The Cadillac CTS->ke1200 was not the best-received model that the luxury automaker released when it debuted back in 2008. Despite its lukewarm reception, it has grown on buyers and has really blossomed into quite the staple in Caddy’s lineup. Now, at the 2013 New York International Auto Show, Cadillac has unveiled the third-generation CTS Sedan->ke142, but no coupe model yet.

Unfortunately for Cadillac->ke18, the images had leaked several days before the model actually debuted, so we already knew what it would look like. However, there are still plenty of details left unknown. For example, we have no clue what model will receive that sexy, sexy twin-turbocharged V-6 engine. We also have no clue what features the new CTS will include.

Well, all of the mysteries can be laid to rest today, as Cadillac has officially released all of the information on the upcoming CTS.

Updated 06/13/2013: Cadillac announced today prices for the 2014 CTS sedan that will arrive in dealerships this fall. Click past the jump to find out how much you have to pay for the new CTS.

Updated 8/27/2013: GM took the CTS Vsport to the Nurburgring and laid down a healthy 8:14.10. You can read more about the run and see two videos of the run after the jump.

Updated 9/27/2013: Cadillac has unveiled the configurator for the 2014 CTS. The models starts off at $45,100 and caps off with a fully loaded CTS Vsport model at $72,300. Check out the configurator for yourself here.

Click past the jump to read all of the information on the 2014 Cadillac CTS Sedan

cadillac-cts-sedan

Specifications
  • Make: Array
  • Model: cadillac-cts-sedan
Pros
Cons

2014 Cadillac CTS Sedan

Specifications
  • Make: Array
  • Model: 2014 Cadillac CTS Sedan
  • Engine/Motor: inline-4
  • Horsepower: 272 @ 5500
  • Torque: 295 @ 1700
  • [do not use] Vehicle Model: Array
Pros
Cons

Exterior

It is official, the images that leaked all over the Internet were 100-percent real. The 2014 Cadillac CTS uses the same high-performance architecture as the ATS, giving it amazing performance credentials. Overall, the CTS has grown 5 inches in length and features a wheelbase that is 1.2 inches longer than the second-generation CTS. Despite being longer, the CTS is slightly lighter than the second generation and nearly 200 pounds lighter than the BMW 528i. The weight loss is all thanks to aluminum door structures – a first for Cadillac.

The CTS is long, lean and sexy, thanks to its aforementioned stretched body and a 1-inch-lower roofline and windshield cowl. You also get a wider grille to help give the CTS a more aggressive yet luxurious, look. The new headlights add to the sleek look and follow the pronounced fender line with perfection. LED strips outline the outer edge of each taillight and run down the side of the front skirt, giving the CTS a futuristic look.

Above, you can see the images of the three variants: 2.0T (top-left), 3.6 (top-right) and Vsport (bottom). It's clear that there will not be too much separating the models, as the only details that really stand out are the LED surrounds on the 3.6 and Vsport models, and the sportier rims on the Vsport.

Around the backside, you get a set of sleek taillights that swoop along with the rear quarter panel’s bodyline, making the headlights and taillights almost seem connected in a way. Additionally, the rear skirt includes a diffusor with dual-exhaust tips integrated into it.

If you opt for the CTS Vsport model – the obvious replacement for the CTS-V – you get a set of 18-inch rims wrapped up in Pirelli tires.

Exterior Dimensions

Wheelbase (in / mm)

114.6 / 2911

Length (in / mm)

195.5 / 4966

Height (in / mm)

57.2 / 1454

Width (in / mm)

72.2 / 1833

Base curb weight (lb / kg)

3616 / 1640

Weight distribution (% front / rear)

50.3 / 48.7


Interior

On the inside, Cadillac expanded the interior, making it roomier for all occupants. Additionally, you get a more driver-centric setup, as Cadillac shifted nearly every button and knob nearer to the driver. You can see from the images of the interior that super-luxurious leather, including semi-aniline leather seating with hand-sewn executions, is an available option. Also available are three different trimmings: wood, carbon fiber or aluminum.

Tying the interior and exterior together is the raked-back style instrument panel that mimics the exterior’s sleekness.

The 2014 CTS sedan includes Cadillac’s CUE system that allows you to pair a smartphone or tablet to the luxury sedan to access information and entertainment data. CUE includes an 8-inch screen that allows you to make selections via swipe and drag functions. Also standard with Cue is Bluetooth connectivity with voice recognition, USB and SD card ports, 20-way power front seats, motorized scup holder lid, heated and ventilated front seats and steering wheel, electronically locking glove box, electronic parking brake, adaptive remote start and am 11-speaker Bose audio system..

