carmaster
03-24-2006, 07:02 AM
http://a332.g.akamai.net/f/332/936/12h/www.edmunds.com/media/il/news/2006/0322/cadillac.sts.v.500.jpg
Date posted: 03-23-2006
Edmunds Insideline News
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Cadillac is stepping up its performance game, with plans for ultratuner versions of the CTS-V, STS-V and XLR-V, as well as the possibility of a new "Super V" lineup.
Cadillac product director John Howell told Inside Line the company is already feeling out the market for such products. No timetable has been set for when the beefed-up models would go into production, but Howell confirmed what has been widely rumored for some time — that Cadillac does not want to be left in the dust by such competitors as Mercedes-Benz or even its domestic rival Ford.
"We are considering tuner versions of the Vs and working with an outside company, like Mercedes does with Brabus or Ford does with Saleen," Howell told IL at the launch of the 2007 Cadillac Escalade and the XLR-V and STS-V here on Tuesday. "We need to look at it. We don't want to be left out."
Cadillac has not chosen a tuning house yet, but Howell said he would be inclined to select a "more European-oriented" company. "We don't want too much of a muscle-car image," he said. "Brabus is a possibility. McLaren is a possibility, as well as Alpina, Lorinser and Dinan. We want more refinement oriented, as opposed to racing oriented.
"Hot interiors would need to be a big part of it," Howell said. "And we could probably go to 20s [20-inch wheels and tires]."
Howell said, "Super Vs are under consideration, too. These would be models with some increase in power. They would take the bar higher in terms of handling and wheel and tire size."
He would not specify what kind of engine would go into the Super V lineup, but noted that the GM brand has "played with 12 cylinders in its show cars."
What this means to you: Cadillac wants to play with the really big boys, in terms of power and sophistication.
http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/News/articleId=109736#2
Date posted: 03-23-2006
Edmunds Insideline News
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Cadillac is stepping up its performance game, with plans for ultratuner versions of the CTS-V, STS-V and XLR-V, as well as the possibility of a new "Super V" lineup.
Cadillac product director John Howell told Inside Line the company is already feeling out the market for such products. No timetable has been set for when the beefed-up models would go into production, but Howell confirmed what has been widely rumored for some time — that Cadillac does not want to be left in the dust by such competitors as Mercedes-Benz or even its domestic rival Ford.
"We are considering tuner versions of the Vs and working with an outside company, like Mercedes does with Brabus or Ford does with Saleen," Howell told IL at the launch of the 2007 Cadillac Escalade and the XLR-V and STS-V here on Tuesday. "We need to look at it. We don't want to be left out."
Cadillac has not chosen a tuning house yet, but Howell said he would be inclined to select a "more European-oriented" company. "We don't want too much of a muscle-car image," he said. "Brabus is a possibility. McLaren is a possibility, as well as Alpina, Lorinser and Dinan. We want more refinement oriented, as opposed to racing oriented.
"Hot interiors would need to be a big part of it," Howell said. "And we could probably go to 20s [20-inch wheels and tires]."
Howell said, "Super Vs are under consideration, too. These would be models with some increase in power. They would take the bar higher in terms of handling and wheel and tire size."
He would not specify what kind of engine would go into the Super V lineup, but noted that the GM brand has "played with 12 cylinders in its show cars."
What this means to you: Cadillac wants to play with the really big boys, in terms of power and sophistication.
http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/News/articleId=109736#2