Without further ado, the CTS-V Coupe will be available as early as late spring, only a short while after the basic car, and will sport the awesome 556 hp supercharged 6.2L V8. Tire shredders take note! I can already imagine the comparo tests: M6 vs SL63 AMG vs Mustang GT500 vs R8 5.2, and the list goes on.
The movers
There is a slew of standard and optional performance-oriented components for this car, from the independent short/long arm front and rear multi-link suspension to the four-wheel disc performance brakes and rear limited-slip differential.
Cadillac thought of everything. The suspension is available in two levels of tune: a Performance Package with 18-inch wheels and the Summer Tire Performance Package, with 19-inch tires.
The entertainers
The CTS Coupe, like its siblings, combines high style with high-tech. The feature list includes integrated iPod/MP3 capability, a 40-gig hard drive, a pop-up navigation system, adaptive forward lighting, Bluetooth, standard Keyless Access and Smart Remote Start, a reverse Camera and Bose 5.1 Cabin Surround audio system.
The CTS' cabin is one of the finest in GM's entire line. The Coupe will lack for nothing with hand-sewn accents amongst other nice touches. One of my favourite points are the 14-way adjustable Recaro sport seats which were previously only offered on the Vs. For the Coupe, they will be offered on all models as an option, at least in the US.
The Cadillac
Post bankruptcy Cadillac is an all-new Cadillac. In the US, the brand held 1,500 dealers which was, as conceded by a Cadillac rep, way too many. By comparison, BMW, Mercedes and Lexus have between 250 and 350 establishments. The New Cadillac will have 500. This greatly will improve what GM's luxury brand also wants to work on: Customer care and attention.
Same rep was very candid about the fact that they recognize that they do not have the same brand strength as BMW or Audi. He, they, felt that in time and with the right products, will achieve this. I say "no doubt!". Think of where Audi was 20 years ago and where they are now. Huge difference. Hopefully Cadillac will move faster. According to the Source, they are just past the midway point of the storied brand's rebirth. By the next generation of cars and trucks, sometime between 2012 and 2014, the transformation should be complete.
To help Cadillac get there, the CTS, new SRX and revised Escalade are only some of its fighting ingredients. A new DTS/STS replacement should be next (one new flagship for both cars) followed by an entry-level car that will slot directly below the CTS, to better fend off the 3-Series and C-Class.
The trend
Getting back to the CTS Coupe, it is a stunning example of GM at its best; the car is gorgeous and pushes all the right buttons. Its competition is fierce but the CTS Coupe's timing is just about right, if not just a little late... but no one will really notice.
Regardless, this could be one that restores a large part of that "lost lustre" that initially belongs to Cadillac. As far as I'm concerned, BMW, Audi and Infiniti should look over their shoulder...
photo:Mathieu St-Pierre
The movers
There is a slew of standard and optional performance-oriented components for this car, from the independent short/long arm front and rear multi-link suspension to the four-wheel disc performance brakes and rear limited-slip differential.
Cadillac thought of everything. The suspension is available in two levels of tune: a Performance Package with 18-inch wheels and the Summer Tire Performance Package, with 19-inch tires.
The entertainers
The CTS Coupe, like its siblings, combines high style with high-tech. The feature list includes integrated iPod/MP3 capability, a 40-gig hard drive, a pop-up navigation system, adaptive forward lighting, Bluetooth, standard Keyless Access and Smart Remote Start, a reverse Camera and Bose 5.1 Cabin Surround audio system.
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The CTS' cabin is one of the finest in GM's entire line. The Coupe will lack for nothing with hand-sewn accents amongst other nice touches. One of my favourite points are the 14-way adjustable Recaro sport seats which were previously only offered on the Vs. For the Coupe, they will be offered on all models as an option, at least in the US.
The Cadillac
Post bankruptcy Cadillac is an all-new Cadillac. In the US, the brand held 1,500 dealers which was, as conceded by a Cadillac rep, way too many. By comparison, BMW, Mercedes and Lexus have between 250 and 350 establishments. The New Cadillac will have 500. This greatly will improve what GM's luxury brand also wants to work on: Customer care and attention.
Same rep was very candid about the fact that they recognize that they do not have the same brand strength as BMW or Audi. He, they, felt that in time and with the right products, will achieve this. I say "no doubt!". Think of where Audi was 20 years ago and where they are now. Huge difference. Hopefully Cadillac will move faster. According to the Source, they are just past the midway point of the storied brand's rebirth. By the next generation of cars and trucks, sometime between 2012 and 2014, the transformation should be complete.
To help Cadillac get there, the CTS, new SRX and revised Escalade are only some of its fighting ingredients. A new DTS/STS replacement should be next (one new flagship for both cars) followed by an entry-level car that will slot directly below the CTS, to better fend off the 3-Series and C-Class.
The trend
Getting back to the CTS Coupe, it is a stunning example of GM at its best; the car is gorgeous and pushes all the right buttons. Its competition is fierce but the CTS Coupe's timing is just about right, if not just a little late... but no one will really notice.
Regardless, this could be one that restores a large part of that "lost lustre" that initially belongs to Cadillac. As far as I'm concerned, BMW, Audi and Infiniti should look over their shoulder...
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photo:Mathieu St-Pierre