*UPDATE* GM Files Patent for 7-Speed Dual Clutch Gearbox

Cadillac is offering 400 of its smallest dealers a buyout if they don't want to be part of the ambitious and contentious Project Pinnacle.
Automotive News reports the offers will range from $100,000 to $180,000. The dealers eligible for the buyout sold less than 50 new Cadillac models in 2015. While the 400 dealers make up 43 percent of Cadillac's total number of dealers in the U.S. (around 925), this group only made up 9 percent of total sales last year.
Cadillac President Johan de Nysschen said the buyouts is to give those an alternative who don't want to forward with the new program.
“This is going to be a long, arduous and challenging journey and certainly not one for the faint-hearted. Some people may choose to make life a little easier than what lies ahead,” said de Nysschen.
de Nysschen did say while Cadillac has too many dealers compared to their rivals, the buyout program isn't meant to be seen as a way to get rid of low-volume dealers. 
Project Pinnacle is a new incentive program that will separate dealers into five tiers based on sales volume. Each tier offers a varying level of customer perk along with different requirements for services and facilities. For example, small stores cannot stock vehicles on site. Instead, they would offer a virtual showroom for customers to explore and order a vehicle. This program has gotten backlash from dealer groups, saying it would violate franchise laws and be unfair to the smaller dealers. 
Those who have been offered the buyout have until November 21st to either take it or move forward with Project Pinnacle, which is expected to begin January 1st.
Source: Automotive News (Subscription Required)
 

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Cadillac is offering 400 of its smallest dealers a buyout if they don't want to be part of the ambitious and contentious Project Pinnacle.
Automotive News reports the offers will range from $100,000 to $180,000. The dealers eligible for the buyout sold less than 50 new Cadillac models in 2015. While the 400 dealers make up 43 percent of Cadillac's total number of dealers in the U.S. (around 925), this group only made up 9 percent of total sales last year.
Cadillac President Johan de Nysschen said the buyouts is to give those an alternative who don't want to forward with the new program.
“This is going to be a long, arduous and challenging journey and certainly not one for the faint-hearted. Some people may choose to make life a little easier than what lies ahead,” said de Nysschen.
de Nysschen did say while Cadillac has too many dealers compared to their rivals, the buyout program isn't meant to be seen as a way to get rid of low-volume dealers. 
Project Pinnacle is a new incentive program that will separate dealers into five tiers based on sales volume. Each tier offers a varying level of customer perk along with different requirements for services and facilities. For example, small stores cannot stock vehicles on site. Instead, they would offer a virtual showroom for customers to explore and order a vehicle. This program has gotten backlash from dealer groups, saying it would violate franchise laws and be unfair to the smaller dealers. 
Those who have been offered the buyout have until November 21st to either take it or move forward with Project Pinnacle, which is expected to begin January 1st.
Source: Automotive News (Subscription Required)
 

The problem with the previous spy shots of the mid-engine Chevrolet Corvette was you couldn't really tell what it was. The shots showed a blurry mule on GM's test track. For all we knew, it could have been bigfoot terrorizing GM employees. But finally, we have gotten the first clear and detailed shots of the mid-engine Corvette.
It is clear this mule is mid-engined because of the proportions - short front and long rear end. There also appears to be some bits from the C7 such as the taillights. Other details are hidden by the heavy camouflage. 
Details on the mid-engine Corvette are very sketchy. As we have reported previously, the mid-engine Corvette could be shown as soon as 2018 at Detroit, possibly use a twin-turbo V8 and a ten-speed automatic, and be the sole Corvette model when C7 production ends in 2021.
Source: Autoweek, Autoblog, Motor1

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The problem with the previous spy shots of the mid-engine Chevrolet Corvette was you couldn't really tell what it was. The shots showed a blurry mule on GM's test track. For all we knew, it could have been bigfoot terrorizing GM employees. But finally, we have gotten the first clear and detailed shots of the mid-engine Corvette.
It is clear this mule is mid-engined because of the proportions - short front and long rear end. There also appears to be some bits from the C7 such as the taillights. Other details are hidden by the heavy camouflage. 
Details on the mid-engine Corvette are very sketchy. As we have reported previously, the mid-engine Corvette could be shown as soon as 2018 at Detroit, possibly use a twin-turbo V8 and a ten-speed automatic, and be the sole Corvette model when C7 production ends in 2021.
Source: Autoweek, Autoblog, Motor1

More and more automakers are beginning to roll out high-performance driving schools to those who purchase one of their performance vehicles. Cadillac is the latest one.
Starting with the 2017 Cadillac ATS-V and CTS-V, buyers will be eligible for a two-day course at Cadillac's V-Performance Academy. The Academy is based at Spring Mountain Motor Resort and Country Club near Las Vegas, Nevada. The course "is designed for drivers of all experience levels and includes dynamic car control exercises, visual skill development, and proper cornering techniques." There will also be time in the classroom to explain various things.
We'll admit Cadillac's V-Performance Academy is quite the steal as the brand will cover a two-night stay in one of the Spring Mountain on-site condos, along with breakfast and lunch. All you need to do is buy the plane ticket to get to Las Vegas.
Source: Cadillac
Press Release is on Page 2


Cadillac Announces V-Performance Academy
Two-day driver training included with every 2017 V-Series Cadillac today announced the Cadillac V-Performance Academy driving experience at Spring Mountain Motor Resort and Country Club near Las Vegas, Nevada. The two-day driver training program will be included in the purchase of any of Cadillac’s high-performance V-Series models: 2017 Cadillac ATS-V Sedan, 2017 ATS-V Coupe and 2017 Cadillac CTS-V sedan.
Cadillac is the only luxury automotive brand offering a two-day driver training with the purchase of a high-performance vehicle. Customers will register online for the experience after taking delivery of a 2017 V-Series model. The V-Performance Academy program may also be purchased as a stand-alone experience.
“Cadillac is a brand for passionate people, by passionate people,” said Nathan Tan, associate director of Brand Partnerships and Experiences for Cadillac. “V-Series customers are in many ways nearest the core of the Cadillac brand, and we are proud to offer this valuable training with our thrilling products.”
The V-Performance Academy includes:
Ground transportation to and from Las Vegas McCarren International Airport — customers are responsible for airfare Two days of intensive driver training in the model of purchase for 2017 V-Series owners and the model of choice for stand-alone customers Two nights’ lodging in the Spring Mountain luxury condominiums Breakfast and lunch on both training days General admission access for one designated guest — add a driving guest for an additional fee On-site courtesy vehicles will be provided There are now two opportunities for enthusiasts to drive new V-Series models on a racetrack: the two-day V-Performance Academy driver training held exclusively at Spring Mountain and the single-day V-Performance Lab, which travels to different racetracks around the country. In 2016, the V-Performance Labs will be held at Lime Rock Park in Lakeville, Connecticut, and Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas. The development of the V-Performance Academy curriculum was overseen by V-Series engineers. The tailored driver training enables attendees to extract maximum performance from the V-Series vehicles.
“The V-Series are the most-track capable Cadillac models ever, using exclusive technologies tuned by a select group of dedicated engineers,” said Brandon Vivian, Cadillac executive chief engineer. “These technologies, such as Magnetic Ride Control, Performance Traction Management software and the Performance Data Recorder, set the Cadillac ATS-V and Cadillac CTS-V apart from all other luxury cars and are the tools drivers will experience at the V-Performance Academy.”

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