CADILLAC CTS

The 'CTS ''(Catera Touring Sedan)' ^[1] is a mid size entry level luxury car made by General Motors for the Cadillac brand. It was introduced as the replacement for the Cadillac Catera in 2003. Originally, it was created as a direct competitor to the Lincoln LS, before that car was discontinued in 2006 to make way for the smaller, but similar, Lincoln Zephyr (which has since been replaced by the MKZ).
Designed by Wayne Cherry, the CTS uses edgy styling that Cadillac calls "Art and Science", which was first seen on the Evoq concept car. Cadillac History The CTS is credited with rejuvenating the Cadillac brand, and possibly saving it from extinction, as Cadillac sales fell in favor of imported luxury brands such as Lexus and Mercedes-Benz. Although Cadillac tried to capture a younger buyer base in the 1990s, the CTS was the first of these new models that was successful as Cadillac's other attempts at luring in younger buyers, such as the Catera and Allante, were unsuccessful. 2003 Cadillac CTS preview ^[2] The CTS' success is credited to its appearance in ''The Matrix Reloaded''. Matrix Reloaded, Cadillac Remade
The 2008 CTS was unvelied at the North American International Auto Show. it borrows styling cues from the Cadillac Sixteen concept car, and is scheduled to go on sale in late August. ^[3]

Contents

First Generation (2003-2007)

Second Generation (2008-Present)

The Matrix Reloaded

CTS-V

References

External links

First Generation (2003-2007)

Introduced in 2002 for the 2003 model year, the CTS rode on the new rear-wheel drive GM Sigma platform. It was a return to rear-wheel drive, as well as being the first Cadillac with a manual transmission since the 1988 Cimarron. It replaced the mid-size rear-wheel drive Catera. The CTS was nominated for the ''North American Car of the Year'' award for 2002. The CTS is built at GM's Lansing Grand River plant in Lansing, Michigan. The CTS was also assembled in China in 2006, but assembly was discontinued shortly thereafter due to poor sales in that market. The CTS in China is now an exported model once again.
Originally powered by a 3.2 L LA3 V6 producing 220 hp (164 kW), the CTS received a 3.6 L DOHC V6 with variable valve timing in 2004, producing 255 hp (190 kW) and 252 ft·lbf (342 N·m) of torque. The 3.2 L engine went out of production in 2005, when a new 2.8 L version of the DOHC V6 debuted in an entry-level version of the CTS. In Europe, the 2.8 L replaces the previous entry level 2.6 L.
The CTS originally offered either a 5-speed ''5L40-E'' automatic transmission or 5-speed Getrag ''260'' manual transmission. The Getrag was replaced with an Aisin ''AY-6'' 6-speed for 2005.
The redesigned 2008 CTS debuted at the 2007 North American International Auto Show.

Second Generation (2008-Present)

On April 2, 2006 in a 60 Minutes interview with Bob Lutz, part of a prototype Cadillac was revealed to audiences. The car appeared to take design influences both inside and out from the Cadillac Sixteen concept from 2003. Prototype models caught testing at the Nürburgring in Germany also carry many of the design features from the car showcased in April nearly unmasked. Spyshots from the Nürburgring prototypes also show that the car will still have a manual transmission. The CTS will also have an all-wheel drive option.
At the North American International Auto Show in January 2007, GM introduced the all-new CTS that will go on sale as a 2008 model. The base model will feature a 3.6-liter variable valve timing V6 with 263 hp and 252 lb-ft of torque. A second version will be offered, a new 3.6-liter direct-injection V6 VVT engine with 304 horsepower and 270 pound-feet of torque using regular unleaded gas. A six-speed manual transmission will be standard on all models. The six-speed Hydra-matic 6L50 automatic transmission will be optional. Also on-demand all-wheel drive will be offered with both engines when equipped with an automatic transmission.
[1]
The new model is wider and longer, measuring 191.6 inches (4766 mm) long, 72.5 inches (1841 mm) wide and 58 inches (1472 mm) in height. Wheelbase is unchanged at 113.4 inches (2880 mm), but with a wider front/rear track of 61.8 / 62.0 inches (1575 / 1585 mm).
Like its predecessor, the 2008 CTS is offered with rear- or, new for 2008, all-wheel-drive. Some suspension, braking, and steering improvements from last year's CTS-V have been added to the standard CTS.
Nine-spoke, 18-inch wheels surround larger high-performance brake calipers and rotors.
Side air extractors are located forward of the front doors.
Standard features include 263-hp, 3.6-liter engine, 17-inch wheels and tires, BOSE 8-speaker sound system, stabilitrak, tire pressure monitoring, underhood strut tower brace, and polished aluminum exhaust tips.
Optional features include iPod integration, swiveling headlights, Navigation system with 3D mapping of major US landmarks and real-time traffic and weather data, BOSE 5.1 Digital Surround Sound, 40 gigabyte Hard Disc Drive, and remote start.
According to a recent issue of Motor Trend, a coupe and station wagon version of the CTS may be produced and sold in the USA, although GM feels that they may be more successful in Europe. Similarly, Cadillac had considered releasing the European-only Cadillac BLS (based on the Saab 9-3) in sedan and wagon form, but plans have been placed on hold until the debut of the Alpha car, which will be closer in size to the BMW 3-series as opposed to the BMW 5-series by which the CTS is closest to.
The 2008 CTS will be going into production during the summer with a late August/early September release in order to directly compete with the all-new 2008 Mercedes-Benz C-Class being released around the same time frame according to Cadillac dealers on the east coast.

The Matrix Reloaded

Main articles: The Matrix Reloaded

The Cadillac CTS's success was credited to its appearance in ''The Matrix Reloaded''. When creating the film, the creators of the film were looking for a car for a chase scene for the film, and were looking for a car that would fit the atmosphere of the film. General Motors heard about this, and suggested the CTS to the filmmakers.

The Cadillac CTS at the beginning of the chase

They also suggested the Escalade, but the filmmakers rejected it. They showed more interest in the Escalade EXT, but it wasn't scheduled to go into prototype stage until 2001. Cadillac CTS and escalade EXT to make film history in The Matrix Reloaded Because of this, General Motors took production Chevrolet Avalanches and converted them into Escalade EXTs using prototype parts. Joel Silver, the creater of ''The Matrix'' stated, "We selected Cadillac to play a major role in The Matrix Reloaded because we knew the CTS and EXT could handle our rigorous production demands, as well as fit seamlessly into the innovative, hyper-stylized world of the Matrix." Ten CTS prototypes were used for the film, each showing different extents of damage. ^[4]

CTS-V

The Cadillac CTS-V is a high performance and V8 version of the standard CTS.

References

1. Destination: Aspiration
2. Cadillac XLR: Sex appeal on wheels
3. 2008 Cadillac CTS Art and Science, take II
4. Cadillacs in The Matrix

GM News

External links

★ Cadillac CTS Homepage

★ More information on the Cadillac CTS/ CTS-V- CadillacFAQ.com

★ Lincoln vs Cadillac

★ CadillacOwners.com

★ CaddyInfo.com Cadillac Discussion & Information

★ the CaddyEdge.com