2011 Cadillac CTS-V Coupe

This here is the ultimate iteration of Cadillac's brand-new CTS Coupe and it will make its first public outing at next week's 2010 North American International Auto Show in Detroit. To the surprise of no one, the CTS-V Coupe packs the same 6.2-liter supercharged V8 engine found in the sedan version. It produces a hefty 556-horsepower and 551 lb.-ft. of torque (747 Nm) propelling the 2+2 coupe from 0-60 mph (96km/h) in just 3.9 seconds.

Potential buyers will have the choice of a six-speed manual gearbox or a six-speed automatic transmission with paddle-shift control, which transfer power to the rear wheels through a limited slip differential.

The V-spec model also gets Cadillac's Magnetic Ride Control with two selectable modes (Tour and Sport) and Brembo brakes with six-piston calipers in the front and four-piston calipers in the rear.

GM will not build a convertible version of the Cadillac CTS

Fans of the Cadillac CTS line are extremely disappointed with the General Motors’ decision to consider the line complete and stop short at producing a convertible.
When GM had an upheaval, it was doubtful whether a Cadillac CTS Coupe or a wagon would ever see the light of day. But these variations are both around now. For a time, fans fully expected to one day see a CTS convertible.

2003-2007 Cadillac CTS and CTS-V

The CTS was born out of Cadillac’s Art and Science design language, a move aimed at making this mid-sized luxury car stand out from its Teutonic competition. It did, and simply because of its sharp, angular, lines.

When launched as a 2003 model, the CTS replaced the Catera — this car was a lesson on how to take a successful European car (the Opel Omega MV6) and turn it into a moribund offering that did little to further Cadillac’s reputation (only the Chevrolet Cavalier-based Cadillac Cimarron did more to tarnish the brand). The good news is that the CTS turned out to be, and still is, a ride that has done more than a little to return the shine to the company’s image.

When it debuted, the base CTS was offered with Deluxe and Sport packages. Along with its bold exterior style, the CTS also ushered in a new level of interior refinement. The cluttered look of old made way for a cohesive cockpit that was as easy on the eyes as it was to find and operate the key controls. It also delivered the needed interior space without making the car feel large when driven with enthusiasm. The back seat provided enough space for two adults and the 12.8-cubic-foot trunk accommodated a family of four’s luggage with ease.

The entry-level car included air conditioning, the needed power accessories including an eight-way power driver’s seat, cruise control and a decent traction control system. The Deluxe package added an eight-way power passenger seat, a garage door opener, a digital voice recorder, a driver’s seat memory package, some tasteful real wood accents and an auto-dimming rear-view mirror with compass.

The Sport package, which included the Deluxe upgrades, brought a sports-tuned suspension with automatic rear load levelling, high-performance brake linings, P225/50R17 tires and speed-sensitive steering. It also added something that should have been standard across the board — StabiliTrak, General Motors’ sophisticated stability control system.

Cadillac CTS-V Sportwagon is coming

The rumormill is going full-tilt with word that General Motors is about to get really serious about the "sport" in its Cadillac CTS Sportwagon. Here at Autoblog HQ, we certainly hope it's all true. After all, it's hard not to appreciate the current CTS-V, its mind-blowing supercharged LSA V8, and all the tire-immolating brawn it brings to the party. We also respect the extra dash of utility that comes with a touring or shooting brake body style, as exemplified with the Sportwagon.

In the wake of the published reports from our friends at Inside Line and Straightline, one of our readers sent us a copy of what he claims to be an email exchange between himself and GM's Bob Lutz. Reader Bob emailed Lutz, telling him that if General Motors offered a CTS-V wagon with a manual gearbox, he would buy one. Lutz reportedly responded with:

"Since we do market the V with a 6-speed manual, and since a V-wagon is in the plan, we'll be selling you a car in one year!"

We called Cadillac spokesperson David Caldwell, presented him with the alleged Lutz email conversation, and asked him if the V-Series wagon is indeed officially a go. His reply?

"No, there's not been an 'official' or announced change in the status of this car. It's certainly a car we're thinking of, and one we know how to do. I can't really speak to what's inside your reader's email account. I don't doubt him....nor would I doubt Bob Lutz. "

So, officially (and unsurprisingly), there's no confirmation one way or the other from Cadillac. Another source within GM tells us there are at least two CTS-V wagons (one manual, one automatic) currently undergoing verification testing at General Motors. Given that the wagon was created mainly for the European market, and that the Europeans embrace performance models such as the Audi RS6 Avant and Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG wagon, it would certainly make sense to build a giant-slaying CTS-V Sportwagon. Even if Cadillac doesn't officially offer it to Americans, it's only a matter of time before someone in the aftermarket creates one from the parts bin.
The distinctive front end's powerful grille and bejeweled adaptive headlamps betray an attitude fitting the youthful Cadillac CTS Sport Wagon.

2010 CTS Sport Wagon

Type: Five-passenger luxury sport wagon in rear-wheel or all-wheel drive
Price: $40,655, including shipping
Engines:
3-liter direct-injection V-6
3.6-liter direct-injection V-6 Power
3-liter: 270 horsepower, 223 pound-feet torque
3.6-liter: 304 horsepower, 273 pound-feet torque
Transmission: Six-speed automatic with paddle shifters
EPA gas mileage:
3-liter (RWD): 18 mpg city / 27 mpg highway
3.6-liter: (AWD): 18 mpg city / 26 mpg highway

Report Card

Overall: ****
Performance: Excellent: Sporty ride and excellent handling. Engines provide plenty of power.
Interior: Excellent: Offers comfort and luxury as well as lots of space.
Exterior: Excellent: Clean lines and gorgeous back end celebrate the wagon instead of shying away from it.
Safety: Excellent: Air bags, stability control and solid construction.
Pros: Lots of configurable space and great ride.
Cons: Many people dislike wagons though most have not ridden in one since 1978.
Grading scale
**** Excellent *** Good ** Fair * Poor

Cadillac CTS

Cadillac CTS
There have been updates to the CTS sedan, such as new choices of wheels, but the big change will come in a few weeks with the introduction of the CTS Sport Wagon, said Dale Aaron of American."The CTS Sport Wagon is essentially the same size as the acclaimed CTS sport sedan on the outside," Cadillac announced in a press release. "However, the new Sport Wagon nearly doubles carrying capacity, with 25 cubic feet of space behind the rear seats."




Cadillac CTS



Cadillac CTS
Cadillac CTS Interior


Cadillac CTS