1978 Cadillac Eldorado Base Coupe 2-door 7.0l on 2040-cars

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Next-gen Cadillac Escalade spied with grille uncovered for the first time

The next generation of full-size GM SUVs is coming, and the Cadillac Escalade may the most anticipated reveal of them all. Lincoln has blown up the scene with its excellent Navigator, and Cadillac needs something revolutionary in response. Our latest set of spy photos show us what appears to be a camouflaged Escalade, but it’s missing some of the camo covering the grille. None of our previous Escalade spy photos have given us this detailed of a look at the grille before. The grille design looks like a blown-up version of the XT6 right now. ItÂ’s not the exact same pattern as we see on the Sport or Premium Luxury trims of that car, but the design looks like it comes from a similar mind. ThereÂ’s certainly no mistaking it for anything other than a Cadillac, as the Yukon and Tahoe likely wonÂ’t be sporting such gaudy front pieces — the jury is still out on a potential High Country trim, though. This particular tester looks like it was caught on GMÂ’s proving grounds, as the driver unsuccessfully tries to hide his face from the camera. Just like previous spy shots, these feature the same rectangular exhaust outlets and independent rear suspension down below. We still have no idea what the rest of the SUV is going to look like, but as GM is wont to do these days, a big grille is a certainty now. The camouflage conceals just how far it stretches from one side to the other, but weÂ’ll be interested to see how much of the design language is ripped from smaller SUVs like the XT6 and XT5. We have a feeling Cadillac plans on giving us something new and game-changing with the Escalade; we just donÂ’t know if the styling is up to the task yet.

Confident new Cadillac marketing boss ready to take on Tesla, BMW

When there's a former BMW executive heading Cadillac's efforts to boost sales of its only plug-in, it's a pretty safe guess that the marketing emphasis won't be on environmental friendliness and tree-hugging tendencies. The General Motors luxury brand has appointed ex-Bimmer executive Uwe Ellinghaus to be its marketing chief late last year, and the German-born Ellinghaus is now saying that he's targeting potential customers of Tesla Motors, in addition to BMW, for potential growth in sales of the Cadillac ELR extended-range plug-in. Appointed to Cadillac's head of marketing last November, Ellinghaus recently told Advertising Age that GM needs to highlight the Cadillac's looks and performance. He complimented Tesla for putting more emphasis on those attributes in the Model S than on its lack of emissions or lack of refueling costs (but Tesla hasn't shied away from highlighting the EV's savings). Ellinghaus says that trying to gear advertising "for people who are tree-huggers and green-wash an entire brand" won't be successful. You don't say. So far, the ELR hasn't made much of a dent in US car sales. Through May, Cadillac, which spent about $280 million on all of its US marketing last year, sold 293 units, whereas Tesla had been approaching the 11,000-unit figure for the Model S. With that in mind, Cadillac may be working on a sportier version of the ELR, as spy shots of a test vehicle from May revealed larger brakes and wheels. You can read our First Drive impressions of the ELR here.

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