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Lutz dishes dirt on GM in latest Autoline Detroit

Bob Lutz sits down for Autoline Detroit - Click above to watch video after the jump
Autoline Detroit recently played host to Bob Lutz, and, as is always the case, the former General Motors vice chairman dished out some great commentary. Lutz was promoting his new book Car Guys vs. Bean Counters: The Battle for the Soul of American Business, and talk quickly turned to his role as it related to product development and high-level decision making at GM. While on the topic of brand management, Lutz revealed a few rather interesting tidbits about his former employer:
All Chevrolet vehicles were required to have five-spoke aluminum wheels and a chrome band up front, as part of the Bowtie brand's overall image.

2015 Cadillac Escalade on sale in April priced at $71,695*

With the fourth-generation Cadillac Escalade set to go on sale in April, Cadillac has released the pricing data for its fullsize luxury SUV. While there's no retail configurator yet, the data posted on AOL Autos - and confirmed by Cadillac - shows that the 2015 Escalade will have a starting price of $71,695 (*not including $995 for destination).
This new starting price is about $8,000 more than the outgoing model, but Cadillac is quick to point out that the latest 'Slade is packed with more standard equipment in the new base Standard trim that actually puts it more on par with the midlevel Premium trim on the 2014 model (currently priced at $73,245). These new standard features include Magnetic Ride Control, LED headlights and taillights and 20-inch wheels.
Stepping up to the 2015 Escalade Luxury, the price increases to $75,695 and includes added equipment like 22-inch wheels, head-up display, power fold-and-tumble second-row seats and safety systems such as forward collision warning and lane departure warning. The top-rung 2015 Escalade Premium will start at $80,195 adding features such as a rear-seat entertainment system, illuminated exterior door handles and the Driver Assist Package consisting of front and rear automatic braking and adaptive cruise control.

How GM's grueling 24-hour test gets the kinks out of its performance cars

One of the biggest challenges automakers face when designing a high-performance car is making sure that it is both fast and reliable. For General Motors, any car that might be taken to the track by its owner - like the Corvette, Camaro Z/28 (shown above) and the Cadillac CTS-V, for example - undergoes a rigorous and strenuous 24-hour test by engineers at the Milford Proving Grounds, as pointed out by Car and Driver.
We've posted on this topic in the past - on a video showing the Camaro ZL1 being brutalized, for instance - but this article gives a more in-depth look at what actually happens behind the scenes... including what that poor ZL1 went through. Though the test isn't for 24 hours straight, the cars are pushed as hard as possible by some of GM's best drivers with only the brakes and tires replaced frequently.
We don't want to ruin the fun for you, but it is an interesting article that tells just some of what GM does to develop its sports cars. Check out the full article over at Car and Driver for the rest of the story.