New York Auto Show: 2014 Cadillac CTS: Comments

[William Maley]

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By William Maley

Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com

March 26, 2013

We've seen the pictures and learned about the powertrain, now GM is spilling the beans on the new 2014 Cadillac CTS tonight.

Design of the new CTS is a further refinement of Cadillac's Art & Science design language that has been soldering on for decade now. The front end features a grille that is reminiscent of the Ciel concept, strips of LED lights running along the outer edge of headlights, and long, low hood. The side profile has character lines the run all the way that start at the front bumper and continue unbroken to the rear.

Dimensionally, the new CTS is about five inches longer, has a one inch longer wheelbase, and is lower by about 0.8 inch than the outgoing model. More impressive is that the base CTS has a curb weight of just 3,616 lbs; that's only 250 lbs lighter than the outgoing model. V6 models weigh only 175 heavier.

This weight loss is due in part to the extensive use of aluminum in the CTS. The model features aluminum doors, front bumper beam, rear suspension cradle, and aluminum brake calipers. Other weight saving tricks include varying the thickness of the B-pillar sheetmetal and removing bits of metal in between the spot wells.

Inside the CTS, Cadillac is stepping up the levels of customization. No fewer than eight different color schemes will be available, with trim featuring real wood, real aluminum or real carbon fiber. All of that trim can be swapped by dealer if you're getting tired of the trim you currently have. All CTS models will have Cadillac User Experience (CUE) as standard equipment.

Power for the CTS comes in three different engine choices:

• 2.0L Turbo-Four: 272 horsepower, 295 pound-feet of torque
  
• 3.6L DI V6: 321 horsepower, 275 pound-feet
  
• 3.6L TT V6: 420 horsepower, 430 pound-feet
  

The 2.0T gets a six-speed automatic and the two V6s get an eight-speed automatic. All-wheel drive is available for the 2.0T and 3.6L V6 (which gets trades its eight-speed for a six-speed).

The 3.6 TT V6 gets a special trim level called Vsport. Vsport will feature eighteen-inch wheels, quicker steering ratio, Brembo brakes front and rear, a Track mode for the transmission, heavy-duty cooling system, electronic limited slip differential, and Cadillac's Magnetic Ride Control active suspension.

The 2014 Cadillac CTS arrives at dealers this fall.

Update: We got some live shots from the CTS Reveal. -WM

Source: Cadillac

William Maley is a staff writer for Cheers & Gears. He can be reached at [email protected]or you can follow him on twitter at @realmudmonster.

Press Release is on Page 2

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2014 Cadillac CTS Elevates to Challenge World's Best

- Longer, lower and leaner sedan drives into heart of midsize luxury segment

- Lightweight technologies, including aluminum door structures, contribute to lower curb weight and nearly 50/50 weight balance

- New Vsport model offers new Cadillac Twin-Turbo V-6 and brand's first eight-speed automatic transmission

NEW YORK – Cadillac today introduced the all-new 2014 CTS sedan, which ascends into the heart of the midsize luxury market with expanded performance, elevated luxury and sophisticated technology.

The third-generation CTS sedan is based on the high-performing rear-drive architecture of the award-winning ATS sport sedan, moving Cadillac into the prestigious class of midsize luxury sedans. It will be the segment's lightest car, enabling the most agile driving dynamics in the class. A range of power-dense powertrains underpin its performance, including the all-new Cadillac Twin-Turbo engine and eight-speed automatic transmission.

Production of the 2014 CTS begins this fall in Lansing, Mich.

"The all-new 2014 Cadillac CTS sedan delivers crafted design, thrilling performance and sophisticated technology," said Bob Ferguson, vice president, Global Cadillac. "The car that has always been Cadillac's centerpiece stretches figuratively and literally to challenge the world's best."

A longer, lower and more athletic-looking proportion is introduced on Cadillac's landmark sedan and evolves the brand's Art & Science design philosophy. While growing five inches (127 mm) in length, including a 1.2-inch longer wheelbase, the roofline and cowl – the base of the windshield – are about an inch lower, dimensions that complement the longer exterior to accentuate the car's lean aesthetic.

