grandma’s tool around wheels driven to Kroger on Saturday and church on Sunday. This was fine for grandma but was met with ‘ho hum’ from younger demographics. While grandma needs a good tool around vehicle, when working on the redesign Buick redefined the ‘Buick’ for a different demographic and maybe grandma will like the change, but it’s a decidedly hipper granny; the luxury driving kind.
Buicks 2011 LaCrosse does not infringe on the exceptionally crafted 2010 redesign with the exception of eliminating the 3.0-L V6 engine and will replace that with a 2.4-L inline four-cylinder engine; however, the 3.6-L V6 engine will still be offered. Buick offers the LaCrosse in three trim levels: the CX, CXL, and CXS. The 2010 base suggested MSRP of $27,085 won’t change much for the 2011 model; however the 2011 model with the 2.4-L will have a suggested MSRP of $27,000.
Buick’s new outlook and styling now competes with vehicles like Lexus but priced affordably–it is also worth a few minutes to address how the stylish exterior and refined interior feels on the open road.
Buick now offers HiPer strut front suspension which is engineered to all but terminate torque steer while still offering drivers an almost luxury vehicle that corners like an almost sports sedan. The HiPer strut will be offered on LaCrosse CXS with the 3.6-L engine this model year but will be offered on more GM vehicles in the near future.
It is an exciting time in the auto industry with new offerings from many US automakers tailor-made to excite and spoil while keeping the customer’s pocketbook in mind. Check out your nearest Buick dealership soon. It is a reasonable assumption that you will not be disappointed.
Tags: 2010 Buick Lacrosse
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