10. Chevy Tru 140S Concept

For some of the more minor auto shows, a Top 10 list of the most important cars often covers most of the new debuts, but not so at the North American International Auto Show. Held each January in Detroit it’s the obvious launch site for major products by the Big Three domestic automakers and over the years has also become the venue for important new models by the rest of the auto industry.

Domestics made their mark at this year’s Detroit show, starting with one very different concept car revealed by Chevrolet. Called the Tru 140S it may look like some outrageously fast and expensive exotic machine, but it’s neither. Based on the same front-drive platform as the Chevy Cruze, it is powered by the same 1.4-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder, which makes just 138 hp in that car. Designed, along with the Code 130R concept, as part of an initiative to attract youth buyers back to the brand, Chevy seems serious about the concept, even announcing that if it made production, the target price would be around the $20,000 mark.

With the 3 Series now directly in its sites with the ATS compact luxury sports sedan, Cadillac is looking to take on the BMW X3 as well.

While the GM luxury brand does already offer the SRX (above), Caddy VP of sales Kurt McNeil has admitted that a new, smaller crossover is under consideration. It would be one that, “would go a little bit more head-to-head with the X3.” McNeil stopped short of confirming the car, saying that no final decision has been made on the product, however, he did drop one important remark that can be seen as a clear sign that baby SRX is on its way.

“The fact that Cadillac is becoming more of a global brand will certainly play a role in that decision,” he said. Small luxury crossovers are one of the fastest growing segments in the auto industry, particularly in emerging markets, and Cadillac isn’t likely to miss out on the surge – especially not when they have an all-new platform in the ATS that can be adapted for just such a purpose.

[Source: AutoNews]

Unveiled on the eve of the Detroit Auto Show, we had our first chance to run our paws over Cadillac’s new luxury sports sedan, the ATS. The car is a bold move by Caddy, which claims the ATS was built not just to compete along segment hallmarks like the BMW 3 Series, but to beat them.

Notable highlights include a low 3,400 lb curb weight, an optional 270-hp turbocharged 4-cylinder engine, real carbon fiber on the interior, Brembo brakes and magnetic shocks absorbers – a first for the segment.

GALLERY: 2013 Cadillac ATS

For more on the new ATS, watch the video below:

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Speaking in bold proclamations, GM North America President Mark Reuss said the new Cadillac ATS compact luxury sports sedan “will win” against German rivals. What makes that statement so much more significant is that no one but the Germans, with cars like the BMW 3 Series, have been able to achieve success in the segment.

Reuss said the ATS “represents the new soul of Cadillac”. Marketing VP Butler commented that the three words that can best describe the car are “nimble, quick and fun” – with Reuss even admitting that the term “light weight” isn’t one that could be applied to past Cadillacs.

And yet, the ATS is “mass efficient” weighing “well under” 3,400 lbs say Reuss and commenting that it will be 100 lbs less than either an Audi A4 or Mercedes C-Class. It’s that weight that helps translate into a dynamic vehicle, not to mention the all-original chassis, 50/50 weight balance, Brembo brakes and magnetic ride shocks – a first in the segment. As for those brakes, they’ll bring to ATS to a top from 60 mph in just 109 ft.

Motivating the car in the opposite direction will be a choice of three engines, a 200-hp 2.5-liter 4-cylinder, a 270-hp turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder and a 318-hp 3.6-liter V6. Reuss also dropped a bombshell at the cars unveiling, stating that during it’s lifecycle, GM will offer a diesel engine option in North America.

As a proper sports sedan the ATS is, of course, rear-wheel drive, though an all-wheel drive option will be available.

Looking like a flatter CTS and borrowing the wider grille from the new XTS flagship sedan, Caddy promises big with the interior of the ATS. Along with real wood and metal there’s genuine carbon fiber trim on some models, while gloss black plastic helps give a high-tech look – as does the massive CUE telematics screen.

For more on the ATS, including available features, see here.

GALLERY: 2013 Cadillac ATS Debut

GALLERY: 2013 Cadillac ATS

See AutoGuide’s Full Detroit Auto Show Coverage Here

The Cadillac ATS compact luxury sports sedan may have leaked onto the net earlier today, but the representatives of the GM luxury brand did manage to keep one big secret… a secret.

At the car’s official unveiling on the eve of the Detroit Auto Show, GM North America President Mark Reuss confirmed that along with three gasoline engines the ATS will be available with a diesel powerplant. Reuss didn’t provide any details on exactly what that diesel engine could be, nor did he say when it would arrive. Instead, he told the assembled journalists that the ATS will get a diesel powerplant “within its lifecycle” suggesting the oil-burner is still a long way off.

GALLERY: 2013 Cadillac ATS

See AutoGuide’s complete 2012 Detroit Auto Show Coverage Here

Cadillac has been steadily improving its products for a decade, shedding its old man stigma in favor of a new brand identity, favoring luxury with a performance twist. After all this time, on the eve of the Detroit Auto Show, the GM luxury division is finally ready to put its money where its mouth is, launching the ATS as a direct rival to the segment leading BMW 3 Series.

With a choice of a 4-cylinder, turbo 4-cylinder or V6, the ATS matches solid power with one of the lowest curb weights in the segment, with Caddy claiming the ATS will come in at under 3,400 lbs.

Weight reduction was key in the development of the ATS, helping to maximize the performance and efficiency of the powertrains while making the vehicle more nimble overall. Cadillac says every component of the vehicle was checked to see if a lighter alternative could be found. To help keep weight to a minimum the ATS features an aluminum hood, magnesium engine mounts and “natural-fiber” door trim panels. The result shows in the vehicle’s balance as well, with a 51/49 weight distribution.

