Getting your player ready...
Opportunity to size up all the cars and trucks, to compare the lean with the mean, is at hand – the Denver Auto Show.
My appreciation of the contrasts was renewed by driving to the show in a Mitsubishi Outlander, a couple days after giving up the keys to the Cadillac CTS-V Wagon. Imagine the difference, the Outlander’s 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine with continuously variable transmission against the Cadillac’s supercharged, 556-horsepower V-8 with 6-speed manual.
The wagon completes a circle of fun for me with the most powerful Cadillacs ever built; last year I tested the CTS-V sedan and coupe. Only three or four twin-clutch/launch control models are quicker.
The big show got underway Wednesday night at the Colorado Convention Center. It continues from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. today and will finish from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday. The CTS-V models and the Outlander are among more than 500 new vehicles on display.
Five earned special attention just prior to opening of the show, being named “vehicles of the year” by members of the Rocky Mountain Automotive Press.
Winners announced by Nathan Adlen, vice president of RMAP, during the Colorado Automobile Dealers Association Charity Party Wednesday, are:
The Cadillac CTS Coupe, with crisp lines and sharp-edged finish, as New Vehicle of the Year. This category covered new-to-market or redesigned entries; the CTS Coupe edged the Nissan Juke for top honors.
The Jeep Grand Cherokee, honored often in its 18-year existence, was named SUV of the Year for its excellent ride and offroad capabilities. It outpolled the new Ford Explorer.
The Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD, Pickup Truck of the Year, “is capable of pulling a 17,800-pound trailer,” said Adlen in presenting the award. Other contenders were the GMC Sierra 3500 HD and the Toyota Tacoma.
The Ford Fiesta, which was my Memorial Day drive last May, earned honors as High Mileage Vehicle of the Year. Rated at 40 miles per gallon on the highway, the Fiesta delivered 37.3 overall for me. The Toyota Prius hybrid was runnerup.
The futuristically styled Hyundai Sonata sedan broke up the Detroit-based manufacturers’ celebration of wins by being named Car of the Year, edging the already honored CTS Coupe. Styling and 30-plus mpg readings have made a hit of the Korean-based Sonata.
The arrival of Camp Jeep, an opportunity for showgoers to ride in Jeeps in an offroad-type setting, swelled floor space to a largest-ever 500,000 square feet, and those I visited with liked what they saw. Satisfaction with the mainstream-like appearance of two electric vehicles, the Nissan Leaf and Chevrolet Volt, was mentioned.
While the show drew plaudits, Convention Center parking was subject of a couple complaints. “I pulled into the garage, twisted around and around the tight-walled climb to the parking floors, then was charged $12 to park, that was more expensive than the admission to the show ($10),” said a driver from Jefferson County, who preferred anonymity.
As for the Cadillac CTS-V Wagon last week, matching a 6-speed manual transmission to the Corvette-like 6.2-liter engine added to the awesome quality of the cool car, an enthusiast’s delight. The shifter is quick and precise.
Its low-slung look and crisp style, highlighted with mesh grille and air dam, make the wagon equally appealing to the coupe and sedan.
Sapele wood trim, heated and cooled leather seats, Bose surround sound and a large, very clear rearview camera image are among interior highlights. Though rear-seat space is somewhat limited, cargo space expands to 58 cubic feet with the rear seats folded.
The wagon lacked the optional ultraview sunroof, otherwise the sticker price would have neared $70,000. Its price of $68,140 was within a few hundred dollars of stickers on the CTS-V sedan and coupe driven earlier.
2011 Cadillac CTS-V Wagon
$68,140
(price as tested)
MPG City 14 Highway 19
Vehicle type: Premium performance wagon
Wheelbase: 113.4 inches
Length/Width/Height: 191.3/72.6/59.1 inches
Weight: 4,390 pounds
Engine: 6.2-liter supercharged V-8
Transmission: 6-speed manual
Fuel mileage: 15.9 mpg
Fuel tank: 18 gallons
Warranty: 4 years/50,000 miles basic; 5/100,000 powertrain
Competitors: Mercedes-Benz E class wagon, BMW 5 series wagon
Built at: Lansing, Mich.
THE STICKER
$62,115 base
$4,850 Recaro heated/ventilated front seats, 19-inch wheels, sapele wood trim
$875 Destination
PLUSES
Performance
Handling
Prize-winning style
MINUSES
Fuel usage
Tight rear legroom
