The CTS — Sharpening Cadillac’s Edge
Cadillac’s first CTS model introduced the automaker’s new edgy styling to a market segment that tends to be quite conservative. And although the design had its share of critics, it helped revitalize Caddy’s image and it has survived the test of time.

The CTS has been quite a hit for Cadillac, but the car was far from perfect and the entrance luxury level is hyper competitive, so no one can bet on the status quo. To retain its market momentum, the new CTS has upped the performance, brought the interior to luxury levels, and added elegance to the sharp edge styling. The result is a car that offers more than its top import competitors and should continue to build the brand’s recognition with luxury buyers.

Today’s benchmark for up-level six-cylinder engines is 300 horsepower, a figure that a short time ago was considered quite decent for a V8. Cadillac meets this goal by reworking its excellent 3.6-liter, four-valve V6 with direct injection and raised compression to corral 304 horses. And it delivers the ponies without a decrease in fuel economy over the standard 263-horsepower version.

Both engine offerings are well isolated from the interior, announcing their presence only when called upon, and both are available with either a six-speed manual or automatic gearbox. The CTS remains rear wheel drive, with sophisticated short-long-arm suspension up front and multilink at the rear for great handling. And an advanced all-wheel-drive system is available for a very reasonable $1,900.

Cadillac’s CTS has the firm, controlled ride that is typically found in European sedans. But to address a wider range of driver’s preferences, three levels of suspension tuning are offered. The FE1 is standard and skews to comfort without sacrificing control. The FE2 ups the spring rates and sway bar specifications while fitting Bilstein shock absorbers for even more authority. And the FE3 track-rated suspension brings the Caddy to BMW firmness.

Since it’s not just performance that sells luxury cars, the Cadillac team spent some quality time inside the new CTS. The result is an interior that looks and feels like the best of the class while retaining its brand heritage. From the analog instrument grouping to the hand-sewn finishes and soft surfaces, the CTS cabin is a nice place to spend time.

If the excellent navigation system is optioned, a screen raises above the center stack and entertains occupants with a dramatic logo presentation. The DVD-based system supports XM real-time traffic and presents trouble spots in a simple map and location split screen display. And the 40-gig hard drive audio supports iPods, MP3s, and digital audio sources with playlists. It also has USB inputs and live broadcast recording capability.

There are a few cars that come along that I could very easily live with. The new CTS is clearly one that makes that short list. The surprise is not only how good this car is, but how affordably priced.
— Brian Douglas

Specifications

Type: Front engine, rear-wheel drive

Engine: 3.6-liter, DOHC V6

Horsepower: 304 @ 6,400 rpm

Torque: 273 foot-pounds @ 5,200 rpm

Premium Collection: $42,500


Beach Village At The Del
The Hotel del Coronado recently unveiled 35 cottages and villas known as Beach Village. Inspired by the hotel’s coastal architectural style, the two- and three-bedroom suites offer dining and living spaces with fully-equipped kitchens and gourmet-quality appliances, fireplaces, spa-style baths with soaking tubs, and spacious oceanview balconies and private terraces. Within this new enclave, private pools and hot tubs are surrounded by cabanas, personalized concierge service, and private access to the beach. Modern amenities include Bose surround sound systems and docking stations, large flat panel TVs, wireless Internet, and much more. Rates at Beach Village range from $750 to $5,000 a night. (800/HOTEL-DEL, www.hoteldel.com) — Jane Shiomi


Tee Up For Kids
The San Diego Center for Children’s 17th annual Tee Up for Kids golf tournament will take place on Monday, October 15, at the Santaluz Club, a member’s-only Rees Jones championship golf course. The golf tournament begins with registration at 9am and a shotgun start scheduled for 11am. A dinner and awards ceremony will begin at 5pm. Proceeds from the event will support the San Diego Center for Children’s residence program, learning academy, and music and recreational therapy programs. The San Diego Center for Children offers one of the nation’s most comprehensive programs for kids with behavioral, emotional, social, and educational issues. For additional information, please call Nicole Ring. (858/569-2148) — Jane Shiomi

Let There Be Rocks
Norwegian jewelry designers Heyerdahl Juvelèr have created what is arguably the most expensive iPod Shuffle to date. Comprised of 18-karat white and pink gold, and hand set with 430 diamonds equaling almost five carats, the iDiamond, as it’s called, currently sits in the Heyerdahl flagship store in Oslo. The $40,000 gadget, which includes diamond earphones as well, is currently not for sale, but the company does take requests for custom jewelry designs. Perhaps if you mail your new iPhone to them they’ll dip it in gold and make it sparkle. Or simply wait until someone makes a diamond-encrusted iPhone here stateside. I’m sure it won’t be long, as diamonds seem to find their way onto the strangest of gadgets these days, including microphones, flashdrives, GPS devices, and even fishing lures. (In the future, you’ll have to ask what people mean when they say they’re going ice fishing.) Visit their site for more information on the flashy music player or to get a gander at some of their impressive gemstone accessories. (www.heyerdahl.no)


It’s All In The Wrist
Brando’s new MP4 Watch II doubles the memory from its first version to four gigs, about the same as an iPod Shuffle. MP4s, for the uninitiated, are the same video files that play on the iPod Video and most other multimedia devices, meaning this watch will play movies downloaded from iTunes and the like. For its size you’re not going to get HD clarity, but the two inches of 65,000, 160- x 128-pixel high resolution isn’t bad. A USB connector makes it simple to swap data between a computer and your wrist, allowing for photos, music, movies, e-books, and more. It also doubles as an FM radio, offers five different EQ modes, and has a microphone function to record memos. It comes with earphones, an AC adapter, CD software, and a USB cable. Unfortunately, it is only compatible with Windows Operating Systems, so Mac users will have to wait their turn. The real dilemma — is this a callback to those calculator watches that rose many to geekdom in the ’80s, or have we moved past that into a new era of digital fashion? $120. (http://watch.brando.com.hk/)


Mixmaster
Ever go to a bar and get a drink that is so laden with alcohol you’re sure you could sterilize a Scottish commode simply by breathing on it? Do away with poorly mixed drinks and oblivious bartenders (and save money on overpriced libations) with your own personal bartender right at home. The My Fountain Virtual bartender by Digital Beverages allows you to program your drinks to your personal taste. The machine accommodates up to 16 different ingredients at one time, including mixers, liquor, concentrates, water, and more. Touch screen technology makes it easy to just choose your drink and let the machine do the rest. All operations are password protected, and once hooked up to your phone line, the machine can even order more liquor straight from distributors. While the machine was designed for use in bars, it is also available for home bar installation, and the company will come to your residence and set it up for you. $2,500. (www.digitalbeverages.com) — Ryan Thomas
 
 


© 2007 Rocket Publishing Company, Inc.    760.942.2330     P.O. Box 676130, Rancho Santa Fe, CA 92067