The Cadillac Escalade is the Kim Kardashian of the auto world.

You know what I mean. It’s got great bone structure, it looks fantastic on the outside, [insert suggestive interior joke here], but it clearly craves attention. It’s flashy and a little bit trashy — and it’s perfectly okay with that.

To test out the 2013 Cadillac Escalade ESV Platinum, I enlisted the aid of two pals: my husband, who rides a Vespa, and our friend Peter, who owns a Honda Civic. If the Escalade could bring these two around to its way of thinking, I’d know I had a winner on my hands.

When I pulled up to my house, my husband was waiting on the front steps. He saw me in the driver’s seat and peered up and down the street, as if to say, “What will the neighbors think?” (To which I’d reply: “It’s 10:00 on a Saturday morning in the heart of the gay ghetto. The neighbors are asleep or at brunch. Or both.”)

Still, I understood his concerns. On our block, the award for Most Upscale Car either goes to our own Jeep or a 1970something hearse that an artist has converted into an ironic pimpmobile. The boxy Escalade ESV — tricked out in White Diamond paint and measuring 21 inches longer than a run-of-the-mill Escalade — was about the same length as the hearse, but its 22-inch chromed aluminum wheels made it stand out like a bead-covered college kid in town for his first Mardi Gras.

When Peter caught sight of us, he laughed long and loud. He stumbled back in the house to drag his groggy roommate out to look at the Escalade. He had the same reaction when the Oscar Meyer Weiner Mobile was last in town. Not such a promising response, I thought.

But from my teaching days, I knew all too well that you have to give folks time to adapt. In class, it took about 30 minutes before the newness of an exercise wore off and students began taking it seriously.

And that’s exactly what happened. To ensure we had plenty of quality time in the Escalade, I planned a full-day excursion to an outlet mall (which seemed like the natural habitat of the Escalade), and then to a late lunch/early dinner at a secluded restaurant out on the bayou. My colleagues had nothing to do but sit back and soak it all in.

By the time we reached the mall, they’d become quite comfortable in the Escalade’s cozy leather seats. My husband and Peter fired up the DVD player and stretched out in the third row to watch John Waters’ classic Desperate Living (an odd choice, but the first disc within reach as I walked out the door). The zoned AC meant that I could keep the front area toasty warm, while they chilled out in the back — literally. I even made use of the heated front seat, which I rarely get to do down here in Louisiana.

Then: shopping. Lots of it. Without going into embarrassing detail, I’ll just say that I will never want for ankle socks, apple corers, or aftershave ever again. I have the receipts to prove it.

Back to the car we went. I opened the smooth power liftgate, and we tossed an unholy number of shopping bags in the giant-sized cargo area. (Seriously, I’ve seen smaller kindergartens.) The day had warmed up by then, so I cracked open the Escalade’s sunroof to let in a little air for the hour-long drive to the restaurant.

Even when we hit bumpy stretches of road, the Escalade’s ride remained silky smooth. That’s likely because of the SUV’s Magnetic Ride Control, which reportedly “reads” the road every single millisecond, and when it detects a problem, requires only about five milliseconds to address it.

There was plenty of power to get us there, too, thanks to the Escalade’s 6.2-liter V8 engine, which churns out an impressive 403 hp. I didn’t get the chance to push the SUV to its limits, due to an unusually high number of highway patrolmen on the roads, but the pack of tigers purring under the hood made the Escalade’s potential obvious.

After several plates of hushpuppies, coleslaw, and more oysters than any of us knew what to do with, we headed home. While my two traveling companions napped, I tried to pick out a few of the Escalade’s flaws.

I’ll admit that in design terms, it’s not as sleek and angular as the rest of the Cadillac lineup. In fact, it’s a little ungainly, and the thought of parking it on a daily basis was enough to make my head spin. But folks who can afford the Escalade’s base price of $82,545 can probably shell out for a decent-sized parking space, too.

I had a few quibbles with the interior, too. It was beyond plush and comfortable, but there were a handful of touches that felt a tad fusty — not fussy, but fusty. I have a hard time seeing burled wood without thinking of cars my grandfather used to own. He would’ve liked the analog clock in the dash, too, which seemed deeply out of place, given the rest of the Escalade’s onboard tech.

Speaking of tech, the SUV’s navigation system gave me fits. It was very good at finding us on the road, but every time I tried to set directions,  it would flip the map upside down, so that south was at the top, and north was at the bottom. Funny how flipping a map on its head can be completely disorienting, even when it’s showing roads that you travel every day.

And of course, I’m obligated to mention the Escalade’s fuel economy, which clocks in around 14 mpg city and 18 mpg highway. (Thankfully, the SUV comes with a 31-gallon tank.) If I were to spring for one of these babies, I’d consider the hybrid model, which gets a more respectable 20 city/23 highway.

In sum, the Escalade is a great vehicle if you’re a big traveler and/or schlepper and you want to motor around in style and comfort. True, it’s not for the timid — shy and retiring types might be better suited for the Escalade’s more demure cousin, the GMC Acadia. But you only live once, and there’s nothing wrong with living it up while you’re here.

That said, rumor has it that the Escalade’s Kardashian qualities may soon going the way of the dodo: GM’s North American president Mark Reuss has revealed that the next-generation Escalade will be “much less ostentatious“. Get your flash while you can.

2013 Cadillac Escalade ESV Platinum
Pricing: From $82,545
Fuel economy: 14 mpg city/ 18 mpg hwy
Engine: Vortec 6.2-liter V8 with flex-fuel capability
Transmission: Rear-wheel drive, six-speed automatic (AWD available)
Passenger capacity: Eight
Assembly: Arlington, Texas

Last week’s 2013 Detroit Auto Show was a whirlwind of premieres and press conferences. Thankfully, the long, three-day weekend gave me time to reflect and choose some winners and losers of the lot.

Below, you’ll find my best-in-show list. Scroll to the bottom of the page for a full gallery — and stay tuned this afternoon for the, um, not so fortunate.

THE “YES, PLEASE-ES” 

2014 Chevrolet Corvette 

Behold: the new, 2014 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray. It’s still a Corvette, only now it wants you to mistake it for a Ferrari. Not a bad thing.

The 2014 Chevrolet Corvette looks great in person, with a much more sculpted and intricate design than the last generation C6. The rear is especially changed, as Chevy has ditched the ubiquitous circular taillights and replaced them with some highly three-dimensional units, compete with “crying chola” tear-drop tattoo vents on each side. They look far better than my description may make them seem. (Scroll down to see them in the gallery.)

The interior is also a vast improvement on the truly horrible, econo-car interior of the previous, C6. The new interior is focused toward the driver — fitting for a super serious sports car. In fact, the controls are SO canted toward the driver that Chevy has provided the passenger with her own adorable set of climate and seat controls right below the right hand air vent. Awwwww.

I DO take issue with Chevy calling this iteration of the Corvette a Stingray though. Using that hallowed name is going to make many a baby-boomer’s eyes pop-out with anticipation, so I’m sure it’s a smart marketing move; I’m just not convinced this design truly says “Stingray.”

One area in which you won’t be mistaking the Corvette for a Ferrari is the price. Expect this puppy to start around $50,000 when it goes on sale later this year, and THAT my friends is what I like to call American ingenuity.

2014 Cadillac ELR

The extended-range electric Chevy Volt was a great start but let’s be real: it lacked the glamour to really set people’s hearts afire. Of course debuting the Voltec technology on its mainstream brand was a deliberate move on GM’s part, seeking to make the point that the future of alternative propulsion was not going to be reserved for the rich.

Well, guess what, you patient rich people: your extended range electric car is finally here! Was it worth the wait? Well just look at it. Let me answer for you: YES. The ELR is a clear evolution of the current Cadillac design language, with sharp creases married to soaring, fluid shapes. It works really well on the ELR and gives this car the visual gravitas it needs to turn heads. Of course those stunning (and standard?!) 20-inch rims add to the feeling every time you glance at the ELR. Inside, the ELR expands on Cadillac themes we’ve seen as well, though the materials and execution seem even richer than in the lesser models.

In my heart of hearts, though I really wish Cadillac had called this an “El Dorado.” I know I’m going to get people yelling that that’s an old person’s name, but whatever. It was badass sounding then, and it’s badass sounding now.

BMW 4-Series Concept

Stylistically, BMWs are still recovering from the wounds wrought upon them by Chris Bangle. Squawk all you want: Bangle’s designs for the Bavarian performance powerhouse may have been interesting, but they certainly weren’t attractive. Thankfully, the brand has been making a recovery and the new 4-Series concept shows BMW is pushing its design back into the realms of attractiveness.

Interesting and muscular side-detailing fits the demeanor of this compact sport coupe concept. My only real concern here is with that face. It’s a bit gawky in person and leans a little too forward and down resulting in an awkwardly dorky gaze. Also: too bad about the interior, which is shared with the standard 3-Series sedan, making it a bit downmarket compared to the competition.

Still, this is a solidly attractive entry for BMW, something that has been sorely missing from this company in the past decade. More like this please. 

Lincoln MKC Concept

The unveiling event for the Lincoln MKC was freaking bizarre. It was all pretty and nice until they opened the box containing the new crossover concept, and two young women emerged carrying long scarves covering the MKC Concept. It was like Cleopatra coming to Rome. Hopefully, unlike Cleopatra, the Lincoln MKC crossover won’t bring ultimate death and destruction to the the Ford empire. I certainly don’t think it will, because the Lincoln MKC Concept looks fantastic.

The MKC Concept offers a very clear glimpse of what the production Lincoln MKC crossover will look like when it hits the market in what I’m guessing will be about a year. A very well-conceived design, the Lincoln MKC includes a successful application of the brand’s new “flying” grill, as well as its newly re-adopted trademark full-width tail lights. So long as the proportions are maintained for production, Lincoln should have a winner on its hands. If Lincoln is smart, it’ll also include a hybrid version to entice some Lexus loyalists over to Lincoln-land.

Sidenote: I got the chance to speak with Soo Kang, the Korean born designer for the MKC (and MKZ) interior. She was a delight: funny, open, and genuinely excited about the product she help design. When asked about where the “champagne bubble” leather perforation pattern from the MKZ concept went in the production model, she assured me that she was working on something even cooler for the future that would indeed make it to production. Color me very intrigued.

Honda Urban SUV

The Honda Urban SUV Concept was a pleasant surprise at the show. Like it or not, Americans still have a taste for things called “SUV” and “crossover”, and Honda wants as big a piece of that pie as they can get. The Urban SUV Concept foreshadows what we can expect from their upcoming Fit-based crossover. It’s a pleasant little porker with clean styling and good proportions. Let’s hope they keep all of that for the production version.

With the flashy and much-hyped introduction of the 2014 Chevrolet Corvette, General Motors could have coasted through the rest of this year’s Detroit Auto Show with relative ease. Instead, the U.S. auto giant took a step in a new direction, at least when it comes to imbuing the Cadillac luxury division with green vehicle credentials. Introduced on Tuesday, January 15, the Cadillac ELR is the brand’s first-ever plug-in hybrid vehicle, and possibly one of the most important models in Cadillac’s long history.

Based on the Chevrolet Volt, the four-passenger ELR coupe eschews the functionality of a five-door layout—as found in the Volt—for the visual punch of a coupe design. The result, which looks remarkably similar to the 2009 Converj concept car, makes the ELR arguably one of the best looking eco-themed vehicles on the market—or at least it will, once the extended-range electric Caddy goes on sale in early 2014.

With a 1.4-liter gasoline-powered four-cylinder engine and 16.5 kWh lithium ion battery, the ELR’s total output is a stout 207 horsepower. That’s a sizeable jump from the Volt’s 149 hp, though it’s likely that overall performance will be similar, since the luxury-laden ELR weighs about 300 pounds more than its Chevy counterpart. The ELR is capable of traveling 35 miles on electric power, before the gasoline engine kicks in to serve as an onboard generator and boost total driving range to 300 miles.

Pricing will be revealed closer to the ELR’s on sale date.

Even while tearing up German race tracks with the hyper-powered CTS-V and compact ATS sport sedan, Cadillac maintains traditional luxury vigilance with the XTS. It does so with style and technology that are second to none.

It’s a pretty sexy car. There’s the big satin-silver eggcrate grille, stacked headlamps, and long roof that flows into the decklid. Dual exhaust outlets go through the rear bumper, 20” alloys fill the flanks, and illuminated door handles welcome you at night. God save Cadillac, there are proper fins out back. It is one of the best-looking Cadillacs in decades. I couldn’t help staring at it like it was a ’67 Eldorado.

The interior is handsome too. Our test car came with dark gray wood trim, contrasting jet black and wheat leather, and purple stitching in the seat and doors — pretty pissy. Beige light seeps from the dash and doors at night. Heated/cooled leather seats, limo space in the rear, and a hushed cabin add comfort. Bose audio, with speakers in the front seats, creates the ambiance of a theater.

My partner loved fondling the CUE system. The instrument cluster is actually a re-configurable LCD screen. An iPad-sized center touchscreen scrolls with the swipe of a hand, but goes one further by gently thumping your finger to confirm selections. Slide your finger along the chrome strip beneath to adjust volume. Beyond CUE, the XTS is available with a multi-color heads-up display system for speed, engine revs, radio setting, and safety alerts.

If that isn’t completely overloading, wait until all of the safety systems activate. Forward collision, rear cross traffic, blind spot, and lane departure alerts keep the car beeping and flashing warnings. Should drivers fail to take heed, the car automatically brakes to avoid a collision. Rump-shaker seats notify your posterior when you’re about to do something dumb-ass stupid — like back into an object. It’s a bit much.

Cadillacs were once exclusively powered by V8 engines, but the XTS is driven by a 304hp 3.6-liter V6 connected to a paddle-shifted six-speed automatic transmission. It provides enough power, but turbos wouldn’t hurt. All-wheel-drive is standard. Fuel economy rates 17/26 mpg city/hightway, but I’d be all for an eAssist hybrid version to touch the mid-30s.

Modern handling comes by way of real-time adjusting Magnetic Ride Control and rear air springs. The chassis provides comfort over rough pavement, but also a willingness to perk up for the right country road. Brembo discs stand by up front as a sentinel against excessive speed. Interstates are swallowed with ease.

Despite the Brembos and AWD, the XTS is no sport sedan. When all of the creased sheetmetal is peeled back, it rides on essentially the same architecture that cradles the Buick LaCrosse and 2014 Chevy Impala. Comfort was prioritized over setting records on Germany’s famed Nurburgring. The XTS handles well, but it definitely will not challenge a CTS-V for enthusiasts’ attention.

All considered, the XTS is a modern full-size Cadillac. It is not the flagship sedan that GM’s luxury brand eventually needs, but it handily carries the torch in the breach.

Prices for the XTS start at $44,075, but our loaded Platinum Collection model came to $60,385.

