The good news: The Cadillac CTS coupe will go into production
When the CTS coupe first showed up at the 2008 Detroit Auto Show, U.S. journalists were filled with almost a sense of patriotic pride knowing that this was the kind of leap forward that could get Cadillac out and ahead of the BMW 3-Series. We were almost brought to tears when we heard the production car would keep similar styling to the sexy concept (okay maybe not tears; all automotive journalists sold our souls a long time ago to get the job.)
Then the bottom fell out. Rising gas prices and a weak economy dried up customer showroom traffic and forced cutbacks. This eventually included the indefinite delay of the CTS coupe. The automotive press weeped again (or at least tried.) The only other people to feel the kind of crushing disappointment were those children who went to go see the new car dad bought, only to find out it was a Pacer.
This made us all fear the worst, and possibly demise of the two-door Caddy, but happy days are hear again. General Motors announced that the Cadillac CTS coupe is on for production in the summer of 2010. This is about a year later than originally scheduled, but just like your father trading in that Pacer, it’s a case of better late than never.
The Cadillac CTS coupe and the new Buick LaCrosse were both supposed to premiere at the Los Angeles Auto Show in November, but now that’s been scrapped. This means that a cost-savings plans will now delay two significant cars that are significant to the future of General Motors.
The 2010 Buick LaCrosse will now be shown at the Detroit Auto Show in January. The new LaCrosse is supposed to be a car that will rejuvenate the Buick’s family car in a similar was to Chevrolet did with the latest Malibu.
There has been no announcement when CTS coupe has been rescheduled to make its debut. The CTS coupe is an angular design that will help Cadillac better take on the BMW 3-Series.
These two cars seems to be the victims of the latest in a series of actions GM has taken to cut costs in recent weeks. GM said on Thursday it would cut some benefit payments and would be forced to dismiss salaried staff because of the steep downturn in auto sales.
With the new Cadillac CTS-V is getting ready to hit the showrooms next month, we realized the only track video posted is with us driving. While we may consider ourselves good drivers, you deserve to see some footage of the car being driven to its limits. Who better to do that then General Motors drivers and executives (we’re still a little afraid of our insurance bill when we find the limits of this super-sedan.)
Watch this compilation of the 550 hp beast going around Milford Proving Grounds, Monticello Raceway and its record setting round at the Nurburgring.
The 2009 Cadillac CTS-V will go on sale starting November 1st at a price of $59,995. After our test drive around the Monticello Racecourse in August, we’d consider that price a bargan.
The Cadillac CTS-V is powered by a supercharged 6.2-liter V8 engine that delivers 556-hp. Although its available with a 6-speed automatic (which is one of the best we tested), there is no substitute for the standard a 6-speed manual transmission.
Some of the more fun options available on the CTS-V are the 14-way adjustable Recaro performance seats, microfiber interior accents and a large “Ultra-View” sunroof.
GM is considering a 4.5L Duramax V-8 turbodiesel engine for the Cadillac CTS. The dual overhead cam, four-valve diesel V-8 that has found use in SUVs and light-duty pickups will also fit in the same space as most small-block gasoline V-8.
While the CTS is due to get a 2.9L V-6 diesel in Europe, the 4.5L diesel V-8 would most likely be seen as a way of filling the gap between the 304-hp direct-injection V-6 of the regular CTS and the 556-hp supercharged V-8 of the CTS-V here in the U.S. The 4.5L Duramax engine features aluminum cylinder heads with integrated manifolding and a variable-vane turbocharger that capable of delivering more than 310 hp and 520 lb-ft of torque.
But will a diesel Cadillac sell in the traditionally gas-only U.S.? GM is hoping that the new diesels from premium manufacturers like Audi and Mercedes will spark (pun intended) a new love for upper market oil burners in the U.S.
Hopefully the public won’t remember GM’s last try at diesel cars. The now-defunct Oldsmobile sold a diesel engine in the late 70s and 80s. Its design came from a gasoline version, and the engine quickly developed a reputation for failing under the diesel’s extra pressure. The Duramax is a proper diesel engine, and a good one too. But if GM goes for diesel cars again, its banking on the public not remembering their father’s Oldsmobile.
For those folks who don’t know, D3 represents world leading tuning company specialized in Cadillac vehicles. D3 announced today the new 2008+ Cadillac CTS rear roof spoiler upgrade and rear deck lid spoiler upgrade. Made from high strength composite fiber the spoilers were designed using software that interfaces with GM, resulting durable add-ons that integrates with the design. The spoilers are available separately or as a set and their installing doesn’t require cutting or drilling and once installed the customers may want to take a look at D3 Cadillac’s performance upgrades.
First was the CTS-V sedan. Now after the launch of the coupe version, we will also have a CTS-V coupe. So if the CTS Sport Wagon is successful, it wouldn’t be too far of a stretch for Cadillac to make a CTS-V wagon.
If built, the CTS-V station wagon will compete with models like Audi RS6 or Mercedes E63 AMG, but will be much more cheaper: considering the 2009 CTS-V sedan will start right at $60,000, the wagon version would still likely be about $25,000 less expensive than the E63 wagon.
The station wagon will have the same RWD configuration as the sedan, along with the 19-inch wheels carrying Michelin PS2s, and the revised front-end styling, which accommodates the tall supercharged motor and provides for better cooling than the standard car’s front clip. It would do the quarter-mile in the mid-12-second range and carry 121.9 cubic feet worth of cargo.
After Cadillac will unveil the coupe version of its successful CTS they will also bring the more powerful V version. And here is the first spy shot to prove it. The CTS Coupe will be unveiled in 2009 as a 2010 model year. The CTS-V Coupe will follow a few months later. It will be powered by a 6.2L LSA supercharged V8 engine that will deliver 500 hp.
Spy reports spot large drilled large brake calipers and center-mounted dual oval exhaust tips. Reports also confirm the raised hood, wider rear tires, larger rims and the CTS-V series grille.
After unveiling the Sport Wagon version of its CTS, Cadillac is now preparing the coupe version. This may be the last form the smallest Caddy will take considering what GM said about the convertible version. The coupe stays faithful to the concept launched this year at the Detroit Auto Show. Sales begin in the second half of 2009.
Under the hood GM will place the same 3.6-liter V6 engine that delivers 263 hp. As an option there will be a 3.6-liter with added direct injection, which increases output to 304 hp. The 6.2-liter V8 engine may be an option to top the class.
There is nothing better than test driving a sports car. The manufacturer expects you to run it to the limits, so you can go home and write about how powerful/fast/nimble the car is. Our experience with the preview of the Cadillac CTS-V was no exception. As mentioned earlier in the week, we were invited to take a day putting Cadillac’s 556 hp supercharged CTS-V through its paces at the Monticello racetrack in New York.
The power was always there, from the moment I stepped on the accelerator until I hit the engine’s rev limiter. When I hit the gas, I immediately found myself stuck to the seat. I would have screamed, but instead just simply shut up and wondered if it is the end of the world! The CTS-V’s delivery is almost is so abrupt that I would hate to see the look of terror on my face. But this was quickly replaced by a smile when I realized I was always under control… and alive.
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