By David Colman

For: Can-Am car for the street
Against: Frequent gas buyer miles

Last Summer I was treated to a hot lap around Infineon Raceway’s 2.2 mile IndyCar short course in the works-prepared Cadillac CTS-V competing in SCCA’s World Challenge series. Driven by top GM racing pilot Andy Pilgrim, the CTS-V left an indelible impression on me of noise, heat and prodigious speed. So it was with whetted anticipation that I took delivery of a 2012 CTS-V for a one week test drive. Even that searingly hot lap around Infineon failed to prepare me for the boundless performance of this eminently streetable hot rod.

Under the hood, the bad Cad shares a detuned and downsized version of the motor used in the ultimate Corvette, the ZR1. In the case of the CTS-V, you get 6.2 liters of supercharged V8 good for 556 horsepower and 551 lb.-ft. of torque. You can order your V with either the 6-speed manual Tremec TR6060 gearbox, or the GM Hydra-Matic 6190, which also provides 6 speeds, plus steering wheel shift controls. Our test car’s Tremec manual operated flawlessly, with nicely spring loaded gates to guide you from slot to slot without missing a shift. With this much torque, you could probably get away with a 2 speed transmission, but the 6-speed manual is so rewarding to shift that you’ll find yourself chasing gears just for pleasure. Equally rewarding is listening to the sound of the powder keg V8 snorting its way through the rev range.

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 Intro Video by Drive Time Review

By David Coleman

Model Tested: 2012 Cadillac SRX AWD Premium Collection

• Engine: 3.6 liter SIDI V6
• Horsepower: 308 at 6,800rpm
• Torque: 265 lb.-ft. at 2,400rpm
• Fuel Consumption: 16 MPG City/23 MPG Highway
• Price as Tested: $51,550

For:

• Value
• Stealth Looks
• Standard Luxury Features
• New V6 is powerful and efficient

Against:

• Owner’s Manual Printed on Newsprint
• Poor Rear Visibility
• Difficult Radio Tuning Procedure

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Below is a comprehensive list of all the Expert Car Reviews and feature articles published on CarReview.com [updated 10/11/2011]:

Cadillac unveiled the Ciel Concept at Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance held in Carmel, CA. Using the French word for sky, the Ciel (pronounced C-L) is an open-air, touring concept inspired by the natural beauty of scenic California coast.

The large touring chassis of Ciel 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.

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Pros:

• Luxury look and feel – Platinum Edition Tehama Aniline and Nuance luxury leather seating treatment
• Entertainment – four DVD screens accompany the three row interior making this a road tripper’s dream car
• Sheer size – if you’re looking for a luxury utility vehicle that can carry the entire family and more, then the size of the Escalade ESV will work for you

Cons:

• Underwhelming power – rated at 403hp and 417 foot pounds of torque, the motor still comes up short considering that this is a 7400 pound SUV
• Dated interior feel – the interior was a major disappointment, especially given that this was the Platinum Edition, and the look and feel is more appropriate for a $45,000 Suburban
• Dated styling – the Escalade suffers from a design that was more relevant five years ago, and just looks bland and inconsistent compared to more current automotive designs

“This SUV takes on big missions — Beautifully.”

There is always a certain amount of intrigue and excitement that comes along with testing an $88,000 vehicle. That price point puts this SUV in the company of some of the newest offerings from Porsche, BMW, and Audi. Granted, the sheer size of the Escalade puts it in its own category, but given the close to six figure price tag, the expectations were high.

No doubt about it, the Escalade is full on “bling”. A big motor, lots of chrome, lots of leather, and lots of video screens. It would also seem to be the ideal family vehicle, as it can carry 7 people comfortably, and has a Magnetic Ride Control suspension lending to a smooth ride that would make road trip miles fly by. The interior is built for comfort, but the third row is easily folded to increase the already roomy cargo area.

