Carscoop’s Gal Tries Out the 2008 Cadillac CTS 3.6 V6

The 2008 Cadillac CTS with the new 263 Hp 3.6-liter V6 engine was one of the rides I got to check out while at the GM event this past week. It was, by far, my favorite pick from GM’s 2008 Collection. Fun and sporty, it’s a nasty car to kick around in.

In terms of driving, a car like this will make a trip to the local 7-11 a total blast. It handled well on the curves, the acceleration was intense and I had an over all sense of safety even at the higher speeds. I was so impressed with the driving that it distracted me from everything else. And by everything else, I refer to the lack of sexy edge that would make it competitive with the BMW 5 series which it’s actually intended to do –I know many might disagree, but where is the fun in everyone agreeing? -Continued after the jump

We talked to the Cadillac’s Communication Manager, David Caldwell who set some things straight and let us in on some interesting info. Among other efforts to appeal to the BMW and Mercedes drivers of America, Cadillac created the CTS to compete with the 5 series at a 3 series price. (Many refer to it as a 4, how witty).

For driving quality, it may do just that. In terms of design, Cadillac needs to step up to the plate. I questioned the shiny lining all over the interior of the car. Couldn’t they have done a more matte finish like in many of the European cars I’ve seen? Mr.Caldwell assured me that people actually buy the car for small details like this. “People want to know they are in a Cadillac and the “bling-bling” of the CTS is what people love,” he said. But, the cheesy blingyness of the Cadillac is probably why sales have skipped an entire generation of people in their 30’s and 40’s. Maybe we’d see more Cadillacs around if they toned back on the blings a bit.

Mr.Caldwell also informed us that there’s discussion for Cadillac to design a version of the CTS that’s comparable in size with the BMW 3 series. Hopefully, they’ll work on a sleeker design in the future. It may provide a bridge for the generation gap Cadillac is experiencing and maybe even allow it steal away some BMW fans.

Overall, the CTS provided me with a respectable and fun ride and a blinding shine from all the chrome.

Posted by Daniella

GM’s Advanced Training Programs: Burn Baby, Burn.

Nestled in the suburbs of Detroit, Michigan lies a 4,000 acre parcel of land owned by General Motors known to some as, Milford Proving Grounds, but referred to by many as, “Black Lake.” It acquired this name because when it’s wet, it looks like a big black lake which many birds flock around and try to land on. Dumb birds!

Over the past week, at Black Lake, you would have found bloggers testing out GM’s new vehicle line up as part of the 2008 Collection event. Not to mention me truly -Daniella-, on the Vehicle Dynamics Test Area, spinning out of control (...) in the “SkidMaster” during our Advanced Training Session which was one of two main parts of the GM trip.

Our advanced training consisted of collision avoidance, going about 50 mph in an Impala SS, reverse serpentine which I failed miserably especially in the massive Silverado, the reverse straight line which clearly indicated why the grass on the left side of my drive way is dieing, and the break and swerve in the grandfather of all Buicks the Lucerne.-Continued after the jump

The highlight however, was the opportunity we were given to experience the electronic stability control systems (ESC) a.k.a “stabilitrak”. ESC helps drivers maintain control of their vehicles during emergency land changes or avoidance maneuvers. The system detects any difference between the steering wheel position and the vehicles actual path. It selectively controls braking and engine power to gain control of the vehicles direction and keep it on course. GM started installing these systems on passenger cars in 97. It comes standard on about half of the 2006 and 2007 models and is projected to come standard on all the cars and light trucks sold by the end of 2010.

We all took turns as passengers in one car equipped with stabilitrak and one without. There was an obvious difference between the too. Aside from that, the GM drivers that took us out on the test let it rip and showed us what stabilitrak can really do when things get out of control.

Posted by Daniella

Carscoop Attends GM’s 2008 Collection

General Motors invited Carscoop on its first official trip to Detroit amongst other Car, Tech and Lifestyle Bloggers, to test-drive their new 2008 Collection. On our behalf, we sent Dani, one of the few female car bloggers in our area of work. Dani left the trip with a newfound respect for GM’s efforts in striving to compete with soaring Asian and European carmakers, but she also left with some interesting observations and perspectives that we can’t wait to share with you all.

Through out the next week Dani will be posting our 2-day experience at the GM test track at the Milford Proving Grounds, also known as “Black Lake”, our interesting dinner and conversation with the “GM” (General Manager) of GM, Ed Peper, and other little interesting pieces of information that we picked up along the way. We’ll also post our own personal insight to the cars we got to drive and what we thought of them including the 2008 Cadillac CTS and the Saab 9-3. (Photo: Dani)

BTW: Carscoop attended a manufacturer-sponsored event, meaning that GM handled travel & accommodations