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2007 Cadillac SRX: Finally, A New Interior!
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Detroit Auto Show is Here 
30.11.1999.
Johnny Cash's Cadillac Fleetwood to walk the Line at Barrett-Jackson Palm Beach Auction 30.11.1999.
Detroit Auto Show is Here
I have, once again, survived the three intense and long media-only press days at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit. As an auto enthusiast, there is no other place on the world to be during that first part of January. This was the 10 th year at the show for me. I had the best of intentions when I planned to update this space during the three days, but I simply never had the time. So now that I am on my way home from the Motor City, I thought I?d pass along some of the highlights and my favorites from the most important auto show in the country where more than 50 brand new vehicles were shown for the first time ever in the world. Often times this show has one vehicle that stands out as the obvious star, however this year it seemed that there were two that attracted the most attention ? the Dodge Challenger Concept and Chevrolet Camaro Concept. Challenger concept is an amazing rendition of the original muscle car, complete with a powerful HEMI engine under the hood. In eye-catching orange, Challenger has all of the styling of the model from decades ago, but with plenty of modern touches. The automaker hasn?t said if they?ll put it into production, but Chrysler has a reputation for putting concepts into production with little changes, so the odds are good. Continuing the muscle car revival, Chevrolet brought back the recently retired Camaro name on a great looking concept vehicle. Unlike the Challenger, which is designed to be a modern car that looks like an old car, the Camaro Concept is a completely modern design based on the original Camaros from the 1960s. I wasn?t crazy about it when I first saw it ? thought the front end looked like a Cadillac XLR- but the more I?ve seen it, the more its grown on me. Of course, there were plenty of other noteworthy cars. One I thought looked like it would be great fun to drive is the new Volvo C30. Still a concept, but looking ready for production, it just looks like it would hug the curves and drive like a little go cart. Lincoln showed a concept luxury sedan that looked great. That company could really use a home run ? there hasn?t been a new high-end luxury car from Lincoln in years. For a bit more money ? not sure how much ? there?s the Aston Martin Rapide. Basically a stretched DB9 with four doors, this 450-plus horsepower sport sedan would really attract attention. A bit more subtle but ultra luxurious is the new Lexus LS460. Moving upscale with a new long-wheel base version, the new flagship from Toyota?s luxury marque boasts rear seats with recliners, massagers, foot rests, DVD players and a refrigerator to keep the champagne cold. Speaking of Toyota, the Camry gets completely redesigned for 2006. This bestselling passenger car will also be available as a hybrid later in the year. The small SUV market continues to grow with the new Dodge Caliber. Replacing the Neon, the small crossover SUV will become Dodge?s entry-level passenger car. Hyundai also showed a crossover concept called the HCD9. Sleek lines and a beautiful interior, hopefully it will reach production in some form. Other noteworthy unveils:
- Geely ? first Chinese car to ever be shown in North America
- Ferrari FXX ? costs more than $1 million, has more than 800 horsepower, and sales are by invitation only.
- Ford Reflex Concept ? stylish sports car with diesel-hybrid powertrain
- Ford Super Chief ? a truck about the size of a locomotive engine
- Honda Fit ? new well-equipped small car from Honda
- Nissan Sentra ? not sure if I like the styling, but should be fun to drive
- Mazda Kabura ? one of the best looking sports-car concepts on the show floor
The Luxurious Jaguar XJ Super V8
Now this is a true luxury car. The Super V8 is the ultimate Jaguar sedan, combining the supercharged engine of the XJR with the long wheelbase Vanden Plas. Our test car looked gorgeous in Ebony black with classic elegant lines. And inside is just as wonderful. Rear seat passengers feel like they?re in a limousine, with lots of legroom, heated soft leather seats that recline, thick carpeted floor mats, fold-down tables from the front seatbacks, and a rear DVD system integrated into the back of the front-seat headrests. Front passengers are also treated to comfortable seats with multiple power adjustments as well as a heated steering wheel, fine wood and leather trim and a premium audio system. Although for the $90,000 sticker price, I would have expected to get satellite radio as well. However, what really makes this car exclusive ? and the main reason for that hefty price ? is what?s under the hood. The supercharged V8 engine produces 390 horsepower, and this car is quick. You step on the gas, hear that wonderful supercharger whine and the car just takes off like a rocket. Turn the traction control off and its almost impossible to keep the wheels from spinning. Unfortunately, the handling is not quite up to the task of that engine. Its not bad, but you lose a lot of stability to get that soft, comfy ride. Steering is somewhat vague at high speeds, and you can really feel the size and weight of this Jag when you bring it to a halt. The Cadillac STS I?ve just driven (will write about that one soon) is not near as luxurious, but it handles incredibly well. Its also half the price of the Jag. One other complaint ? the trunk opening is rather small, and the trunk lid hangs over the opening. I hit my head on it twice. This is a great choice of car if your looking for ultra luxury, power and prestige, but its not a sport sedan (nor does it claim to be one). Overall, its not a bad car for $90,000. -- Perry Stern
Vanzura Shaking Things UP at GM
It didn't take Liz Vanzura long to leave her mark on Cadillac. Just a month after taking over as global marketing director at Cadillac, she sent about half the Caddy ad work from Leo Burnett to Boston, MA-based Modernista--about...
2007 Jaguar XK
The XK is proof that money was well spent by Ford and also will be by those who buy one. As good as we'd hoped and more, it's a car that can stand up next to the BMW 6-series, the Mercedes SL, and the Cadillac XLR.
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30.11.1999.
