Mark Reuss is the president of GM North America and this video is cool as you get an inside look at what cars they showed off at the North American Auto Show. Around the 1 minute mark you get to see the new Cadillac ATS at the same time everyone else did. I found this video interesting, hope you enjoy it.

Cadillac has really stepped up the security on the 2012 Escalade. Some of these features are cutting edge and will help with theft. Below is a graphic showing the features and the press release.

Image courtesy of GM

Just underneath the surface of the 2012 Cadillac Escalade are new security enhancements developed to combat thieves who have pushed and towed the segment-leading luxury SUV to the top of annual most-stolen vehicle lists.

The Escalade is already well-protected against typical drive-away grand theft auto through existing security features and standard OnStar security technology.

“The goal is to make the Escalade a very difficult target for thieves without any added inconvenience for customers,” said Bill Biondo, General Motors’ global leader for vehicle theft prevention. “The new systems work in the background and few people realize they are there, but they are strong added protections.”

The 2012 security enhancements:

•     PASS Key 3+, a sophisticated encryption system for the key, key cylinder and ignition system (Deters: Drive-away thefts)

•     A more-robust steering column-lock system that makes it nearly impossible to maneuver the Escalade onto a flatbed. (Deters: “push-away” thefts)

•     An available inclination sensor that sets off an alarm when the system senses an unwarranted change of the angle of the vehicle, such as would occur with towing, flat-bedding or lifting the vehicle. (Deters: towing, push-away, and wheel thefts)

•     An available shock sensor intended to reduce content theft and push-away theft by sounding the alarm when the vehicle is “shocked,” such as by breaking window glass. (Deters: Property theft)

•     An available new wheel lock system to help prevent the theft of Escalade’s wheels and tires.

OnStar provides standard additional security with a remote ignition lock that can prevent the vehicle from starting if a break-in is detected. If a vehicle is stolen, OnStar can also provide vehicle location and remotely slow the vehicle down to assist law enforcement in vehicle recovery.

“Combined, these technologies comprise one of the most-extensive sets of theft-deterrent measures available for this type of vehicle and meet or exceed security specifications among global vehicle security analysts,” Biondo said.

The new inclination sensors will make it more difficult to push or tow an Escalade undetected. Undetected thefts and break-ins will also be more difficult with the added shock sensors and locking devices.

“These types of innovative theft prevention technologies are a significant step in helping to reduce vehicle thefts,” said Joe Wehrle, president and CEO of the National Insurance Crime Bureau.

Cadillac and Biondo continually work with U.S. law enforcement agencies to help educate police agencies on the various GM theft prevention systems and to learn the latest tactics used by auto thieves.

“We listen and analyze real-world security information from law enforcement so we can continue to develop effective theft deterrent solutions for our customers,” said Biondo.

Protecting Yourself Against Grand Theft Auto

Security technologies are an important part of the chess game between law enforcement and car thieves, but drivers are the primary defense against break-ins and thefts. To better keep you and your vehicle secure:

•     Do not leave valuables unattended in unlocked cars, or in plain sight

•     Park vehicles in well-lit areas or inside locked garages

•     Don’t leave cars running with the keys in the ignition.

•     Do not defeat the ignition/key cylinder immobilizers with aftermarket remote- start systems

•     Always lock your vehicle with the key fob, which also sets the alarm system

•     Use wheel locks with premium wheels

•     Do not leave driver’s license, registration or insurance certificate in your car

•     Purchase a vehicle with OnStar or the aftermarket OnStar FMV mirror, which will enable your vehicle to be tracked if stolen.

Cadillac has been a leading luxury auto brand since 1902. In recent years, Cadillac has engineered a historic renaissance led by artful engineering and advanced technology. More information on Cadillac can be found at cadillac.com.

Speaking of 2012

I have just discovered the Amazon Kindle and I am making photo books for this site. I have asked some of the members of our club if it is ok to use their pictures and everyone so far has said yes. I currently have 22 pages of pictures from the website and some that have never been seen before. When I go to car shows I will snap 1000 pictures very easily. It is just too much work to put all the pictures on the site.