"With Cadillac growing globally, driven by rising product credibility, the new CTS elevates the brand to a new level," said Ferguson.

While stretched in overall length and wheelbase, the all-new CTS sedan has a lower curb weight than the preceding model and weighs about 200 pounds (90 kg) less than the BMW 528i. Lightweight features, including Cadillac's first aluminum door structures, contribute to the lower weight and a nearly 50/50 weight balance. And for the first time on CTS, Magnetic Ride Control, Cadillac's real-time damping system, is available on base models.

Cadillac's shield grille and signature vertical lighting elements – including LED front signature lighting detail – evolve on the CTS. The grille is wider, with a more detailed texture, while the headlamps flow up with the hood line, incorporating crystalline LED light guides for a technologically advanced appearance with more uniform illumination.

Active grille shutters are included on some models, improving aerodynamic performance on the highway to enhance fuel efficiency.

Inside, a roomier, driver-centric cockpit interior with integrated technology and hand-crafted appointments complements the exterior elements and supports the CTS sedan's driving experience. Eight available interior environments are offered, each trimmed with authentic wood, carbon fiber or aluminum. Leather seating is available, including available full semi-aniline leather, with hand-crafted, cut-and-sewn executions.

CTS Performance

The new Cadillac Twin-Turbo V-6 and eight-speed automatic transmission combination leads the CTS sedan's powertrain lineup in the new CTS Vsport. It is the first twin-turbocharged engine ever offered by Cadillac and is the brand's first eight-speed automatic.

The CTS Vsport also features:

- 18-inch aluminum wheels with Pirelli summer-only performance tires (19-inch wheels with all-season tires are available)

- A quicker steering ratio

- Brembo disc brakes with aluminum calipers and high-performance brake pads,

- Heavy-duty track cooling package

- Driver-selectable track mode with specific steering rate and Magnetic Ride Control calibrations for greater track performance

- Electronic limited-slip differential that enhances capability on the track – including optimal acceleration out of turns.

The Cadillac Twin-Turbo is SAE-certified at 420 horsepower (313 kW) and 430 lb.-ft. of torque (583 Nm), making it the most power-dense six-cylinder engine in the segment. A pair of smaller turbochargers helps provide more immediate power on demand, with approximately 90 percent of peak torque available from 3,500 rpm to 4,500 rpm. That gives the engine a broad torque curve that customers will feel as strong, willing power in almost all driving conditions – and helps the CTS sedan reach 60 mph in an estimated 4.6 seconds.

The 2014 CTS is also available with a naturally aspirated 3.6L V-6 rated at an estimated 321 horsepower and also matched with the new paddle-shift eight-speed automatic in rear-wheel-drive models (or six-speed automatic with all-wheel drive; and a 2.0L turbocharged engine rated at an estimated 272 horsepower and paired with a six-speed automatic.

Cadillac's new, paddle-shift eight-speed offers efficiency and performance advantages over a six-speed transmission, including 1.5-percent greater fuel economy.

Excellent power-to-weight ratios and racetrack-honed suspension geometries established with the development of the ATS enabled engineers to advance CTS's performance with greater feelings of feedback, control and response. The comparatively low curb weight helps make the most of the driving experience by allowing the use of lighter-weight chassis components, which reduces unsprung weight to enable more precise handling without compromising ride quality.

The CTS sedan's low mass and optimal brake sizes are expected to give it braking performance that is among the best in the segment, with standard Brembo brakes.

Suspension and driver control highlights also include:

- Multi-link MacPherson strut suspension with a double-pivot design

- Five-link independent rear suspension

- Available all-wheel-drive

- Premium electric, variable-assist power steering gear from ZF Steering Systems

- Available Magnetic Ride Control real-time damping system

- Choice of 17-, 18- and 19-inch aluminum wheels.

A number of aluminum components are used with the suspension system, while the rear suspension is mostly steel. That helps offset the weight of the engine and transmission at the front of the vehicle, helping the CTS deliver its near-perfect weight balance and contributing to less noise and vibration.