You can also opt for a 12.3-inch high-resolution LCD instrument panel cluster. This system offers up four layouts that range from normal to performance. Also available is a full-color heads-up display and a 13-speaker Bose Centerpoint Surround Sound system.

Standard Interior Features

-CUE

-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

Optional Interior Features

-13-speaker Bose Centerpoint Surround Sound system

-12.3-inch high-resolution LCD instrument cluster

Interior Dimensions

Front Legroom (in / mm)

42.6 / 1081

Rear Legroom (in / mm)

35.4 / 899

Front Headroom (in / mm)

39.2 / 995

Rear Headroom (in / mm)

37.5 / 952

Front Shoulder room (in / mm)

56.9 / 1446

Rear Shoulder room (in / mm)

54.8 / 1392

Front Hip room (in / mm)

53.8 / 1366

Rear Headroom (in / mm)

53.3 / 1353

Seating capacity (front / rear)

2 / 3

EPA passenger volume (cu ft / L)

97 / 2746

EPA trunk volume (cu ft / L)

13.7 / 388


Engine and Drivetrain

Under the hood is where we really get excited, but we are going to start you off slowly here. The smallest engine in the CTS lineup is a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder. This compact powerplant pumps out a stout 272 horsepower at 5,500 rpm and 295 pound-feet of torque between 1,700 rpm and 5,500 rpm. This engine performs rather well in the CTS, as it can sprint the sedan to 60 mph in just 6.1 seconds.

The next step is the same 3.6-liter V-6 that has been a part of the second-generation CTS. This engine comes to the plate bearing 321 horsepower at 6,800 rom and 275 pound-feet of torque at 4,800 rpm. We assume that this will be the base engine, but the 2.0-liter could end up being the base engine – it all depends on its build cost.

The top-line 2014 Cadillac CTS Vsport will come with an all-new 3.6-liter twin-turbocharged V-6 engine that delivers a total of 420 horsepower and 430 pound-feet of torque, giving it a massive 118 horsepower per liter. This output makes it the most powerful six-cylinder engine ever offered in the midsize luxury segment.

The 3.6-liter twin-boosted engine is equipped with a pair of smaller turbochargers and an efficient intercooler. This powerful six-pot sprints the car from to 60 mph i just 4.4 seconds and up to a top speed of 170 mph.

The 2014 CTS will also include a new high-performance, paddle-shift eight-speed automatic transmission that helps improve fuel efficiency by about 1.5 percent.

The CTS Sedan Luxury, Performance and Premium will all have the option of all-wheel drive or rear-wheel drive. The CTS Vsport, on the other hand, will only be available in rear-wheel drive. These three models also are available with either the 3.6-liter or 2.0-liter engine, but Cadillac has not specified which one is standard. Fior now, we can only assume that the 2.0-liter engine is the standard powerplant.

Driveline Specifications

2.0L Turbo DI VVT

3.6L V-6 DI VVT

3.6L V-6 Twin-Turbo DI VVT

Displacement (cu in / cc):

122 / 1998

217 / 3564

217 / 3564

Bore & stroke (in / mm):

3.39 x 3.39 / 86 x 86

3.70 x 3.37 / 94 x 85.6

3.70 x 3.37 / 94 x 85.6

Block material:

cast aluminum

cast aluminum

cast aluminum

Cylinder head material:

cast aluminum

cast aluminum

cast aluminum

Valvetrain:

DOHC, four-valves per cylinder, continuously variable valve timing

DOHC, four valves per cylinder, continuously variable valve timing

DOHC, four valves per cylinder, continuously variable valve timing

Fuel delivery:

direct high-pressure fuel injection

direct high-pressure fuel injection

direct high-pressure fuel injection

Compression ratio:

9.5:1

11.5:1

10.2:1

Horsepower (hp / kW @ rpm):

272 / 203 @ 5500 (est.)

321 / 239 @ 6800 (gas)

420 / 313 @ 5750 (SAE-certified)

Torque (lb-ft / Nm @ rpm):

295 / 400 @ 1700-5500 (est.)

275 / 373 @ 4800* (gas)

430 / 583 @ 3500-4500 (SAE-certified)

Recommended fuel:

premium recommended but not required

regular unleaded or E85

premium required

Maximum engine speed (rpm):

7000

7200

6500

GM-estimated economy (city / hwy):

19 / 30 RWD
18 / 28 AWD

19 / 28 RWD
18 / 27 AWD

17 / 25


Suspension and Braking

The CTS’ suspension system is far more advanced than we had expected. The main goal of GM engineers was to keep the suspension’s weight as low as possible via the use of aluminum on the front and steel ion the rear.

