2014 Cadillac CTS Details and Surprises

[Bruce Nunnally]

Surprises:

420 hp ttv6 is the VSport engine not the premium engine? – bad

Weight is low for a fullsize car at 3616 lbs — very good news

Automatic parking assist — interesting could be good

Still missing launch control? None for Cadillac yet

No CTS-V this year? But VSport – hmmmm

Magnetic suspension avail in all models — good

CTS looks terrific (but we knew that)

Vsport is a midway compromise similar to BMW MSpec between the 335 and M3. This year CTS-V is not ready yet, so offer some V like features in the non-V sedan under the name VSport. I am okay with this but would rather see the TTV6 as the standard premium engine as well as the VSport engine.

Read more: http://caddyinfo.com/wordpress/2014-cts-in-detail-surprises/

[Cadillac Jim]

They're probably developing the next generation CTS-V as a mule for the Pirelli World Challenge series with Andy Pilgrim and Johnny O'Connel, and the NHRA homologation rules. If so, the CTS-V will appear when it is ready, and the race version has been backed into a production configuration that (1) supports homogation of the Pirelli World Challenge car, (2) is produceable and can be warrantied in the same terms as, say, a Chevy Cruze, and (3) suits the buying niche for the CTS-V and their expectations for the next generation. That may be a few months late. The Pirelli World Challenge races for 2013 began March 22-24 so this process must be converging if Cadillac is to win the manufacturer's championship again in 2013. O'Connel and Pilgrim were third and fifth, boding well for the season.

[Bruce Nunnally]

Maybe; WC Racing is based around production specs with specified changes so no real homogulation. The new CTS-V would have similar changes to current -- reduce the power, add roll cage, etc? The race cars already lighter than new car.

Cadillacs have been sold as Standard / Luxury / Sport / Premium.

The video reveal seemed to suggest for CTS this will be Standard / midline (Luxury 3.6L) / VSport (TTV6). I just hope the TTV6 is mktd as the fully equipped CTS and not rare. I want to see lots of Twin Turbos in the used car market in a few years!

[Bruce Nunnally]

From FREEP:

GM said it would continue to sell the current coupe and wagon versions of the CTS for as 2014 model-year vehicles, in addition to the current V-Series sedan, coupe and wagon.

The new CTS, which will be assembled at GM’s Lansing Grand River plant, will hit the market shortly before the all-new ELR luxury electric coupe reaches dealerships in early 2014.

Read more: http://www.freep.com/article/20130326/BUSINESS0101/130326117/GM-debuts-new-Cadillac-CTS-eve-N-Y-Auto-Show

[joeb]

yes i know when the 2014 sedan shows up they will still sell the old style 2 door. but there could be unsold 2013 sedans on the lot as well? they obviously wont build old and new sedans together

[Bruce Nunnally]

Yes, there will likely be some 13 CTS sedans still finding homes but no 2nd gen 2014 Sedans just the new 3rd gen Sedan for 2014.

LGR is a flexible assembly factory and can do ATS, CTS gen 2, CTS gen 3 mixed together.

[Bruce Nunnally]

B-roll footage is video footage, often silent, ideal for TV stations to use with an Anchor person voice over or discussion. This b-roll footage shows the new CTS in a variety of real world views and gives more perspective on the new design.

 

 

[Bruce Nunnally]

[jndnaps]

I'm sticking with my 96..

[Bruce Nunnally]

Good to hear. I am really having a good time with my 08 STS-V as well. I wish mine was as clean but hopefully the weather will prevail and I can get some of the road grease off Monday.

[Cadillac Jim]

I think that having a sport model CTS that is mid-way between the CTS performance trim and the CTS-V is a very good idea. I love my CTS-V but I clearly see that a less hard-core sports model would be preferable to most people, and would appeal to those who would otherwise look to BMW, Lexus or Infiniti for a high-end sports sedan with a lot of comfort and a smooth ride.

The video showed identical front and rear tires, but the wheels looked similar to the 19" X 9" wheels used on existing sport CTS-V models. The performance (in the rain, no less) looked impressive, with barely perceptible lean and apparent perfect control at moderate speeds in a race course S-turn or two.

I think that we need to see the successor to the LSA before we seen the next CTS-V design. Claearly using the existing design for the CTS-V models while using the new platform for everything else is a pretty extreme transition move that keeps the V series on the road until the next generation is ready.

[joeb]

the headlight treatment on new car is quite different than the current car. what do you think of the perimeter led strip lights that so many new cars have now?

[Bruce Nunnally]

In the rolling video it looks good. Whatever lets me see further down the road...

[Bruce Nunnally]

Autoweek walk-around:

 

 

 

 

[Cadillac Jim]

Note the enormous intakes for brake coolers and engine intake below each headlight. That is new too. I like the higher headlight location, which is better for clear nights for seeing along wavy roads. The running and fog lights can be lower for that type of condition; I used them for that with my Eldorado.