Southeastern Guide Dogs At The Sarasota Studio
The Sarasota Studio, the newest addition to the Dimmitt Automotive Group, hosted the Southeastern Guide Dogs this past week. Southeastern Guide Dogs sold 50 life sized dog sculptures to local businesses in order to raise funds to train guide dogs. Dimmitt Automotive Group & The Sarasota Studio is a proud supporter of Southeastern Guide Dogs and was thankful for the opportunity to host this special night where 10 of the first sculptures were unveiled.
A special sculpture named “Argent Guardian” was dedicated to The Dimmitt Automotive Group & The Sarasota Studio. Argent Guardian features silver automotive paint and also Ferrari red automotive paint. Argent Guardian is proudly on display in The Sarasota Studio and we invite everyone to stop on your next visit to Downtown Sarasota.
About Southeastern Guide Dogs
Founded in 1982, Southeastern Guide Dogs serves more than 400 graduates across the U.S. and continues to place more than 100 dogs each year into careers benefitting people with visual impairments, and veterans. The charity provides all of its services free of charge and receives no government funding.
For more information on Southeastern Guide Dogs, please visit: www.guidedogs.org
The Sarasota Studio: Grand Opening
The Sarasota Studio hosted a special Grand Opening for clients last Friday night. Clients were invited to browse the selection of cars, meet The Sarasota Studio team members, and enjoy some delicious cuisine and live music.
The Sarasota Studio is an exciting addition for the Dimmitt Automotive Group. Dimmitt Automotive Group has hundreds of luxury clients in the Sarasota area. The new location provides a better venue to serve the Sarasota-Venice-Bradenton-Lakewood Ranch area guests and provide them with the legendary Dimmitt experience.
Visit: www.thesarasotastudio.com for more information on The Sarasota Studio in Downtown Sarasota, Florida.
The Road to Recovery
For three years, the Dimmitt Automotive Group has been committed to the American Cancer Society and their “Road to Recovery” Program. Every day thousands of cancer patients need a ride to treatment, but some may not have a way to get there. The American Cancer Society’s Road to Recovery Program provides transportation to and from treatment for people who have cancer who do not have a ride or are unable to drive themselves. Volunteer drivers donate their time and the use of their cars so that patients can receive the life-saving treatments they need.
The Dimmitt Automotive Group has been a proud supporter of this program. We have trained our courtesy drivers to best help those in need of transportation to and from the treatments. All of our courtesy drivers say they feel satisfied and very fortunate to be able to do this for people. Giving back to the community and helping those who need the transportation is what it’s all about. Thanks to Mr. Dimmitt’s generosity, hundreds of rides have been given in Dimmitt Automotive Group vehicles.
The program has come a long way, and the Dimmitt Automotive Group is looking forward to seeing it grow as we will continue to provide transportation to as many patients as possible! To date, the Dimmitt Automotive Group has provided over 450 rides to patients around the Hillsborough/Pinellas County area. We’re proud of all of our team members who have embraced this program. We are thankful for the opportunity The American Cancer Society provides, which allows us to improve the lives of others.
Visit: www.cancer.org to learn how you can get involved with The American Cancer Society.
On Friday, The Sarasota Studio was officially opened. Suzanne Atwell, vice mayor of Sarasota and Peter Dimmitt, co-President of Dimmitt Automotive Group, proudly cut the ribbon in front of The Sarasota Studio.
The Sarasota Studio is an exciting addition for the Dimmitt Automotive Group. Dimmitt Automotive Group has hundreds of luxury clients in the Sarasota area. The new location provides a better venue to serve the Sarasota-Venice-Bradenton-Lakewood Ranch area guests and provide them with the legendary Dimmitt experience. Guests are invited to stop by The Sarasota Studio to browse 70+ luxury preowned vehicles and also the unique art which can be found throughout The Sarasota Studio.
Visit: www.thesarasotastudio.com for more information on The Sarasota Studio in Downtown Sarasota, Florida.
Why The CT6 Is Cadillac’s Square-Peg Sedan
LOS ANGELES — As Cadillac prepares to launch the new CT6 large sedan, it’s trying something different in its long-running bid to challenge the German luxury brands.