CTS technology and safety

The CTS sedan seamlessly blends comfort, convenience and safety technologies with the interior's hand-crafted appointments and flowing design. Active safety features provide alerts and intervene when necessary to help avoid crashes.

At the core of the car's intuitive technologies is CUE, Cadillac's infotainment system that uses smartphone- and tablet-influenced controls and commands to access information and entertainment data. An eight-inch, high-resolution color touch screen with haptic feedback allows users to swipe and drag preferences. Bluetooth connectivity with natural voice recognition is standard with CUE, along with USB and SD card ports.

An available 12.3-inch high-resolution, configurable LCD instrument cluster display complements the CUE display and supports the active safety features. It offers drivers four layouts – from basic to performance-oriented – each delivering bold, crisp graphics tailored to the level of vehicle information desired. A full-color, configurable head-up display is also available.

CTS technologies also include:

- Cadillac's first 20-way adjustable front seats

- Motorized cup holder lid in the center console

- Heated and cooled (ventilated) front seats and heated steering wheel

- Electronically locking glove box

- Electronic park brake

- Adaptive remote start feature that also activates the climate control system

- Standard Bose eleven-speaker sound system and available Bose Centerpoint Surround Sound system with 13 speakers.

The new CTS sedan is the first Cadillac to offer Automatic Parking Assist, which enables the car to park itself in parallel spaces. It uses ultrasonic sensors to locate a suitable space and maneuver the car into the space, with the driver only required to engage reverse and apply the accelerator and brake pedals. Ultrasonic rear park assist is standard.

Ultrasonic sensors, as well as radar and cameras, support the CTS's advanced safety features to help prevent crashes. Among the most sophisticated is Front and Rear Automatic Braking, which relies on short-range radar technology and ultrasonic sensors to help the driver prevent front and rear low-speed collisions via a progression of alerts that extend to complete braking, if necessary.

A Driver Awareness Package includes Cadillac's patented Safety Alert Seat technology. It uses vibrating pulses in the driver's seat to alert the driver to an imminent collision or to vehicles in the car's blind spot. The seat vibrates on the left or right side, or both sides simultaneously, depending on the direction of the risk.

GM's first application of automatic safety belt tightening is offered in the new CTS. It automatically takes slack out of the safety belts when buckled and offers real-time, active adjustments during driving to ensure optimal tension and comfort. Additional available safety features include:

- Full Speed Range Adaptive Cruise Control

- Panic Brake Assist

- Forward Collision Alert

- Automatic Collision Preparation (with brake prefill)

- Lane Departure Warning

- Side Blind Zone Alert

- Rear Cross Traffic Alert

- Rear Vision Camera With Dynamic Guidelines

- Adaptive Forward Lighting

- Active pedestrian protection system (in global regions where required).

The new CTS sedan also features 10 standard air bags, including front-passenger dual-stage low-risk deployment, which makes the most of the air bag trajectory and inflation rate based on the occupant's size, position and severity of the crash.

Additionally, OnStar is standard for one year. It can use GPS and cellular phone technology to automatically call for help in the event of a crash. OnStar service also includes myCadillac and OnStar myCadillac mobile apps, which offer vehicle information, controls and OnStar services via the customer's iPhone or Android smart phone.

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[Lamar]

3,616 pounds? For the sake of reference, the current Malibu LTZ 2.0T weighs 3660 lbs.

I honestly cannot find any objective problems with the car just yet. Cut weight from the previous car, will share platforms to save GM some cash, firmly distanced away from the ATS, highly class-competitive powertrain offerings... I'm still not 100% on the rear design, but that's not objective. That's just me.

Bring on the reviews!

Also, in b4 SMK complains about it still not being a Mercedes.

[Intrepidation]

I think Cadillac hit it out of the park with this car.

[David]

So far based on what I have read and seen in pictures I like this car from all sides. I do not like how they keep getting lower and lower to the ground as that really makes it harder for us tall guys to get in and out without doing deep squats all day long.

I love the variety of interiors.

My Beef, All the NANNY Devices they are incorporating into the auto's. This I feel is still WRONG!