2013 Cadillac XTS
Five-passenger, AWD sedan
Powertrain: 304hp 3.6-liter V6, six-speed automatic transmission
Suspension f/r: Electronic Ind/Ind
Wheels: 20”/20” alloy f/r
Brakes: disc/disc fr/rr with ABS
Must-have features: Style, technology
Fuel economy: 17/26 mpg city/hwy
Assembly: Oshawa, ON
Base/as-tested price: $44,075/60,385

Imagine Cadillac as the kid on the other side of the chain link fence, hat askew and overalls hanging, looking on as the cool kids from Germany and Japan have the time of their lives knocking the balls of success out of the park with their small, smart upscale compacts.

The first time Cadillac tried to play with the cool kids it showed up with a twig (the Cimarron), dejected. The second time, it came back and tried to hit the ball with a teddy bear (the Catera). Everyone laughed. Cadillac slinked away in shame each time.

So, in light of its history with compact sport sedans one might think Cadillac a masochist for showing up to the game for a third time, but let me tell you, they’ve learned how to play, and this time they’ve brought a bat. A really good bat.

Drive

Cadillac has not been sheepish in highlighting the fact that with the ATS, they aimed to best the ubiquitous BMW 3-series in the performance department. Them’s fightin’ works alright.

I should begin by mentioning that for my test ride, I had the basement baby of the engine line up: the 2.5 liter four-cylinder, producing 202 hp and 190 lb-ft of torque. The 2.5 is a thoroughly unimpressive engine. It’s an engine for your mother, the same one that keeps asking you what the importance of 0-60 times are. I found the best part of the 2.5 to be its ability to not sound like a cheap little four-banger. It’s unobtrusive and composed under throttle, which is the least it could do considering that when it’s time to put the hammer to the metal, this engine’s going to let you down like Amanda Bynes at a sanity convention. Powerful it is not.

Thankfully, buyers can step up to a 2.0T that churns out 272 hp, or a big papa 3.6 V6 that flogs down a dreamy 321 hp. For my cake, the 2.0T sounds the most compelling, as I believe the smaller 2.0T would provide the best weight-to-power scenario for this lightweight chassis.

So anyway, the handling: the ATS steers like warm butter on a pile of Paula Deen’s homestyle mashed potatoes. It’s real, real good, y’all. Input to the steering wheel is registered precisely and smoothly down on the pavement. The rear-wheel-drive ATS delivers crisp, controlled handling which, when coupled with 50/50 weight distribution, produces a very satisfying sport sedan experience. I’d be inclined to say it feels better than the 3-series, whose steering in it’s current iteration feels a bit less connected than the ATS. In reality it’s probably a bit of a wash, but that’s actually very high praise for the ATS.

Exterior

The ATS is handsome. It’s not pretty or gorgeous. The headlights are arguably the most interesting part of the equation here, reaching well back into the fenders. They give the front of the car presence and a touch of uniqueness. Overall the ATS’s design is an undoubtedly masculine execution that even in my laughably named “white diamond tricoat” looked purposeful. At least we know Elizabeth Taylor’s ghost lives on as a paint color-namer at GM.

The most exciting part of the ATS’s exterior is that Cadillac has finally mastered the proportions of their Art & Science design theme. The original and current CTS were interesting to look at with all their points and creases, but they didn’t have the proportions sorted out entirely; there was always an awkward angle to be found. But here, on the ATS, they’ve finally nailed them. The long hood stretches back to a high and tight greenhouse, all of this is rounded out by a short, pert rear. Even the tire-to-body panel spacing has been considered, with the outer edge of the tire damn near perfectly aligned with the outer edge of the wheel well. Someone was paying very close attention to the stance of this car and that effort has paid off in spades.

Interestingly, there are still echoes of ye olde Cadillac, in a totally good way. Allusions to the formality that once dictated all of Cadillac design can be found in the squared, upright C-Pillar and the tall fin-like taillights. These nods to Cadillac’s past are updated, nuanced versions of the originals. It’s still a Cadillac, only smoother.

One niggle I have is something that only 2.5 owners will have to worry about: the 2.5-liter-equipped ATS has a really awkward single tailpipe just kinda stuck in the rear diffuser. It looks so sad and lonely, like Bert without an Ernie.

Interior

CUE is the star here, consisting of a large, eight-inch capacitive touch-screen peacocking up in the center of the dash. Take a seat and shut the door. The CUE system’s main display and auxiliary screen in the gauge cluster behind the steering wheel spring to life in a synchronized 3D extravaganza that features the Cadillac logo bursting into a rapturous cloud of glitter and diamonds shards. It’s a Jennifer Lopez perfume ad every time you turn your car on. It turns even your most mundane milk run into a patriotic fireworks show.

So CUE is really pretty, but CUE can be a bit of a numbnuts too. Cadillac is proud of the fact that the main CUE touchscreen is of the capacitive variety like the iPad. You’d think that would mean smooth and immediate responses to your touch inputs. Wrong. Everything is delayed. Pinch-to-zoom in maps is so delayed it made me feel like I was on peyote or something. CUE’s proximity sensing (buttons appear when you lift your hand up to the screen) is a neat party trick but of no real benefit in an automotive application. Why would I want to have to put my hand up to the screen before I can see what button I want to push? It’s an entirely contrived application.

That said, while CUE and I didn’t get along entirely, it’s by no means unusable. All functions are still able to be completed, just not as effortlessly as I’d like to see. The plus side here is that CUE is fully upgradable through future software updates, which will give GM the opportunity to improve response times and simplify functionality. GM may have stuck it’s neck out a little too early with the current rendition of CUE, but I’m confident upgrades to the software are already in the works. It has promise, it’s just a little lethargic right now

Further down the center stack, things aren’t so rosy. There are the evil little touch-sensitive buttons (they respond to the heat of your finger rather than mechanically depressing) floating in a sea of black plastic below the main CUE screen. It’s VERY pretty BUT…where do you press? Do you press the raised silver island thingy or the symbol itself? You learn that you are supposed to hit the symbol, but it never becomes a very satisfying or direct experience for the user. Luxury, at least in a car, is about being able to relax. I found myself constantly having to babysit the main CUE screen and its touch-sensitive button buddies down below it. Sometimes the system didn’t respond to my jabs. Sometimes it responded incredibly slowly. None of it is a deal-breaker, but it grates on you. These touch-sensitive buttons in their current form seem to offer no benefit over traditional buttons. I’m all for change, but only when there’s a distinct benefit.

Thankfully the rest of the interior is pretty damn gorgeous. It’s easily one of the best executions in this class, with organic, soaring shapes and pleasing textures and colors. Doors and dash are covered in rich looking stitched faux-leather, and fit and finish is beyond reproach.

A final note: the rear seat is for children or friends with small, compact legs. Cadillac has sculpted the hell out of those back seats but there is precious little room for anything that would consider itself a full-size adult male. What’s important to remember though is that the ATS’s length is within 3 inches of the Toyota Corolla’s. Pretty crazy right? Concessions must be made, and honestly when was the last time you used your back seat anyway?

Final Thoughts

In German-car-dominated SoCal, the ATS’s only real battle is going to be with people’s minds.

You see BMW, Audi, and Mercedes are living on easy street. The young professional demographic WANT to like their cars. Allowances are made for any shortcomings with those brands because the prestige associated with them is so high.

It’s the opposite for Cadillac. They’ve only been playing in this arena for a few years (and really only dabbling when it comes to the CTS), so they have a lot to prove. Their product must not only match the established players, it must be BETTER.

Is the ATS better? Well, that depends. If you need a handsome, fun to drive, beautifully built sport sedan, then it’s going to be hard to find a car that balances all those things better. The ATS offers a very compelling package, with a better interior than the BMW 3-series, better handling than the Audi A4, and just about better everything than the Mercedes C-Class.

Cadillac is now officially playing with the cool kids and the ATS deserves the attention of anyone shopping in this category. The ATS is not just a great Cadillac, it’s a great sport sedan period.

Tested vehicle: 2013 Cadillac ATS2.5L luxury collection, MSRP $42,225

Happy July, y’all! We’re packing our pic-a-nic baskets and preparing to head out for the Independence Day festivities, but before we bolt, we thought we’d share some nifty statistics with you. (Because we’re nerds, even on holidays.)

On Sunday, we dug deep into Gaywheels’ data mines and extracted a list of our top ten posts for the first half of 2012. We’re happy to say that Gaywheels’ list of Gay-Friendly Automakers still holds the #1 spot, but below that, it was nothing but car reviews for as far as the eye could see. Sounds like some of you may be in the mood to buy …

And so, without further ado, here’s a list of the ten most popular posts on Gaywheels so far this year. Stay tuned: we may be asking you some questions about your current ride very soon!

1. 2011 VW Golf GTI vs. 2011 VW Golf TDI
2. 2013 Chevrolet Malibu ECO
3. 2007 Mitsubishi Outlander
4. 2010 Cadillac Escalade ESV Platinum
5. 2007 Nissan Quest
6. 2010 Chevrolet Camaro SS
7. 2012 Honda Civic Si Coupe: Test Drive
8. 2012 Chevrolet Cruze: Big Bang For Bargain Bucks
9. 2011 Subaru Impreza WRX and WRX STI
10. 2012 Toyota Prius C: Sex Doesn’t Always Sell

[Full gallery below]

Celebrities always seem smaller in real life, much shorter and tinier than the over-sized personas they portray in movies and on television. The Cadillac Ciel Concept proved to be no exception to this rule during its recent trip to New York City. This four-passenger convertible looked absolutely huge in the photos I’d seen during its grand unveiling at this year’s Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance. Thankfully, the folks at Cadillac brought the Ciel to New York City for a limited engagement (i.e. a rooftop lunch open to the media) before immediately shipping the car off to the Frankfurt Auto Show.

The Ciel looks far leaner and meaner sitting in the sunlight – the “Cabernet” paintjob is particularly deep and lustrous. The blunt eggcrate-style grill still dominates the front end, flanked by tall and thin headlights that sweep upwards and back onto the fenders. However, most photos made the car look flat, like a shingle sprinkled with chrome highlights. In person, the sides of the car taper to a very clean and contemporary rear end with neatly integrated taillights.

A set of enormous 22-inch wheels and a chopped-down look to windshield add a hint of hot rod to the design. And let’s be honest, the Ciel Concept is no petite roadster. At 203 inches in length, the Ciel is only 4 inches shorter than Caddy’s old school (and soon to be replaced) DTS sedan. The timing is no coincidence, as the Ciel offers a glimpse of Cadillac’s stylistic direction for the next few years. Company officials say the Ciel could even foreshadow a future range-topping model in the Cadillac lineup – though my bet would be on something racier, a two-door luxury GT to challenge the Mercedes-Benz SL and BMW 6-Series.

A twin-turbocharged and direct-injected 3.6-liter V-6 engine serves up 425-hp and 450 lb.-ft. of torque. Power is routed to an all-wheel-drive system. The gasoline engine is also coupled with a hybrid system powered by a lithium-ion battery pack. There are few details at the moment about this electric powertrain, though Cadillac has promised the system would allow for some sort of zero emission, all-electric driving mode.

Cadillac once represented the unquestioned standard of the world among automakers. High fins, big V8 power, and a level of panache desired by kings made Cadillac the hottest thing in rubber loafers. Those cars caused people to stand back, wide-mouthed, as the behemoths of glitz and power glided by. For a few decades, Cadillac was railed by Mercedes, BMW, and Lexus. One drive in the 2011 CTS-V Coupe and you know Cadillac has come to reclaim the standard.

Styling of GM’s premiere brand has a rich history. Bill Mitchell’s 1938 Sixty Special came sans runningboards, looking modern with its formal trunk. Eggcrate grilles came before WWII. Post-war designs debuted tailfins, most impressively with the 1949 Coupe DeVille and 1959 Eldorado. Frank Hershey’s translation of P38 tail booms to Cadillac fenders rendered the most iconic elements since the Rolls-Royce radiator. The 1957 Brougham showed what could happen when engineers and designers threw everything they could summon at one car. It was relatively restrained, lavishly appointed, and rode on an air suspension – a direct ancestor of the CTS-V.

Cadillac’s first volley at the Europeans was the ’75 Seville – a model of restraint designed to fend off the Mercedes “E-Class”. Next came the hunch-back Seville, which was a dismal attempt to compete with anything other than the Lincoln Versailles. STS sedans of the ’90s began the transition back to respectability. Following the German-built ’97 Catera that failed to zig (or zag), came the first-generation CTS that flaunted edgy styling and was built on a great chassis, but fell short on interior refinement. The current CTS finally put Cadillac in the realm by outshooting BMW and ‘Benz on several fronts. Enter the outrageously stunning CTS-V.

If the Z06′ V8 was adequate six years ago on the first-gen CTS-V, then the Corvette ZR-1′s 6.2-litre supercharged V8 seems like the perfect companion to this edition. In Caddy guise, it generates 556-HP and 551 lb.-ft. of torque, connected to 19″ aluminum alloy rear wheels through a six-speed manual or six-speed paddle shift automatic transmission. The auto trans. is smart enough to blip the throttle going into corners when it recognizes you are in track mode. Fuel economy, as you might expect, is rated a supercar-like 12/18-MPG city/hwy.

To get the most out of the car, you really need a track like Palm Beach International Raceway, where the car brings new meaning to eating asphalt for “shits and giggles.” Put it into a corner hard, and you may well soil your undershorts. Coming out the other side, you will laugh like Boss Tweed chewing a stogie. How this edgy coupe transforms from luxury cruiser to balls-out track star is in large part enabled by GM’s MagneRide suspension system that adjusts stiffness in real time to balance on-road comfort with uber-tenacious performance. No mortal man can upset this car at any rational pace, and even at an irrational pace, the car behaves quite rationally.

CTS-Vs summon stupid amounts of performance to a top speed of 191 MPH. Somebody is going to ask why GM cut 82 ponies from the ZR-1 powertrain. To which I reply, “Are you bloody kidding?” A CTS-V Coupe runs 0-60 mph in 3.9 seconds – 0.3s slower than the highest-performance GM vehicle of all time. You need more? That’s not enough? Baby, this Caddy don’t have wings. Trust me, it’s plenty to bomb the aforementioned tighties. I drove it hard enough on the track for smoke to waft off the plate-sized Brembo discs after two laps, rocked my head to dizziness through a mid-straight chicane, and it was ready for more.

Like Cary Grant copulating with Lady Gaga, the CTS-V’s style is debonair and more than a little naughty. Stacked headlamps, wire mesh grille, sculpted fenders, and aggressive fins are both classic and spiritually nasty. Interiors benefit from stitched leather on the dash and doors, piano black finish on the center console, Bose audio, navigation, Bluetooth, and the whole toy box. Grip the available suede steering wheel. Contrasting color buckets grip your ribs on the track and are long-distance supportive. You can drive this car to the track, then to California and back. From the sidelines, it just slips by like a fireball of grace and gratification.

