Intrepidation

An American Tradition Continues: New Presidential Era Begins With a New Cadillac Presidential Limousine With President Elect Barack Obama's Inauguration less than a week away, Cadillac has finally released teh first official photos of the President's thoroughly reworked new ride. Sporting Cadillac's latest front and rear design cues, this heavy duty Cadillac will be equipped with everything the President needs to stay in touch, get around, and be safe. Follow the jump for more photos and official press release. http://www.cheersandgears.com/index.php?showtopic=27722

President Obama will inherit a lot of things when he takes the oath of office on Tuesday. So good, some... not so good. And while his new digs on Pennsylvania Avenue are the same as his predecessors, his ride has been thoroughly refreshed for the 21st century. With fuzzy spy photos of the new presidential limo out in the open and Obama's inauguration less than a week away, Cadillac has finally released official photos of the Command-In-Chief's new ride. As expected, the new limo inherits Cadillac's current front- and rear-end design cues, but the overused fender vents on civilian Caddies are notably -- and thankfully -- absent. The back compartment where our new CIC sits is equipped with all the communications gear needed to stay in touch, and while we're picturing a few LCD screens, lots of buttons and a big red phone that silently rises from the center console, all we can do is imagine. As expected, Cadillac hasn't released much in the way of details about what's underneath and inside the behemoth for security reasons. But speculation says that some of the General's heavy-duty truck platforms are used to support the immense mass of armor carried by the Cadillac Presidential Limousine. Of course, GM put out a press release that covers a few of the Caddy's features and includes a brief history of the automaker's involvement with shuttling Presidents around since World War I. Check it out after the jump, along with an unauthorized illustration of what you could find inside -- assuming your Secret Service application wasn't denied. Source: Autoblog PRESS RELEASE An American Tradition Continues: New Presidential Era Begins With a New Cadillac Presidential Limousine President Obama to Christen New Car at Jan. 20 Inaugural Parade WASHINGTON – As Americans celebrate the inauguration of a new president of the United States next week, another new Cadillac will grace Pennsylvania Avenue to lead the proceedings. President Barack Obama will ride in an all-new Cadillac Presidential Limousine, continuing a long tradition of Cadillac limousines that have served many U.S. presidents. "Cadillac is honored to again provide a new Presidential Limousine," said Mark McNabb, North America vice president, Cadillac/Premium Channel. "This is a great American tradition that we're delighted to renew with an all-new car featuring the best of Cadillac's dramatic design and technology." The image of an American president greeting crowds from a Cadillac limousine dates to President Woodrow Wilson and the early days of the automobile, and continues into a historic new era. The latest Cadillac Presidential Limousine is a completely new design, succeeding the DTS Presidential Limousine that debuted in 2004. The new car incorporates many of the dramatic design and technology features of new and highly acclaimed Cadillac vehicles in a purpose-built format tailored to specific and exacting specifications befitting presidential transport. Inside and out, the Cadillac Presidential Limousine includes many of the brand's signature design elements. Assertive, modern and elegant, the front of the car includes the intricate, dual-textured grille made famous by Cadillac's most popular current models, the CTS sport sedan and Escalade. Vertical design elements, such as the car's front and rear lighting, mirror those used on production models. For largely functional reasons, such as optimal outward visibility, the car is slightly more upright than its predecessor. However, this new Cadillac Presidential Limousine occupies roughly the same overall footprint on the road as the previous model, with a similar size and proportion. The side and rear profiles of the new Presidential Limousine are classic, elegant forms, evocative of Cadillac's STS and DTS luxury sedans. Inside the cabin, the car includes the finest examples of Cadillac's recent renaissance in design, technology and craftsmanship. The cabin blends modern design and technology with old-world craftsmanship. Major aspects of the cabin are cut and sewn by hand, the same process used in popular Cadillac models such as the CTS sport sedan. Naturally, many purpose-built aspects of the car are specially designed and prepared for presidential use. The rear passenger area includes an extensive executive compartment with ample seating space, outward visibility and useful mobile office features. The car was designed, developed and tested by specialists who adhered to an extensive set of specifications. It was subjected to an extreme testing regimen to ensure performance that achieves precise functional requirements. In doing so, security provisions were undertaken at all times during development to ensure the car's functional capabilities are preserved and confidential. An embroidered presidential seal is positioned in the center of the rear seat back panel, as well as on each rear door trim panel. Presidential seals are also affixed to the exterior rear doors. The U.S. flag is placed on the right front fender, and the presidential standard is located on the left front fender when the president travels in the vehicle. High-tech LED spotlights illuminate the flags at night. History – Cadillac and the U.S. Presidency Cadillac has built limousines and special vehicles for U.S. presidents, diplomats, ambassadors and foreign dignitaries since the early 20th century, an iconic aspect of the brand that continues today. Cadillac's central role began during World War I, when many Cadillac engines and cars were transferred to military and government service because of their superior durability and power. One of the first chief executives to use a Cadillac was President Wilson, who rode through the streets of Boston during a World War I victory parade in 1919. A lavish 1928 Cadillac town car was used in the Calvin Coolidge administration. In 1938, two Cadillac convertibles, dubbed the "Queen Mary" and "Queen Elizabeth," were delivered to the U.S. government. Named after the great ocean liners of the time, the vehicles were 21.5 feet long, weighed 7,660 pounds and were equipped with a full ammunition arsenal, two-way radios and heavy-duty generators. Durable and reliable, the two "Queens" served Presidents Franklin D. Roosevelt, Harry S. Truman and Dwight D. Eisenhower. President Eisenhower, known as a car buff, rode in one of the first Cadillac Eldorado models ever produced during his 1953 inaugural parade. The Eldorado represented a high point in automobile design history, as it had the first wraparound windshield, a feature quickly adopted on other new production models. In 1956, the Queen Mary II and Queen Elizabeth II convertibles replaced the original series. The vehicles were slightly smaller, but like their predecessors, were fully armored and featured state-of-the art communications. Moreover, the vehicles were fitted with narrow rims inside the tire in case the tires were shot out. The Queen Mary II and Queen Elizabeth II served not only President Eisenhower, but also Presidents John F. Kennedy and Lyndon B. Johnson. Both vehicles were retired in 1968. The Ronald W. Reagan administration was delivered a 1983 Cadillac Fleetwood limousine and a Cadillac Fleetwood Brougham – Presidential Series was delivered to the William J. Clinton administration in 1993. Unlike previous models that typically were Cadillac cars adapted and modified by independent limousine companies, the 1993 Presidential Brougham was designed, developed and manufactured totally within General Motors and Cadillac. This included an extensive set of security measures to maintain confidentiality, a process that continues today. Currently, the 1983 Cadillac Fleetwood limousine resides at the Ronald W. Reagan Presidential Library and Museum in Simi Valley, Calif., while the 1993 Cadillac Fleetwood Brougham is at the Clinton Presidential Center in Little Rock, Ark. Cadillac has produced two presidential limousines this decade that remain in service. The first was a Deville Presidential model delivered to President George W. Bush in 2001. In 2004, President Bush debuted a new DTS Presidential model. It was the first application of a new design that launched later that year for the production DTS full-size sedan.