Why WRONG you ask, simple. if you do not like to drive, take the freakin bus, taxi or have someone else drive who will pay attention. Having a auto that will try to sense and force you to accept when it brakes, etc I see causing more accidents than preventing. Computers can still not respond as fast as the human brain and I want the auto to do what I want, not what some GOV is telling it to do.

If there is no way to turn off these stupid NANNY devices, then my ability to buy newer auto's will come to an end.

New auto quality is at it's best ever, but then also is the complete discard it when someone hits you. All this aluminum will tend to cause these cars to be sent to the shredder and I think we will find less and less older auto's on the roads in the future.

I agree with Dodgefan, I do think that Caddy has hit this one out of the ballpark. I hope this is a trend that will continue with all new auto introductions from them.

[vonVeezelsnider]

All I can say is holy crap is this thing awesome. I think they really nailed what they need to be going after. Easily competitive with Mercedes E-Class and BMW 5-Series.

[ocnblu]

Back on top.

[regfootball]

no stick? ............. 8 speed only with RWD? both fails in an otherwise spectacular package.......

3600 pound weight is quite exceptional, although to be fair, if the Epsilon were as rigorously engineered gram per gram as the Alpha chassis, they would be able to trim the weight of that down to about 3300 or so.......

[smk4565]

The weight is really good, although I'd like to see what a V6 with equipment on it weighs too. Overall I think it is very good, I don't like the headlights or a bland rear end, or the center stack with the Volt-like buttons but all Cadillacs have it now. It is good that they have 8 interior colors.

The 8-speed should be on every engine, but maybe next year. They need a diesel too.

Interesting that it is 4.2 inches longer and only 1.2 inch longer wheelbase, it should be the reverse. The new CTS is Hyundai Genesis length, that is pretty big, if it has Genesis level interior room it will have more than the XTS.

[regfootball]

XTS is shaping up to be the fleet queen.

[Drew Dowdell]

I'll wait for the numbers, but the XTS feels larger inside front to back, width is where it may lose ground.

The CTS is amazing in the flesh. I don't see the rear as bland but as a nod to 1967.

[Lamar]

To be fair, Drew, most of us view the rear as bland because we all saw the front first. It's in our heads.

[balthazar]

^ An excellent point.

However, the rear treatments on MOST cars are rather bland. mercedees, BMW, audi; Snorefests, all series.
Yes, I am thinking of the tailfin era, where both ends had the hardware to delight & entertain. Not that I expect tailfins (real tailfins) to return... but a return to a similar effort of styling would be nice. I'm just not sure there's much that can be done.

[vonVeezelsnider]

I'll wait for the numbers, but the XTS feels larger inside front to back, width is where it may lose ground. The CTS is amazing in the flesh. I don't see the rear as bland but as a nod to 1967.

Judging by the live pics of the red car @ Jalopnik I agree completely. That rear end is much more detailed and intricate than the Jalop-leaks indicated, I knew it had to be. Bear in mind that the back end of the leaked car was silver, which hides these kinds of things. I'm overall even more impressed with the styling in the live pics. That front end looks like the front end of a transcontinental locomotive compared to the daintier faces of the BMW and Audi and the rear end has much more imagination and detailng than the E-.

[Intrepidation]

I think they could have done a bit more with the rear end. Specifically the taillights. I liked how the ELR's extended into the quarter panel and formed the car's primary character line.

With that said I just saw real world photos of a red on on the show floor, and as usual, GM's $h!ty press photos don't do the car justice.

[regfootball]

I'll wait for the numbers, but the XTS feels larger inside front to back, width is where it may lose ground. The CTS is amazing in the flesh. I don't see the rear as bland but as a nod to 1967.

That's because the XTS has Epsilon's disease (lack of girth).

Should be interesting the girth difference between the narrow ATS and the CTS (semi-platform mates)

[smk4565]

The CTS's interior dimensions as far as head, shoulder, leg room are with in an inch of the XTS, XTS wins most of the categories. The big difference is the XTS has 5 inches more rear seat leg room, I am surprised it is that much since the CTS has a longer wheelbase.

