2003 Cadillac CTS - The Catera is Dead, Long Live the CTS
It just seemed like yesterday when Cadillac's European engineered entry model received a mild makeover stripping it of its retro taillight bar and cleaning up its front end. Now the conservatively styled Catera has been superseded by the avant-garde CTS. Of course, one glance at Cadillac's edgy replacement and almost anything else looks dated. GM officials state that the CTS points the way to the Cadillac's future, with design cues taken from the all-new Escalade SUV, that was inspired by 1999's Evoq roadster concept, soon to be XLR, as well as more recent Imaj and Vizón concept designs.
So where does the CTS fit among Cadillac's current line-up? At 4,828 (190.1 in) in length it's about a foot shorter than the Seville, yet its 2,880 mm (113.4 in) wheelbase is 51 mm (2 in) longer. That means interior space is not much off its larger, more luxurious sibling. Where does that leave the Seville? Not only is the bigger sedan being cramped by the new upstart, but what was once the most advanced looking vehicle within its once revered family is now looking desperately dated.
Cadillac, revered? Absolutely! Old-timers and automotive history buffs will go on at length regarding Cadillac's glory days. Automotive firsts such as the synchromesh transmission, security plate glass and chrome plating came to light on pre-war Cadillacs. Customer firsts such as a nationwide comprehensive service policy changed the way the industry did business. The 30's brought production of smooth and quiet V12 and V16 engines while the 1938 60 Special found a home in the garages of America's tycoons and America's most wanted, Al Capone for one.
It just seemed like yesterday when Cadillac's European engineered entry model received a mild makeover stripping it of its retro taillight bar and cleaning up its front end. Now the conservatively styled Catera has been superseded by the avant-garde CTS. Of course, one glance at Cadillac's edgy replacement and almost anything else looks dated. GM officials state that the CTS points the way to the Cadillac's future, with design cues taken from the all-new Escalade SUV, that was inspired by 1999's Evoq roadster concept, soon to be XLR, as well as more recent Imaj and Vizón concept designs. So where does the CTS fit among Cadillac's current line-up? At 4,828 (190.1 in) in length it's about a foot shorter than the Seville, yet its 2,880 mm (113.4 in) wheelbase is 51 mm (2 in) longer. That means interior space is not much off its larger, more luxurious sibling. Where does that leave the Seville? Not only is the bigger sedan being cramped by the new upstart, but what was once the most advanced looking vehicle within its once revered family is now looking desperately dated.
Cadillac, revered? Absolutely! Old-timers and automotive history buffs will go on at length regarding Cadillac's glory days. Automotive firsts such as the synchromesh transmission, security plate glass and chrome plating came to light on pre-war Cadillacs. Customer firsts such as a nationwide comprehensive service policy changed the way the industry did business. The 30's brought production of smooth and quiet V12 and V16 engines while the 1938 60 Special found a home in the garages of America's tycoons and America's most wanted, Al Capone for one.