Filed under: Hybrids/Alternative, Green, Cadillac, Rumormill

With enormous V8 land-yachts and even bigger Escalades rolling down America’s boulevards, Cadillac doesn’t have the most environmentally friendly of images. But that’s a perception that the premium GM division is working hard to combat. After unveiling the Escalade two-mode hybrid, reports have begun to surface that Cadillac is considering a four-cylinder model for the American market like the Saab-based BLS it offers in Europe.

New emerging reports now suggest that Cadillac might get its own version of the highly-anticipated Volt plug-in hybrid from its sister-company Chevrolet. No telling at this point if the Cadillac version would be based on the Volt, transplant the Volt’s powertrain into an existing Cadillac model, or breed an entirely new Caddy - or for that matter if there’s any substance to the rumors - but sources suggest a higher sticker price than the Volt’s anticipated k.

[Source: Automotive News (subs. req'd) via AutoblogGreen]

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Filed under: Green, Cadillac

There are some old-timers out there who think Cadillacs should have big fins and V8 engines who aren’t going to like this one bit. Emerging reports suggest that the General’s luxury division may launch a four-cylinder model for the American market by 2011.

The new model would be positioned below the CTS and possibly include a turbocharger, as well as the potential for an optional V6. Cadillac already has a small four-cylinder model for sale in Europe, the BLS, which is based on sister company Saab’s 9-3. But the BLS hasn’t taken Europe by storm and Cadillac is still reportedly contemplating whether to port over the same name for the American model. While the successor to the Northstar V8 was canceled, and with a replacement for the STS and DTS reportedly on hold, Cadillac’s general manager Jim Taylor wonders if Americans are ready for the idea of a four-cylinder Caddy. Rightfully so? The specter of the Cavalier-based Cimarron (see above) still looms large and we highly doubt Cadillac’s clients are actually asking for a four-cylinder. While it’s prudent for the Wreath and Crest brand to consider new models like this, we’d suggest taking a pass, guys and gals.

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

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Filed under: Hybrids/Alternative, Sports/GTs, Green, Supercars, BMW

Click for a hi-res gallery of the BMW M1 Hommage

It’s a sign of the times. After having rolled out the delectable M1 Hommage concept (pictured above), one BMW board member says that the Bavarian automaker has no intention of producing a supercar to compete with the likes of the Audi R8. Instead, BMW will focus on green technologies.

The news comes straight from Klaus Draeger, the board member at the helm of the EfficientDymanics initiative. While Audi continues to produce more powerful and more desirable versions of the R8, Mercedes prepares entirely new supercars and Porsche continues to do what Porsche has always done, the company that once hailed itself as the producers of the “Ultimate Driving Machine” is more concerned with hybrids than sportscars.

[Source: AutoTelegraaf via AutoblogGreen]

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Filed under: Coupes, Sports/GTs, Videos, Supercars, Audi

Midnight Club: LA is on its way, and the developers at Rockstar Games just released a new video of an Audi R8 doing its thing through the concrete jungle. The name of the game: arcade. Or better names might be ‘free-for-all’ and ‘pedestrians, watch out!’ It’s cut like an MTV video, so it’s hard to get a feel for the flow of the action, but all you need to know is that there’ll be plenty of it — action, that is. And if nothing else, it does seem to accurately depict how actual R8 drivers tend to pilot their cars… Follow the jump for the video.

[Source: Rockstar]

Continue reading VIDEO: Audi R8 puts angels in danger in Midnight Club: LA

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Filed under: Car Buying, Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, GM, HUMMER, Pontiac, Saab, Saturn

Wow, there are some great deals to be had at the moment from General Motors. Not the least of which is on the Corvette, specifically the Z06 model, which we’ve had nothing but good things to say about, even at its K asking price. Now that GM is offering all of its models at employee prices, that cost drops by about ten grand! A Z06 for ,653? Yes please… if only our meager blogging budgets would allow it. Similarly, a Caddy XLR-V can be had for ,771.80 — about a ,000 discount.

Need an SUV? May we suggest a Hummer H3 for about K? Those in the market for a luxury sedan could certainly do worse than a Cadillac STS-V for ,640.88 after some K in savings. Of course, practical shoppers can take five-grand off their Saturn Aura XR sedan and end up paying just ,634.28 for the privilege. We’re having way too much fun with this and there is plenty of other news we need to cover, so visit this site, find your best deal and leave it in the comments. Update: fixed spelling mistake in the title, thanks guys!

[Sources: Kicking Tires, GM]

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Filed under: Sedans/Saloons, Supercars, Bugatti

Click above for a high-res gallery of the Bugatti Veyron Grand Sport.

The big question for Bugatti is: What comes after the Veyron? Seriously, there isn’t much that could top the 1,000-or-so horsepower, quad-turbo, 16-cylinder engine that’s carried around in the back of the most gorgeous body ever with an equally exquisite interior. How about a revised model with 1,200-horsepower and 1,106 lb-ft of torque? Yeah, that’d do nicely. Rumors indicate that an über-Veyron could make an appearance at the very end of this current generation’s production.