Overall this new car looks way better than the current, I liked the first CTS, the 2nd gen looked fat and bulky, this one has sleek proportions back. It will be interesting to see how it sells and what happens to XTS sales.

[Intrepidation]

[balthazar]

It will be interesting to see how it sells and what happens to XTS sales.

By your own emphatic definition, it is impossible for the CTS & XTS to appeal to the same consumer, as one is FWD & the other RWD (when either is not AWD).

[Lamar]

The CTS's interior dimensions as far as head, shoulder, leg room are with in an inch of the XTS, XTS wins most of the categories. The big difference is the XTS has 5 inches more rear seat leg room, I am surprised it is that much since the CTS has a longer wheelbase.

Overall this new car looks way better than the current, I liked the first CTS, the 2nd gen looked fat and bulky, this one has sleek proportions back. It will be interesting to see how it sells and what happens to XTS sales.

For comparison's sake, Infiniti G37 has a longer wheelbase than the Nissan Maxima, but the latter is much roomier inside, especially in the back. Longer RWD wheelbases often show their length in the engine compartment rather than in the cabin (hence, proportionately longer hoods and shorter front overhangs).

[regfootball]

Cadillac has one helluva lineup now, in short order.

[ocnblu]

It's a great looking machine, with authority that Cadillac should have.

[hyperv6]

Why are we even speaking of the XTS here? The XTS is here for a reason and to do a job that is different from this car. Same for the coming LTS.

The CTS is a bonified home run and the only negative I expect is that some will complain that there may not be more room in the back seat or some nit pick like this.

The Key here is the weight as they made a slightly larger car and cut weight. Killing weight is something that will add performance in ways a more powerful engine can not and will not do on its own. This bodes well for coming Alpha Products like the Camaro and possible Buick More power adds so much to handling and braking that this car will be shocking in its performance even outside the V series.

Now as long as they address the little details like shifters and have the fixed Cue system this car should be the one to have. I just hope they took to heart the little things that held them up just a bit on the ATS. They nearly got that perfect but just lacked a couple small detail.

By the complaints from the BMW and Benz crowed I suspect they are concerned. You never heard them critic a Cadillac in so much detail and in mostly subjective areas as in the last day.

This car also shows unless Lincoln has something different soon in a platform they will have lost even more ground. I feel they may be left to Buick to thrash out for sales here in America.

[smk4565]

The best thing is that Cadillac now has a car sized and prices like a 3-series and a car sized and priced like a 5-series, although the CTS is sized more like a Jag XF. They have needed this for years and the CTS trying to split the gap wasn't working.

I don't know if making it bigger was the right move (but maybe it will be) the new CTS is about STS size, and will likely be priced like the STS. The STS-DTS duo didn't work, that is why they are both gone, Cadillac is recreating that in a way here, but this car is executed better than the STS.

Lexus is who needs to worry, that GS is terrible, and the Infiniti M looks like a gawdy Maxima. The Germans will be fine.

[SoCalCTS]

I have zero complaints other than I can't buy one right now. I love this car and will do whatever it takes to get one ASAP.

[smk4565]

Here is a Wall Street Journal article:

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887324789504578382260127618472.html?mod=WSJ_hp_EditorsPicks

It is a bit critical but it does point out how Cadillac faces the same problems they did when the 03 CTS came out, this car seems more up to the task of going against the Germans, where the last 2 generations didn't make a dent in their armor, in fact Audi's market share has more than doubled since the 2004.

[NINETY EIGHT REGENCY]

The 2014 Cadillac CTS:

This car is 195.5 inches long
It is 72.2 inches wide.
The gas tank is 19 gallons.
the trunk is only 13.7 cubic feet.
the wheelbase is 114.6 inches long


The XTS is too close in size to this car. XTS is not much wider or longer. It has a shorter wheelbase.

