Day two of the 2015 North American International Auto Show in Detroit is still rife with new vehicles and other interesting bits. Here’s some of the more interesting pieces from Tuesday’s show:
1. 2016 Cadillac CTS-V
Who’s afraid of the big, bad Caddy? Plenty of cars should be. Cadillac’s kinda-luxury but especially pissed off CTS-V sedan returns with 640 horsepower, 630 foot-pounds of torque and a top speed that will smack 200 mph. What doesn’t return is the coupe, station wagon, or sadly, the manual transmission. Instead of the row-yer-own gearbox, the new 8L90 eight-speed auto comes equipped with Performance Algorithm Shifting and a launch control system. Brembo brakes, the next-gen MagnaRide system and available Recaro seats are just some of the options on the list. The -V should appear later this summer.
2. Ram Rebel
First things first: this is NOT a Raptor-fighter. If you want one of those you need to go back a year or two and locate a Ram Runner. This is more akin to a Chevy Z71 or a Ford FX4, but with just a little more going on. Based on the shorted crew-cab 1500, the Rebel comes with either the 3.6L V6 or the 5.7 Hemi, either coupled to the TorqueFlite 8 automatic. This is the first Ram since 1990 to not have a cross-hair grille, instead opting for one huge name badge in the center of a twin-collar grille. Out back, again there’s no question what you are following, as the “RAM” letters stamped into the tailgate are big enough to be seen from the next county. The Rebel does have a neat trick, in that it incorporates an air suspension that can raise the truck up an inch more for clearance. See those seats? That’s the tread pattern for the tires.
3. More Ford GT fallout…It will race in 2015, and is the cover car for Forza 6
Without question, the biggest bombshell so far at the show is the Ford GT, and with the GT350R and Raptor alongside it, you’d think that Ford would just sit back and watch the rest of the manufacturers scramble to get something together. Nope…first Ford announced that the GT will race in 2015. TUDOR championships in the GTLM class are a given, most likely under Chip Ganassi Racing, and the car is legal for LeMans under LM-GTE as well.
And then, as if it was icing on the cake of smugness that Ford no doubt has right now, it was announced that the Ford GT is the cover car, and an available car, in the upcoming Forza 6 video game.
Two days down, more to come. Stay tuned!
I was a Chevy truck guy until we got our first Ram in the early 2000s. Since then there’s always been a Ram in the driveway. Typically with a Cummins. But that grill is absolutely hideous. Ram stated that they wanted to gauge public interest for a styling change. I’m here to say it doesn’t exist! I have been looking forward to the new Titan, specifically for the 5.0 Cummins, but it looks like it was designed by a kid with crayolas. WTF! Maybe I can convince the wife I need a 60-63 Chevy with a Cummins swap and modern chassis. I just can’t take these Micky Mouse styling exercises anymore. The CTS V is sexy, but no manual? WTF #2 My last sport sedan was a 735i with a stick. I don’t give a damn if an automatic is more precise/efficient ect. at that price point I want to be able to choose. What good is 600+ HP if I cant rip 2nd gear donuts in the country club parking lot?
I have a 14 Ram Outdoorsman crew in my driveway and a 14 Chevy Z71 crew.
When given the choice I always take the Chevy. It’s quieter, rides better, and tows better than the Ram, seats are more comfortable too.
are you positive on that transmission on the dodge? It doesn’t sound quite right
From the press release:
“The class-exclusive eight-speed automatic transmission (TorqueFlite 8) – standard equipment with the Rebel’s 3.6-liter V-6 Pentastar and 5.7-liter HEMI V-8 engines, which improves drivability and enhances fuel efficiency.”
ok its a ZF series then I think an 8 speed ZF8HP
Why does Dodge feel compelled to put “Ram” or a Rams head on every surface of their trucks? Test drove a Cummins, jeez, I get it , it’s a Ram. I knew that before I came to the dealer
I’m a Dodge Ram owner and I agree. It’s just getting out of control. Same thing with the Ford Raptor. The emblems on these things are getting bigger than billboard letters. Pretty soon the whole hood will be shaped like a giant ram hood ornament. And the entire tailgate will be made out of welded together R-A-M letters.
Kinda makes you think they are marketing more to kids, than adults? All the plastic transformer-looking crud.