This is the first Cadillac to not only take on ‘Benz and BMW, but to do it at the levels of AMG and M. V may become my favorite letter, carrying with it a heritage of V8 performance, exquisite style, and a swagger that could only come from the studios of Bill Mitchell, Frank Hershey, or CTS designer Clay Dean. Time to shit. Time to giggle. Expect to pay at least $63,465 for the privilege of driving the new standard of the world.

By Nick Kurczewski

In a first-of-its-kind event – and something we hope to see a lot more of in the future – Cadillac hosted a reception geared towards the LGBT community during this year’s New York International Auto Show. Gays and lesbians from a wide range of professional backgrounds rubbed shoulders, talked cars, and clinked cocktail glasses at this ground-breaking soiree.

Seeking to counter what one sassy guest referred to as GM’s “old white guys in suits” image, Cadillac chose the New York show and Jacob Javits Center in Midtown Manhattan to come roaring out of the closet.

Of course, many carmakers have promoted gay-friendly advertising, or generously sponsored charities and organizations aiding the gay community. But in terms of LGBT get-togethers held during the testosterone-fueled atmosphere of an auto show? This was a definite first. And yes, we can thank GM and Cadillac for it.

Other than the hot gossip and cool drinks, there was plenty of exciting new sheet-metal to ogle at the show. Not surprisingly, a Cadillac was featured prominently. The Cadillac CTS-V wagon was one of the show’s undisputed stars – my friends and colleagues routinely said it was the car they most wanted to take home for the weekend.

From its sharply creased exterior, to its 556-horsepower 6.2-liter V8 and top speed of almost 190 mph, this is the kind of family wagon that everyone can appreciate — no matter what your definition of ‘family’ might be.

Several entertaining encounters with buff young gentlemen – was there a recent escape of extras from the cast of Jersey Shore? – asking yours truly about the car’s stats helped drive the point home: this is one Caddy with plenty of cross-cultural appeal!

And most importantly, Cadillac is now a luxury brand that is leading the pack when it comes to recognizing the LGBT community. Good job, Caddy! Now, when do you think we can borrow the keys to that CTS-V wagon?

CADILLAC TO THE MAX

By Casey Williams

The Escalade is well-established as the ultimate SUV — so much so that it’s the only Cadillac with a non-ambiguously-lettered nomenclature. It summarily displaced Range Rover as the preferred over-luxuriated truck for Hollywood stars, corporate elite, and anybody else wishing to drive a capable and stylish wagon. Well into its second generation, minor complaints about the Escalade’s interior trim quality are slashed with one word: Platinum. This is Cadillac to the MAX.

Exterior styling is instantly recognizable, but is even more impressive with a CTS-style grille, power running boards that ride flush with the body undersides, bright LED headlamps, LED taillights, and enough sheetmetal from which to rivet your own ship. Front fender vents and 22″ chrome wheels bring on the bling. And in case anybody wonders who makes this truck, Cadillac placed enormous “Wreath and Crest” logos on the grille and power-operated liftgate.

Grabbing the big chrome door handles or pressing the liftgate button on the key fob grants access to the most exclusive interior to grace a Cadillac since the ’57 Brougham. There’s nothing fake. Trees and cows died, and aluminum was mined, for this space. The doors, dashboard, and center console are covered in French-stitched leather. Aluminum panels gird the center dash and console. A tap on the Olive and Ash wood planks on the dashboard and doors confirm they’re real. Super soft Tehama Aniline Leather upholsters the first and second row captain’s chairs. Everything you see, touch, and smell is cabin class.

Cadillac serves up enough electronics to manage a Jupiter mission. Navigation, tri-zone auto climate control, universal home remote, rear audio controls, 6-disc changer, XM Satellite Radio, traffic congestion warning, blind spot indicators, and heated power-fold mirrors are all here. I counted five LCD screens; there’s one in the dash, two in the backs of the front headrests, and two more that flip down from the ceiling for both rows of rear seats. Phones connect with Bluetooth; an USB port is provided to easily sync your iPod with the vehicle’s own controls.

Sybaritic comfort is provided by a power-heated steering wheel, power-adjustable pedals, heated and cooled front seats, heated middle row seats, and heated/cooled cupholders – perfect for keeping your frappe cold or your latte hot. A remote starter is great in the winter. Bose speakers with 5.1 Surround Sound make violins sing. To match the best cars in the world, though, Escalades should come with radar adaptive cruise control, lane keep assist, and active warnings for impending front impacts.

As with the interior, there’s nothing pretend under the hood. A 6.2-litre GM small block V8 makes 403-HP, 417 lb.-ft. of torque, and a throaty exhaust rumble. It connects to the wheels through a crisp six-speed automatic transmission, fully automated all-wheel-drive system, and locking rear differential. Variable displacement that shuts off four cylinders during low-power situations conserves at least some fuel, although you’ll see 12/19-MPG city/hwy.

There’s no problem getting this rolling estate to blow past slow-moving sport coupes on the open interstate, in pounding rain, going through the mountains, with trailer attached. Just be careful. Four-wheel anti-lock disc brakes, Magnetic Ride Control (adjusts the suspension in real time), and electronic stability control can only do so much.

If you must pull a 30-ft. Airstream, mini-yacht, or horse trailer, it is a comforting reminder that the Escalade is based on GM’s full-size SUV platform, which includes the Chevy Suburban and GMC Yukon. Our test vehicle is rated to pull 7,800 lbs. I’m not sure who would abuse a flagship luxury wagon by running through streams and ramble, but the Escalade is up to the challenge if its owner is up to the expense. It is a real truck and can be used as one if you like. Getting to the lodge will be no problem.

I nearly drove 5,943-lbs. of Escalade through a Saturn SL2 and Toyota Corolla when both, apparently involved in cell phone jabber, slammed on their brakes in the left lane of a 65 mph highway, in pouring rain, before swerving into a turn lane. I slammed on the brakes, ABS activated, stability control grabbed the SUV, I swerved the truck into the middle of the lanes, and proceeded around the brainless wonders. The big truck can really move when it needs to. I’m glad I didn’t test the 5-star crash ratings!

Fully laden with life’s luxuries and wonders, the Escalade came to $87,630 (breathe). If you want to travel in three comfy rows of sweet leather, trailer attached, and surrounded by top technology, there is no better choice. Escalade Platinum should finally meet the refined expectations of high-end buyers.

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COOL CADDY CROSSOVER

by Casey Williams

Cadillac and the 1950s are inextricable – both having come from the age of rock-and-roll, pompadours, pink trousers, and some of the most memorable voices of the last century. Elvis, Little Richard, Johnny Cash, Carl Perkins, and other aspiring superstars drove Cadillacs. Befinned, bechromed, and powered to fly, they were the height of cool…as is the Cadillac SRX among more mortal crossovers. Still sifting through the carnage wrought by 2009, we need a little 1950s optimism.
For 2010, Cadillac completely re-designed and re-engineered the SRX. The vehicle was moved from the Cadillac CTS’ vehicle architecture to one at least loosely based on the Chevy Equinox and GMC Terrain. A third-row seat is no longer available for club hopping and friend gathering, but the marketing wizards dropped the price several thousand dollars in exchange. SRX becomes a true crossover and not just a station wagon in cloak.
It is flash style, slashed in your face and refreshing for its invigoration – a little jewel with a huge egg crate grille, high belt line, fake chrome fender vents, and 20″ painted aluminum wheels. Vertical headlamps are spirited from the ’60s, but look great in the ’10s. The belt line and character surfacing that starts with the vents ends in two of the best-looking light-tubed taillamps ever to grace a Cadillac. They protrude from the body just enough to be fins without taking the fast train to ’59. The design is modern and crisp, but with a healthy dose of heritage. GM has mastered this design balance in recent years. Stellar.
A new age requires new powertrains. If you want a V8, forget it. As much as they’ve been a key part of Cadillac’s history, you’ll soon only be able to get a V8 in the CTS-V and Escalade. SRX comes standard with a smaller version of the CTS’ award-winning engine, displacing 3.0-liters and enhanced with direct injection to produce 265 horsepower while turning in 18/25-MPG city/highway. For a few dollars more, go for the Euro-spec 2.8-liter turbocharged V6 and its 300 horsepower. Both engines connect to the front (or all) wheels through a six-speed automatic transmission that shifts smoothly and keeps power at the ready. Properly equipped, the SRX can tow 3,500 lbs. – enough to move a motorcycle, jet skis, or 2 Smart cars.
Flashing light tubes to other motorists in town or on the highway, the SRX moves with vigor. Handling, enhanced by a four-wheel independent suspension system, tight steering, and four-wheel anti-lock disc brakes are pretty good also. Engineers could put the SRX on a weight loss plan to elevate its athleticism, but the wagon feels like three dead water buffalos wouldn’t jolt it in the least. There was some very un-Cadillac harshness over rough roads, but that is likely a function of the 20″ loafers.
None of that will matter from the clubroom interior that wafts through your senses with the smell of perfectly tanned hides the first moment you peek through the door. Real timber panels the dash, doors, and steering wheel. What isn’t leather or wood-covered, like the door, dash, and center console coverings, are French-stitched. Everything feels like it was crafted with an attention to detail that would embarrass Gucci.
There’s enough electronics and gadgets inside to have run NASA fifty years ago. Heated and cooled power seats caress your bum; 10 Bose speakers enliven your ears with CDs and XM Satellite Radio. An 8-inch touchscreen rises like an angelic cobra from the dash top to control audio and navigation. Heated rear seats, ultraview glass sunroof, reclining rear seats, power adjustable pedals, tri-zone climate control, rainsense auto wipers, and power liftgate are beyond. The rearview camera and parking sensors kept me out of parking barriers and foliage more than once. If you must, go for the whole boat and add the rear seat entertainment system and its dual screen DVD players with wireless headphones and remote control. Keep in mind it will cost you $1,295!
Unlike with the first-generation SRX, this model is no sport sedan. It is tall, roomy, and luxuriously appointed with enough ground clearance to actually get through snow or pull a boat out of the water. Given that much of its engineering was handled by Opel in Germany, it is no surprise the SRX feels heavy like a BMW or Mercedes. The suspension could use some hushing, but that’s about where the issues end. Every inch of it is modern and fully equipped.
As we cast off the last decade, we need more than optimism – we need a great crossover. The SRX isn’t a Lexus, BMW, or Infiniti. It is a Cadillac. You will mistake it for nothing else. Cool.

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Photos Courtesy of GM

Cadillac used the Detroit show to officially launch their loosely-held secret – the 2011 Cadillac CTS-V Coupe. The CTS already looked the part but with the advent of the V-Series, it has even more performance to backup its dirty-hot looks.
On sale in early summer of 2010, the CTS-V coupe has a 6.2L supercharged V-8 pumping out 556 horsepower to the rear wheels through either a 6-speed manual transmission or a 6-speed automatic. All the oomph delivers a 0-60 time of 3.9 seconds! Cadillac’s excellent Magnetic Ride Control will allow for spirited performance whilst delivering a comfortable ride and Brembo brakes promise to drag the driver back into reality after reaching warp speeds.
The interior is the same design as the CTS coupe with a unique Saffron interior trim color.
We won’t go as far as saying the CTS-V Coupe is beautiful. Rather, from some angles it looks heavy and cumbersome but there something about the design that gets enthusiasts warm in the loins….it is far from lithe and flowing. It is stocky, muscular and looks like it can kick the ass of its competitors…and that is why we like it.

Photos Courtesy of Cadillac

Click on the images to read about our Top 5 picks from the 2010 Detroit Auto Show.

I am a guest of GM at the North American Auto show here in Detroit. Cadillac will be revealing their new large sedan. Watch it live here on January 12, 2010 8:40 – 9:05 a.m. Eastern. It will also be here for you to watch at your convenience after the live press conference.

I’m driving a 2010 Cadillac SRX over the Xmas holiday and thus far it has proved to be a good, if not excellent, package. I am piloting the SRX Premium FWD which is essentially loaded. The only options are AWD and the yet-to-be released 2.8L V6 Turbo engine. It is a strikingly good looking package that hits the crossroads of distinctive and luxurious. In my opinion, it is the best looking iteration of Cadillac’s design theme.
If Cadillac’s goal is to get Gen-Y excited about their brand, it seems to be working. My very tough-to-please 20-year-old niece fell in love with the SRX and even my 17-year-old nephew found it to be “pretty cool”. At a holiday party, the young car geeks in the crowd spent time in it and returned to announce that the “interior is rad and it is hot looking luxury”. Features like the navigation screen that rises out of the dash, heated rear seats and integrated rear entertainment system have gotten kudos from all who have ridden it the SRX.
The biggest complaint so far have been the driving dynamics. Much has been written by my automotive journalist colleagues about the lack of power and relative heft of the SRX. Cadillac has responded saying that the majority of their target market will be satisfied with the 265 HP 3.0 V6 engine and will especially enjoy the estimated 25 MPG on the highway for FWD versions. I have no complaint with the power train. It is more than adequate for the people that the SRX was designed for. If you want a sportier driving experience, there are other products in the Cadillac portfolio (CTS Wagon for example) that are more fun to drive and carry equal amounts of people and cargo.
My issue in the first few days has been ride quality; more specifically the level of harshness transmitted to the cabin and the accompanying rattle from the sunroof or hatch (I haven’t isolated it yet). The Premium trim level is equipped with 20″ wheels which are certainly partially to blame. The roads here in Northern NJ also leave a lot to be desired. So, I am embarking on a road trip to test the SRX. I’ll be tweeting along the way and they will be captured below. Look for my final words in a day or two. If you want to follow me on Twitter, you can do so HERE.

Joe Tralongo – 2010 VW GOLF TDI

Bring on the oil burners! The Golf TDI diesel gives me near-hybrid fuel economy (EPA estimate 30 city/42 highway) but in a package that is ultimately more fun to drive. A choice of six-speed manual or DSG automatic transmissions, GTI like front seats and enough options to make the interior of this Golf almost Audi-like are all the reasons I need to buy one. I chose to ignore the silly cost-benefit ratio BS, because I don’t buy my cars based solely on their projected return on my investment; I have a stock portfolio for that. I buy a car because it’s fun yet frugal, and will last long after the payments are done. The Golf TDI meets all my criteria.

Nick Kurczewski – Dodge Challenger R/T

What is the only thing more shocking than a bright orange, chrome-wheeled Dodge Challenger R/T with racing stripes? Hearing your boyfriend say it’s the perfect car if you were shopping for a new set of wheels. My better-half is a classy character, with a fine sense of fashion and good manners. Imagine a smart little Audi TT coupe, or perky BMW 1-Series, and you’ve got him pegged. But even he was smitten by the over-the-top character and fun-loving nature of the Challenger R/T. After nearly five years spent in Paris, France, this is exactly what I missed about American cars. And after nearly 10 years together, I’m thrilled my boyfriend agrees!

