Cadillac bringing ethanol hybrid chopper to LA Auto Show

Cadillac chief Jim Taylor likes him some motorcycles, so it's not all too surprising that he commissioned a Cadillac-themed chopper from Great American Chopper in Clawson, Michigan (at right). What is surprising is that Cadillac has commissioned a second chopper from V20 Consulting out of New York City that will be an ethanol hybrid capable of running on corn fuel or pure electrons. It can reportedly even reach 60 mph in just 4.5 seconds. Cadillac plans to unveil the bike at the LA Auto Show later this year, but the thing we can't figure out is what motorcycles or hybrid powertrains have to do with Cadillac, which has never been associated with either. The source says that the bike is supposed to display GM's "strength in science and technology". How about delivering the series hybrid Volt on time? That's the only evidence of GM's strength in science and technology that we need.

UPDATE: Cadillac contacted us to clarify that in fact it didn't commission either motorcycle, but both custom bike-building shops are building these choppers on their own, and Cadillac has given them permission to use its logo and branding. It was also pointed out that the Cadillac Escalade Two-Mode Hybrid is almost here, so in fact the wreath and crest will soon be getting its first hybrid.

Lock & Load: CTS-V to go hunting in Europe after all

Last week, we reported on a Top Gear piece that indicated Cadillac would not be sending the CTS-V super-sedan to Europe. Cadillac contacted us with some corrections and clarifications, which we now deliver to you. First, the CTS-V is going to Europe. That fantasy matchup in the likes of Auto Motor und Sport that pits it against the likes of the M5, RS6 and the AMG E-Class is bound to happen after all. Top Gear's complaint centered around the UK-market's particular situation. You see, the CTS-V is not going to Blighty in right-hand-drive form. The V-Series car is only being produced with the steering wheel on the left side of the IP, though the company STILL can (and intends to) offer a limited number of CTS-V sedans in the UK in LHD configuration, according to Caddy spokesman David Caldwell. This could be duplicated in other RHD markets as well, save for Australia, where apparently, the regulations are such that left-hand-drive vehicles are simply not an option. We won't shed a tear for Australia, though. They have plenty of cool stuff that we won't see either.

So, to sum up: the CTS-V will be exported. Europe will see it, and so might the UK, but with the steering wheel on the "wrong" side (as far as they're concerned).

Meet the 2009 Cadillac Escalade hybrid

This fall, GM is adding its 2-Mode hybrid drivetrain to the Cadillac Escalade in an attempt to actually make some money off the system. Those of you who thought the existing Tahoe and Yukon hybrids were too rich for the average Joe, with prices starting at $50,000, you might want skip right past the Escalade, which is expected to be priced in the mid-70s. The Escalade uses the same 6.0L V8 as the other Two-Mode hybrid vehicles and will be available with both rear- and four-wheel-drive. The extra mass of the better-equipped Escalade means that it loses 1 mpg compared to its lesser siblings, getting 20 mpg city and 21 mpg on the highway. Unfortunately it looks like Escalade hybrid buyers will still be saddled with those ridiculous "HYBRID" graphics along the rocker panels. If you're interested in a tour of what will likely be the second most expensive hybrid after the Lexus LS600h, check out the video after the jump.