Despite consistent rumors of the firm’s eventual demise after that, head-honcho Dr Franz-Josef Paefgen says that another supercar and possibly an ultra-lux saloon (four-door to all you poor people) could be in the cards for 2012. In an effort to curb greenhouse gas emissions, alternative-fuel powerplants will also be on the drawing board. We know that parent-company VW has plenty of worthy powerplants in its parts bin, and the idea of giant torque funneled through an all-wheel drive system has us saving our millions already.

[Source: Autocar]

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Filed under: Maintenance, BMW

BMW’s N54 engine has won the International Engine of the Year award for the past two straight years. It has also been listed as one of Ward’s 10 Best Engines during the same period. The engine produces 306 hp and 295 ft-lbs of torque in a 3.0L inline six package thanks to the use of twin Mitsubishi turbochargers and direct injection. The N54’s quick response and smooth torque curve has been an attraction for many enthusiasts, including myself - I call my Montego Blue coupe the turbo Cookie Monster. That is why a few BMW 335i owners are miffed by a feeling of reduced performance after a recent service update. Posters on the BMW forum e90post.com claim that a software update to adjust rattling wastegate valves has induced lag into the turbochargers that wasn’t there before.

As illustrated in the gallery below, the N54 turbochargers differ from most setups in that the wastegates default to the open position. This allows for better emissions due to the ability of the exhaust gas to bypass the turbochargers on start up so the catalytic converters can heat up faster. It certainly follows suit that BMW has the ability to adjust the ECU settings in order to hold those wastegates open, thus altering the turbochargers’ peak boost point and adding to the perception of lag. Currently all performance degradation discussion has been based on seat of the pants feel, along with increased exhaust noise and fuel consumption. Despite the claims, BMW North America and service centers have, thus far, found no critical issue with the new settings. If owners want to present true evidence, they should use a simple OBD scanner device to data log the manifold pressure or simply run a dyno comparison test. Thanks for the tip everyone!

[Source: e90Post.com]

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Filed under: Spy Photos, Sedans/Saloons, Sports/GTs, Geneva Motor Show, Aston Martin, Porsche

To the ‘Ring we go, and our companions today are — in the apt words of World Car Fans — “beauty and the beast.” That would be the Aston Martin Rapide and the Porsche Panamera. We’ll let you decide which one deserves which title. Follow the link and you’ll find a large gallery of both cars in basic black, un-camo’ed and racing each other around the ‘Ring to help cast your vote.

In practical considerations, the Panamera looks to have the Rapide beat in all kinds of ways. For instance, it should get better gas mileage if you get the V6 or V8, and it has more trunk space with 450 liters. Aston’s cars have little trunk syndrome, and the Rapide probably won’t really change that. But hey, who would buy a Panamera or Rapide for practical reasons? Either way, we won’t really know the state of things until the 2009 Geneva Motor Show next March when they are officially introduced.

[Source: World Car Fans]

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Filed under: Coupes, Sedans/Saloons, Sports/GTs, Green, Supercars, Bentley

Click above for high-res gallery of the 2009 Bentley Brooklands

Bentleys and buckets of torque go hand-in-hand. Therefore, it might make some sense for the German-owned British luxury marque to consider one of the VW Group’s big, powerful turbodiesels for one of its upcoming models. Not so fast, says Bentley. It has specifically polled its customer base — made up mostly of Americans and Asians — to determine if there’s any interest in an oil-burning Bentley. Apparently, there isn’t. Instead, the luxo-barge company will focus on biofuels in an effort to lower the fuel consumption and emissions of a numbers of its models. As a matter of fact, the first flex-fuel engine from the Flying B is expected to debut in 2009 and Franz-Josef Paefgen, Bentley’s Chief Executive, says that all of its models will be capable of running on biofuels by 2012 as part of its plan to go British Racing green.

[Source: Autocar]

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Filed under: Concept Cars, Sedans/Saloons, I.C.E., Cadillac

750-hp 7.5-liter V12 from the Cadillac Cien concept

Here’s a shocker: Cadillac has reportedly canceled plans for a range-topping V12 engine. Really, you don’t say? Last we checked, General Motors didn’t seem to have any problems extracting plenty of performance from its 6.2-liter supercharged and 7.0-liter naturally aspirated V8 engines, and the majority of the development work has already been done for a Caddy installation. Additionally, we’ve heard some rumors of a possible twin-turbo version of GM’s excellent 3.6-liter direct injection six, which could find a cozy spot under the hood of the next Cadillac sedan.

Cadillac is also said to be reconsidering its premium large sedan, where the V12 was originally intended to reside. In its stead, GM’s classiest division will focus in on the replacement for the STS and DTS sedans. Also rumored is a new naming convention, as if the waters weren’t already murky enough. Will the next Caddy sedan be known as the DT7? We sure hope not. Will it be based on the new Zeta platform? Well now… that decision would get our seal of approval.

[Source: Inside Line]

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