I am hoping that the book will be finished over the weekend since I am leaving for Las Vegas on Tuesday for a week. I can see the book becoming a series since I have so many pictures. There will be a small charge for the book on the amazon marketplace. Just enough to help pay for the web hosting and maybe a few rolls of the slot machines in Las Vegas

The next email you should get should be the book with a link from Amazon.

I just saw one of the coolest videos on Jay Leno’s Garage that takes us to the secret design center GM has in California where it designed the Cadillac Ciel. As you are watching this video look behind them as the speak and look at the Cadillac concepts that are just hanging around. I see three convertibles that I didn’t know existed and one Cadillac that looks like the Cadillac Sixteen but in a wagon like design. You will also see some smaller Cadillacs that could have been concepts for the new ATS. Very exciting stuff and I would love to be a fly on the wall in this place. After you click the play button you may have to wait a minute for the video to play. The screen may even go black for a minute.

The day has finally come as the Cadillac XTS is going to debut tomorrow at the LA auto show. This car is set to replace the STS and the DTS. I don’t have the full details yet as I couldn’t fly out to LA for the auto show. This car looks amazing, I love the metal trim on the bottom of the doors.

Image courtesy of GM

The car is made from the inside out and features luxury and an emphasis on safety. This car is sure to be a big seller with Cadillac owners that prefer a larger model than the CTS. Detail on the car specs are not out yet and all we know is it will have the new CUE infotainment system.

Come on over to the forum where we are discussing the Cadillac XTS.

For the last six months I have been sitting on most of the pictures from the New York Auto show and haven’t done much with them. This week I made a few pages like the one for the 2011 Cadillac SRX. I started a section on Cadillacs from the 2010′s era and plan on making pages for every Cadillac model since 2010 started.

White 2011 Cadillac SRX at NY Auto Show

These pages (when I get a chance to make them) become popular pages as our members like to scroll through from year to year. It seems as of late I haven’t been making pages based on newer Cadillacs as most of our members like the classic Cadillacs.

We have been getting a lot of response to concept cars like the ULC and the Ciel so I decided to get more pages made for 2010 and 2011 Cadillacs. After all these will be classics someday also.

I have a bad habit of going to auto shows and taking 1000′s of pictures and most never see the light of day. It was one of the reasons I decided to start the forum as I knew that being able to upload albums would help with that. Plus it would create the opportunity to let other members upload their pictures. So far that has been slow but we are not in a race so that doesn’t matter. We will get there eventually.

Between making new pages I will also be going through really old pages and making the font size bigger. I just bought a new monitor and I am noticing on some pages that it is hard to read. If I am having problems seeing it I am sure others are also. If you see a page with really small type on it just drop it in the comments and I will fix it up. The more eyes on the site the better.

I love making this site but can always use a hand and I am always open to suggestions. If you want to see your Cadillac here feel free to share your Cadillac story. It make take me a few days to get it up on the site but our members love hearing about other Cadillac owners and I get tons of emails every time I feature a members Cadillac.

Yesterday Cadillac unveiled a concept car and I like it. I am sure that Cadillac lovers from the 1960′s will agree with me. This concept reminds me of Cadillacs from the 1960′s especially the rear end. The sleek curves of this Cadillac just scream Future and Past combined. Here is Cadillacs press release and some pictures courtesy of GM.

"© GM Corp."

PEBBLE BEACH, Calif. –   Cadillac today unveiled the Ciel concept, an elegant, open-air grand-touring car inspired by the natural beauty of the California coast.

The Ciel – pronounced “C-L,” the French translation for sky – is a four-seat convertible that opens a new chapter in Cadillac’s design and product ascent, pushing the brand’s Art & Science philosophy into a new stratum. Ciel is a new expression of Cadillac’s historical grandeur, as well as a celebration of open-air motoring.