It’s being different.
With almost every new entry in recent years, Cadillac has tried to match BMW, Mercedes and Audi. The Cadillac ATS and CTS sedans were developed almost inch for inch to the dimensions of their German peers, drop for drop to the engine displacement — and yes, nearly dollar for dollar on sticker price. Same with Cadillac’s go-fast V series variants, which took dead aim at the horsepower ratings and the 0-to-60 times of the German models.
But the CT6 that hits showrooms in March is its own animal. It’s a fresh approach to the big-boy luxury sedan category, one that defies categorization in terms of its size, interior space and price. As Cadillac President Johan de Nysschen told auto journalists during a media test drive here last week: “It is a car like no other.”
Big talk, for sure. But he’s got some numbers to back him up.
Even though its dimensions straddle the midsize and large-sedan categories, the CT6 looks every bit the part of a large luxury car.
It’s got serious road presence, with a long hood and low, wide stance. Its cavernous interior rivals BMW’s 7 series and Mercedes’ S class in space.
But General Motors’ alternative approach to the CT6’s chassis development has rendered it lighter than even the smaller CTS. GM is using a mix of aluminums and high-strength steels, largely welded together with minimal riveting and fewer overall components. That has enabled Cadillac to equip the CT6 with a powertrain lineup befitting that of midsize sedans and offer the promise of sprightly, agile performance in a big-sedan package. (Journalists who test drove it here were restricted from publishing reviews until later this week).
| How the Cadillac CT6 stacks up against big-sedan rivals | |||
| 2016 CT6* | 2016 BMW 740I | 2016 Mercedes s550 | |
| Wheelbase | 122.4 in. | 126.4 in. | 124.6 in. |
| Length | 204 in. | 206.6 in. | 206.5 in. |
| Curb weight | 3,926 lbs. | 4,225 lbs. | 4,773 lbs. |
| Front legroom | 42.4 in. | 41.4 in. | 41.4 in. |
| Rear legroom | 40.4 in. | 44.4 in. | 43 in. |
| Engine | 3.6-liter V-6 | 3.0-liter I-6 | 4.7-liter V-8 |
| Horsepower | 335 | 320 | 449 |
| Price** | $64,565 | $82,295 | $95,650 |
| *Premium luxury trim **Includes shipping | |||
A few other numbers that underscore how the CT6 is tough to pigeonhole:
• The CT6’s wheelbase is nearly 6 inches longer than that of the BMW 5 series, but the Cadillac is lighter.
• A CT6 with a twin turbo, 3.0-liter V-6 is priced at $65,390, vs. $82,295 for the 7 series with the same displacement and power.
• The CT6 is just 2 inches shorter than the S class, though its twin-turbo V-6 model is 700 pounds lighter than the Mercedes S550 with its 4.7-liter V-8.
Of course, the fact that the CT6 starts with a 2.0-liter, four-cylinder turbo engine and no V-8 underscores the fact that it is not a range-topper out to unseat the Germans’ flagship sedans.
Mercedes doesn’t even bother with an S class engine smaller than a V-8. (That engine differential also explains some of the weight difference).
De Nysschen has said there is a flagship in the works for around 2020. In the meantime, the CT6’s tweener status could make it tricky for Cadillac to pitch the car to import drivers, says IHS Automotive analyst Stephanie Brinley. IHS forecasts annual U.S. sales of 12,000 to 15,000 units in coming years.
“The bigger problem continues to be getting on the shopping lists of traditional luxury buyers,” she said.
Cadillac executives here steered clear of bold proclamations about pulling drivers out of their S class or 7 series sedans. De Nysschen was reluctant to cite any one brand for conquests, instead saying that the CT6’s unique package and “aggressive pricing strategy” should be enough to get it on the radars of luxury buyers.
“We priced the car very competitively,” he said, “and we’ll let it find its natural level in the marketplace.”
