Next-Gen CTS: See it in Jan, Buy it in July

  • Thread starter Thread starter YSSMAN
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$50 says they'll fuxx up the cool dashboard. GM always screws something good up in the final production. Look at the Saturn Aura as a recent example...the center triangular exhausts are gone for a more boring regular dual 2¼" setup.
 
On the contrary, fellow Texan... Saturn's really stepped up their designs. Who in their wildest dreams thought that Saturn could pull off the Sky? The Aura is pretty nice as well. After over a decade, they finally got stying done right. Porting the Astra to America would be money for Saturn. It means we can ditch the Ion for something nicer. Part of some of the other raesons is that car companies will try to make cars U.S. legal and actually look like stuff Americans would want to buy. Here's an example. One car show featured a Ford Focus concept with beautiful European styling. The U.S. wouldn't see this version, so we get a slightly uglier Focus in the States. Porting a Euro-spec car would usually be perceived as boring, unexciting, uninteresting, and just about every negative adjective in the English language to most people. I've usually thought European-spec cars appeared to be quite fluid and usually pretty nice, especially more of the economy cars and minis. I don't know if it's sold in Europe, but I have seen some cars sold in Mexico and brought into the States. One example is the Nissan Platina. It looks like a pretty small car that would look sweet on European roads yet packs nice styling for a small car. And it was likely Mexico in which I've seen two Peugeot 206's around Houston. Now us Americans are looking to give Europeans some Cadillac love. It's the saddest sight on earth to some Cadillac skeptics. But I want Cadillac to be able to deliver in Europe simply because I'm a person who admires and cherishes prosperity. If they want to woo European buyers away from Mercedes-Benz and BMW models and such, let them. Cadillac just needs to bring it by giving them what they want. Be intuitive, you know? Much like how us Gran Turismo fans want to be able to shape how the sequels will be, look, and feel, Europeans can do the same for Cadillac in their attempt to get some Cadillac buyers over there. The Beijing Auto Show a few years ago had some Cadillac models, so I think they'll need to do as best as they can in order to make Cadillac hot in places other than America (America nonwithstanding, of course).

If you were a European buyer and you wanted to tell Cadillac what exactly it is you want for your Euro-spec Cadillac, what do you want out of a Euro-spec Caddy? What would make you happy with your purchase of a Cadillac in Europe? And do you think Cadillac will actually listen and deliver?
 
JohnBM01
On the contrary, fellow Texan... Saturn's really stepped up their designs. Who in their wildest dreams thought that Saturn could pull off the Sky? The Aura is pretty nice as well. After over a decade, they finally got stying done right. Porting the Astra to America would be money for Saturn. It means we can ditch the Ion for something nicer. Part of some of the other raesons is that car companies will try to make cars U.S. legal and actually look like stuff Americans would want to buy. Here's an example. One car show featured a Ford Focus concept with beautiful European styling. The U.S. wouldn't see this version, so we get a slightly uglier Focus in the States. Porting a Euro-spec car would usually be perceived as boring, unexciting, uninteresting, and just about every negative adjective in the English language to most people. I've usually thought European-spec cars appeared to be quite fluid and usually pretty nice, especially more of the economy cars and minis. I don't know if it's sold in Europe, but I have seen some cars sold in Mexico and brought into the States. One example is the Nissan Platina. It looks like a pretty small car that would look sweet on European roads yet packs nice styling for a small car. And it was likely Mexico in which I've seen two Peugeot 206's around Houston. Now us Americans are looking to give Europeans some Cadillac love. It's the saddest sight on earth to some Cadillac skeptics. But I want Cadillac to be able to deliver in Europe simply because I'm a person who admires and cherishes prosperity. If they want to woo European buyers away from Mercedes-Benz and BMW models and such, let them. Cadillac just needs to bring it by giving them what they want. Be intuitive, you know? Much like how us Gran Turismo fans want to be able to shape how the sequels will be, look, and feel, Europeans can do the same for Cadillac in their attempt to get some Cadillac buyers over there. The Beijing Auto Show a few years ago had some Cadillac models, so I think they'll need to do as best as they can in order to make Cadillac hot in places other than America (America nonwithstanding, of course).