“Large, expressive luxury is innate to Cadillac and the Ciel recalls that heritage, while suggesting where the brand can go in the future,” said Clay Dean, global design director for Cadillac. “Authentic luxury is driven by experiences, not just products, and Ciel is about the experience of the journey.”

The spacious and elegant Ciel is a grand gesture that explores themes driving Cadillac’s explorations into range-topping flagship luxury. It is powered by a twin-turbocharged version of the 3.6-liter Direct Injection V-6 engine, paired with a hybrid system using lithium-ion battery technology.

Coastal inspiration

Driving California’s Highway 1 in an open car while the sun sets, from Big Sur north to Monterey, is the type of journey the Ciel team envisioned during its design.

"© GM Corp."

“The Ciel is about the romance of the drive,” said Dean. “It emulates the great touring cars seen on the greens at Pebble Beach, but with a modern flair that projects Cadillac’s vision for the future.”

The four-door Ciel embraces the social aspects of a recreational journey, with generous room for two couples. It evokes the spirit of the classics with a long, low proportion. The doors are French-style, with the rear doors hinged at the rear – there is no B-pillar – to reveal a sweeping view of the dramatic interior. Distinguishing fender lines run from nose to tail, and nickel-plated bright work accents the body lines, enhancing the visual length of the car and honoring Cadillac touring cars of the past.

Ciel’s exterior flows seamlessly into the cabin, with the body color rolling over on top of the interior door panels. Like the exterior, the passenger space is accented with sweeping nickel-plated trim. It divides the body-color upper sections from a complementing beige lower color.  Italian Olive wood, machined aluminum and hand-tipped leather are elements that flow through the interior, complementing the primary colors with warm, rich tones.

"© GM Corp."

“There is authentic craftsmanship in the way the exterior and interior elements meld, much like a vintage wooden boat,” said Gael Buzyn, interior design manager. “It is romantic, not only in its form, but the materials – nothing smells as good as real wood and leather. It blends together for a rewarding feeling of uncompromising luxury.”

Ciel literally and figuratively reflects the driving experience along the California coastline. The Cabernet paint color, developed specifically for Ciel, is inspired by the rich translucence of a glass of red wine held up to the sunlight.

A prominent, polished aluminum windshield frame serves as in important structural element of the vehicle, as well as aesthetic one, recalling classic open cars of the past. Additional exterior cues, including a shield grille and vertical lighting elements, are pure Cadillac, but suggest a more organic interpretation of the brand’s signature design language that emphasizes the artistic and natural sides of it. The body sides, for example, are more rounded, sweeping upward. Bright work is used to bring contrast to the deep paint color, but plays a more supporting role.

The car rides on large, beautifully finished wheels that feature brushed nickel plating over milled billet aluminum, matching the materials and appearance of other trim. Carbon ceramic brake rotors are visible behind the 22-inch rims, a visual clue to the Ciel’s foundation of performance.

"© GM Corp."

And owing to Cadillac’s heritage of advanced technology, the headlamps and taillamps feature LED lighting elements – including a unique daytime running light graphic on the front of the vehicle that is generated with gradated LED lighting.

Elegant, authentic details

Simplicity, authenticity and spaciousness were the guiding principles when it came to developing the Ciel’s interior.

“With the Ciel, the journey is the thing, so the interior is a place of uncompromising comfort and elegance, with technology that only makes the journey more enjoyable,” said Buzyn. “Simplicity and lightness ensure nothing distracts from the open driving experience, while the color and materials lend the feeling that the vehicle’s environment blends with the surroundings.”

A wheelbase of 125 inches – about 12 inches longer than a CTS sedan – provides generous space. Luxurious seats are bisected by a “floating” center console that runs from the instrument panel to the rear of the interior. It effectively creates a very personal space for each passenger and houses access to hidden connectivity portals for each person in the vehicle – allowing them to make dinner reservations, check the weather at their destination or even upload photos of the trip via social media sights.

"© GM Corp."

Simplicity is also the watchword with the Ciel’s instrument panel, which features a minimalist gauge cluster that doesn’t impede or distract from the outward view. But while reserved in its form, it exemplifies Cadillac’s attention to details and its priority on authentic materials. The climate vents, for example, are mostly hidden and their airflow is distributed indirectly.

