2004 Cadillac Deville Base Sedan 4-door 4.6l on 2040-cars

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Cadillac confirms Blackwings will get manual transmissions and 3D-printed parts

Cadillac's upcoming 2022 CT4-V and CT5-V Blackwing will be the first GM production cars to utilize 3D-printed technology. In fact, the technology will be featured front and center on one of the cars' most hotly anticipated features — in a decorative medallion atop the shift knob of the manual transmission. Cadillac says that "additive manufacturing" (named as such because 3D printing accumulates tiny deposits of material to create the object) made the manual transmissions possible by reducing costs and waste. Aside from the medallion, the cars will employ two 3D-printed two HVAC ducts and an electrical harness bracket. "[The manual transmission is] something we know V-Series buyers want and itÂ’s something we knew we had to have, so we used innovative processes to make it happen,” said Cadillac performance variant manager Mirza Grebovic. Speaking of which, Cadillac commissioned a Harris Poll survey about manual transmissions and received some interesting results. For example, 66 percent of American adults surveyed know how to drive manual, and 55 percent said they've owned a standard shift car. Of those who don't, roughly 40 percent are either somewhat or very interested in learning. Interest is highest among two key demographics, 64 percent of those earning $75,000 or more in annual household income, and 62 percent of those ages 18-34. The findings seem to contradict what many automakers have said about lack of interest in manuals, with some declaring a sub-1 percent take rate when manuals are offered. Perhaps with a performance-oriented car such as the V-series, buyer preferences change. The mix of old school gearboxes and new school manufacturing techniques will result in what looks like a very potent car on paper. The CT5-V Blackwing is rumored to be powered by an updated 6.2-litter V8, while the CTS-4 Blackwing is said to be motivated by a turbo six. Neither will use the twin-turbo 4.2-liter V8 of their namesake, but they should prove to be worthy successors to the CTS-V and ATS-V. Related Video:

Hear the new Cadillac CTS-V torture some tires

The 2016 Cadillac CTS-V seems like the type of wonderful gift that Santa might cook up in his workshop for one extraordinarily good boy or girl. However, the first chance for most people to actually see the super sedan and its carbon fiber pieces in real life is at the 2015 Detroit Auto Show in January. As a stocking stuffer until then, Caddy has released this video highlighting the latest V-Series roasting its tires better than any dinner for the holidays. With the supercharged 6.2-liter V8 from the Chevrolet Corvette Z06 nestled into the CTS-V's engine bay, the Cadillac certainly has quite a bark coming from its exhaust. The mill might be detuned slightly from the 'Vette to 640 horsepower and 630 pound-feet of torque, but that's still plenty for this smoky application. Enjoy this tease of the future V-Series, ahead of the Detroit show. Related Gallery 2016 Cadillac CTS-V View 15 Photos News Source: Cadillac via YouTubeImage Credit: Related images copyright Cadillac Cadillac GM Luxury Performance Videos Sedan

Lutz dishes dirt on GM in latest Autoline Detroit

Bob Lutz sits down for Autoline Detroit - Click above to watch video after the jump
Autoline Detroit recently played host to Bob Lutz, and, as is always the case, the former General Motors vice chairman dished out some great commentary. Lutz was promoting his new book Car Guys vs. Bean Counters: The Battle for the Soul of American Business, and talk quickly turned to his role as it related to product development and high-level decision making at GM. While on the topic of brand management, Lutz revealed a few rather interesting tidbits about his former employer:
All Chevrolet vehicles were required to have five-spoke aluminum wheels and a chrome band up front, as part of the Bowtie brand's overall image.