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Cadillac sales chief Peffer resigns amidst slow sales

Cadillac continues to hemorrhage executives, as it's just seen its fourth high-level departure in the past year. Vice President of Global Strategic Development Don Butler (who defected to Ford) and European President and Managing Director Susan Docherty both left the company of their own volition, while Chase Hawkins, Cadillac's vice president of sales and service, was fired following a "violation of policy" in July of 2013. Strangely, it's Hawkins' replacement, Bill Peffer (shown above), who has handed in his papers this time around.
"Bill left to pursue other interests. Kurt McNeil replaces him, effective immediately," spokesman David Caldwell told Autoblog via email.
McNeil last held the VP of sales and service position back in 2012. He's currently the vice president of US sales for all of General Motors. According to The Detroit News, McNeil will take on the post in what is likely an interim capacity.

Here's your chance to own a 7.0-liter V8-powered, stick-shifted Cadillac Catera

Cadillac never stuffed a V8 engine into the Catera, the entry-level model it sold in the United States from 1997 to 2001, so American tuner Lingenfelter stepped in and offered to perform the conversion. One of the few cars it dropped an eight-cylinder into is for sale, and the bigger engine is just one of many modifications performed on it. Listed on auction site Bring a Trailer, this 2001 Catera lost its V6 soon after it was leased to its first owner in Warren, Michigan. Lingenfelter replaced the 3.0-liter V6 with a 5.7-liter V8 and ditched the automatic transmission in favor of a six-speed manual, but that wasn't enough; the owner sent it back for more. It left the shop again with a custom-built, 7.0-liter V8 between its fenders. It's essentially a Chevrolet Corvette C5.R-based block topped with LS6 heads, an LS6 intake, and a less restrictive exhaust. Its horsepower and torque outputs aren't available, unfortunately, but we assume the V8 easily doubles the stock Catera's 200-horse output. Cadillac marketed the Opel-built Catera as the Caddy that zigs, not as the Caddy that humiliates hot rods on a drag strip, so additional modifications were required to keep the V8's power in check. Highlights include a limited-slip differential, a lowered suspension with bigger sway bars, and beefier brakes all around. At one point in its life, this Catera also received 17-inch alloy wheels, a three-spoke steering wheel, and a sprinkling of V emblems. Although engine swaps are often hit or miss, this Catera has spent approximately 18 years and 40,000 miles with a V8 under its hood, so it's apparently a solid, well-thought-out build. It currently has 42,000 miles on its odometer, and it's located in Michigan. Bidding stands at $6,250 as of this writing, with five days left in the auction. It won't stay in the four-digit range for long, and it might end up costing as much as a late-model ATS-V, but when are you going to find another one like it? Related Video:   Featured Gallery 2001 Cadillac Catera with V8 engine, Lingenfelter modifications View 10 Photos Aftermarket Cadillac Performance Sedan

Porsche 911 Turbos, and the new Lotus Emira | Autoblog Podcast #686

In this episode of the Autoblog Podcast, Editor-in-Chief Greg Migliore is joined by Road Test Editor Zac Palmer. The two talk about their experiences in the 911 Turbo and Turbo S Cabriolet, then pivot to talking about the BMW M3 Competition on the Indiana Nurburgring. They follow that up by discussing driver assistance systems, given recent experience in the 2021 Cadillac Escalade with Super Cruise and Hyundai's Highway Drive Assist. After that, they get into some news, talking about the new Lotus Emira and Genesis G80 Sport. Finally, they wrap up with a rather interesting two-for-one "Spend my Money" edition where they help two listeners with different car buying conundrums. Send us your questions for the Mailbag and Spend My Money at: Podcast@Autoblog.com. Autoblog Podcast #686 Get The Podcast Apple Podcasts – Subscribe to the Autoblog Podcast in iTunes Spotify – Subscribe to the Autoblog Podcast on Spotify RSS – Add the Autoblog Podcast feed to your RSS aggregator MP3 – Download the MP3 directly Rundown What we're driving: 2021 Porsche 911 Turbo S Cabriolet 2021 Porsche 911 Turbo 2021 BMW M3 on Indiana Nurburgring 2021 Cadillac Escalade with Super Cruise Long-term Hyundai Palisade update News: Lotus Emira Genesis G80 Sport Spend My Money, Double Edition Feedback Email – Podcast@Autoblog.com Review the show on Apple Podcasts Autoblog is now live on your smart speakers and voice assistants with the audio Autoblog Daily Digest. Say “Hey Google, play the news from Autoblog” or "Alexa, open Autoblog" to get your favorite car website in audio form every day. A narrator will take you through the biggest stories or break down one of our comprehensive test drives. Related Video: Podcasts BMW Cadillac Genesis Hyundai Lotus Porsche Technology Convertible Coupe Crossover SUV Luxury Performance Sedan