Casey Williams – Cadillac CTS Sport Wagon

I’ve been a fan of Cadillacs since I fell in love with Elvis and a certain gold ’69 DeVille. Those cars were for kings, and you knew what they were coming and going. Based on the cool Cadillac CTS, the Sport Wagon extends the rear to two pillars of light-tubed tailfin. The bold grille that extends from bumper bottom to hood is dramatic, but the rear lights out-shine Harley Earl’s ’59 Caddy. The fact that it has enough cargo space to hold a fully assembled mountain bike and a 304-HP 3.6-litre V6 connected to all-wheel-drive, make it a car that I could drive forever. From kids to clubs, it makes fast tracks.

Joe LaMuraglia – 2010 Subaru Outback

Choosing a car “for me” is always the most difficult of this annual list. There are so many amazing choices and I like so many vehicles on the road today. While I quickly fall in love with some of the luxury cars I am privileged to drive (case in point: the Jaguar XKR I just spend a week with had me at first growl), when it comes down to what I would spend my limited money on, I’d end up choosing a more practical vehicle. This year’s pick is the 2010 Subaru Outback. It is bigger, more fuel efficient and more capable than the last generation Subaru wagons. I was particularly impressed with how easily it transitions from on-road normalcy to a Japanese billy goat when taken off road. I don’t find the exterior particularly attractive but then again, the interior is great looking and that is what I’ll be looking at as I drive. Black, manual transmission, heated cloth seats and sunroof please.

Click on the icons below to read each editors picks by category:

Back to the Top 5 From the 2009 LA Auto Show

Back to the Top 5 From the 2009 LA Auto Show

I attended the 2009 LA Auto show and provided daily updates via Twitter (click HERE for a compilation of my tweets).
As is customary, I choose the Top 5 vehicles from the show and post them here. Note, these are new vehicles introduced from gay-friendly manufacturers. Some of my colleagues will more than likely point out the absence of the excellent vehicles introduced from Hyundai and Kia. Until they extend their same-sex domestic partner policies throughout their organization, they do not qualify to be in our picks from the auto shows.
Our Top 5 Picks from the 2009 LA Auto Show (in no particular order):
2011 Toyota Sienna

Despite the call for the death of the minivan, these boxy movers are still the most efficient at moving people and things. Toyota’s Sienna has been a reliable player but hardly set the stage for styling, features or capacity. All that has changed with the introduction of the 2011 Sienna from Toyota. We won’t go so far as calling it pretty (it looks like a Venza had sex with a Honda Odyssey) but it is bigger, wider and more feature-laden than its predecessor. With available reclining second-row seats complete with footrests, rear-seat Dual View Entertainment Center that displays side-by-side images to create a seamless 16.4-inch widescreen image and segment-only optional AWD, Toyota Sienna finally has strong competitor in the segment. The Sienna is available with a 3.5-liter V6 or 2.7-liter four-cylinder engine. See more photos of the Toyota Sienna
2011 CTS Coupe

The excellent Cadillac CTS lineup got another addition to the family in a sexy, beefy, muscular coupe. The CTS Coupe will never be mistaken for anything but a Cadillac. It isn’t sexy in a sinewy, sensual sort of way. Rather, it is like a heavily-muscled stallion that impresses with is raw power visible under its taught skin. You may be slightly afraid of it but you know you want to go for a ride. The CTS coupe is powered by the same 3.6 direct-injection V6 as its brethren pushing out 304 horsepower via a 6-speed manual or 6-speed automatic. AWD is also available and the rumor mill hints at a wicked CTS-V Coupe with a supercharged V8 in the future. See more photos of the 2011 Cadillac CTS Coupe.
2011 Ford Fiesta

Ford introduced, for the umpteenth time, the 2011 Fiesta at the LA Auto show. While the existence of the vehicle was hardly a secret thanks to a heavily publicized and popular social media blitz, we did get some intriguing details about the hot new hatch from Dearborn. A 1.6L four-cylinder engine will be available with Ford’s version of a dual-clutch automatic transmission called PowerShift. It is more efficient than a traditional automatic transmission and this type of gear changer is usually found on more expensive, high-performance vehicles form Germany. Expect 40 MPG highway with the PowerShift. Also available is a traditional 5-speed automatic for those control freaks like me. The Ford Fiesta starts at $13,320 but quickly gets into the low $20s.See more photos of the 2011 Ford Fiesta.

2011 Mazda2

Mazda calls its Mazda2 “Zoom Zoom Concentrated” and while we haven’t driven it, we aren’t going to argue. It was originally launched in 2007 in markets outside the U.S. and has won a myriad of awards, including the 2008 World Car of the Year. Powered by a 1.5L four-cylinder engine, the Mazda2 promises to deliver fun-to-drive performance in an attractive package. Trust me, the Alien Green they chose to show the car in doesn’t do it justice. Details on specifications and MPG are few but we do know the 1.5L will be available with either a 4-speed AT or a 5-speed manual. The Mazda2 goes on sale in late summer 2010. See more photos of the 2011 Mazda2

2011 Buick Regal

Buick announced their new sport sedan, the 2011 Buick Regal. Based on the excellent Opel Insignia from Germany, GM continues to mine their global resources to bring better product to our shores. The Regal will feature a choice of four-cylinder engines – a standard 2.4L direct injected engine rated at an estimated 182 horsepower and an optional 2.0L turbocharged and direct injected engine rated at an estimated 220 horsepower
Both engines have a six-speed automatic transmission standard and the turbo model will have an optional 6-speed manual. The design is clean, tight and athletic but don’t expect this to be a people mover as the rear seat headroom is tight. The interior is another exercise in functional, stylish simplicity – thank you Opel. The 2011 Buick Regal is available in late Spring 2010. See more photos of the 2011 Buick Regal

I am a guest of GM at the 2009 LA Auto Show and will be reporting live from the event on Wednesday, December 2nd and Thursday, December 3rd.
GM has kindly supplied code so that people can watch their press events live from their computers and it they will be available for replay soon after they occur. You can see those by clicking on their respective descriptions below.
Also, I’ll be using Twitter to update the site during the day. You can see the compilation of my Tweets by clicking HERE
Keynote Address by Bob Lutz
Wed. Dec 2, 2009 11:30 a.m. – 12:25 p.m. EST, (8:30 a.m. – 9:25 a.m. PST)

CHEVROLET PRESS CONFERENCE (Cruze & Volt)
Wed Dec. 2, 2009 12:35 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. EST (9:35 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. PST):

BUICK PRESS CONFERENCE (Regal)
Thursday Dec 3, 2009 1:25 p.m. – 1:50 p.m. EST

CADILLAC AT LAST

by Casey Williams

Rufus Wainwright is an eccentric out artist best known for his baroque pop compositions that blur the lines between a Broadway musical, Beethoven’s Fifth, and next wave pop. Most will know him from his renditions of Hallelujah and Complainte De La Butte from “Moulin Rouge”, but his 2009 album “Milwaukee At Last!!!” takes his art to new extremes…just as Cadillac raises its fins to new heights with the 2010 CTS Sport Wagon. Get ready for a multi-generational, multi-dimensional power trip fit for the self-proclaimed gay messiah.

The album was recorded in a working-class town not unlike the Detroit from which Cadillac originally came. As if rising out of the dusty murk of the mid-west, the CTS is a stunning example of modern design and competent performance. It will also coddle your bum with the grip of heated and cooled, side-bolstered, sweet-smelling, cowhide-covered seats.
I’ve been a fan of both the artist and car for many years – Wainwright since his album “Rufus Does Judy at Carnegie Hall” and Cadillac since I fell in love with a well-preserved gold ’69 DeVille while in high school. My parents didn’t approve of either Wainwright or my trading a silver ’89 Geo Spectrum for the Caddy.

As Cadillac’s first attempt at a proper “station” wagon, the CTS is about as good as it gets. The front wears a huge and bold grille from the CTS sedan. Edgy fenders rise from the stacked headlamps, through the beltline, and end in the middle of the sky high, light-tubed taillights that accent bulging exotic-width rear fenders. Head-on, the CTS is aggressive and concept car cool. Out back, you could spot the car from three miles behinds and know who builds it. Just as Wainwright out-wails even Judy Garland at his concerts, Ed Wellburn’s design team at GM shaped a bigger tailfin than the grand master of ‘50s flash, Harley Earl himself. Blue Diamond Tricoat paint glimmers like a diva’s dress.

Inside, one finds an opera hall of decadence. From the perfect leather and wood steering wheel to real Sapele wood on the dash and doors, the smell of heaven from the seats, power tilt/telescoping steering column, analog clock, heated/cooled seats, hand-stitch door and dash coverings, everything reeks of the quality of Luis Vuitton, George Nelson, and the Ritz Carlton all tossed inside one glorious cabaret act.
Contemporary electronics allow for a pop-up navigation screen, 40-gig music hard drive, programmable liftgate (can be limited to prevent collisions with garage doors), and Bose 5.1 surround 10-speaker audio with XM or Sirius Satellite Radio. Keyless entry and starting and a rearview back-up camera make using this rolling orchestra a cinch. From the two rows of seats, the CTS Sport Wagon is like any other CTS, but with the rear seats folded flat and the rear hatch powered up, a 58 cu. ft. cargo area opens up – easily able to swallow a couple of mountain bikes laying flat. The Ultraview sunroof lets in a sky’s worth of light.
During the Milwaukee concert, Wainwright walked out on stage wearing heels and tights, the diva-bitch of Canada, with a conservative black jacket to wail out a Garland tune. Jacked up on 18” alloy wheels, tearing to the road through available all-wheel-drive, the CTS Sport Wagon is ready to wail its own road-burning tune. AWD is great for performance on dry pavement and a lifesaver during less than glamorous days. Stabilitrak electronic stability control, all-speed traction control, and four-wheel ABS disc brakes are the perfect accompaniments. Flat out, or floatin’ through a back road dance, the CTS Sport Wagon rides like a billet of Pittsburgh steel – even if loaded with 20 cases of Milwaukee brew.
Stepping on this swift cat’s tail sends the 304-HP Direct Injection 3.6-litre V6 (or base 3.0-litre 270-HP DI V6) into the rafters to sing its high notes while sending ample power to the road through a six-speed manumatic transmission and gripping the road through all four corners. There’s plenty to step off the line in a tear, but enough in reserve to give Camaros a good run on the open road. Driven with less gusto, the car achieves 18/26-MPG city/hwy while burning regular unleaded.
The CTS Sport Wagon is a car for all moods and destinations – luxurious and elegant when desired, as down-home and work-boy as the folk music Wainwright sometimes plays, or as flamboyant as Judy Garland in heels. CTS bears witness to Cadillac’s glory days while thrusting at least one fin into the future. This is the final coming of Cadillac we’ve all been promised – until, let’s pray, a V-version with the sedan’s 550-HP supercharged V8 arrives. Expect to pay plenty for this exclusive concert ticket, making the Caddy’s appearance a frightful sight for the Volvo S70, Mercedes GLK, and BMW 3-Series.
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A Cadre of Class

Cadillac is entering the 2010 model year with one of its most diverse and fresh lineups in memory. It all started with the second generation CTS in 2008 followed by the hot CTS-V in 2009 and now 2010 heralds in the CTS Sport Wagon and the entirely redesigned SRX luxury crossover.
I’ll be a guest of Cadillac on Monday, August 31st in and around White Plains, NY as we get seat time in the hottest products from GM’s luxury brand. I’ll be using Twitter to update the site as the day goes on so you can check back to this page or follow me on Twitter (twitter.com/gaywheels) to get up to the minute feedback from cockpits of the new Caddys.

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A Lady In the Street & a Freak in the Bed

by Donny Nordlicht
Many times when we are single, we focus on finding the “perfect” man. Perfection is in the eye of the beholder but many of us would outwardly describe him as someone suave and debonair, well-dressed and using those 50 cent words. If we were really honest with ourselves, we’d quote rapper Ludacris and admit that we REALLY want “a lady in the street, and a freak in the bed.” All that, rolled into a car, my dear friend, is the 2009 Cadillac CTS-V.

Let’s start with the negatives, because they’re few and middling. And plus, most of the downsides of the V are either me picking nits, or have some very, very awesome pay-offs. So the heating/ventilation controls are at your knee, and it’s more than just “taking your eyes off the road” to see if your seat air conditioner is set on high or medium. Either way, your precious bits will be chilled to perfection.
The seat controls for the fabulous optional Recaro buckets require a contortionist’s flexibility to reach. But then again, once you set the seat, you’ll never want to get up again. Although, you’ll have to at some point, since you’ll be funding your gas attendant’s new Mercedes. Ok, well, to be honest, that’s only because it’s hard not to floor the go-pedal at every green light, with 556 horsepower charging to the rear axle from the Corvette ZR1-sourced V8. Get to know your nearest tire salesman too; it was as though my face couldn’t help but to light up every time I lit up the rear wheels.

But the CTS-V’s all-out raw power is only one part of what makes it such an impressive car. It is also the fastest sedan around Germany’s famed Nurburgring race track; the home home court for all things German and precision handling. The fact that General Motor’s engineers intensely labored over the handling prowess of the V shows, even when not driving on a track. I put the car through its paces in my usual little handling loop up in Connecticut, and found the mid-size sedan to be one of the most rewarding cars I had ever driven through Sylvan Hills. And the sound, oh the sound of that supercharged V8 roaring it’s way around every bend and cresting every hill; music to my ears.
What I find most impressive, however, is the fact that even with all this power and handling prowess, you can still drive the V every day. I had zero problem driving around Manhattan on a rainy day, to the mall, or parallel parking by Starbucks. Set the suspension to “Tour” mode, leave the transmission in drive, and it’s just your average Cadillac CTS. With 556 horsepower.
I wouldn’t go as far as to say the Cadillac CTS-V is the perfect all-rounder. It has too much power, in fact. However, with a starting price of $59,875, undercutting its competitors by an easy 10 grand at least, it makes a compelling statement. So he’s a little rough around the edges and hard to handle some times, but a man car like this doesn’t come around often. And when it does, you grab it and go.

Images courtesy of Cadillac

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Live from Detroit, It is the New GM!

by Joe LaMuraglia
Monday, August 10, 2009 – I am in Detroit as a guest of GM to attend a product preview tomorrow. This event is subsequent to the consumer-facing event put on today by GM where consumers and some lifestyle media got a sneak peak at upcoming product. Click HERE for a synopsis of of the Tweets from attendees during today’s event.
We will be privy to some new information in addition to the news that was shared today. I’ve embedded a link to the official GM video feed for a webcast featuring GM President and CEO Fritz Henderson. The webcast will run from 8:00 until 8:45 a.m. EDT. If you miss it, it will be available to play at your leisure beginning at 12 noon EDT on August 11.
I’ll also be using Twitter to update the site during the day. The live feed is available after the video. Enjoy.