Based on an all-new rear-drive architecture, the ATS uses a MacPherson front suspension and the brand’s first 5-link independent rear end. Both automatic and manual transmissions will be offered, as will all-wheel drive.

To maximize performance the ATS comes with an adjustable Magnetic Ride Control suspension standard, a ZF variable electric steering system and 17-inch wheels. Brembo brakes and 18-inch wheels are optional.

As mentioned, three powertrains will be available with a base 2.5-liter 4-cylinder making 200 hp and 188 lb-ft of torque. A mid-level turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder will deliver 270 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque from just 2400 rpm, while a top-level direct-injection 3.6L V6 makes 318 hp and 267 lb-ft. Cadillac says the ATS will get over 30 mpg highway – aided in part by grille shutters that close at highways speeds.

In terms of design, the ATS is clearly a Cadillac, with an overall shape similar to that of the CTS, while taking design cues from the new XTS flagship sedan. Most evident is a wider two-piece grille that’s still imposing but toned-down on the chrome.

Inside the cabin is a solid leap forward, using real wood, metal and carbon fiber as well as hand-stitched leather on the instrument panel, console and doors. Numerous color options are available and Cadillac says the cabin was designed to offer a driver-focused experience. Of note, sport seats with power-adjustable side bolsters will be available.

A focal point in the cabin is Cadillac’s new CUE telematics system, designed to be both high-tech and easy-to-use, with iPad like controls on the 8-inch LCD screen.

In addition, Cadillac has stuffed its new car with numerous safety and convenience technologies that include: a back-up camera, full speed adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, blind spot monitoring, adaptive forward lighting, hill hold assist, a collision alert system and even intelligent brake assist that will stop the car on its own (going forward or in reverse) if a collision is detected.

“More than just another new entry, the ATS aims to change the status quo of the European-dominated segment,” says Caddy VP of marketing Don Butler.

The 2013 Cadillac ATS will go on sale this summer.

GALLERY: 2013 Cadillac ATS

See AutoGuide’s Complete 2012 Detroit Auto Show Coverage Here

Maybe it’s the price tag. Maybe it’s the chrome. Regardless of the reason, there’s a big risk that your Escalade won’t be making home.

For the fourth year running, the iconic Cadillac SUV topped the list of vehicles most likely to be stolen. Thankfully, GM isn’t sitting idly by while their loyal mix of suburban socialites and grill-sporting rappers get their prized rides snatched by car thieves— at least not anymore. In August GM announced that the 2012 Escalade would sport spiffed up security features to fend off fiends in the act. Details around those features finally came to light today in a press release.

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

Those added protection measures include a standard encrypted key system that prevents drive-away thefts and an improved column-lock system that makes pushing the trucks onto flatbeds almost impossible. Owners can also opt to pay more for a system that senses changes in the vehicle’s angle as would happen during a tow-away or flatbed theft and triggers an alarm, a shock-sensing system that detects “shocks” like breaking glass and finally a wheel-locking system to keep your Escalade from ending up on cinder blocks while you shop.

GM has revealed a new Touring Package for the Cadillac CTS, designed to give the standard CTS a bit of its bigger brother CTS-V’s styling. The touring package will include HID headlights, sport-tuned suspension, spoiler for the taillight, 18- or 19-inch wheels, and interior accessories.

Two packages are available, one for the 3.0L V6 found in the CTS sedan and wagon, and another for the 3.6L V6 that’s found in the CTS coupe and optional on other models. The 3.0L V6-equipped CTS will get 18-inch wheels, dual exhaust tips, darkened front grille on the outside while the interior receives suede trim on the seats, steering wheel and shifter, dark wood trim, and metal sport pedals. The 3.0L V6 package is priced at $2,065.

The 3.6L V6 package includes the previously mentioned parts but upgrades them with 19-inch wheels and Recaro bucket seats. That package runs $2,810.

GALLERY: Cadillac CTS Touring Package

Last week, the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety announced that 2012 earned a record number of “top safety picks,” but the automotive industry is looking to set the record number even higher.

Cadillac‘s 2012 SRX crossover and CTS sports sedan and wagon models received a crash safety rating of 5-star overall. According to the National Highway Traffic Adminstration, only 21 vehicles earned the overall high score for 2012.

The SRX and CTS sedan and wagon were tested under NHTSA’s revised New Car Assessment Program first put to effect for the 2011 model year. This revision requires vehicles to pass frontal, side and rollover tests. The 5-star overall rating takes into account the combined results of all the tests.

GM executive director of Vehicle Safety Gay Kent expresses, “Receiving five stars under the new rating system is an impressive feat– on that clearly demonstrates the strength of the SRX and CTS advanced structure, overall crashworthiness and effectiveness of the models’ state-of-the-art safety technologies.”

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2011 has been the year of the recall for General Motors. Hardly a week goes by when a new vehicle recall from GM is not making news. The latest addition to this list is the Cadillac SRX.

In particular, SRX models built in Mexico between 2010 and 2011. Roughly 20,000 vehicles are said to be affected, with the majority of these vehicles being in China and America. A smaller number of defected vehicles can be found in 20 other countries.

The problem is with the transmission shift cable causing unintended movement. Upon examination, GM has sourced the problem to an incorrect routing of the transmission shift cable through the engine bay.

The problem was triggered by a person who wrote to the NHTSA (National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration) about unintended vehicle motion when he shifted from park to drive to park again.

GM has notified the NHTSA that it will sort out this issue. No accidents or injuries have been reported due to this defect.