The XTS is 202 inches long
The XTS wheelbase is: 111.7 inches
The XTS 72.9 inches wide
The fuel tank on XTS is: 19 gallons and 20 gallons on AWD
The XTS trunk is 18 cubic feet


This compares to:

1985 downsized Cadillac Deville:

The Deville length was 195.0 inches long
The wheelbase was 110.8 inches long
It was 71.7 inches wide
The fuel tank was: 18 gallons
The trunk was: 15.7-15.8 cubic feet


The only dislike of the CTS is the headlights. That is all. The car should have a quad headlight design.
The trunk should be one to three cubic feet bigger.

[2QuickZ's]

Wow! GM did a really nice job with this. The rear end is the only shaky thing to me and I'm sure that will grow on me. I can't wait to see the performance numbers for the TT3.6 version! I only wish they could have gotten that powertrain into the current car before the end of it's life, especially in the wagon. My current dream car is the CTS-V wagon but a TT3.6 wagon wouldn't be too far behind! I think I am one of the few that prefers a sport wagon over an SUV.

[Camino LS6]

Wow! GM did a really nice job with this. The rear end is the only shaky thing to me and I'm sure that will grow on me. I can't wait to see the performance numbers for the TT3.6 version! I only wish they could have gotten that powertrain into the current car before the end of it's life, especially in the wagon. My current dream car is the CTS-V wagon but a TT3.6 wagon wouldn't be too far behind! I think I am one of the few that prefers a sport wagon over an SUV.

The wagon is the only CTS that interests me.

[hyperv6]

Why do people compare this to the XTS? They are apples to oranges in the type of car that they are. They have two different missions but yet people want to compare them?

The Wagon I suspect is gone at least till they consider going back to Europe. As nice as the last one was they just could not sell them as there are so few around.

I only hope they got the interior right on size for this segment. The ATS is just about too small in the rear but it gets a pass by most in the media because they got everything else so right. If it were any smaller it would have gotten Malibu'd.

[ocnblu]

Here's this hot new Cadillac in the real world, in motion on the road.

 

 

 

[regfootball]

sweet

[yougojay]

All I can say is wow. I thought the 2nd Gen. CTS's were cool looking, this is very, very nice...It looks so awesome....wow - Love the side view showing a bit of the front end...too cool

[ZL-1]

I call close to a homerun on this car. My only complaints after reading the info and looking at the pics are that 8sp should be available in all drivetrains and that the rear end could be more ELR concept and less XTS in looks.

Now all Cadillac needs is to move the SRX to Alpha and develop a proper 7-Series and S-Class fighter

Edited April 2, 2013 by ZL-1

[David]

Those CTS Video's Rock and I love the growl of the V6 Turbo. I am excited to see it in person.

[ZL-1]

I call close to a homerun on this car. My only complaints after reading the info and looking at the pics are that 8sp should be available in all drivetrains and that the rear end could be more ELR concept and less XTS in looks.

Now all Cadillac needs is to move the SRX to Alpha and develop a proper 7-Series and S-Class fighter

Let me quote myself to add another bit of complaining... No manuals to be seen anywhere... The V Sport should definitely have one available.

[David]

I call close to a homerun on this car. My only complaints after reading the info and looking at the pics are that 8sp should be available in all drivetrains and that the rear end could be more ELR concept and less XTS in looks.

Now all Cadillac needs is to move the SRX to Alpha and develop a proper 7-Series and S-Class fighter

Let me quote myself to add another bit of complaining... No manuals to be seen anywhere... The V Sport should definitely have one available.

But can the R&D cost be justified for such a small market and the fact that manuals cannot seem to survive high performance engines. In this case I am talking the traditional manual, I can see a manualmatic style being V capable, but unless I am missing something even at drag races now the manual is a thing of the past and cannot keep up with the power of a modern engine.

[ocnblu]

One thing I like about this new CTS is... the low, hovering, heavy front bumper. It certainly adds presence. Makes me think of this, and many other great Cadillacs.

[ZL-1]

But can the R&D cost be justified for such a small market and the fact that manuals cannot seem to survive high performance engines. In this case I am talking the traditional manual, I can see a manualmatic style being V capable, but unless I am missing something even at drag races now the manual is a thing of the past and cannot keep up with the power of a modern engine.

The cost/benefit is the million dollar question, of course. I agree a robotized manual like a DSG-type transmission would most likely be the way to go, as it could be shared with the Corvette and the Camaro to get closer to optimal scale economies / cost dilution...

