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C7 Corvette won't spawn new Cadillac XLR [w/video]

Between the new 2014 Chevy Corvette Stingray and the even newer Cadillac Elmiraj Concept shown off at Pebble Beach, we were already expecting some sort of chatter of a Cadillac XLR redux. During an in-depth C7 Corvette discussion with Tadge Juechter, the car's chief engineer, Fox News asked if a Corvette-based, Bowling Green-built Cadillac will be built off the C7. Non-spoiler alert: the answer is no.
Juechter says that General Motors has "no intent" on transforming this car into a Cadillac product since the C7 has been optimized for the Corvette buyer, a consumer that's generally a different sort of person than a Cadillac intender who might also be cross-shopping a Mercedes-Benz SL-Class or BMW 6 Series.
While we're not ready to write off a future XLR altogether, we assume that the Corvette Cadillac experiment is most likely never going to happen again. The interview with Juechter is posted below, but the XLR discussion comes in at the 9:00 mark.

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

Former Cadillac boss Butler takes Ford tech job

When Don Butler made the surprising decision to leave his post as Cadillac's VP of global strategic development, it was a surprise. Citing a desire to "recalibrate, reassess my priorities" in that August announcement, it wasn't entirely clear where Butler - a virtual General Motors lifer after spending nearly 30 years with the company - would end up. Turns out he took a trip to Dearborn.
Butler has taken a position in the newly created position of Executive Director of Connected Vehicles and Services at Ford, where he'll be responsible for the Blue Oval's global connectivity strategy. "Not only does Don understand the connected car landscape, but probably just as important, he understands customer expectations," said Raj Nair, who, as Group Vice President of Global Product Development, is Butler's new boss. "Having a leader with technology experience both inside and outside the industry is a rare combination - we're excited to have Don join our team."
As Ford has received its fair share of flak for the sometimes recalcitrant MyFord Touch infotainment system and its Sync voice-controls, it appears that Butler has his work cut out for him.