The new issue of Motor Trend arrived in the mail and our eyes were instantly attracted to this story that just went live on motortrend.com. The MT crew has learned that the supercharged V8 slated for use in the next-gen Cadillac CTS-V will be none other than a “detuned” version of the 7.0L LS7 powerplant debuting in the Corvette Blue Devil, or rather, Corvette Z07. The MT editors expect the version used in the CTS-V to produce about 600 horsepower, or around 100 horses short of what the Z07 will produce.

Pick any possible competitor for the next CTS-V and it’s obvious that all will come up short to Caddy’s new mega muscle sedan. The BMW M3 and Audi RS4 both produce only 420 horsepower, while the horsepower happy AMG team stuffed only 503 in the Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG. Even the BMW M5, which is larger than the CTS, will come up short with an upcoming horsepower bump into the low-500 horsepower range. In short, the CTS-V will offer the same amount of horsepower as the 2008 Dodge Viper, which is pure insanity. GM’s got stones, folks, and Cadillac is clearly the prime beneficiary of its newfound fortitude.

Much thanks to Motor Trend editor-in-chief Angus Mackenzie for allowing Autoblog to republish the rendering above. The July issue (you can subscribe here) is thicker than a Thesaurus and our fave in a string of recent good issues from the MT team.

The combination of high gas prices and a sales slowdown at Cadillac have caused the heads of GM’s luxury division to consider adding a hybrid to the mix. During an interview with the Detroit News, John Howell, Caddy’s head product honcho was quoted as saying that, “Pretty much every program I am looking at going forward has got a hybrid as part of it.”

He remained mum on a timeframe for the addition of gas-electric hybrids into the Cadillac lineup, but for 2009, the blingtastic Escalade will be sporting a two-mode hybrid drivetrain, much like its GMT900 platform siblings, the Tahoe and Yukon. Such a system is expected to boost fuel economy by 25-percent over the standard gas-powered model.

[Source: Detroit News]

Since its introduction in Europe early in 2006 the Cadillac BLS has made the old Cimarron look like a roaring success. Reportedly, sales had reportedly failed to break into four figures by the end of 2006. But GM isn’t giving up on the small Caddy yet. Since the BLS is based on the Saab 9-3 it seems a no-brainer to add some of the other Saab options to the BLS lineup.

At the Frankfurt Motor Show in September, Cadillac introduce a BLS station wagon that will be available for sale starting in November. The BLS will also add the turbocharged E85 flex-fuel Saab BioPower engine as a new option at the same time as the wagon. A new 1.9L two stage turbo-diesel four cylinder with 180hp will be a further option.

[Source: General Motors]

Since the Detroit Auto Show last January we’ve been seeing many fully-loaded examples of the new 2008 Cadillac CTS. Now a reader of GM Inside News has managed to get some closeup time with a base-level CTS in someone’s driveway. The interior shots show that at least this for this particular example, Cadillac is doing a better job of aligning the door and dashboard trim than on some other recent GM vehicles we’ve seen. Hopefully this gets carried through to production and spreads to the Saturn Aura and Outlook. Head over to GMI where there’s a big gallery of high-res shots of the interior and exterior over at GM Inside News.

[Source: GM Inside News]

Bob Lutz has apparently climbed down from the parapet of passing all costs onto the consumer… that is, when it comes to green tech. In fact, GM appears to be considering subsidizing the cost of its hybrids for consumers. The world’s number two automaker has three hybrid transmissions in the works: a simple bolt-on starter/alternator combo called BAS, a BAS+ system that uses li-ion batteries instead of nickel metal hydride, and a dual-mode system with two electric motors that will debut later this year in the Tahoe and Yukon. The dual-mode is the priciest of the bunch, carrying a $10,000 premium per vehicle for a 25% fuel economy savings. Even though GM has licensed the technology to BMW and DaimlerChrysler to keep the costs down, Lutz declares that “if we price it at full cost recovery, I’d say we probably would sell — not very many.” Lutz didn’t give any indication of what kind of subsidy might be offered to entice buyers, saying the question is “How much do you want to do and how much financial pain can you endure?”

Lutz also said that “nearly every Cadillac product could feature a hybrid variant as early as the next two years,” but none of the hybrids detailed are meant for the Volt. That car is an electric car with range assist, not a hybrid.