If you were a European buyer and you wanted to tell Cadillac what exactly it is you want for your Euro-spec Cadillac, what do you want out of a Euro-spec Caddy? What would make you happy with your purchase of a Cadillac in Europe? And do you think Cadillac will actually listen and deliver?
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1st bold point: I do think the Aura is fantastic...I just meant that GM screwed up the radical exhausts of the concept model. You have to admit those triangle exhausts were cool as hell.

2nd bold point: Yes the Astra would sell well here I'd think. Hell, I might even consider getting the VXR...if not at least be on my wanted list.

3rd bold point: I drive said Focus model...and I don't think it uglier. The non SVT 2000-2004 Focus has a slightly less good looking face.

4th bold point: No, GM US will never listen to European buyers. It's almost like GM US purposely disregards GM EU (and GM AUS) just because.
 
1) Apparently, the Astra will be here sometime soon (nothing offical on the timeframe). Sadly, that means the possibility of a VXR/Red Line model is still up in the air.

2) The Aura looks good, and I think the "loss" of the centered triangular exhausts are the least of your worries.

3) With the "new" GM comming online, don't be surprised to find GM North America, GM Europe, GM Asia, and GM Australia working together quite closely on developments of all of their new products. GM wants to become a truely global company, being able to build truely global models with interchangeable parts, etc. The Zeta platform is the first step forward for doing so, and apparently the updated Epsilon and Delta platforms will do so as well.
 
I listed my Kappa Caddy idea as an attempt to please Euro buyers.

Stick a 4 banger Turbo Diesel in a Kappa Sedan and call Europeans interested.
 
1-jul13-cts.jpg


An interesting illustration of the next-gen CTS based off of various spy shots of the past few months...
 
YSSMAN
1-jul13-cts.jpg


An interesting illustration of the next-gen CTS based off of various spy shots of the past few months...
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'Jaw drops slowly...' . :drool:
 
I'd say they hit the nail on the head with that one. By comparison to other American, German and Japanese luxury sedans, this one would be oozing class far beyond most of it's competition.

Really I think the most stunning piece of the whole car is the grille. It is the way it sticks out slightly infront of the headlamps and has the backing that gives a sense of Cadillacs of the past, but to some extent the future as well.

It is very easy to see the design elements from the Sixteeen concept a few years ago, and I think they have translated well into the interior and onto the exterior as well. I would give Cadillac a solid A+ on this car if we knew it was indeed an offical illustration, but as of right now, it does make me very excited for what could possibly be within the next year or so...

EDIT: I was clicking back through the history of this thread, and I came uppon the reported stories of a CTS Coupe, or what I called the "CTC." Quite frankly, with styling such as this, I can only envision a sedan. A coupe would look silly to some extent if it was a carbon-copy of the CTS, as they would have to do an El Dorado (or "ETC") for the idea to work properly, and that would have to somehow improve on the drastically good looks this car has.
 
That CTS is much better than the current one. Much more resolved, more coherent. Looks much more Cadillac without looking boaty. The current one, looking face on, always reminded me of some buck-toothed brat pulling his ears out and crossing his eyes. Try it in the mirror and see if I'm not crazy.

exP01.jpg
 
Today's current model isn't horrible, as I saw a very nice-looking '06 Sport-Package in Black, but it is in need of an update as all of it's compeditors either have or will be recieving one by 2008.

Hopefully they have worked out the kinks, as this may be the first Cadillac to trump a BMW in a very, very long time...
 
Technically speaking, the CTS slots between the 3 and 5 series in size, but pricing wise it is targeted twards the 3-series. Cadillac may change it's direction just a bit and point Cadillac twards Mercedes-Benz while they may move the new RWD Grand Prix upmarket and have that shoot for the low-end BMWs.
 
LLN.com
General Motors is seriously considering building coupe and crossover versions of its forthcoming 2008 CTS, which will go on sale next year. The proposed plan is designed as an answer to BMW's 3-series which is offered in sedan, coupe, convertible, and wagon variants. GM previewed concept versions of the coupe and crossover to top dealers recently, according to Automotive News. Cadillac General Manager Jim Taylor confirmed new CTS-based models were in the works. One source told the trade publication a third variant — a convertible, perhaps — was also possible, though none of the spinoffs had been approved so far. Cadillac is expected to unveil the production 2008 CTS sedan in the near future, and possibly related concept cars, too. In April, GM offered a teaser of what appeared to be a concept version of a new CTS during a 60 Minutes documentary.
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The idea had been mentioned before, although I cannot recall if it was in this thread. Competition between the next-gen CTS and current 3-series should be closer than it ever has been before, placing GM in an interesting position, and increasing the ammount of quality and performance that is to be expected from not only other European and Japanese competing models, but from the nOObs that should be on the way from the Americans as well.