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Cadillac CTS User Reviews	Cadillac CTS More Expert Reviews	2011 Cadillac CTS Coupe Photo Gallery	2011 Cadillac CTS Coupe Specs

By contributing editor David Colman

Hits

• Head-turning, stop-in-your-tracks good looks
• Impeccable handling
• Comfortable, quality interior
• Impeccable handling

Misses

• Rear seat legroom not suitable for adults or even children
• Must be cautious when opening the doors in tight parking spaces
• Rearward vision is hampered by stylish design

The CTS Coupe is a lot like a Chanel stiletto heel, entrancing to look at but hard to live with. If you want to get noticed, this coupe will serve you well. On a stretch of freeway in Concord, a sport in a Volvo C60 Convertible came screaming by while mouthing the words “Great Looking Car!” And he’s right, of course, because the CTS looks like an artist’s conception of how a sports coupe should look: close-coupled front and mid sections, truncated rear, heavy frontal rake, oversize wheels and tires, lock and latch less flanks, minimal chrome placed for maximal impact. Among the nicest touches are the V-shaped trunk finisher which mimics the centrally located V-shaped exhaust tips, and the artistic burnished aluminum strut tower brace, hidden under the hood, which connects the front shock towers together.

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2011 Super Bowl XLV (45) , the biggest television event of the year is coming up this Sunday, February 6, and the auto companies are spending big bucks ($3 million for 30 seconds) on advertising that will rival beer companies’ air time. Car makers such as Audi, BMW, Chevrolet, Chrysler, Hyundai, Kia, Mercedes-Benz, Suzuki, Volkswagen, and Bridgestone are all going to be making TV appearances from pre-game through post-game shows. Some companies have already started to build their campaigns before Super Bowl Sunday through social media sites such as Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.

Audi is stirring up interest for their A8 Super Bowl commercials by posting the “Audi Estate Sale” on Facebook and messages on Twitter. Audi will also takeover YouTube’s homepage on Super Bowl Sunday.

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Cadillac CTS User Reviews	Cadillac CTS More Expert Reviews	2011 Cadillac CTS Coupe Photo Gallery	2011 Cadillac CTS Coupe Specs

By Mary Ellen Ash

Pros

• Sharp, distinctive, angular styling
• Sporty suspension and handling capabilities
• Comfortable, quality interior
• Hand-assembled center console
• Great warranty and service

Cons

• Heavy Death Star with sluggish acceleration
• Headroom for tall passengers in the rear seat only if positioned correctly
• Fingerprints spoil the black gloss finish

The Cadillac CTS series has been around for a few years with its sedan and recently the wagon model was added, but 2011 is the first year for the coupe. So when the new 2011 Cadillac CTS Coupe landed in our test drive fleet, we had to come up with a plan and find the best way to experience it. None of the regular day tripping or commuting would suffice. At the mere sight of this vehicle, you immediately knew this is a special breed of luxury vehicle that was designed for enjoying the open road. And what could be the best way to experience a Cadillac?

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By Kurt Gensheimer

From its inception until the 1970s, Cadillac was definitely the car for Americans who “made it” in life. It was a car that defined class, elegance and success. Of course, the 1970′s disco era and the oil crisis really wreaked havoc on the Cadillac brand. Ever drive a 1976 Eldorado with the 7L V8 and 180 hp?

‘God awful’ about sums it up.

The eighties were no better, with hunks of crap like the Cimarron, which was simply a rebadged Chevy Cavalier.

The nineties saw glimmers of hope for the brand, especially when the 300 hp Northstar V8 was introduced – a terrific engine even today.

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Cadillac CTS Sport Wagon User Reviews	Cadillac CTS Sport Wagon Overview	Cadillac CTS Sport Wagon Photo Gallery	2010 Cadillac CTS Sport Wagon Specs

By Twain Mein

Pros:

• Smooth and powerful 304 hp V6
• Excellent road feel that is smooth, communicative, and refined
• Handling performance that rivals the European sedans
• Unique styling

Cons:

• Uncomfortably hard front seats
• Rear seat access is limited
• Time lag with full throttle acceleration
• Steering wheel shifters don’t automatically override into manual mode

Ruling: If you’re going to get a 4-door, skip the sedan and just get a wagon!

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