GM Recalling 47,401 Cadillac SRX Crossovers Over Airbag Software Issue

A potential issue with an air-curtain air bag that may not deploy during a crash has prompted the U.S. recall of 47,401 Cadillac SRX crossovers from the 2011 model year. For the same reason, 3,099 vehicles are being recalled in Mexico and Canada, with GM stating that the problem is only in North America.

The Detroit automaker said the car’s computer is programmed to turn off the right side roof-rail airbag if someone is not sitting in the front passenger seat thus not protecting the rear occupants in the event of a crash. GM said it will reprogramme the system to allow the air-curtain to open even if the front passenger seat is not occupied. The company added that it is not aware of any injuries or complaints related to this issue.

As expected, GM’s dealers will reprogram the sensing and diagnostic module free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin on or about June 17, 2011

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Last Cadillac DTS Heads to Bulgari Collection

It may not be anywhere close to being a historic model for Cadillac, but for some, the outgoing DTS has a special place in their wish list. In fact so special that Nicola Bulgari of the renowned Italian jewelry, perfume and more recently hotel chain family, decided to add the last DTS to roll off the production line to his personal car collection.

“Is it important?” Nicola Bulgari asked. “Is it the number or the quality that matters? It’s the quality. I like the DTS because it’s a great sedan,” said Bulgari. “It’s the last of an era. I thought it would be wonderful to own the last Northstar in a DTS. It’s one of the best engines ever designed – reliable and a performer.”

The full-size sedan that is more widely known around the world for being the U.S. presidential car will join an impressive range of vintage American models in Bulgari’s collection housed at facilities in Rome, Italy and Allentown, Pa. The grandson of a Greek silversmith who opened a jewelry shop in Rome in 1884 owns several other Cadillac and LaSalle cars, the latter of which was a sister brand to Cadillac from 1927 to 1940, his first being a 1938 Cadillac V-16 Town Car that he bought when he was 25 years-old.

“It was quite an experience to drive that car because the quality was second to none,” Bulgari said about the V-16 Town Car. “The suspension design, the power, the engine… Everything was built with extraordinary quality.”

Bulgari’s collection of Cadillac and LeSalle models include:

• 1932 Cadillac 355B V-12 Fleetwood Limousine
• 1934 Cadillac Model 355B Series 20 Sedan
• 1934 LaSalle Coupe
• 1940 LaSalle Convertible Coupe
• 1940 Cadillac Series 62 Convertible Sedan
• 1941 Cadillac Series 61 Sedanette
• 1947 Cadillac Model 7533 Limousine
• 1949 Cadillac Model 7533 Limousine
• 1949 Cadillac Convertible Coupe
• 1954 Cadillac Series 54-62 Fleetwood Sedan
• 1970 Cadillac Coupe DeVille

The Roman-born vice chairman of the Bulgari Group and honorary president of the Italian Government Tourist Board is also the owner of three recent Cadillac models including the 2009 XLR-V Coupe equipped with a special Bulgari speedometer, a 2010 CTS Wagon and 2009 CTS-V Sedan.

“Of the three, the Sedan, Coupe and Wagon, the Wagon stands out in front of all the competition,” Bulgari said. “It makes the competition look ludicrous.” Talking about the CTS-V, Bulgari added: “I have news for you with a V. I want to see some Ferrari or Lamborghini on the road and I will give him a lesson. They’ll never expect it.”

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FAB Design's Cadillac Escalade Proves Money Can't Buy Taste

Swiss-based tuning firm Fab Design will no doubt raise a few eyebrows with its most recent work on the Cadillac Escalade. Roland Rysanek, the owner of the aftermarket company, which specializes on Mercedes-Benz models, found himself in front of a dilemma when asked by a North African client to modify the heavyweight American SUV.

Rysanek eventually accepted the job, as the eccentric owner was a loyal client with plenty of Fab Design Mercedes models parked in his garage. Anything for a devoted customer, right? Well, this particular client wanted the car to look like no other Escalade and to have an interior lined with genuine snake leather and crocodile-imitating leather – lots of it.

However, this decision attracted the fury of animal rights group Pro Wildlife, which said too many snakes are being tormented for the sake of luxury lovers. Roland Rysanek replied that the leather used on the car comes from snakes that have been killed without causing them pain.

Moving away from the wild cabin, the Fab Design Escalade sports an equally shocking exterior. Nothing has been left untouched: the headlights, colossal grille, the large round fog lights, taillights, rims, obscured tailgate glass (why?), bumpers and the list continues on and on. Even the massive side sills are unique as they lower down when the doors open, thus acting as stepping boards.

Under the hood, Fab Design kept the Cadillac Escalade’s stock 6.2-liter V8 engine, which pumps out 409 horsepower. The owner did not reveal the price he paid for the transformation of the Escalade into the vehicle you see pictured below.

By Dan Mihalascu

Source: Auto Bild

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Cadillac Recalling 2010MY SRX Crossover to Fix Power Steering Line

General Motors said on Thursday it is issuing a voluntary safety recall of 3,996 Cadillac SRX crossovers from the 2010 model year due to a possible damage to the power steering line. According to the company, if the line is damaged, power steering fluid could leak and make its way onto hot engine parts resulting in a fire. GM said it is aware of one such fire in an unattended SRX related to this condition.

"Based on GM analysis, the issue is believed to exist in only two or three of the recalled vehicles," the company said in a statement.

The affected vehicles were built in December 2009, with 3,460 of those sold in the United States, while 341 were exported to China.

The Detroit automaker said it will notify owners of the recalled SRX models and schedule an appointment for inspection with any necessary repairs to be performed free of charge.

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