I like the idea of a CTS convertable. A vario hardtop is a must these days, and the CTS body could be absolutely stunning with a top-down version. It would not only be a big seller with the ladies, but I doubt it would go unoticed by the males either...
 
I like the idea of a CTS Convertible - it's appealing.

However I do not like the idea of a CTS Wagon, should they decide to make it. I hope GM does not decide to make it, for it won't look too good.
 
I'm doubtful the wagon will happen at all, but it wouldn't surprise me to see a few Epsilon-based wagons on the near horizon, in particular the Saturn Aura given it's direct connection with the Opel Vectra in terms of styling...
 
GT4_Rule
I like the idea of a CTS Convertible - it's appealing.

However I do not like the idea of a CTS Wagon, should they decide to make it. I hope GM does not decide to make it, for it won't look too good.
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Forget about whether it looks good or not. Did a front-drive wagon do anything beneficial for Jaguar's image? I don't think Cadillac wants to go down that road. A 3-series-sized convertible would be a great addition, but only if it's rear-drive (like a slightly cheaper XLR).
 
harrytuttle
Forget about whether it looks good or not. Did a front-drive wagon do anything beneficial for Jaguar's image? I don't think Cadillac wants to go down that road. A 3-series-sized convertible would be a great addition, but only if it's rear-drive (like a slightly cheaper XLR).
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Wait, I'm confused...

You do realise the CTS is actually bigger than the 3-series, right? Oh yeah, its RWD too...
 
Hmmmm, this is all very interesting, but will it have a V-10 to compete with the M3/5?
 
Unless GM has a secret V10 program that I don't know about, its all going to be V8 power with the high-end models. Chances are that the next CTS-V will use the Z06's LS7 V8 rated at 505 BHP and will use the same 6-speed T-56 transmission, but there could also be a supercharged 6.0L "LS9" or "LSX" variant in the works as well.

Cadillac has said in the past that they want to stick to V6, V8, and V12 power with their cars... So I don't foresee a V10 in their future, well, ever. Of course, things could change, but I've always thought of the V10 as the red-headed bastard of the "engine family" as they don't quite sound as nice, nor seem as smooth as the V8 or V12. Of course, thats just my opinion...
 
YSSMAN
Wait, I'm confused...

You do realise the CTS is actually bigger than the 3-series, right? Oh yeah, its RWD too...
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I wasn't talking about the CTS at all. I was talking about the irrelevance of the BLS in the US market, and it's possible convertible variant.
 
MatttheTuner
Oooh, A v-12 DTS maybe?
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They've been talking about replacing the old FWD Caddy DTS with a RWD sedan called the ULS, essentially being the production version of the Sixteen concept car...

harrytuttle
I wasn't talking about the CTS at all. I was talking about the irrelevance of the BLS in the US market, and it's possible convertible variant.
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My apologies then...
 
LLN.com
General Motors today announced the all-new 2008 Cadillac CTS will make its world premiere in January at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit. The debut of the redesigned 2008 CTS in the marketplace is scheduled for late-summer of 2007 in the U.S., with worldwide exports to follow in the fall.

"Cadillac has engineered an historic renaissance, with a completely new product portfolio, driven in large part by the original CTS," said general manager Jim Taylor. "Success can drive conservatism, but not for Cadillac. The next chapter, beginning in January, promises to be even more dramatic." The CTS has "exceeded our goals for sales volume, set new design trends, won championships in racing, and earned awards for quality and customer satisfaction," he said.

In recent weeks and months, we have brought you several rounds of spy photos showing 2008 CTS prototypes in testing. Most recently, spies caught the 2009 Cadillac CTS-V on the Nurburgring and at a gas station in Germany. In October, GM previewed the new CTS — as well as other new models — to dealers at an event in Toronto. Sources said the car appeared nearly identical to the concept previewed on 60 Minutes in April.
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...We're that close guys! I know I'm excited, but that may just be me...
 
It will be interesting to see how close the production model will be to the photos we have seen thus far. I'm looking forward to the distinctive design and new engines more than anything, and I'm crossing my fingers the guys at GM figured out how to make it do what it is supposed to do... Take on the 3-series and C-class without a problem...
 

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