Up front, the CTS receives a multi-link MacPherson Strut system that has a double-pivot design. Out back, the CTS has a five-link independent setup. A ZF Steering Systems-built electric, variable-assist steering gear helps keep the luxury sedan as agile as possible. A set of 17-inch rims are standard, while 18- and 19-inch rims are available as options. Also optional on the CTS is a Magnetic Ride Control with real-time damping system and all-wheel drive.

If you opt for the CTS Vsport, you get 18 inch wheels with sticky high-performance Pirelli tires, quick-ratio steering, Brembo disc brakes with aluminum calipers, “Track Mode” with steering rate and Magnetic Ride Control calibrations and an electronic limited-slip differential

Brake Specifications

Type

Four-wheel disc with sliding calipers on base; four-channel ABS/TCS w/ DRP; Brembo brakes with fixed calipers on Luxury, Performance and Premium collections

Standard Front Rotor type and thickness (in / mm)

12.6 / 321 vented, with Ferritic Nitro Carburized process for corrosion resistance; aluminum dual-piston calipers

Standard Rear Rotor type and thickness (in / mm)

12.4 / 315 vented, with Ferritic Nitro Carburized process for corrosion resistance; aluminum single-piston calipers

Uplevel Front Rotor type and thickness (in / mm )

13.6 / 345 vented, with Ferritic Nitro Carburized process for corrosion resistance; aluminum dual-piston calipers

Uplevel Rear Rotor type and thickness (in / mm )

12.4 / 315 vented, with Ferritic Nitro Carburized process for corrosion resistance; aluminum single-piston calipers


Safety Features

The CTS will feature 10 airbags standard, Ultrasonic rear park assist and OnStar to help keep you safe. There is also a slew of optional safety features that you can add on, including: 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 (where required). Also available for the first time on a Cadillac is automatic seatbelt tightening to ensure optimal safety and comfort at all times.

Price and Availability

The 2014 CTS will be priced from $46,025, including $925 destination. The CTS Vsport model starts at $59,995, including $925 destination.

Pricing Details:

Model

MSRP RWD

MSRP AWD

CTS Sedan 2.0T Standard

$46,025

$48,025

CTS Sedan 2.0T Luxury

$51,925

$53,925

CTS Sedan 2.0T Performance

$58,325

$60,325

CTS Sedan 2.0T Premium

$62,725

$64,725

CTS Sedan 3.6 Luxury

$54,625

$56,625

CTS Sedan 3.6 Performance

$61,025

$63,025

CTS Sedan 3.6 Premium

$65,425

$67,425

CTS Sedan Vsport

$59,995

N/A

CTS Sedan Vsport Premium

$69,995

N/A


Production will begin in the fall of 2013 in Lancing, Michigan.

Driving Impressions

The CTS has yet to undergo testing by independent outlets, but GM did take the CTS Vsport model to Nurburgring and let it lap the legendary track at full tilt. It ran an amazing 8:14.10 around the `Ring, which is 6 seconds faster than the first-gen CTS-V. That time nestles it right between the BMW Alpina B3->ke2381 Biturbo Coupé time of 8:14 in 2008 and the 8:15 run by the BMW 1 Series M Coupe in 2011 -- pretty good company to keep, in our opinion.

You can see one video of this run above and one below.

Competitors

2014 BMW 5-Series

In 2014, BMW is releasing an LCI (mid-generation update) version of the 5-Series, and we have seen many leaked images and heard many rumors. Rumors are pointing toward the 535i dropping the N5 engine in favor of a peppier six-cylinder. Other than that information, we have little more to pass on. According to the leaked images we have seen, the CTS certainly crushes the 5-Series in looks. Plus, it’ll likely be a good bit cheaper.

2014 Audi A6

We don’t expect any updates for the 2014 Audi A6, so look for it to feature a 2.0-liter turbocharged powerplant with 211 horsepower as its base engine and a 310-horsepower 3.0-liter as an option. The 2.0T model hits 60 mph in 7.5 seconds and the 3.0T hits 60 mph in only 5.2 seconds. We expect the A6 to be just as luxurious as the CTS and likely in the same price range. This may change if Audi decides to shock us with a revision to the existing model.

Conclusion

The CTS is a stunning car that has massive performance credentials. It kind of stinks that it looks like the V-8 engine is no longer an option, but we’re sure that 420-horsepower V-6 engine is more than competent. You never know, Cadillac may decide to unveil the CTS-V in the future. Overall, we love this car!