58 winners in Cadillac Driving Experience At Yas Marina

58 lucky winners of the Cadillac Driving Experience from around the region were treated to a five-star weekend at The Yas Hotel in Abu Dhabi, highlighted by “intense action” on the Yas Marina Circuit, the world-famous Formula 1 track.

The height of the experience was when the guests performed hot laps on the Yas Marina Circuit with the Cadillac CTS-V, the world’s most powerful production V8 sedan and maneuvering laps with the boldly designed CTS sedan. After being treated to a five-star meal at the Yas Hotel, participants drove the SRX, Cadillac’s recently launched luxury crossover vehicle, on a skid pan to highlight its excellent handling.

The experience began when guests from around the region were picked up from their homes in a luxurious Cadillac Escalade, and those flying in to Abu Dhabi were treated to Gold Class service at the airport.

“The CTS exceeded my expectations to the extent that I was shocked with its handling and performance,” said Hamad Jemaz, from Kuwait.

The CTS entry level luxury sedan has proven very popular in the region, with a bold exterior design and a handcrafted interior featuring the latest technology. The CTS has a fast, coupé-like profile and standard nine-spoke, 18-inch wheels with polished aluminium trims, while elegant, handcrafted details highlight the unique and inviting interior of the CTS.

“For me, the CTS-V is great. There’s no car like it when it comes to speed. As far as I’m concerned, there is no better car in its class,” said Majid Al Emari from Saudi Arabia.

The highly demanded CTS-V is the world’s most powerful V8 production sedan with 556 hp (net) and an acceleration time of 3.9 seconds from 0 to 100 km/h. Car Middle East magazine awarded the CTS-V the illustrious title of “2009 Best Executive Car”.

Another coveted vehicle that was tested on the track was the all-new SRX.“The SRX is very luxurious and is very competitive in its segment. I really can’t compare it to any other vehicle because for me it’s the best crossover I’ve ever driven. I like the style and the ambience inside it, especially the hand-stitched leather. From what we got to see for ourselves, it also feels very poised and safe,” said Ahmad Al Awad from Abu Dhabi.

The all-new SRX has been hailed by experts as a leader in the luxury crossover segment, capturing multiple industry accolades including Middle East Car magazine’s “2009 Best Mid-Size SUV”. In its short time in the market, the SRX has generated an impressive number of bookings, selling out at dealerships across the region in record time.

“I would like to thank Cadillac for organizing and gathering like-minded Cadillac customers together from across the UAE and the Gulf. It is such a nice event that anyone would have loved to take part in, especially with such a range of impressive luxury cars to drive,” said Ammar Abdullatif from Jordan.

The 58 winners from Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Oman, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, Lebanon and Jordan took part in a one-month campaign that invited people from around the Middle East to visit Cadillac showrooms and book a test drive. Participants were entered into the draw for a two-night stay at The Yas Hotel, over the weekend of May 6-7, with one full day dedicated to experiencing the Cadillac CTS-V, CTS sedan and SRX mid-size luxury crossover.

“The latest in Cadillac’s award-winning lineup of quality vehicles, the CTS, CTS-V and SRX each deliver a unique experience of luxury, and we wanted people to see this for themselves by booking a test drive. We are confident that the positive word of mouth generated by this event will complement the already high demand on hot sellers like the SRX,” said Thierry Sabbagh, Regional Brand Manager, Cadillac, GM Middle East.

Offering peace of mind and low cost of ownership is a focal point of the Cadillac experience, which is why every Cadillac vehicle comes with a free bumper-to-bumper and four-year or 100,000 km warranty, including free service and maintenance, as well as free 24-hour regional roadside assistance.