Cadillac News: Spying: Cadillac CTS

[William Maley 952]

William Maley

Editor/Reporter - CheersandGears.com

February 15, 2012

Cadillac is in the process of revamping the sedan lineup. So far, the brand has shown the new XTS and ATS. The only one that hasn't been touched is the CTS, until now.

Today, the first spy shots of the new CTS were caught in the Northern Territories of Canada. Wearing the codename of A1LL, the next-generation CTS will ride on an extended version of the ATS’ Alpha platform to compete with the BMW 5-Series, Mercedes E-Class, and Audi A6.

Cadillac's Art & Science design language will continue on the next CTS with a sharp C-pillar, angular exhaust cutouts, and a front end likely having some resemblance to the ATS.

But we're not sure this is the Alpha version of the CTS that everyone is reporting. To our eyes, this looks mid-cycle refresh of the current CTS. Which means that it's still using Sigma.

The next CTS is due out sometime in late 2013 as a 2014 model. Hopefully before then, we find out what the CTS is riding on.

Source: Left Lane News

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[dfelt 4,998 5 Vehicles]

Way too early to make any judgement based on these pictures. But I am happy they are working on the new version.

[ZL-1 160]

I'd assume that out of the need to reduce complexity it'd make sense to move to Alpha real quick, no? So why stick with Sigma? :-/

Edited February 16, 2012 by ZL-1

[Intrepidation 913]

Other publications are reporting this is an all new model, that it's larger, and that it's Alpha based.

[hyperv6 778]

The CTS is moving to a very similar 5 series size. That will make it fall in line with the other cars in class as for better or worse the CTS was always the odd one out.

It should provide more interior room and a larger trunk.

The one thing to note is moving it to the Alpha may permit GM to provide a larger CTS but also keep it similar in weight and who knows it could to prove to be ligher than the present smaller car we have now. GM has learned how to make the Alpha very light with the ATS and I am sure many of the measures will be employeed on the CTS too. While It is not going to come in at the 3300 of the ATS there is a real chance it will beat the 5 series in weight.

I have heard talk of the Turbo V6 having 350 HP. Also expect a V8 to continue in a V series car.

The real unknown is will there be a Coupe again? Also with the ATS getting a Wagon will the CTS wagon return. Sales have been very weak here and the smaller wagone would do better in their attempts in Europe.

I really don't expect any major suprises here. The ATS and XTS have shown us where this car is going style wise and we know to expect more room. I would also expect to see more technology being in the mix here at the higher price point. With a V8, magnetic shocks and a powerful V8 in a l light car for the class I can see this car being much better than the present CTS.

It will be interesting to see where this all ends up.

Alpha is far from done with what we will see. Just wait for the Camaro.

[dfelt 4,998 5 Vehicles]

It would make sense to move to Alpha and drop Sigma and reduce cost while increasing quality and profit margin.

Edited February 16, 2012 by dfelt

[balthazar 7,616 3 Vehicles]

CTS currently IS a very similar size to the 5-series, they're less than 2" apart in OL. It doesn't need to grow a single inch (tho the wheelbase could increase a bit if they wanted it to).

[hyperv6 778]

I think Cadillacs point is they will gain the 2 inches.

The ATS needs more space between and the CTS to be more. Also how many here cry becase there are no larger Cadillacs and they do not fit in a CTS? More than I want to hear.

The steps between the ATS, CTS and new flag ship RWD will be just right with the XTS doing the dirty work of fleet work, profesional car work and the remaining snow top traditional luxury buyers that are left in FL and other areas. Toss in some suprises like a small roadster, a coupe coupes and a wagon they should have a nice car line up. The trucks will sell as long as they are blinged out Chevys and will make a lot of money doing so.

I just wonder where the smaller SUV lines will go. The small SUV market is growing and growing. It makes one wonder what Cadillacs reaction will be. The SRX I feel will not be alone for long.

[Blake Noble 206]

I could be wrong but I think there's some new sheetmetal underneath the camo.