Words and photos by Tim Stentiford

Photo by Tim Stentiford
We’d been told that wherever you look there are beautiful Cuban hunks cruising every Havana street corner and back alley. Hunks of metal that is. More than 50% of the cars on Cuba’s empty roadways today are pre-1961 American, Canadian, and European relics, survivors of the half-century standoff between the US and Cuba. It’s the biggest classic car museum in the world and it kept our tongues wagging and our thumbs hitching for a week. Add to that the surprise of finding vintage Soviet Iron Curtain cars we’d never seen before—Russian Volgas, Czech Skodas, Polish Fiats, and East German Trabants–and you have a rainbow of world automotive history waiting for the next green light. Oh yeah, the Cuban men are pretty hunky too.

My partner Tom and I dreamed of visiting Cuba for years. With permission from the US Treasury Department, we recently hopped a flight to Mexico and onto Havana. Walking out of the airport, our dream came true: the very first car we spotted was a gleaming 1955 Pontiac Star Chief—the same model that Lucy & Ricky Ricardo drove on their black & white TV show. Tom elbowed me, “Where’s Ethel?” While Lucy and Ethel were nowhere to be seen, everything else from their 1950s world was in front of us in high definition real life color. This could only be Cuba. Dodg-ays, Pleemouths, DeSotos, Studebakers, Willys, Edsels, Hudsons, and even a rare 1953 Kaiser Henry J share the road with legions of Fords and Chevys. And 10 times out of 10 they can outrun the 1970s Russian junk boxes still on the road. You gotta see it to believe it.
It didn’t take long to understand why Fidel Castro led the revolution in 1959. America’s mid-century getaway for wealthy socialites and mobsters still reveals itself in mile after mile of opulent seaside villas and ornate mansions on broad boulevards. Think of Manhattan as nothing but Park Avenues and you get a picture of Havana today—even if the glory is more than a bit tattered. Cuba was the “It Girl” for American playboys and gangsters.
Boy, how the fab and the mob loved their Cadillacs. They are everywhere today. Elvis would go nuts—you can’t pass a street corner without seeing America’s automotive crown jewel luxuriate in Cuban adoration. With no BMW, Audi or Lexus to consider, every Cuban man aspires to own a Cadillac—still the standard of Havana’s world. If Motor Trend published a Cuban edition, the leading contender for 2009 Car of the Year would be the 1950 Cadillac Series 62 hardtop coupe—clearly the most popular car in Havana today.

Our favorite was Senorita Violeta, a 1950 purple hardtop guarded zealously by Diego, a handsome waiter at a corner bistro on Havana’s oceanfront Malecon Boulevard. With a shaved head and dazzling smile, the impeccably groomed Diego gave us a top to bottom tour of the Cadillac and then offered to drive us back to our hotel after he served us dinner. It was an offer too good to resist. While Tom flirted with Diego, I fawned over the complete original interior and chuckled at the bright purple house paint. “It was the only color we could get,” lamented Diego on the fact they painted over the original gray. Like most relics still on the road, the trim pieces were all gone and the windshield wipers were replaced with a one-arm unit from a 1980s Soviet Lada Niva . “We can only get Russian parts, and they never work that well,” explained Diego.
There are two ways to go cruising in style in Cuba. Pay by the hour or hitch. We did both. If you want to take an old car for an extended ride, you can rent them through Gran Car, a new state-run company that has restored old Chevys, Dodges and Cadillacs to take European tourists around Havana. “Hmmm…do you think they figured us out,” asked Tom when a bright pink 1955 Chevy Bel Air rolled up to pick us up for the afternoon. Or maybe it was because we were heading to the outskirts of Havana to see Ernest Hemingway’s hilltop estate, Finca Vigia, eerily intact from the day he left in 1960. Our driver was Antonio, a buff 30-something chauffeur. Warm and chatty, it turns out he was an ardent automobile enthusiast too. He showed us his favorite car magazine, a single issue about five years old from Spain. “I look at it all the time,” he said. Sad but true as there is no freedom of the press in Cuba and consequently there are literally no newspapers, magazines or books to buy anywhere.

For a quick ride in an old car, there are two methods that work: a hand job or a group encounter. As a gringo, you can raise your arm on any street corner and within moments an enterprising Cuban will pull over to offer you a lift. A 20-minute ride in a 1956 DeSoto Diplomat, 1953 Plymouth, and even a 1958 Edsel Citation cost us about a buck each time. If you want even cheaper transportation, hop into a colectivo or shared taxi. Outside the Hotel Palacio, proudly and oddly celebrating its 99th anniversary, Tom picked an aptly named 1953 Chevy 210 Handyman station wagon as our colectivo of the day. I figured out why when I saw a 6’4” strapping young buck stepping in on the other side. With Tom strategically seated next to the young man, I knew it could only get worse (or better) as another three people joined us in the back seat over the next two stops. Lucky for me and sadly for Tom, our ride to Habana Vieja was quick. Tom wanted to buy Cuban cigars, an indulgence he decided was worth risking the law to sneak home.
We were told by some gay Cubans that on Friday and Saturday nights there are reportedly some special colectivos that cater to gay cruising. With an average monthly salary of $10 USD, it’s hard for young Cubans—gay or straight—to find any privacy as most people live with their families and extended families in large but overcrowded apartments and private homes in this once grand city. Sadly, with gay rights still non-existent and therefore no gay clubs or meeting plates in this repressed police state, the backseat of a ’56 Olds is one of few options for gay expression.
Another afternoon, we jumped into a lime green 1955 Chevy Bel Air to Miramar, the most exclusive neighborhood of Havana. Outside the Embassy of Vietnam, we saw a 1981 Polski Fiat. Nicknamed Polaquito, or little Polish, this tin can’s puny 594cc water cooled engine was never designed for the tropical heat of Cuba. So there’s a required modification. The rear engine hood is permanently bolted open; if you close the hood normally the car will overheat in about 90 seconds.
The miles of mansions often house large extended families who struggle to make ends meet. Some have opened their kitchens as private restaurants, called paladares. One popular spot with diplomats is a stunning mid-century glass contemporary house with original mosaics, to die for retro furniture and an ocean front swimming pool empty since 1959. In the carport, we spied the most amazing sight–a superb antique Russian 1962 series GAZ-21 Volga sedan.

I was floored. The slate blue high-end Volga was perfect—the chrome and brightwork all original and impeccable. I searched out the elderly owner and we talked in Spanish. He had owned it for over 40 years; he has been a long time Communist party official and helped the Soviets when they first established diplomatic relations in the 1960s. He loved his Volga and joked that he was a better socialist than Fidel Castro himself. Seems the army-fatigued former leader recently gave up a Chinese Great Wall SUV, a one-of-a-kind stretch-limo SUV given him in 2006 as a gift when the giant Chinese automaker agreed on a deal to bring pickup trucks to the island. Fidel’s replacement: a decidedly capitalistic Mercedes 500 S-Class.
Tom and I decided that Fidel could keep his German machine. We’d take a Cuban antiguo any day. My choice among the thousands of roving relics: a delicious 1960 Corvair 769 four door sedan we spied in Varadero. Once Motor Trend’s Car of the Year, this maroon model is one of few Corvairs that escaped the clutches of Ralph Nader. Incredibly, it has been driven by the same family every day for nearly 50 years. Poor Ralph. Not only did this family challenge his unsafe-at-any-speed argument, but they also have a 1980s Russian Lada—a Fiat knockoff with a quality and safety record that makes the Corvair look like a Volvo.
On our last day, we sipped Cristal beers on the rooftop of the Ambos Mundos Hotel in Havana’s Old Quarter. Ernest Hemingway lived there for many years and a few blocks away there’s a lovely square that’s now a bustling gray-market flea market. We met a handsome and proudly out Cuban gay man selling some old 1940’s Cuban road maps and license plates that I couldn’t resist. We got to talking about old cars and like every other Cuban we met; he knew absolutely everything about American cars from the 1930s right to 1960, the “newest” year for American cars in Cuba. I asked him about his favorite. He liked the 1958 Mercury Turnpike Cruiser best. Indeed, this model is the penultimate of American automotive design excess with chrome and gadgets galore. Over the top as only a queer man could love. “I like it too because it’s well hung”, he said in impeccable English. I knew he was talking about suspension; Tom thought he was a size queen.
Go now to Cuba if you can find a way. The LGBT community needs our support and recognition in their nascent fight for equal rights. The ancient cars, slowly being replaced by faceless Japanese imports, need preservation and protection from export. While 100% are in running condition, 98% are so dilapidated and patched with mismatched parts that they’d have little value off the island. We loved Cuba and its clear Cubans loved their old cars, a source of immense national pride.

Photos by Tim Stentiford. Copyright Tim Stentiford

For a complete slide show of Tim’s Photos from his Cuban adventure, click HERE

by Joe LaMuraglia

I attended the 2009 North American International Auto Show last week and as is custom, I chose the Top 10 vehicles from the show. Our criteria is that they have to be production vehicles from gay-friendly manufacturers in order to qualify. While some of the concepts introduced were HOT (Cadillac Converj anyone?), we stuck to our guns and picked vehicles that you’ll be able to drive in the near future.

2009 BMW Z4- There are very few mainstream cars that elicit jaw-drop stares and unintelligible utterances from me. That all changed when I walked up to the BMW stand at the Detroit show. All I could say was “wow, wow, WOW” over and over again. The new BMW Z4 has been totally redesigned and skillfully incorporates design cues from the past (Think 503 and Z8) in a beautifully modern form. It features a retractable hard-top that retreats to its proper place in 20 seconds – a first for the Z-series. Engines are the wonderfully familiar inline-6s: the 255 hp in the BMW Z4 sDrive30i and the 300 hp BMW Z4 sDrive35i. On sale this spring.

2010 Ford Taurus It is always fun to talk about sexy, exotic cars but the fact of the matter is the most significant vehicles are the one’s that sell the most and one of the biggest segments is the mid-size sedan segment. Ford launched their entry, the new 2010 Taurus, at the show and for a four-door sedan starting at $25,995, it is a stunner. It’s new look is less box more missile but without a compromise on utility. Ford has packed it full of technology that is usually reserved for the luxury segment and they claim to have the quality to match that segment as well. The 2010 Ford Taurus is available in Summer 2009.

2011 Chevrolet Cruze - Yes, you read it correctly, this is a 2011 model that was introduced at the 2009 auto show. In light of all the criticism of the Detroit-based automakers, GM probably wanted to show the world that they can indeed produce world-class product. The 2011 Cruze is fantastic-looking sedan that will replace the Cobalt in Chevrolet’s lineup. Forget everything you know about small cars from GM because the Cruze is finally going to give them something to go head-to-head with best from Europe and Japan. Available with either a 1.4L or 1.8L four-cylinder engine and a choice of six-speed manual or automatic transmissions, the Cruze can get up to 40 MPG on the highway. Available in mid-2010.

2010 Toyota Prius – If there is one name that is synonymous with the term hybrid, it is Prius. Toyota started it all two generations ago and launched their latest iteration at the 2009 Detroit Auto Show. With a slew of new technologies to keep it ahead of the pack and a refreshed but not unfamiliar design to keep consumers interested, the new Toyota Prius should have no problems continuing their sales success. Toyota claims a combined fuel economy number of 50 MPG. The 2010 Toyota Prius will be available in late Spring 2009.

2010 Lexus HS250h - Lexus debuted their first dedicated hybrid vehicle – the 2010 Lexus HS250h. While many assume it is a Lexus-bodied Toyota Prius (and who could blame them?), Lexus assures us that it is a new platform unique from the Prius that builds on the technology introduced by that car. The HS250h has a larger four-cylinder engine than its cousin from Toyota and doesn’t look much like the Prius either. Lexus claims the new Hs250h will get 30% better fuel economy than the most fuel-efficient vehicle in their lineup now. Available in late Summer 2009.

2010 Cadillac SRX – Replacing the much-loved but slow selling Cadillac crossover is the new 2010 Cadillac SRX. The last SRX impressed journalists with its driving dynamics but never got high points in the looks department. The new 2010 SRX promises to win in both categories (and maybe even the swimsuit competition!). The designs builds on the success of the CTS and is the best interpretation of the Art & Science theme to date. Powering the new SRX will be a standard 3.0 direct-injected V-6 and a new 2.8L turbo V-6 as an option. Both promise V8 fun with V6 fuel economy. The SRX goes on sale Summer 2009.

2009 MINI Convertible - MINI launched their redesigned MINI Cooper last year but the drop top soldiered on with the old body and power plants. The new 2009 MINI Convertible, like the hard top, doesn’t look much different but enters this model year with improvements across the board. You can get your hands on this epitome of adorable starting on March 28, 2009. The suggested retail price for the MINI Cooper Convertible is $24,550, and for the MINI Cooper S Convertible, $27,450 including $650 destination and handling charge.

2010 Chevrolet Equinox – GM has come a long way in what they call “perceptual quality” – you know, the feeling you get when you sit down in a vehicle and start touching a feeling the materials. While past GMs have had good quality in terms of things not breaking, things like switchgear felt cheap and flimsy. The new quality “gurus” around the world are out to remedy that and a perfect example of this new focus is the new 2010 Chevrolet Equinox. This new small crossover will compete in a fiercely competitive segment and does so with a new bodystyle, new engines and yes, a new attitude. With great looks, high quality materials, a class-leading 30 MPG with the base engine and standard technology like OnStar and XM Satellite radio, the 2010 Chevy Equinox should do just fine. Available mid-2009.

2010 Jaguar XFR – There is a certain point when purchasing an automobile when rational thought goes out the window and is replacement by pure unadulterated lust. The new XFR is considerably north of that point and not just because it looks like bad little kitty on wheels. The new supercharged V8 pumps out 510 hp and a lightly modified version of the XFR hit over 255 MPH on the Bonneville salt flats. Rational? Hell no. Do I want one? Oh hells to the yeah! Here kitty, kitty.

2010 Buick LaCrosse – You are going to see a lot from Buick in the coming years. It started with the sexy Enclave last year and the next iteration of their revival is the 2010 Buick LaCrosse. Yes, Buick has claimed to take on Lexus in the past but this time they are serious. The sculpted exterior looks European and the gorgeous interior is simultaneously classic and modern at the same time. Most of you reading this wouldn’t be caught dead considering a Buick. Take my word, the 2010 LaCrosse is the first sedan worthy of your attention. Available late Summer 2009.