Transparent gauges deliver their information within a detailed, brushed-aluminum housing that has the intricate depth of a high-quality chronograph. They offer dual readouts – analog and digital – as well as an information hierarchy. Additional interior features include:

Sloping bolsters on the seats that allow passengers to slide into the seats more comfortably
A personal device storage area on the front of the console with inductive charging and Bluetooth connectivity
A power-assisted transmission shifter that deploys as soon as the engine is started
Lighting in the armrests that combines a natural light well for daytime driving and ambient lighting for nighttime drives
Door storage areas that are inspired by premium fashion accessories and open with high-quality zippers
Pull-out blankets are available for all three passengers and retract automatically
All the seats have heating and cooling features, along with a drawer containing sun lotion, sun glasses and towels, as well as aromatherapy that is controlled from the rear armrest.

But perhaps the defining element of the Ciel’s cabin is the incorporation of Italian Olive wood on the doors, instrument panel, console and the front seatbacks, adding warmth and craftsmanship to a car designed to provoke an emotional response.

"© GM Corp."

“Milled solid wood delivers richness and a sensual feeling of authenticity in the visual impact of the grain, its feel and aroma, which a veneer simply cannot,” said Buzyn. “Even in our high-tech, connected world, luxury customers crave touches of old-world craftsmanship – the Ciel simply reflects that with a blend of the latest technology.”

Italian Olive wood is a premium yet sustainable material and the material used in the Ciel came from a single fallen and recycled tree, from a west coast producer of premium olive oil. It was painstakingly prepared, including drying in a kiln, before it was cut for the concept vehicle. The numerous pieces were then photographed so that the grain could be matched precisely. Each component was hand-milled and finished by expert woodworking craftsmen.

The rear seating area is detailed with elegant flourishes. The rear seat passengers can pull a leather tab, which reveals a cashmere blanket that stretches across the seating area to ward off a chill. The wood trim in the rear center console opens to reveal a small humidor, stocked with a few cigars.

“From the materials used to create it to the space and experience it offers passengers, the Ciel represents a unique perspective on luxury, but not the only one,” said Dean. “Along with other concepts, such as the ULC, Cadillac is demonstrating that the bandwidth of the Art & Science philosophy is wide, indeed – and we’re going to make it even wider.”

The Ciel was developed at GM Design’s North Hollywood Design Center, which is managed by Frank Saucedo. Niki Smart was the lead exterior designer, with Buzyn leading interior development.

————————————————

I would love to hear your thoughts on this new Cadillac concept vehicle. I like the way the back goes low almost tail-fin like but low like a 1965 Cadillac had. To me it combines the sleek look of a CTS in the front and a rear end of a 1965. The front reminds me of the Cadillac Cien a bit also.  The engine is a 3.6L V-6 with twin turbochargers; DOHC, continuously variable valve timing and direct injection. It will produce 425 horsepower.

Come meet the newest Cadillac the ELR

You guys know that I fell in love with the Converj when I saw it at the New York Auto show a few years back. Today Cadillac announced they are going to build it or something similar and it will be called the Cadillac ELR.

Cadillac ELR Photo Courtesy of GM

The innovative Cadillac Converj Concept, a dramatic luxury coupe with extended-range electric vehicle technology, is moving forward as a production car that will be called the Cadillac ELR. It uses electricity as its primary source to drive the car without using gasoline or producing tailpipe emissions. Development of the ELR is just underway, so details on performance, price and timing will be announced later.

Here is the Cadillac Presss Release

Electric Concept Car Comes to Life as Cadillac ELR – Luxury touring coupe gets extended-range electric vehicle technology

DETROIT – The innovative Cadillac Converj Concept, a dramatic luxury coupe with extended-range electric vehicle technology, is moving forward as a production car that will be called the Cadillac ELR.

Development of the ELR is just underway, so details on performance, price and timing will be announced later.