[balthazar 7,616 3 Vehicles]

ATS equals the 3-series in length.

CTS is 1.7" less than the 5-series, or other words; equal.

There is no point in growing the CTS 1.7"

My reaction here is that, somehow, still, people actually believe the CTS is "uncompetitive" with the 5-series based solely on size (of which there is no discernible difference).

In other words, if the CTS was within one-half inch, SOMEONE would still bring up size as an "issue".

[Drew Dowdell 11,317 2 Vehicles]

Other publications are reporting this is an all new model, that it's larger, and that it's Alpha based.

other publications are reporting the assumptions of the original author.

[Drew Dowdell 11,317 2 Vehicles]

ATS equals the 3-series in length.

CTS is 1.7" less than the 5-series, or other words; equal.

There is no point in growing the CTS 1.7"

My reaction here is that, somehow, still, people actually believe the CTS is "uncompetitive" with the 5-series based solely on size (of which there is no discernible difference).

In other words, if the CTS was within one-half inch, SOMEONE would still bring up size as an "issue".

Until the 5-series grew and gained lots of weight with the latest generation, the CTS was within less than an inch. So unless the old 5-series as "too small" to compete with the new 5-series....

[dfelt 4,998 5 Vehicles]

ATS equals the 3-series in length.

CTS is 1.7" less than the 5-series, or other words; equal.

There is no point in growing the CTS 1.7"

My reaction here is that, somehow, still, people actually believe the CTS is "uncompetitive" with the 5-series based solely on size (of which there is no discernible difference).

In other words, if the CTS was within one-half inch, SOMEONE would still bring up size as an "issue".

When one finds that the Americans have built a very competitive luxury auto and has their own best beaten by it, then they start to look little things to complain about.

The CTS-V and CTS in all versions beats the Driving Machine of BMW and MB, so the reviewers who do not want to believe we can build quality products that are the best use little things like 1.7" to justify why it is faster or not equal to a 5 series.

Fact is we have to accept that we cannot win everyone over, so we need to stay focused on building the best product there is and accept that every other builder is out there is going to try and knock off our crown. Only by doing this will we truly stay the standard of the world and continue to win over skeptics.

Every little comment needs to be reviewed and if it has a bit of fact for example certain dash trims that are not truly Luxury level, then you fix these things to make sure the American Driving machines are just that, The Driving machine Standard of the World. CTS-V

Edited February 17, 2012 by dfelt

[hyperv6 778]

Who knows they may make it 1.5 more than the 5 series for a total of 3"inches increase. in relation to the 5 it really matters less vs the ATS. The greater difference in size between the CTS and ATS is to Cadillacs advantage. Why have two cars nearly the same size?

The bottom line is that with the ATS now here the CTS can afford to add a little more to gain more trunk and interior room. With using the Alpha they can now do so with less risk of a weight penalty.

More room at the same or less weight and a car that is moved farther away fromt he ATS. Where is the down side?

I would toss out the 5 series argument all together as the key is to make place for the CTS between the ATS and new flag ship. Let it become a car not so close to the other two models.

They need to make their car their own and not just a CTS large, medium and small.

Edited February 17, 2012 by hyperv6

[Robert Hall 5,436 4 Vehicles]

They need to make their car their own and not just a CTS large, medium and small.

The odd thing is the current CTS has a longer wheelbase than the 'new flagship' (XTS).

[Z-06 493]

FYI, GM has never officially called the XTS "new flagship". It is media made up term.

[pow 106]

CTS dimensionally may be similar to 5-series, but even compared to the previous generation, it was relatively cramped inside and was certainly not to the same caliber of engineering, equipment, prestige, pricing, etc.

With the ATS being the new entry-level Cadillac sports sedan and the true 3-series competitor, the new CTS can stop being a "tweener" and rival the 5-series, E-Class, and A6 directly.

[hyperv6 778]

FYI, GM has never officially called the XTS "new flagship". It is media made up term.