Each year, the editors of Gaywheels.com drive hundreds of new cars to find the best new vehicles for you, your partner, your family, and sometimes for ourselves too.
We published our inaugural Favorite Vehicles list in 2007 and are continuing the tradition for 2008. The field of best-ofs includes some 2008, 2009 and even a 2010 model. The list includes vehicles perfect for us, for families, for dates and clubbing, and cars and trucks notable for their new looks, new hardware and new attitude.
The winners for Gaywheels.com’s Best of 2008, in order of seniority, are:
Joe LaMuraglia-Founder, Gaywheels.com

Best New Car: 2009 Mazda6

The newly designed Mazda6 is a bigger, badder and more beautiful entry in the midsize segment from Mazda. With a choice of two engines and the availability of a manual transmission, this car is the epitome of “Zoom-Zoom” for the driver that needs to carry clients or kids as well. I say the Mazda6 is the new 10 for sedans.
Best Makeover: Mercedes-Benz BlueTec Equipped Vehicles

It is more of a transplant than a makeover but the idea is the same. Mercedes-Benz launched their amazing Clean Diesel technology a.k.a. Bluetec in their SUVs and gave Americans a reason to fall in love with them all over again. They are clean, quiet, efficient and they get my vote for best makeover for 2008.
Best Date Car: BMW 1-Series

This the second time I’ve picked a convertible as the best date car. A drop top says you are fun-loving with few responsibilities (a.k.a. single) and the new 1-Series from BMW says all that and more. It is a no-nonsense convertible that gets back to the basics of looking good and driving fun. Enjoy it while you can because once you find your mate, the car in the next category will be more your speed.
Best Family Car: Ford Flex

Just because you have responsibilities doesn’t mean your car has to be boring. The Ford Flex seats up to 7 and looks like nothing else on the road. Stylish inside and out, you may consider it even if you don’t have kids to haul around. Cool features include Sirius Travel Link, Ford’s Sync and an available refrigerator! We called it “Flexalicious”.
Best Club Car: Maserati GranTurismo

You’ve seen it in the movies; two hotties roll up to a club in a sexy car, a valet appears out of nowhere to take their keys and they alight from the car right as the velvet rope is unhooked allowing them direct entry into the club while hundreds of less fortunate wait in the cold. The Maserati might not make you as pretty as the actors in the movie, this gorgeous coupe might just get you to the front of the line at the club. That’s worth $114K+ isn’t it?
Best Car For Me: Volkswagen Jetta TDI Sportwagen

History repeats itself, in bodystyle choices at least. Two years and two wagons as choices of my Best Car for Me. The new VW Jetta Sportwagen is good looking, roomy and with the TDI clean diesel engine, one of the most efficient vehicles on the road today. We called it the “Vehicular Version of Comfortable Shoes”.
Joe Tralongo-Montana Editor
Best New Car: Nissan GT-R
40 years of automotive foreplay came to an end this year when Nissan finally brought its screaming Skyline GT-R stateside. Known here as just the GT-R, this car has been taunting enthusiasts from afar since 1969. The 480 horsepower twin-turbo coupe costs a pretty penny, and a limited production run is bound to push the price even higher, but it’s worth it to own a little piece of automotive history. Good job, Nissan.
Best Makeover: 2010 Mazda MAZDA3

Due out this summer, the all-new Mazda MAZDA3 is going to shatter all preconceived notions of what an economy car should be. With styling that is more exotic and economical, and such cool features as keyless entry and start, the MAZDA3 is the stylish solution to a new fiscal reality.
Best Date Car: Mercedes Benz SL65 AMG Black Series
If he doesn’t swoon when you pull up to his condo complex, just show him the $301,000 price tag. With only 350 cars being produced world wide this car is sure to grab attention, and its fuel thirsty V12 engine makes the old “Uh-oh, we’re out of gas” line utterly believable.

Best Family Car: Chevrolet Traverse

If you’ve got kids and cargo, you need a three-row SUV. The Chevrolet Traverse provides all the room of a full-size SUV in a midsize package that is stylish, safe and economical. Loaded with standard goodies, the V6-powered Traverse can shuttle up to eight passengers and still pull down 24 mpg on the highway.
Best Club Car: Cadillac CTS-V
Cadillac’s V-Series treatment is to the stunning CTS what Human Growth Hormone is to Major League Baseball. With 556-horsepower and standard all-wheel drive, you might want to bypass the club and head straight for Mulholland Drive.
Best Car for Me: Subaru WRX
OK, last year my perfect car as the VW GTI, and in truth it’s still my favorite. But after experiencing my fourth Montana winter, I’ve come to appreciate the wisdom of Subaru’s Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive. With the WRX, I get all the fun of the GTI but in a package I can live with year round.

Josee Valcourt-NY Editor
Best New Car: Volkswagen CC

It’s the exterior coupe action combined with a competitive price point that does it for me. This Mercedes Benz CLS look-alike starts nearly at $27,000. The VW midsize newbie looks great in city drives, and I’d assume, it’s just as striking along a winding mountainside road. Its handling is responsive and ride comfortable.
Best Makeover: Infiniti G37
The defunct Infiniti G35 coupe was one good looking car. The G37, its replacement, looks even better. It’s exterior appearance speaks to the Infiniti brand’s design strength. The engine is quiet and fast, propelling the car like a slinky panther.
Best Date Car: Lexus GS350
This a sweet looking car, and in my view, especially in the iridescent pearly white hue. It looks good from dawn till dusk, meaning you’ll be sure to impress your date at any hour. The sporty vehicle has all the necessities one would expect in a luxury brand including a booming sound system that can drown out the awkward first-date silence or weird conversation if needed. It’s also available in all-wheel drive for added traction.

Best Family Car: Volvo XC70
First things first, the Volvo XC70 is a station wagon. Now that we’ve gotta that out of the way, here’s the skinny: the vehicle is also a pretty cool ride for carting the fam in luxury. The XC70 offers a smooth ride and grips curves – a must-have when it comes to hauling your precious bunch from point A to point B. The vehicle is spacious, providing comfortable seating and a roomy cargo. There’s also the whole added safety thing that’s synonymous with a Volvo.
Best Club Car: Nissan 370Z
The new 370Z from Nissan is an attention grabber, for sure. Heads will turn when you pull up in front of your destined swanky club spot of choice. It’s the slick design that gives it a “Bond, James Bond” flair or “Sex and the City” edge. Whether you’re stepping out in a hot LBD (little black dress) or rocking your GQ look, you’ll look good emerging from the 370Z.
Best Car for Me: BMW 335i Convertible
This Beamer hard top is a beast, pumping out 300 horsepower from its twin turbo-charged six-cylinder engine. You may find yourself fighting the urge to scream “woo hoo!” while in motion. The vehicle reacts nicely on roads, hugging curves all the while looking fabulous with its top down.

by Joe LaMuraglia
I was a guest of Infiniti at the Concours d’elegance in Pebble Beach, CA this past weekend. Infiniti used the opportunity to introduce us to their upcoming G37 convertible and give us an update on their new G37 sedan. Other brands had their concept cars and production cars out on display as well. Check out some of the photos below. Its a small sampling of what was there but you’ll get the idea.

CADILLAC DRIVES ITS “ROAD TO SUCCESS” TO VICTORY

NEW YORK, NY –July 29, 2008 – Commercial Closet Association announced the winners of the 4th Annual Images in Advertising Awards, including the winner for Outstanding U.S. TV Campaign for the LGBT Market: Cadillac and its “Road to Success” campaign. The winners were announced Monday, July 28, at a ceremony at New World Stages in New York.
“So, when you turn on your car, does it return the favor?” asked Travis Parman, General Motors’ LGBT media relations manager, referring to the current Cadillac ad campaign. He continued, “Such recognition for our LGBT advertising certainly has us turned on. On behalf of General Motors, the team at Cadillac and our friends at Logo, thank you. This the first time that General Motors has produced LGBT-specific TV commercials and I guess this means we did a pretty good job. We’re very proud that we were able to work with the incredible producers at Logo to tell these powerful stories in less than a couple of minutes.”
As part of a first-ever partnership, General Motors and Logo launched the campaign late last year on Logo. The ads feature the stories of gay and lesbian individuals and their path to personal and professional success. Produced by Logo, the new 30 second to 1 minute 30 second spots for the General Motors’ brand Cadillac air exclusively on Logo’s 24/7 digital cable channel.
The Road to Success spots are presented by Cadillac – the carmaker’s first partnership with a LGBT broadcast media entity – and feature individuals whose life experiences and accomplishments are emblematic of Cadillac’s current “Life. Liberty. And the Pursuit” advertising campaign. The four individuals represent a diverse range of professions and experiences:
* Linda Villarosa – Founder of Essence Magazine, who now is a contributor to the New York Times covering HIV/AIDS issues. Watch it HERE
* Anita Lo – Entrepreneur and chef at Annisa, which she opened in 2000. Watch it HERE
* Rubin Singer – A fashion designer whose family emigrated from Russia. Watch it HERE
* Jeffrey Seller – Broadway producer of Rent, Avenue Q, La Boheme and his new play In the Heights. Watch it HERE
Other nominees in the category included: Levi Strauss – Levi’s; American Airlines; Subaru; and Harrah’s – Paris Las Vegas.
Saab was also nominated for Outstanding Interactive Campaign – LGBT Market for its “Because Not All Roads Are Straight” online ad for the 9-3 that is shown in Canada.

About the Images in Advertising Awards
Ads were nominated by Commercial Closet Association’s Executive Director Michael Wilke and finalists were selected by CCA’s Advisory Board. Winners are chosen by the group’s Governing Board and announced at the awards ceremony. A list of the Advisory and Governing Board members, composed of leading names in gay media and the advertising industry, is available at www.commercialcloset.org. Contact Commercial Closet Association for a complete list of nominees or view them online at www.commercialcoset.org/nominees along with 85 years of positive and negative GLBT images in advertising. To date, the site hosts 4,000 ads in its virtual library.

By Scott Corlett

January is that time of year when the intrepid reporters of Gaywheels.com brave Detroit’s bitter cold to bring you the best new vehicles from the North American International Auto Show. Listed below, in no particular order, are the best new production vehicles from the gay-friendly manufacturers for 2008:

Bulls Will Be Bulls

Apparently the PR folks at Chrysler didn’t consider the inevitable outcome of penning up 300 males in close proximity. I doubt they intended to launch their redesigned Dodge Ram pickup with some hot bull-on-bull action. But that’s exactly what happened when 300 longhorns were herded down the street in front of the exhibition hall during the truck’s outdoor press unveiling: the daddy bulls started mounting the boy bulls in a bovine version of ’70s porn, complete with mustachioed cowboys. Oh, and the Ram? HOT. And that’s no bulls—.

Bulges in the Right Places

Sex and the City alum Kim Cattrall wore a hot red number and mile-high Manolos as she strode on stage and flirted with Dieter Zetsche, chairman of Daimler AG, which owns Mercedes-Benz. She smiled coyly, touched Dieter’s shoulder, and cooed about “assertiveness, bulges in the right places … [and a] tight little package.” Undoubtedly Cattrall had the balding, brushy-lipped German worked up, but she actually was speaking about another onstage hottie, the new Mercedes-Benz GLK sport-utility vehicle. The GLK is a rugged, small-scale SUV with the stamina to keep up with hard-riding shoppers like Kim–and its planned, four-cylinder turbodiesel engine will offer the torque of a gasoline-fueled V-8 but return an über-sexy 35 mpg.

The Vue Steps Out on Its Own

To date, the Saturn Vue Green Line reminds me of that guy in college who could only do other guys during a three-way with his girlfriend. The current Vue Green Line is a “mybrid,” which means that, unlike out-and-proud hybrids such as the Toyota Prius, its electric motor can never power this compact SUV without the aid of its gasoline engine. Starting with the 2009 model, the Vue Green Line will step out on its own, as it will be able to use solely the electric motor for propulsion. Compared with the regular Vue, the present Vue Green Line increases fuel economy by 25 percent, but thanks to the ability to run on the motor, the upcoming version’s mileage ratings are a whopping 45 percent higher.

Venza, Vidi, Vici

In 47 B.C., after routing a Turkish city, Julius Caesar succinctly said, “Veni, Vidi, Vici” (I came, I saw, I conquered). Now it’s MMLV years later and a new emperor is conquering foreign lands, and his name is Toyota and the battlefield is the North American car market. Toyota calls its new, Camry-based Venza a crossover sedan, which is Latin for station wagon. The Venza is a five-passenger hauler with a tall ride height to provide the all-important command-position seating and available all-wheel drive to help defeat inclement weather. Smooth-running four-cylinder (standard) and optional V-6 engines, an interior that’s far more luxurious than the Camry’s, and the Toyota badge of quality make the Venza a warrior unstoppable by Caesar himself. All hail, Toyota.

The Home Team Homerun

The Cadillac CTS-V is the performance version of General Motor’s slick CTS sedan. What does that extra letter on the badge buy you? How about a rocket-worthy 550 horsepower? Yes, you read correctly, that’s 550 horses pulling a mid-size sedan, as in 43 more ponies than Mercedes’s E63 and 50 more than BMW’s M5. Not only is the CTS-V wicked fast, he’s certainly not shy, with a well-bulging hood that Kim Cattrall would love and a mesh grill that shouts get the f– out of my way. The Germans were never very good at baseball; this badass CTS-V is an out-of-the-park homerun for the home team.

CC: Mercedes-Benz

With its new Passat CC, Volkswagen sent out a mass e-mail to the automotive buyers of the world. It read, “Hey! You no longer have to shell out luxury car bucks for slick styling. Cheers, VW.” The Volkswagen Passat CC is a coupe-style, four-door sedan, á la Mercedes-Benz’s sleek CLS. And like the CLS, the Passat CC is a thing of precious beauty, a bubble of metal and glass that rises up from the pavement, with cat-eye side windows and a swooping rear end. And with a price differential of $20,000 or more between the CLS and CC and a style differential of nearly zero, Mercedes can’t be happy with this news–which is exactly why VW cc’d M-B.

BMW Gets All Diesel-y

BMW plans to do for diesel what Justin Timberlake did for sexy–bringing it back. For the American market in 2008, BMW plans two models powered by its twin-turbo, 3.0-liter diesel in-line six. This oil burner lands Stateside first in BMW’s X5 SUV and its 3-Series sedan, and packs a respectful 265 horsepower and an off-the-hook 425 lb-ft of torque–well more than most V-8s. Not only will this engine be 50-state compliant, but BMW claims it will shoot their 335d sedan from zero to 60 in a sprightly 6.2 seconds and the X5 to the same speed in 7.2 seconds. Fuel economy is an eco-friendly 23/33 mpg city/highway for the sedan and 15/25 mpg for the X5. If I can just talk JT into riding shotgun, then I’m all set.

Cutting Wood

Subaru was one of the first auto companies to advertise in the gay media. And ever since, we’ve rewarded Subaru with our loyal purchases of their ever-practical haulers, which always feature standard all-wheel drive and room for our kids, pooches, and tag sale finds. In 2008, Subaru launches the newest version of its venerable Forester wagon. The redesigned 2009 Forester is a meatier lumberjack, with a more SUV-like stance. Although bigger, the new Forester offers a tree-friendly 2.5-liter base engine in a “California-spec” version that meets stringent PZEV emissions requirements. Put simply, on a smoggy day in L.A., the exhaust of a Forester equipped with this plant may be cleaner than the air you breathe. And that is indeed a breath of fresh air.