[Camino LS6]

DSG = ick

[hyperv6]

I just saw a photo that really put this car into perspective. You will be surprise how low and sleek the car will appeal. The GM and Show photos do not represent it well.

[ZL-1]

I just saw a photo that really put this car into perspective. You will be surprise how low and sleek the car will appeal. The GM and Show photos do not represent it well.

I was very pleased with some of the photos on Autoblog. I guess they're official pictures (so, by GM's ususal standards, not the best in leveraging the presentation of the car's looks), but my earlier concerns about how the front and rear match against each other are mostly gone. I think GM has delivered a quite strong 1-2 punch with the ATS and CTS

[hyperv6]

The GM photos make the car look fine but like many GM cars they do not give the full impact or impression. I think many who love the car now will love it even more when they see it.

[ZL-1]

The GM photos make the car look fine but like many GM cars they do not give the full impact or impression. I think many who love the car now will love it even more when they see it.

Given Cadillac's lack of investment and commitment to Europe, I hope to see the new CTS next time I go to the US (or, if I'm lucky, maybe on one of my trips to Sweden).

[David]

The GM photos make the car look fine but like many GM cars they do not give the full impact or impression. I think many who love the car now will love it even more when they see it.

Given Cadillac's lack of investment and commitment to Europe, I hope to see the new CTS next time I go to the US (or, if I'm lucky, maybe on one of my trips to Sweden).

With GM's track record, it would be interesting to have a thread for people to post their plan on how GM should bring their product line to Europe. I think people outside of the box might actually have a better chance on selling the luxury line (cadillac) and mid lux line (Buick) to Europe.

[ZL-1]

The GM photos make the car look fine but like many GM cars they do not give the full impact or impression. I think many who love the car now will love it even more when they see it.

Given Cadillac's lack of investment and commitment to Europe, I hope to see the new CTS next time I go to the US (or, if I'm lucky, maybe on one of my trips to Sweden).

With GM's track record, it would be interesting to have a thread for people to post their plan on how GM should bring their product line to Europe. I think people outside of the box might actually have a better chance on selling the luxury line (cadillac) and mid lux line (Buick) to Europe.

Buick is here as Opel: I expect that the core products for those two will be exactly the same in the next iterations. The trick for Opel to bridge the gap to VW (the brand, not the group) pricing is for Opel to continue to offer near-flawless product like the Astra and Insignia for the next 2 or 3 prodcut cycles and beyond. That helps Chevrolet also.

Cadillac needs time and dedication; it needs a proper dealer network (I think that pairing Cadillac with existing Chevrolet and Opel dealers could be interesting as long as the showroom floors are separate - Cadillac needs exclusive showrooms); and while all that is being put in motion Cadillac needs diesels for its existing lineup (a 4-cyl and a 6-cyl) and just as important it needs a car in the A8/7-Series/S-Class segment destined not to sell or be the most profitable of flagships, but to make a bold statement: kind of like it being the Escalade of sedans. I think the Ciel is the perfect basis for that flagship car, as the Ciel cues in the CTS worked out quite well.

Edited April 5, 2013 by ZL-1

[David]

I agree, that putting cadillac in the same dealerships is a good idea as long as their Show Room is seperate from the others and focused on a true luxury level.

[Drew Dowdell]

DSG = ick

Why?

[Lamar]

DSG = ick

Why?

Too modern, I think.

[Croc]

OK so given my frustration with the ATS...what's the CD player situation for the CTS? Again, I don't care how much they want to charge as an option, but I simply won't tolerate a single-disc unit taking up already-tight glovebox space, located on the far side of the car, inaccessible to the driver. Glimmer of hope, please?

[Robert Hall]

OK so given my frustration with the ATS...what's the CD player situation for the CTS? Again, I don't care how much they want to charge as an option, but I simply won't tolerate a single-disc unit taking up already-tight glovebox space, located on the far side of the car, inaccessible to the driver. Glimmer of hope, please?

They will probably have a single disc slot in the trunk.