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

While Cadillac’s latest offerings have been significantly improving the iconic American luxury marque’s appeal, the SRX, despite being a very good car, has been a bit of thorn in its lineup. Fortunately its replacement, earmarked for a 2011 launch, is shaping up to be a car-length or two in the right direction.

Instead of the rather van-like current model, the replacement is reportedly taking a smaller form to target the likes of the BMW X3, the upcoming Mercedes-Benz GLK and company, which may come as a shock for American buyers who are more attuned to Cadillac SUVs of Escalade proportions. Although designed with the European market in mind, unlike the BLS sedan, the new crossover will be offered in the US.

Although the new crossover will share in Cadillac’s current “Art & Science” design language, with a sharp crease running up the hood flanked by vertical headlights and slab-sided flanks et al, the SRX replacement is expected to have a more rounded greenhouse.

Sharing its platform with Saab’s upcoming 9-4 crossover (itself a replacement for the likewise larger 9-7x) and some mechanicals from the General’s latest and versatile Epsilon platform, insiders predict a range of engines including GM’s latest direct-injection 3.6-liter V6, a new six-cylinder diesel, and the possibility of hybrid and ethanol power alternatives.

[Source: Motor Trend]

Before there were an abundance of crossovers and SUVs from which to choose, automakers gave customers but two choices; a full-sized van or a station wagon. The old Cadillac Fleetwood station wagon represented the top of the luxury family hauler food chain, and National Coaches, Inc. assembled one of the most stunning and rare horsepower-drawn carriages that money could buy. Back in 1969, National Coaches built 14 special edition Fleetwood wagons, and only six are said to exist today.

One of those six models is up for auction on eBay, and it can be yours for the buy it now price of $19,900. Sure, the 472 8-cylinder engine has more than its fair share of rust, but this limited edition wagon has only 98,000 miles on the odometer. The green machine is also fashioned with such modern amenities as heated seats, and a theft deterrent device. Well, the alarm is an “Auto Paralyzer”, which either prevents thieves from taking your treasured classic, or it enables this massive Caddy to cripple every vehicle that crosses its path (Transformers 2, anyone?). The exterior looks to be in tip-top shape from the low-res pics, too, and the bright work on the rear latch is top notch. If you’re in the market for a classic boat from the 60’s, this special edition Fleetwood may be for you.

Thanks for the tip, tbyron!

With the lousy economy in Michigan, most towns and cities have been struggling with shrinking revenues from state and local property taxes. All over the state, public employees have been getting laid off. There are, of course exceptions, with Bloomfield Hills north of Detroit being one of them. How many cops have you seen cruising around your neighborhood in $100,000 Cadillac XLR-Vs?

Heading the newly formed Cadillac global design team, Dean will be heading up the styling direction for a number of new products over the next few years. Dean’s past endeavors have centered on small and mid-sized vehicles since 2004, primarily the Pontiac Solstice and its sibling, the Saturn Sky. In addition to the two roadsters, Dean has had his hands in three different GM platforms and led the design teams that developed the Chevy Cobalt, HHR, the new Malibu and the Saturn Aura, recent winner of the North American Car of the Year award.

What’s on the horizon for Mr. D? Two new vehicles from Caddy, specifically a sedan priced below the CTS and a small crossover. Our interest is piqued, and we can’t wait to see what he brings to the table.

[Source: Automotive News – Sub. Req.]

Few icons are as synonymous with the American automobile as Cadillac and the station wagon, so it may come as a surprise that Cadillac has never officially offered a station wagon to American customers in its 106-year long history. Sure, there was the SRX crossover that came rather close, and the enormous Escalade SUV, as well. Cadillac even offers the BLS as a wagon, but that’s only for overseas customers. Depending on which way you look at it, the new Cadillac CTS Sport Wagon may not be it either. Even with its edgy styling, the extended-roof CTS blurs the line between wagon and hatchback.

The initial trio of CTS Sport Wagon shots released last month may not have shown the new Caddy’s best side, but Cadillac has now put out a whole slew of new images which, in our opinion at least, better portray the sharp lines we took in at Pebble Beach and are sure to catch people’s attention in mall parking lots and soccer fields of America after it goes on sale here next spring. Check out the new images in the gallery below, and our live shots from Monterey in the gallery below that to see for yourself.

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