Little German Soft Top

I usually do everything in my power to avoid the above combination of descriptors. But in the case of BMW’s all-new 1-Series convertible, I’d gladly pay for a long-term relationship with just such a special friend. The 1-Series soft top is a gorgeous, little two-door cabrio with sleek metal, a sprung stance, and a sexy, simple interior. And the 1-Series is fast. Like any guy packing six-pack abs on South Beach, the 1-Series sheds its top in 22 seconds. And like that same guy after a day of sun and proximity to half-naked men, the 1-Series is raring to go, with zero-to-60 times of 6.8 seconds for the base in-line six and 5.6 seconds for the twin-turbo six. Who knew a little German soft top could be such fun?

The Best Seller

The best selling vehicle in America is neither the Honda Accord nor Civic, nor the Chevy Cobalt, nor even the omnipresent Toyota Camry. No, the vehicles that Americans buy most often are the Ford F-Series pickup trucks. So whenever Ford announces a redesign of its F-150 pickup, the most popular of the F-Series trucks, everyone from Brokeback weekenders to workday tradesmen wait with bated breath. Bigger, badder, and techier, the new F-150 is one hot hauler, with USB and MP3 ports, a 700-watt Sony stereo, and voice-activated navigation. Now, if Ford could just stream the video from the F-150′s optional backup cam down from Brokeback Mountain, they’d have a major new source of badly needed revenue.
Read our blog “Putting the ‘Mo in Motown” for videos, photos and daily updates from our time at the show.
You can find any Ford truck accessory you need at the AmericanTrucks, the source for quality aftermarket parts and accessories.

By Joe Tralongo
The automobile industry spends millions of dollars researching the average consumer’s needs during various life stages. Depending on our age and position in life, our cars say a lot about us, our desires and the image we wish to project. Of course, we of the homosexual persuasion have a slightly different set of needs and paths than our straight counterparts. Below is a list of vehicles that we at Gaywheels.com feel suit the four primary phases of gay life. Mind you, this list represents a random sampling from a broad field of outstanding automobiles, but as space is limited we’ve chosen a few standouts worthy of attention.
Stage 1: Young, Single and On the Prowl
At this stage in your gay life, it’s all about YOU! Forget backseat legroom and trunk space, you need a car that attracts attention. The following vehicles are sure to draw onlookers (and maybe a date or two) without cutting too deeply into your budget.

2008 Volvo C30 – Small, agile and starting well under $25,000, the C30’s groovy good looks and nearly infinite color/trim/option combinations (it’s like driving a rolling Benetton sweater) practically guarantee no two neighborhood cars will be quite the same.

2008 Jeep Wrangler – The Wrangler is one of the few vehicles that can show up at a rodeo or on Rodeo Drive and still look right at home. Available in two- or four-door models with a removable hard or soft top and just the right blend of hip styling and butchness, the Jeep Wrangler always wins unwavering approval.

2008 Infiniti G37 Coupe – The G37 is not as economically priced as the others in this group. If you can swing the payments, however, the sensuous new Infiniti Coupe not only has the power to start hearts fluttering, it also telegraphs this is one single not looking for a Sugar Daddy (or Momma, as the case may be).
Stage 2: The Coupling Period
Congratulations, you’ve become a “we”! Love now requires one of you to make the ultimate sacrifice by giving up the sporty little car. But driving a four-door vehicle doesn’t instantly make you uncool. Gaywheels is confident these models will help you project a strong sense of style, as well as provide enough room for a weekend road trip or an evening out with friends.

2008 Cadillac CTS – Who says gays don’t do domestic? Cadillac’s beautifully sculpted CTS sedan displays a strong presence with even stronger performance. We love the new interior and the seats are some of the best in the business. With a choice of two V6s, RWD or AWD, and a manual or automatic transmission, you can get one that fits just right.

Lincoln MKX –Not much bigger than most sedans, the MKX’s wide hatch provides a bit more versatility than the others in this group, yet gives up nothing in the areas of luxury, ride and handling. And our favorite option, the Vista glass moonroof, brings the outdoors inside.

Volkswagen Passat – The Passat may not have a status symbol badge bolted to its grille, but nothing in the family sedan class matches its combination of price, features and Audi-like interior. The 2.0-liter turbo engine pulls like a V6, yet sips fuel to the tune of 29 miles per gallon (highway). The Passat is also offered in wagon form.
Stage 3: Partnered for Life (a.k.a. Married Without Benefits)
You now dress alike and regularly finish each other’s sentences; you share a mortgage, a cocker spaniel and a penchant for weekend shopping sprees. In other words, you’re hitched. Whether hauling a bulky antique armoire, 50-pounds of landscape fodder or the makings of your first nursery, you needn’t give up charisma for capability.

Mercedes-Benz GL – Big enough to seat seven, yet nearly identical in width to the smaller ML, Mercedes-Benz’s newest SUV offers excellent maneuverability and a luxurious interior. Also, the GL’s logically laid out controls don’t require an extra set of eyes and hands to operate.

Buick Enclave – If you like curves, you’ll love the Enclave’s seductive exterior styling. Buick may not have scored high on your car-buying list in the past, but this seven-passenger crossover SUV will quickly remedy that! Vivid sew patterns, a one-of-kind dashboard and a liberal use of ambient lighting conspire to create one beautiful interior.

Subaru Tribeca – Long regarded for its dependable all-wheel-drive systems and quirky styling, Subaru moves toward the mainstream with its largest family vehicle to date, the Tribeca. Optional seating for seven, a powerful new V6 engine and plenty of electronic toys to keep the munchkins happy make the Tribeca a favorite of gay families everywhere.
Stage 4: The Golden Years
You’ve survived the seven-year itch—nine times, possibly raised a kid or two and still managed a very comfortable retirement. Now comes the time to throw caution to the wind and treat yourself to something sinful. Show up at the theatre in one of these cars and everyone will know you and your partner have truly arrived.

Audi S5/A5 –Audi’s latest work of art is to be enjoyed by the driver and occasionally a lucky passenger or two. The first true four-passenger coupe offered by Audi in nearly 15 years, the rocket-fast S5 lands in showrooms this fall, followed by the more affordable A5 in the spring.

Jaguar XK Convertible –Going topless never felt so liberating. The XK’s intoxicating good looks will have all eyes pointed in your direction, and with the convertible top retracted you can drink in equal servings of vitamin D and envious admiration.

Lexus LS 600h L – Al Gore promises we will pay a price for not going green, but who’d have guessed the price is even higher for combining luxury and environmentalism? Starting at a mere $104,000, the Lexus LS 600h L (the h stands for hybrid) is more a low-emission speed demon with a slightly green hue than a luxury Prius.

Cruising to CT in the CTS

By Joe LaMuraglia

Sunday, November 18, 2007
I took delivery of a 2008 Cadillac CTS last week – just in time for me to leave for the Los Angeles Auto show (read about it here). Luckily for me, I have Cadillac’s latest for a total of two weeks and plan on making up for lost time by driving it from Nashville to visit family in CT for Turkey day.

In the little time that I’ve spent behind the wheel, the car has lived up to the stellar reputation that has been established since its launch. The interior is beautifully designed with high-quality materials and a rich, luxurious feel to the controls. Our adopted Caddy is the AWD version in Crystal Red Tintcoat with a Light Titanium interior. It is loaded with everything but the kitchen sink and it should make the 12-hour drive to CT a pleasurable experience. I am very much looking forward to the heated and cooled seats, the XM stereo, the pop-up navigation and the standard OnStar for those times when I’ll be in desperate need of a Starbucks.

The only complaint so far is that the light-colored interior seems to be getting dirty easily. We are hardly the first to drive it and the notoriously careless journalists before me left it less than pristine. Well, that is what these drives are all about – to give you a real-life feedback from living with a vehicle for a week or two. I’ll let you know if the interior shows day-to-day wear at the end of the test. My three nephews will certainly put it to the test!
I’m off tomorrow. I’ll post some updates on Tuesday the 20th.
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
I never thought this day would arrive but I think I’ve finally come to the conclusion that I’m not 25 any more. Where a 12 hour day in the car used to be nothing to me, it now taxes my facilities and causes aches and pains in places I didn’t know existed. Of course, the vehicle I’m riding it has a bit to do with it as well. For example, 3 or 4 hours in my 1983 Mercedes-Benz with worn springs is enough to send me screaming to the chiropractor. Luckily I spent 12 hours not in a loosely-sprung, horsehair-stuffed seat but rather a 8-way power-adjustable leather-clad perch in the CTS. Even with power lumbar and 3-stage heating, my derrière suffered. The CTS is a wonderful car but not capable of erasing the ravages of time.

After that long-winded introduction, I’ll get to the point. I haven’t quite made it to CT but I am about 1 hour south at my brother’s house in NJ. I spent 12 long hours on the road yesterday and I have to say that there is nothing like a road trip to really get to know a car. The CTS performed brilliantly, delivering and average of 26 MPG. The heated seats kept me warm, the XM stereo entertained me and the magical navigation screen rising from the top of the dash provided all the information I needed including traffic and weather updates along the route.
It would have been a perfect cocoon except for the wind noise emanating from the dual-pane sunroof. The expanse of glass allows natural light to illuminate the cabin but the large opening and requisite amount of glass and rubber invites wind to sneak through if all is not perfect. The solution is most likely a simple adjustment or in my case, a twist of the volume knob.
I’ll head to CT today and from the looks of the weather, I may get a chance to test out the AWD system. Stay tuned……

Sunday, November 25, 2007
Well, I arrived back to TN from the Northeast early this morning. Trying to leave my family is akin to escaping quicksand – the more you struggle, the more they suck you in. I had expected to arrive in Nashville Friday night but they wouldn’t have anything of it. I’m lucky I was able to leave on Saturday! It IS nice to be loved.
The CTS sat for a few days and collected leaves while in CT. During the few errands I was able to run, I made sure I had guests in the CTS to gage their reaction to the new vehicle. It was interesting to see that the Cadillac branding came through loud and clear (“Does your car return the favor?”) with my 17 year-old niece and my 38 year-old friend Kirsten. Both gave the car their approval and especially liked the interior styling. When showing the car to my 49 year-old brother and his friend, neither liked the exterior and I couldn’t get them to even look at the interior. Synopsis: Cadillac has done their job. The stodgy old guys are stuck on the Cadillac image of old and the younger women are open to the styling and message of the new Cadillac.
This soon-to-be 40 entrepreneur enjoyed my time in the car and will be handing in the keys with an overall positive impression of the vehicle. The exterior styling is leaps ahead of the vehicle it replaces and the interior design sets a new standard for what Cadillac can and should do with its vehicles. The engine performance was flawless and it delivered an impressive 25 MPG average on my return trip to TN. Our test car was equipped with AWD and while it instilled confidence in inclement weather, it felt heavy and less sporty than RWD CTSs I’ve driven in the recent past. I also had issue with the seats. I simply couldn’t get comfortable during my road trip and had to stop often to stretch. I do have a troubled back but I drove across the U.S. in Saab 9-3 Convertible and never had any problems. If you have an issue with seat comfort, spend some time test driving the CTS. I dare say most people won’t be driving 14 hours at a time so this point may be moot.
I interviewed John Howell, Director of Global Products for Cadillac, at the Los Angeles Auto show. He commented that the new CTS is just the tip of the iceberg and that products currently in the pipeline will blow us away. If the CTS is the beginning, Cadillac has a bright future ahead.
Likes
- Styling – both exterior and interior. Stands out from the crowd and surrounds you with luxury
- Engine – it is powerful and efficient
- Technology – newest navigation system includes traffic and weather. VERY cool.

Dislikes
- AWD system made the car feel heavy and less nimble. Great for snow I’m sure but not sporty
- Seats – short seat cushion and limited adjustment for lumbar was uncomfortable on long rides
- Wind noise – double-panel sunroof allowed significant wind noise when closed.

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by Joe LaMuraglia

Tuesday, May 1, 2007 - It wasn’t too long ago that Cadillac’s STS-V was reviewed by one of our west-coast editors. Yours truly was fortunate enough to have spent time in that high-powered luxury sedan on the roads of southern California as well. So when the opportunity to test the more mundane V8 AWD version of the STS presented itself, I thought it would be a nice comparison and a more real-world example of what Cadillac has available in the mid-size luxury segment.

The timing of the Blue Chip STS’s arrival coincides with a scheduled trip to Orlando so in addition to the normal review, I am going to do a real world test of the OnStar turn-by-turn directions offered standard on this vehicle. Rather than plan my route via Google maps or using the optional DVD Navigation system to get me to my hotel, I will hit that blue OnStar button and put my faith that the advisor and the system won’t get me lost. For a more detailed description of the turn-by-turn navigation offered by OnStar, read our latest article in Tech Talk. More after I arrive in the sunshine state.

Saturday, May 5, 2007 - Typical of my postings of late, my schedule did not allow for regular updates. Alas, my new motto is “better late than never”. My trip to Orlando on Wednesday started out as routine and ended with some tense moments and me cursing technology. Anyone that knows me well knows that I think OnStar is one of the greater inventions in automotive history. There is comfort in knowing that if you lock your keys out of the car or need help wherever you are in the country, your friendly OnStar voice is simply a button away. As a result, my expectations for the turn-by-turn directions by OnStar were set very high. Unfortunately, this experiment didn’t support my expectations.

I left Atlanta on Wednesday for Orlando for a series of meetings. Per my note above, I didn’t use Google maps or even the in-car navigation system to guide me. Rather, I hit the local Starbucks, and set out heading on I-75 south knowing that was the correct way to travel. Once I got out of the insanity of Mid-Town Atlanta, I hit the little blue button and my OnStar advisor came to life. To add to the test, I claimed not to know the address of my hotel and simply said “it is a Sheraton in downtown Orlando”. He quickly found the proper destination and downloaded to directions to my STS. It is a bit eerie to see the information display light up with information and then the computerized voice give you directions out of thin air. I dutifully followed “the voice” and was on my way to sunny Orlando.

I was advised that if I left the route, the voice, who will be henceforth named Bertha, would ask if i needed directions to return to the route. I tested this many times during the next 6.5 hours as the Starbucks and the copious amounts of water I consumed required frequent bio breaks. Bertha came on every time and I was able to interact with her via voice commands. Not too shabby….until she left me. I was traveling down I-75 and Bertha came on to alert me of and upcoming exit to the Florida turnpike on the left. I was thinking how great this feature is when an alien-sounding noise was broadcast and I lost Bertha. When I hit the phone button to recalculate the route, all I heard was another voice saying that turn-by-turn wasn’t available.

Nobody takes Bertha away from me without an explanation! I called up my OnStar advisor and was told that the turn-by-turn feature wasn’t available in the area I was traveling due to low cellular data coverage. The advisor assured me that it would return after a few miles on the Florida Turnpike. I chalked it up to new technology and rationalized that even in this day and age we all hit dead spots with our cell phones. At least I was still able to connect to the advisor.

