2008 CADILLAC NEW CAR MODEL GUIDE

Capping all styling and technical innovations at General Motors, Cadillac continues to upgrade its world-class marque. In 2008, look for new designs on Cadillac's CTS sports sedan and STS touring sedan. Exclusive Platinum Series models go to the DTS and STS sedans, plus the XLR luxury roadster. Also, Escalade the SUV spins off an Escalade Hybrid, packing a hybrid propulsion system that improves fuel economy.

DTS
Cadillac's large-scale luxury sedan in front-wheel-drive (FWD) format rides on a stretched platform and provides a deluxe cabin with extensive appointments. Th powertrain is Cadillac's NorthStar 4.6-liter V8 tuned to 275 horsepower or 292 horsepower through GM's Hydra-Matic four-speed automatic. Safety systems and chassis control technologies include six standard air bags, StabiliTrak and Magnetic Ride Control (MRC). Two new available safety devices — Lane Departure Warning and Side Blind Zone Alert — bring audible and visual warnings to improve driver awareness. The new Platinum Series for the DTS loads up on luxury gear with handcrafted leather.

STS
Cadillac's mid-size touring sedan presents a new face in 2008 with revamped front styling featuring a multi-faceted grille, lower fascia with new intake port and air extractors on fenders. The standard powertrain for the STS is a new 3.6-liter Direct Injection V6 with variable valve timing (VVT) for 302 horsepower or the NorthStar 4.6-liter VVT V8 zipped to 320 horsepower. Both vehicles offer all-wheel-drive (AWD) traction as an option and a new Performance Handling Package with the StabiliTrak skid controller tied to active front steering and Brembo brakes. Also new this year is the exclusive Platinum edition with upgraded luxury touches.

STSv
Cadillac creates a brand-within-the-brand for muscle cars sporting the v-badge, perhaps to denote 'velocity.' In a bold design, the STS touring sedan scores a v-badge treatment with supercharged performance from a NorthStar 4.4-liter V8 boosted way up to 469 horsepower — making it the most powerful production Cadillac ever. It mates with GM's Hydra-Matic 6L80 six-speed automatic transmission. Body enhancements include a larger front grille in stainless wire mesh and ducts in the lower fascia to cool big brakes.

CTS
This sports sedan made history in 2003 as the first rear-wheel-drive (RWD) vehicle in Cadillac's fleet since 1979. It is also the first manual transmission for a RWD Caddy in half a century. In 2008, a makeover for the Generation 2 CTS brings new package styling with a bold front grille patterned after the Cadillac Sixteen concept car. The new CTS gets a wheeltrack two inches wider, RWD or AWD traction options and a forceful new engine. The 3.6-liter Direct Injection VVT V6 hits 304 horsepower and works with a six-speed manual shifter by Aisin or GM's Hydra-Matic 6L50 six-speed automatic.

XLR
Riding on a Corvette platform, Cadillac's two-seat luxury sports car reflects keen body shapes as a luxurious hardtop coupe, which drops its lid with the push of a console switch. The XLR's exterior theme of chiseled lines extends into the cockpit with sculptured bucket seats covered in leather and trimwork and polished aluminum metal plus lacquered wood. Go power stems from a NorthStar 4.6-liter VVT V8 pump 320 horsepower through the Hydra-Matic 6L50 six-speed automatic. Two special editions roll out in 2008, the XLR Platinum and XLR Alpine White Limited Edition, wearing a chrome grille and 18-inch chrome wheels.

XLRv
Cadillac's XLR sports car is the foundation for a special v-badged performance model. The XLRv stocks a supercharged 4.4-liter NorthStar V8 with 443 horsepower through GM's new six-speed 6L80 automatic. The XLRv rolls on 10-spoke aluminum wheels in a silver finish and sports a mesh grille, big Brimbo brakes, recalibrated MRC settings and revised suspension stabilizer bars. The aggressive face features a thick bumper lip, a prominent horizontal mesh steel panel in modern interpretation of the Cadillac egg-crate grille and piercing optics with stacked round projector-type headlamps, resembling camera lenses mounted on vertical corners.

SRX
Cadillac's mid-size crossover utility vehicle (CUV) rides on a car-based platform and offers RWD or AWD traction. The engines include the 3.6-liter V6 VVT for 255 horsepower or the NorthStar 4.6-liter V8 VVT rated at 320 horsepower. A five-speed 5L40 Hydra-Matic automatic with Driver Shift Control (DSC) goes to the V6, while the V8 ties to the 6L50 Hydra-Matic six-speed automatic. The cabin layout reveals twin buckets in the front and a bench for three in the second row. An optional bench for two is available, as a third row raises the rider count to seven.

Escalade
Cadillac's full-size SUV stretches more than 18 feet in length and tip the scales just shy of 3 tons. It carries a leather-wrapped cabin with seats for seven and upgraded materials in tonal treatments of Ebony or Cocoa-on-Cashmere. Either RWD or AWD traction is applied through a huge aluminum 6.2-liter V8 VVT engine, which delivers 403 horsepower. Standard equipment ranges from rain-sensing wipers and a power liftgate, to a remote-control starter and rear parking assist with options for a deluxe Bose audio system and a DVD video entertainment kit. The ultra-luxury Escalade Platinum edition debuts later this model-year.

Escalade ESV
Extending 21 inches longer than the Escalade, the ESV is a super-size SUV dressed with Escalade's lavish features plus class-capping muscle. It also develops high-gross vehicle weight ratings (GVWR) and tow numbers. The ESV gets Escalade's 6.2-liter V8 worth 403 horsepower. The engine uses the Hydra-Matic 6L80 six-speed automatic transmission with power sent to all wheels through the AWD mechanism. Layout for the leather-wrapped cabin includes three tiers of seats. Two buckets go up front, the second row houses power fold-and-tumble buckets or a bench, while a split back bench folds or pulls out like a rollaboard suitcase.

Escalade EXT
The Escalade EXT has the big cabin of a four-door SUV with the abbreviated bed of a pickup truck and a link between the cab and truck bed in the fold-down rear gate. As a unique sport utility truck (SUT), the EXT variation of the Escalade can convert from a comfortable four-door, five-person SUV to a practical pickup capable of hauling cargo as well as passengers. Muscle comes from Escalade's high-output 6.2-liter V8 that hits 403 horsepower. AWD traction is stock on the EXT.

Escalade Hybrid
This variation of Cadillac's full-size SUV is a new hybrid electric vehicle (HEV). It uses a dual-mode hybrid propulsion system, which integrates an automatic transmission with a hybrid-electric drive system. At low speeds, the Escalade Hybrid moves using the electric motor or the gas-fired V8, or a combination of both. At highway speeds, the second mode works with all eight cylinders of the engine pumping when commanded, or with only four cylinders through GM's Active Fuel Management (AFM) technology to conserve fuel.

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