Cadillac Lets the Sport Drip Down Through the CTS Ranks with New Recaro Seats

Cadillac's CTS is looking to infuse a little more pep into its luxurious step with the addition of Recaro buckets that are inherited from its rip-roaring steroid-infused twin, the 556-horsepower CTS-V. To outfit the Performance or Premium-trimmed CTS with Recaros, customers will end up dropping $2,800.

For that money, however, Cadillac says the seats provide 14 ways of adjusting comfort, including back/thigh buffers, seat cushion extenders, and French-stitched leather, along with the basics: microsuede inserts and that heating and cooling so many people love.

The Recaro seats will be available on both standard and V'd coupes and sedans, with no mention of the Sport Wagon.

If Cadillac wants the CTS to compete globally, they're going to need to have a sport/performance package on the wagon also available with those Recaros.

Just because the idea of an all-wheel-drive CTS Sport Wagon outfitted with Recaros and a 6-speed-backed turbodiesel power train may not appeal to anyone but car aficionados Stateside, it doesn't mean that Cadillac has to deprive consumers from other markets of such vehicles. Standard of the World and all that.

- By Phil Alex

Maserati Announces Quattroporte Awards Edition Special for Geneva Show

We've seen automakers creating special edition models for numerous reasons or occasions, but Maserati's decision to premiere a limited production version of the Quattroporte sedan to celebrate the 56 awards from automotive and lifestyle publications that the car has received during its six years of life, sounds like the Italians are either running low on cash or ideas - maybe even both...

The distinctiveness of the "Awards Edition" that is based on the range-topping Quattroporte Sport GT S with the upgraded 433HP V8 engine extends to both the exterior and interior appointments.

The special edition model is offered in a uniqueQuarzo fuso exterior colour which is a pearlescent metallic Grey with a golden hue.

Among the exclusive to this model exterior enhancements are the 20-inch Multi Trident dark grey rims in a satin finish, polished Brembo brake calipers and the burnished treatment used on the chrome parts, as well as on the side air vents and radiator surround.

Inside, the Poltrona Frau leather of the seats is combined with perforated Alcantara with a new pattern, and the headlining is also in Alcantara.

Completing the interior upgrades are the special brushed aluminium door sills and Piano Black satin-finish wood mouldings while the boot is finished in black trim and features chrome details and a leather side pocket.

The Quattroporte Sport GT S "Awards Edition" will be go on sale in the latter half of 2010.

New Kia Magentis Sedan to Debut at New York Show, Replaces Optima

An all-new generation of the Kia Magentis, known in several markets including the U.S. as the Optima, will have its world premiere at the New York International Auto Show in early April.

The teaser sketches of the 2011 Magentis suggest that the new sedan with the coupe-like roofline will be a much more interesting affair in terms of design than today's model and possibly more sportier looking than the larger Cadenza that will replace the Opirus in the States.

Kia said that the new Magentis will also be longer, lower and wider than the previous model, featuring a significantly longer wheelbase and will offer "considerably more" space for both people and luggage.

The South Korean firm's new proposal in the mid-size sedan segment is scheduled to reach North American shores from autumn 2010, while sales in Europe are expected to begin in the Spring of 2011.