A few miles later, I tried to get Bertha back and was unsuccessful. Each subsequent attempt yeilded the same result and as I approached Orlando I began to feel like Bertha was avoiding me. Then, like any stalker, I called her best friend (OnStar) to find out what I did wrong. Unfortunately, Bertha and I never reconnected and I had to utilize the OnStar advisor to get me to my destination. At the end of the day, I was never without someone to talk to at OnStar and they were able to get me to the Sheraton but the experiment with turn-by-turn was a bust. I even tried to use it to get out of Orlando and it didn’t work. I have been assured that my experience was an anomaly. We expect to hear back from OnStar with an explanation.

Even considering the Bertha incident, the trip was entirely enjoyable thanks to the STS and all the other technology packed into the car. I’m about to take off to Nashville for the weekend and look forward to seeing how it performs and a familiar route. I’m wondering if I should give Bertha another chance? I’ll let you know.

Wednesday, May 9, 2007 – The STS was picked up this morning after spending the weekend in Nashville and shuttling me back to Hotlanta yesterday. The more time I spent in the STS, the more comfortable I became. It isn’t nearly has fast as its cousin the STS-V but with the Northstar V8 and the transmission in Sport mode, it has some oomph to it. To be very honest, the car felt heavy and a big sluggish when I first drove it. I learned that to make it hustle, you need to stick it in Sport and put a little more effort behind the gas pedal. I reminded myself that this version is AWD and is carrying around a lot more weight than the regular RWD version.

The biggest shock about this car is the price tag. At an as-tested $68,250 this baby is priced right up there with the best from Europe. Granted; it includes unique technologies like OnStar, heads-up display and magnetic ride control in addition to AWD and the $8,190 Premium Luxury Performance Package but is it worth the price? That is a question only you can answer. Cadillac has created an American interpretation of luxury that some will love and others may not. Their brand image has improved over the years but it remains to be seen if they can compete in the luxury sport sedan marketplace. The base STS is an excellent start but when you start moving up the price ladder, things get a lot more competitive. We think Cadillac is a contender in this market and definitely worth a look but for nearly $70K, the Germans offer great products with a much stronger “valet appeal”.

If you want to get an amazing price on a STS, our friends at Classic Cadillac have an awesome inventory and can ship anywhere in the U.S. They have supported gay pride here in Atlanta and are really great people. Tell them Gaywheels.com sent ya!

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This Ain’t Daddy’s Caddy

by Scott Corlett

For nearly twenty years, Cadillac floundered on the brink of automotive irrelevancy. Finally, in the late ‘90s, the designers and the engineers at the GM subsidiary that once set the benchmark in luxury driving began the long struggle to rebuild the brand. With vast improvements in mechanical quality, exterior styling, and interior finishes, Cadillac has made great strides toward regaining respectability. So much that the product managers in Detroit are ready, with their V-series variants, to take on heavy hitters like AMG-tuned Mercedes-Benzes and M-badged BMWs. The question is, are these souped-up Caddies in way over their rooflines?

If so, it’s certainly not for a lack of raw power. After the delivery of a 2007 Cadillac STS-V to our test center—aka our apartment—in San Francisco, we jumped in, pressed the dash-mounted button of the keyless ignition system, and then made a beeline for the highway. Because only one kind of road suits a vehicle with a supercharged, 4.4-liter Northstar engine that produces 469 hp and 439 lb-ft of torque—one that is long, wide, and open.

During a late weekday morning, we hit an onramp that was free of traffic. We shoved our right foot to floor. The engine and the blower, which pumps air into the combustion chambers to improve burn and thereby power, responded with both a progressive escalation of thrust and little of the rotor whine of other luxury sedans’ superchargers. The G-forces shoved us back into the leather and ultra-suede of the eight-way drivers seat like a stripper coming in hard for a lap dance that’ll be over fast. For the STS-V—with its sole-offered, all-new, six-speed manu-matic box transferring power to the rear axle—GM claims a 0-to-60-mph time of less than five seconds.

As during those boys-nights-out, things got a little out of hand. On the rip up the ramp, we had to fight with STS-V’s rear wheels, which tried their darnedest to beat us onto the freeway. Although this tendency later came in handy when peeling tight corners, it also underscored the fact that still nothing beats the handling of a BMW when hooking an onramp. Once on the highway, the STS-V settled down and a wide smile cracked our face as we shot from seventy miles per hour into the triple-digit range with a speed and a fuel consumption that recalled Cadillac’s glory years.

Aesthetically, the exterior of this top-end Caddy sedan is clean and refreshingly austere compared to the brand’s past bloated metal. The STS-V’s stainless-steel mesh grille, lower air intakes, and ten-spoke aluminum wheels give the car a bit of contrasting, restrained flair. On the inside, the results are mixed: The French-stitched leather on the center console, doors panels, and dash top is flawless. The instrument panel is plain in the way that a good luxury vehicle’s should be. However, the controls and the steering wheel seem to have been pulled from GM’s general parts bin, which is the last place you should turn to outfit your super sedan.

So, in the end, does the STS-V live up to its masters’ aspirations of besting or at least equaling either an M5 or an E55? Ah … no. But the issue really isn’t with the STS-V, the problem is the goal. The STS-V is a classic, raw-powered American hot rod, with luxury appointments and some performance enhancements thrown in for good measure. In an era when American muscle cars are on the rebound, this is no bad thing. We pulled the 2006 Cadillac STS-V into our driveway and hit the ignition cutoff. Yep, we thought, this is a Caddy fit for fathers and sons alike.

Base Price for 2007 Cadillac STS-V: $74,270.

If you want to get an amazing price on a STS-V, our friends at Classic Cadillac have an awesome inventory and can ship anywhere in the U.S. They have supported gay pride here in Atlanta and are really great people. Tell them Gaywheels.com sent ya!

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Mac Daddy Caddy

by Joe LaMuraglia

Thursday, March 1, 2007 – When offered the opportunity to drive the Cadillac DTS, I thought it would be nice to review a vehicle not normally associated with “the gays”. Yes, choke back that latte, put down your Pradas and hold onto your iPods…..it is true, not all of us drive German luxury convertibles or convertibles for that matter. All you have to do is read the Top 10 Most Researched article to see that while some stereotypes are upheld, the Gaywheels.com user is proving to represent a myriad of “us”. With that in mind, we do our best to review a wide variety of vehicles. Enter the 2007 Cadillac DTS.

To start off, you can hold the jokes about a big, bald Italian guy driving a large Cadillac sedan. No, I didn’t get “promoted” in “‘da family” and the trunk wasn’t the first thing I checked out. (Although, for the record, it is HUGE – at least 2 bodies could fit.) I’ll be putting it through the normal paces; a trip to see my man in Nashville, running around Atlanta and if I’m lucky trips to the gym and back. So far, we’ve made it back and forth to the Chiropractor and I can say I am impressed. I like the looks of this sedan. It has presence and I won’t have trouble finding it in the parking lot at the gym. But then again, I am a non-conformist. It handles a lot smaller than it is and I can already tell that I’m going to love the 292 hp version of the Northstar V8. I leave for my second home in TN tomorrow. Piu’ domani…..

Saturday, March 3, 2007 – The trip to TN was uneventful despite the hellish traffic getting out of Atlanta. The slow going up I75 gave me the opportunity to play with some of the DTS’s goodies. The rear sunshade came in handy in the afternoon sun and the massaging driver’s seat ended up to be more of a gimmick than a relief for back pain. I am a HUGE fan, however, of the heated and cooled seats. They are comfortable and no matter what the temperature outside, you can keep your derrière and lower back happy.

The DTS is equipped with an optional performance suspension with magnetic ride control. Forget everything you ever thought about floaty Cadillacs of the past. This big sedan provides a luxury ride that is taut without being harsh. It came in handy when cruising up the hills on I24. The road is steep and curvy and the DTS handled it without effort. The Northstar V8 offered a nice growl as I motored pass all the 18-wheelers and the suspension was tight as I wove in and out of slower traffic up the mountain. I’d prefer if it were RWD but for a FWD V8 sedan, it performed superbly. There are a few ergonomic issues that I noticed on the drive. The center armrest should slide forward and the seat temperature controls are in an odd place on the door. Otherwise, the DTS proved to be an excellent highway cruiser. My partner and I will run errands here in Nashville this weekend. It will be interesting to see how it performs on more mundane tasks like the fight for parking at Target.

Monday, March 5, 2007 – Wow, I just realized that I had a few horrendous spelling mistakes in my earlier post. I suppose there is a reason I got a “C” in my writing class in college. Oops. Not much new to report on the big Caddy. I’ve noticed quite a few of them here in Nashville and at 39, I am, by FAR, the youngest person behind the wheel. Some people might be turned off by that but I think it is kind of cool to be different. In any event, people are definitely looking at the car….or is it me in the car….not 100% sure. The ride is as smooth as ever. In fact, we took my partner’s FX35 out yesterday and I couldn’t get over how stiff the suspension was. It made me miss my Mac Daddy Caddy. The most entertaining fact thus far is the sound of the turn signal. The DTS’s is loud, I mean really LOUD. Can you say research has shown that the typical DTS driver may be more likely to not hear the blinker and forget to turn it off? To a car geek like me, that is classic design to target! Hilarious.

Sunday, March 10, 2007 – I gave the DTS up the other day and with driving back to GA, year-end taxes and running a business, I simply ran out of time to finish this post. My apologies.
Verdict: While far from perfect, the DTS is a modern interpretation of a classic American sedan. It is big, powerful and very roomy. If you want the ulitmate in luxury and technology, you’ll want to head over to your local Lexus, BMW or Mercedes-Benz dealer. All three will provide their ultimate definition of luxury for $20 – $30,000 more than the Cadillac. Yes, they have more technology, more speeds in their transmissions and some will argue a higher level of prestige but sometimes all that can be overkill. If you want affordable American Luxury and some unique technology like OnStar, head on down to you Caddy dealer and ask to test drive the Mac Daddy DTS.

If you want to get an amazing price on a DTS, our friends at Classic Cadillac have an awesome inventory and can ship anywhere in the U.S. They have supported gay pride here in Atlanta and are really great people. Tell them Gaywheels.com sent ya!

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What a Difference $48,000 Makes

by Joe LaMuraglia

For those of you that keep on top of the comings and goings here at Gaywheels.com, you know that the last vehicle we wrote about in this blog format was the 2007 Chevrolet Aveo LT Sedan. While we were pleasantly surprised with the Aveo, our latest ride put any memories of such mundane transportation modules out of our minds. Our latest set of wheels? A 2007 Cadillac Escalade.

Tuesday, January 30th - We picked up the Cadillac Escalade today and set out on the familiar Atlanta to Nashville route. This trip was to shuttle the recovering boyfriend back to the Country Music capital and help him move into his first house. Needless to say the sheer cargo capacity of the Escalade will come in handy for all the ancillary crap that is always a part of a move.

To be honest, I am conflicted about vehicles of this size. On one hand, they seem wasteful but on the other, their sheer size and luxurious interiors speak to my emotional being. In the case of the Escalade, the interior is gorgeous, comfortable and has just about every amenity known to man. The trip was effortless. The heated seats (cushion and lower back) kept us toasty in the cold January afternoon, the XM Satellite radio provided uniterrupted entertainment and news, the navigation system satisfied my enternal quest for location information and we even utilized the GM-exclusive OnStar system with turn-by-turn directions to find the closest Chick-fil-A. It was an altogether pleasant 3.5 hours. Did I NEED a 6.2 liter V8 engine and seating for 6? No. Did I enjoy having a 6.2 liter V8 engine and seating for 6? Hell yes!

Wednesday, January 31st - Our first priority today was to get to the closing so my man could spend 2 hours signing papers. The rest of the day was spend schlepping the aformentioned stuff to his new abode. The Escalade turned out to be almost as good around town as it was on the open road. The engineers did a really nice job making it drive a lot smaller than it is. The steering is American-luxury light and the turning radius gives much smaller vehicles a run for their money. Visibility is excellent and the rear camera is a perfect aide when backing up. For the move, we tilted the rear seats forward and the second row flat. While not as spacious as a minivan or as easy to use as its competitors with power tilt and fold seats, we had no trouble getting all of his stuff in. If I were to purchase this vehicle and I had more than two children, I’d go for the extended version as there isn’t too much usable space behind the third row.

Thursday, February 1st – They were calling for snow here in Nashville and I was looking forward to seeing how the RWD Escalade handled the slippery stuff. Alas, despite the over-hyped weather reports and runs on bread and milk, we are just COLD here today. Which brings me to a feature on the Escalade that I simply LOVE. Hit a button on the remote and the vehicle starts remotely and warms up to the last tempature you had it set to. Simply awesome when it is 20 degrees out. This feature has made it downstream to non-luxury vehicles as well and I highly recommend it. My love affair with my blue ‘Slade hit a bump in the road this AM – at the gas station. While we were averaging 18 MPG on the highway, all the running around town (and me gunning the engine) dropped that to approximately 14 MPG. When I went to fill up, I almost fell over – $47! Ouch. That Aveo is starting to sound good about now…… More later

Friday, February 2nd – Not too much to report today. The more I drive the Escalade, the more I like it. Yes, the exterior styling can be a bit much, and yes at over $60K it is rather expensive but those are all rational thoughts. This isn’t a rational vehicle. Favorite feature today? Heated steering wheel. Turn it on and driving in mid-20 degree tempatures no longer feels like a chore.It is amazing how the little things can make such a big difference. Least favorite feature today? Gas mileage is average 10 MPG around town. All that idling and warming up with the remote start might have something to do with it (and my heavy foot). Back to Atlanta tomorrow.

Sunday, February 4th – They came and took away the Escalade today. It was a guilty pleasure and am surprised at how much I will miss it. The ride back to the ATL from Nashville was unventful. The Escalade proved to be an excellent highway cruiser but only managed 18 MPG again. I suppose the published 20 MPG is at 60 MPH and doesn’t involve the hills that I must traverse on my travels back and forth here in the southeast. Being alone this trip, I was able to test the stereo and I am here to report that JT sounds just FINE blasting through the speakers of the Escalde.

Verdict – At an as-tested price of $64,820, the 2007 Escalade has priced itself right up there with the luxury SUVs from Germany – the Audi Q7 and the Merecedes-Benz GL450. While some will argue that both Germans feel more luxurious and have more classic styling, neither can match the Escalade’s 403 HP and neither make the bold statement the Escalade does. ( If you love GMs new SUVs as much as we do but don’t like the styling of the Escalade, there is always the 2007 GMC Yukon Denali)
The rationale being in us says the Escalade is perfect for wealthy people that want to tow their toys and need passenger capacity. Our emotional side says “I want one”.
If you want to get an amazing price on an Escalade, our friends at Classic Cadillac have an awesome inventory and can ship anywhere in the U.S. They have supported gay pride here in Atlanta and are really great people. Tell them Gaywheels.com sent ya!

Cadillac is a gay-friendly company.

Get a free insurance quote for a 2007 Cadillac Escalade

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