The 2016 CT6 is a “tweener” — closer to a big luxury sedan in size and closer to a midsize lux sedan in price. Cadillac wants to carve its niche as a driver’s car, one that can satisfy the affluent customer’s desire for a spacious and nattily appointed cabin without giving up tight and nimble driving dynamics. It will serve as Cadillac’s flagship sedan for several years — at least — as the brand’s comeback bid unfolds. It returns Cadillac to the brand’s “spiritual home” of big luxury sedans, brand chief Johan de Nysschen said. But “it is absolutely forward-looking and forward-thinking.”
Powertrains: A 2.0-liter, turbocharged four-cylinder and a new 3.6-liter V-6 both serve as base engines; a Cadillac-exclusive 3.0-liter, twin-turbo V-6 tops the lineup. Each will be mated to a GM-developed, eight-speed automatic transmission.
Technology: Active rear-wheel-steering feature to improve cornering and traction
Safety: Enhanced night vision identifies people and animals via heat-signature images in the driver-information screen.
Sales target: 10,000 to 15,000 vehicles a year in U.S., per forecasting firms
Competitors: BMW 5 series or 7 series; Mercedes E class or S class; Audi A6 or A8
Strengths: Exceptional driving dynamics for a big sedan
Weaknesses: No V-8 engine option
Bottom line: Cadillac showed confidence in the CT6’s ride-and-handling chops by allowing some 100 journalists to flog the car on twisty mountain roads outside San Diego. Across the engine lineup, it returned driving characteristics of a smaller performance sedan. Now, Cadillac marketers have the tough task of convincing import-leaning buyers to take one for a test drive.
Last week, The Clearwater Free Clinic’s annual Martinis and Matisse fundraiser was held at the FrankCrum Complex. Guests purchased lottery tickets and entered to win donated artwork while enjoying live music, fine wine, smooth martinis, and amazing food provided by some of the area’s finest restaurants.
Dimmitt Automotive Group is a proud sponsor of Martinis and Matisse and The Clearwater Free Clinic. The Clearwater Free Clinic (CFC) delivers comprehensive medical care to uninsured families through volunteerism and community partnerships which helps build healthy communities.
Visit www.martinisandmatisse.org for details on Martinis and Matisse.
McLaren 570S – Drive, Startup, Walk-Around, Fly-By’s
The new McLaren 570S is the newest edition to the McLaren Sport Series. The McLaren Sport Series combines high performance with luxury and everyday usability. The 570S features a twin turbo V8, generating 562 horsepower and 443 ib ft of torque. Several interior options are available including alcantara and leather.
For more information on the 570S, contact Matthew Jones at Dimmitt Automotive Group, home to McLaren Tampa Bay. Call 844.494.1134 or visit www.Dimmitt.com.
A few weeks ago, Dimmitt Automotive Group sponsored the Festivals of Speed Orlando. The Festivals of Speed Orlando is a 3 day event. Friday night is the luxury lifestyle jetport reception, Saturday is the golf tournament and Sunday is the car show. Dimmitt Automotive Group is a proud sponsor of Festivals of Speed. This year, a portion of the proceeds went to the Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children. Matthew Jones, manager of McLaren Tampa Bay, showcased the new McLaren 570S in the car show Sunday. Aspire Autosports, a division of Dimmitt Automotive Group, also was present at the Sunday car show.
The upcoming Festivals of Speed Amelia Island will be held in March and Dimmitt Automotive Group will have some McLaren’s on display. Dimmitt Automotive Group would like to thank Festivals of Speed for organizing a great weekend for owners and enthusiasts. Visit their website to learn about upcoming events: www.festivalsofspeed.com
Dimmitt Automotive Group, home to Aston Martin Tampa Bay, hosts a monthly car show and free breakfast following the DuPont REGISTRY Cars & Coffee. During the last Afterparty, the Aston Martin DB10 was on display for enthusiasts and owners. This example was used in the new James Bond film, Spectre.
Only 10 DB10’s were made and 7 were crashed during the making of the film. This is the only DB10 that is in the USA and will be sold at an auction in Arizona this month. The dials, gauges and switches are all fake. The car was designed to be sleek and modern to compliment the image of James Bond.
Interested in a new or preowned Aston Martin? Click here for current inventory: www.Dimmitt.com
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