Lasoarda says Chrysler not looking to sell brands

Looks like those unnamed sources don't know as much as they think they do.

Responding to word that Chrysler may begin selling off assets and brands soon, Chrysler Vice Chairman and President Tom LaSorda admitted that while the automaker is keen to consider parting with "non-earning assets" or assets that "may be coming due,'" Chrysler "...will not separate the brands from the company." That means that among other things, the struggling automaker may sell tooling for previous-generation vehicles or those on the way out, but it will not part with plants or nameplates. In a post on Chrysler's Firehouse media blog, LaSorda is quoted as saying "What was reported that we're in discussions to sell the Jeep brand is absolutely false... we will not separate the brands from the company." In particular, Jeep has been the subject of sale rumors as of late, as most analysts figure it is the company's most valuable nameplate. According to LaSorda, the federal aid package that Chrysler recently signed on for means that no assets can be sold without the approval of the 'car czar" anyway. Click through to the jump to read Chrysler's full blog statement. PRESS RELEASE: Chrysler Vice Chairman and President Tom LaSorda on Wednesday strongly denied reports and rumors that the company is in discussions to sell its Jeep brand, any manufacturing plants or the tooling for an existing vehicle. "What was reported that we're in discussions to sell the Jeep brand is absolutely false," Lasorda told reporters on a conference call Wednesday morning.. "We will not separate the brands from the company." He said that the company has said for more than a year that it will sell non-earning assets, or assets that "may be coming due." Chrysler has had discussions about selling the tooling of previous generation vehicles, or vehicles that are discontinued. But reports that the company would sell one of its manufacturing plants are untrue, and don't make any sense. "If we were to sell any assets, and if you looked at the loan agreement, the loan agreement would not allow us to do that without going through the 'car czar'," he added. LaSorda also addressed rumors regarding deals with specific companies, such as Magna International Inc. or the automotive partners Nissan and Renault. Source:s Autoblog, Chrysler

Thanks guys!

It wasn't bashed at all. The Cobalt is plain, and the SS only adds wheels and a small spoiler to make it look different, and it has a cheap interior. That's not bashing, that's fair. GM really should have upgraded the Cobalt's interior and refreshed the fascias, then added some of the suspension tweaks to the rest of the lineup. Had they done that, the Cobalt wouldn't be near the bottom of its class, and we wouldn't be waiting desperately for the Cruze.

Here we go again.

We got about 7 inches from that storm on top of the 6 or so that was on the ground. Apparently another storm is due Thursday, bringing below zero temps with it. Hey BV do you still have the Millenia and Cutlass?

Cadillac World Thorium Fuel Car Concept Proving designers can have a sense of humor when naming their creations, this futuristic Cadillac is designed to provide its own power and last 100 years before maintenance. Follow the jump to see Loren Kulesus's futuristic creation. http://www.cheersandgears.com/index.php?sh...mp;#entry461949

WTF FTW!

Based one what?

I agree midgate is brilliant.

Very said indeed, but then it was the last year of the Ram. The new one is far superior to that turd in every way, so hopefully it will sell better.

I think it IS a last gen Corolla.

I agree, if the front overhang was shorter it would help a lot. This is especially apparent in the front 3/4 view like the photo I posted. The design of it makes the overhang look even bigger in the view.

You and me both

There should be college grad as an option, with all of those student loans to pay. >.<

I 2nd Camino's thoughts.

Would you take it even has a convertible hardtop? I myself am not normally a fan of hardtop convertibles because the roof always looks weird, but this looks just like a fixed roof coupe when the roof is up. It looks so right. Balthazar, to me it has more of an Aston Martin shape to it than a Vette, but I can see how you could the connection. I like the diamond shapes on the side of it. I love this thing, I've even warmed up to the grill.

There's like no detailing to make this look luxurious. It looks about the same as a basic midsize car. There's no dash stitching for example. Even the Ram offers that now. It looks cheap, and looks ugly.

That looks rather small or those are huge boots.

Oh I'm subimitting one more:

I'm guessing Challenger, Ram, or F-150