Cadillac is America's most prestigious domestic luxury automaker and is owned by General Motors. Cadillac was founded in 1902 by Henry Martyn Leland, a manufacturer of automotive components. Leland built the Cadillac Osceola, America's first concept car and first 'closed-body' car. The idea fired up public imagination and 'closed-body' cars became popular throughout the industry. Cadillac was renowned for custom building, craftsmanship and standardized parts. General Motors purchased the brand in 1909, owing to the success of the "Model A" and the "30". Cadillac became General Motors's luxury car division, and pioneered a V8, the thermostatic control of a cooling system, and offered dash-controlled headlights. The brand produced some dynamic and capable V12 and V16 engines in the 1930s. Following the post war years after 1945, Cadillac vehicles rolled out with tail fins and shiny new chrome-trim, setting the style for American cars. By the 1960s, tailfins made way for vertical taillights, a new design touch. The Fleetwood Sixty Special with vertical taillights was among Cadillac's most successful cars of the time.

With the onset of the oil crisis in the 1970s, began the downturn of the company's fortunes, as Cadillac's large vehicles lost public favor. Cadillac downsized many of its vehicles, but to no avail. Soon it came out with a diesel engine that earned a reputation for performance. In the 1980s were launched the Seville, the Cimarron, Chevy Cavalier, and some new V8s. But with the availability and popularity of new imports, Cadillac's days were numbered. By the 2000s, Cadillac's new 'Art

Today's Cadillacs are known for their powerful engines, clean lines and generous luxury features. The current lineup of Cadillac includes the CTS, CTS-V, DTS, Escalade, Escalade ESV, Escalade EXT, SRX, STS, STS-V, XLR and XLR-V.


Cadillac CTS ($29,925-51,425)
The 2008 Cadillac CTS is redesigned and gets new styling, more power, and new standard features. Rear-wheel-drive is standard; all-wheel-drive is offered for the first time. Trims include Base and Direct Injection models. The base model is powered by a 263-horsepower 3.6-liter V6; the Direct Injection model receives a 304-horsepower V6 engine; both team with a 6-speed manual or a 6-speed automatic.

Cadillac CTS-V ($51,425)
The high-performance Cadillac CTS-V has a 6.0 liter 400-hp V8 engine. A 6-speed manual transmission is standard. The CTS-V has GM's Magnetic Ride Control suspension and "Performance Traction Management" system. Performance enhancements such as the Wheel Performance Package and Wheel Sport Appearance Package, run-flat tires, navigation system with voice activation are standard on CTS-V. ABS, front-side airbags, curtain side airbags, and OnStar assistance are standard.

Cadillac DTS ($42,620-50,120)
The 2008 Cadillac DTS comes with a new Platinum Edition Package. The front-wheel drive DTS comes in base, Luxury I, Luxury II, Luxury III, and Performance trims. All DTS models receive a 4.6-liter V8 engine and 4-speed automatic transmission. Base and Luxury models have an output of 275 hp; the Performance version has 292. The high-end Platinum Edition Package is available only on the Performance trim.

Cadillac Escalade ($54,145-59,640)
The 2008 Cadillac Escalade features a new Platinum model to its lineup. The Escalade is a large SUV and is available as a wagon in standard trim or a long-wheelbase ESV; the Escalade EXT is a crew-cab pickup truck with a folding mid-gate. Standard-length and ESV wagons can seat seven or eight (optional). All Escalade models share a 403-hp 6.2-liter V8 engine and a 6-speed automatic transmission across the board.

Cadillac Escalade ESV ($58,490- $81,595)
The 2008 Cadillac ESV is available as a wagon with a long-wheelbase; ESV wagons can seat seven or eight (optional). For 2008, ESV gets rear-wheel drive for the first time, but all-wheel-drive is available. The ESV is powered by a 403-hp 6.2-liter V8 engine and a 6-speed automatic transmission. The NHTSA awarded a five-star frontal and side-impact rating to the 2008 Cadillac ESV model.

Cadillac Escalade EXT ($54,890)
The 2008 Escalade EXT is a crew-cab pickup truck with a folding mid-gate. EXT models come in AWD only. It is equipped with a 403-hp 6.2-liter V8 engine and a 6-speed automatic transmission. The NHTSA awarded a five star frontal and side impact rating to the 2008 EXT model. A heavy duty Trailering Package is available.

Cadillac SRX ($37,615-44,615)
The 2008 Cadillac SRX continues without any major changes for the new model year. The SRX is a crossover that comes in two trims with a V6 or V8 engine. V6 models are equipped with a 255-hp 3.6-liter engine and a 5-speed automatic transmission; V8 models receive a 320-hp 4.6-liter engine and a 6-speed automatic. V8 models can be equipped with GM's Magnetic Ride Control. Rear-wheel drive is standard; all-wheel drive is optional. SRX seats up to seven and has a split-folding 2nd-row seat which slides to make extra legroom or cargo space.

Cadillac STS ($43,215-78,215)
The 2008 Cadillac STS receives improved styling and a more powerful V6 engine. The STS is available in V6, V8, and STS-V models. All come with a 6-speed automatic. Rear-wheel-drive is standard; all-wheel-drive is available. V6 models are equipped with a 302-horsepower 3.6-liter engine. V8 models receive a 320-horsepower 4.6-liter V8 engine. The STS-V gets a supercharged V8 engine that makes 469 horsepower.

Cadillac STS-V ($78,215)
The 2008 Cadillac STS-V model comes with a 6-speed automatic; rear-wheel-drive is standard. The STS-V uses a Supercharged 4.4L Northstar V8 SC with 469 horsepower and unique trim. The car gets high-performance Brembo disk brakes; limited slip differential; premium ZF Servotronic II steering and performance-tuned suspension.

Cadillac XLR ($80,650-99,160)
The 2008 Cadillac XLR is a two-seat sporty car, based on the Chevrolet Corvette, but with exclusive styling, a power-folding hardtop, and different powertrains. For 2008, the XLR gets improved suspension tuning and a new Platinum Edition option package. Base models have a 320-hp 4.6-liter V8 engine. High-performance XLR-V versions receive a supercharged, 443-hp 4.4-liter V8. A 6-speed automatic is standard.

Cadillac XLR-V ($99,160- $100,660)
The 2008 Cadillac XLR-V is powered by a Supercharged 4.4L Northstar V8 SC that achieves 443 hp teamed with a rear-mounted, 6-speed, Rear-Wheel-Drive, automatic overdrive transmission and Performance Algorithm Shifting, Driver Shift Control (DSC) for clutch-less manual operation. The XLR-V makes 0-60 in 4.6 seconds, the quickest production Cadillac ever made.