The Cadillac ELR will feature an electric propulsion system made up of a T-shaped lithium ion battery, an electric drive unit, and a four-cylinder engine-generator. It uses electricity as its primary source to drive the car without using gasoline or producing tailpipe emissions. When the battery’s energy is low, the ELR seamlessly switches to extended-range mode to enable driving for hundreds of additional miles.

“The concept generated instant enthusiasm,” said Don Butler, vice president-Cadillac Marketing. “Like other milestone Cadillac models of the past, the ELR will offer something not otherwise present – the combination of electric propulsion with striking design and the fun of luxury coupe driving.”

Cadillac selected the name ELR to indicate the car’s electric propulsion technology, in keeping with the brand’s 3-letter international model naming convention.

The Converj Concept sparked the idea of combining the desirability of a grand touring coupe with electrification, said Ed Welburn, GM vice president, Global Design.

“There’s no mistaking it for anything but a Cadillac, an aggressive, forward-leaning profile and proportion showcases a uniquely shaped, modern vision of a personal luxury 2+2,” Welburn said.

Cadillac will reveal another new concept car on Thursday, Aug. 18, at a special event prior to the annual Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance. Cadillac also recently announced it will add two new vehicles to its product lineup in 2012, the XTS large luxury sedan and an all-new luxury compact sedan codenamed ATS.

I would love to hear your thoughts? Leave a comment below or chime in over on the forum

As you have seen on previous post Cadillac is returning to racing with the CTS-V. Cadillac has put together a few short films showing off the new race car. The car will hit the streets of Long beach March 25th-27th during the Sports Car Club of America  World Challenge GT Series.

You can see more on Cadillac YouTube Channel.

In addition to the film series, Cadillac will also be hosting a live chat on the Cadillac V-Series Tab on Facebook so that racing enthusiasts and fans can talk with the Cadillac Racing Team and participate in an open forum discussion during the actual racing event. So when Cadillac makes its storied return to the racetrack, they will not only be breaking new ground on the track, but they will be driving down new paths in social media as well. Live dialogue between racing fans and the racers themselves will be the first of its kind, and only marks the beginning for what’s to come from Cadillac.

Our site usually focuses on classic and vintage Cadillacs but when Cadillac does something cool I like to add it here. Yesterday Cadillac announced a new Model. Well not exactly new it is a different model.

Photo Cortesy of "© GM Corp."

This spring Cadillac will offer a Black Diamond Edition of their CTS-V line. The “Black Diamond” Edition will be the first car that will be using “SpectraFlair pigment” in the paint. It will be a tri-coqt paint embedded with silver pigmant. I have a feeling this Cadillac will look as sharp as it does sleek.

In addition to the unique paint, CTS-V Black Diamond comes standard with content that complements its look and feel. The special edition has:

* Satin Graphite 19-inch wheels with yellow Brembo brake calipers. These six-piston front, four-piston back brake calipers provide exceptional stopping capabilities.
* Recaro seats that feature 14 adjustable elements, French-stitched leather and microfiber suede inserts in the center sections of the cushions and seatbacks.
* Midnight Sapele wood trim known for its durability and distinctive grain.

Can’t wait to see this Cadillac up close!
Here is a video of the Black Diamond Edition and it’s features

Last week when I was out in Las Vegas at the Auto Collection show I had a nice talk with my friend Drew Bennett who was on his way to the North American International Auto Show. Drew was nice enough to let me share his interview with Clay Dean who is the Cadillac Brand Director at GM Design. This is a great video and thanks again to Drew for letting me share it with our readers.

NAIAS Interview with Clay Dean from BenSpark on Vimeo.

I was able to sit down with Cadillac Brand Director at GM Design, Clay Dean. Clay talked to us about so many great things with Cadillac.

What is really cool is the New Cadillac CTS-V race car spinning in the background. That thing looks like it fly’s with the huge spoiler on the back.
You can see Drews post and more pictures of NAIAS here. Drew also has a great set of shots of Cadillacs in his Flickr account.