The Gear Shift

Cadillac Provoq -- Click Image for Gallery

It was back to the GM booth this morning for the Cadillac press conference. Bob Lutz talked about GM’s E-Flex engine as “a product that changes everything” and “the next great shift in the automotive paradigm.”  And, with that, he introduced of the Cadillac Provoq (Read full story), a crossover (crossovers are super-hot this year) that runs on electricity powered by a hydrogen fuel cell engine. Imagine…300 miles of driving using no petroleum and with no emissions except for water vapor…amazing!

The launch transitioned from “green to mean” with the reveal to of the 2009 CTS-V, accompanied by the sound of gospel music. This car will be the fastest sedan in the world with a 550 hp engine taken from the top-of-the-line Corvette. (See '07 CTS-V)

And then, a well-kept secret (and more gospel music)…which is amazing because it seems like nothing has been kept a secret at this show…the debut of the CTS Coupe concept! And, I’m the only one from the group who got to see it.  Chris left the launch because he thought he’d seen it all!  Boy, did I have some bragging rights when I got back to the media room. :-)

According to the guy from GM, this car wasn’t supposed to exist. But once they saw the model, they had to build it.  It’s sleek on the side and bold from the front and rear, and can be powered by a diesel engine.

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