This is true and what is even worse are people who are GM fans that call it a flagship when GM has made it clear it is not the flagship.

GM has made it clear that this car is the volume Service fleet/ livery go to car frm the start. Also it is a FWD for those who demand FWD. The fact is the XTS was a car started long ago and just finished with the new money. It is a gap filler and a car that will lift the resale burden from the other main line Cadillacs. In other words no resale value plunge like the Town Car to the ATS and CTS while providing the easy money that the Town Car used to bring in to Ford before they killed it. In other words they had this car already and they may as well put it to some use vs wasting the money invested. Doing it this way will not harm the other Cadillac and will provide some needed cash flow.

The XTS mission is seperate from the rest of the Cadillac line. For what it's worth it is their Captiva.

The flagship is yet to come.

[Robert Hall 5,436 4 Vehicles]

The XTS mission is seperate from the rest of the Cadillac line. For what it's worth it is their Captiva.

Weak excuse...

The flagship is yet to come.

I'll believe that when I see it..

[balthazar 7,616 3 Vehicles]

The greater difference in size between the CTS and ATS is to Cadillacs advantage. Why have two cars nearly the same size?

Good question, let's e-mail BMW public relations and find out why they have 2 cars nearly the same size!

While we're at it, let's e-mail mercedees' public relations and find out why they have 2 cars nearly the same size!

[Drew Dowdell 11,317 2 Vehicles]

Just 2?

The flagship is coming. There is a whole platform being developed for it.

What I find most amusing is the people bitching about it most are those driving 100k mile cars and will never buy a flagship from ANYONE.

Last I looked, and to Pauli's dismay, the Lacrosse is holding its value pretty well.

[hyperv6 778]

The XTS mission is seperate from the rest of the Cadillac line. For what it's worth it is their Captiva.

Weak excuse...

The flagship is yet to come.

I'll believe that when I see it..

Not a weak excuse just buisness.

You will see it and finally believe it. Cadillac needs at least one larger car model even in a lower volume. Once they have the CTS and ATS in place the time will be right for a top line car. Too many wanted the top line first but it would have failed as Cadillac had yet to prove they could build a world class car at $40K . How can you expect someone to plop down near $100K for a unproven car?

Edited February 18, 2012 by hyperv6

[hyperv6 778]

The greater difference in size between the CTS and ATS is to Cadillacs advantage. Why have two cars nearly the same size?

Good question, let's e-mail BMW public relations and find out why they have 2 cars nearly the same size!

While we're at it, let's e-mail mercedees' public relations and find out why they have 2 cars nearly the same size!

The box cars are being made is getting smaller so there is less room between them. But even then the 5 series is different enough to give buyers a different feel and more room in the car. These two cars attract different buyers. A third larger Cadillace also attract different buyers.

The way some of you act here GM just needs one car per division and I find it odd as I would expect that most complaining the most would want the greater difference between lines.

I expect in the next gen Lacrosse and Regal they also too will be spread out a little more. They nearly overlap each other in price and size. GM has done a good job of trying to make them appeal to different buyers but I suspect the next gen Lacrosse will grow in size at some point. It is a case GM simply had to work with what they had.

[Robert Hall 5,436 4 Vehicles]

Seems like they are following the Lexus strategy... Lexus has 3 RWD sedan lines (IS, GS, LS) and a FWD appliance (ES) for volume. Though in Cadillac's case, why not leave the FWD filler to Buick? Unlike Toyota/Lexus, GM has a brand for FWD near-lux models--Buick. You don't see BMW or MB putting FWD volume models between the 5 and 7 or the E and S...

I just don't see the point of the XTS, since it's not a step up from the CTS but a step down/sideways. The XTS may sell well against the MKs and ES, but that's aiming pretty low.

Edited February 18, 2012 by Cubical-aka-Moltar

[Robert Hall 5,436 4 Vehicles]

What I find most amusing is the people bitching about it most are those driving 100k mile cars and will never buy a flagship from ANYONE.

That's kind of a low blow and not relevant to the topic at hand.