Autoblog UK

The new CTS Coupe is due to arrive in showrooms throughout the USA some time in spring 2010. Cadillac are keeping their options open about a market launch in Europe. This two-door model bears a strong visual resemblance to the design study presented at the Detroit Auto Show in early 2008. At 4.79 metres in length, the 2+2-seater takes the marque's current angular line of styling one stage further. Striking features are the front windscreen sloping at an angle of 62 degrees and a large, almost horizontally inclined rear window. The American designers have dispensed with conventional door handles, preferring touchpad technology to open the vehicle. Underneath the elegant bonnet is a 3.6L direct-injection six-cylinder engine pumping out 311 horsepower.

The parade for the inauguration of new US President Barack Obama is to be held on 20th January. The 5,000 seats for the ceremony were sold out within minutes. Those watching the event live in Washington and on TV will also witness another debut: the new presidential limousine specially built by Cadillac and nicknamed 'The Beast'.

The 'most valuable asset' (i.e. Obama) is to be ferried around in an armour-plated hi-tech limo, the precise details of which are not in the public domain, because General Motors have been sworn to utmost secrecy. In a press release, they have stated that it is "the most technologically advanced protection vehicle in the world". The Cadillac could easily take centre stage in a James Bond movie. It is assumed that the vehicle has been specially kitted out with a revolutionary encrypted communication system, bullet-proof glass, armoured panels and its own separate oxygen supply so the occupants remain safe from a chemical attack. The tyres have such a low profile that, even in the event of a rocket impact, the Cadillac would still be drivable.

David Caldwell from General Motors did, however, impart this gem to a BBC reporter: "One of the specifications is that we don't talk about the specifications." Asked about the extras, he went so far as to reveal that the vehicle came equipped with "state-of-the-art electronics", whatever that magic formulation might imply. This car differs from a James Bond film prop in one distinguishing feature - the presidential pennants flap majestically in the wind. Whether these are also bullet-proof, we'll probably never know.

Every year, the Detroit Auto Show presents its Design Awards for the best concept cars and the best series production models. In the Design Excellence for a Production Vehicle category, the Audi R8 V10 5.2 FSI and the 2010 BMW Z4 came out ahead of the other nominations. The jury awarded the Design Excellence for a Concept Vehicle prize to the Audi Sportback Concept and the Cadillac Converj.

You can admire the judges' choices in the gallery below.

I feel so affirmed right now after reading Jeremy Clarkson's latest car review in the Times of London. After the rightfully-deserved savaging Clarkson gave the Chrysler Sebring last week in addition to some of the things he 's saidover the years on Top Gear, you might have the impression that the man hates American cars. Apparently, nothing could be further from the truth. He just hates bad American cars. Put the guy behind the wheel of a truly great car built here and he might just fall in love. So when the time came for Jezza to recommend a new car for the tamed racing driver known as the Stig, the obvious first choice was the vaunted BMW M5.

Well, it's obvious until you start considering gas costs nearly $10 a gallon in Britain now. Since any suitable car would not get significantly better fuel economy, the other option was to go with a less expensive machine, in this case the Cadillac CTS-V. While the first-generation CTS-V was not as sophisticated as one might have expected, the new model can reasonably be said to be better than the M5 in almost every respect. Equally important in this context is the £19,000 savings compared to the M5. The slightly light steering is easily overlooked given everything else it does so well and so quickly that Clarkson affirms our first driving impressions of the CTS-V. Thanks to Mike for the tip!