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| 2001-09-11 | ||
September 2001
Frankfurt. The Cadillac CTS will be celebrating its official world premiere at the 2001 International Motor Show in Frankfurt. The sporty and sumptuously fitted CTS marks Cadillac's entry into the luxury mid-size sedan segment. The five-seater with rear-wheel drive is based on a completely new platform. Its dynamic form vocabulary with bold, accented contours and chiseled form are a result of the first application of Cadillac's new "Art & Science" philosophy to a production car. The power sources for the rear-wheel-drive model based on General Motors' new Sigma architecture are two modern V6 engines with 2.6 and 3.2-liter capacities and outputs of 136 kW/185 hp and 160 kW/218 hp respectively at 6000 rpm. CTS buyers can choose between a 5-speed manual or automatic gearbox. Form vocabulary with unmistakable message The design of the Cadillac CTS bears the unmistakable hallmarks of Cadillac's technological orientation. Characteristic design cues include vertical headlamps and taillamps, a V-shaped front that tapers into the classic Cadillac split-grille with the prominent Cadillac wreath and crest logo and a dramatic, rising shoulder line that refracts the light. It appears to split the car into a lighter upper and darker lower section, which adds to the perceived length of the vehicle. The likewise tapered rear profile complements the front with a wide, V-shaped high-mounted stop light and the Cadillac logo on the center line. An example of the efforts of CTS designers to formulate technical precision in details is the window line. It extends through to the distinctive rear as well as to the front in a subtle fender line. The high shoulder adds to the passengers' sense of safety without making the sides of the car seem heavier. Strong wheel arches defined by a precise undercut in the metal are a sporty design feature that makes the standard 16-inch wheels seem even larger. The CTS's vertical headlights and taillamps swept around the corners are also typical of Cadillac's new design philosophy. The three-dimensional lights with front, top and side surfaces are integrated into the body form and provide an exciting contrast between solid and transparent surfaces. The transparent, jewel-effect headlamps add value to the car's overall appearance while at the same time making the high-tech image of optical instruments and high-end camera lenses visible. Targets international customer base The exciting combination of crisp lines that contrast with the seemingly tensioned surfaces is typical of a European-influenced design series. Uniting European styling and the special American brand character is an expression of Cadillac's aim of establishing itself as a global supplier of luxury cars. Measuring 4828 mm long, 1795 mm wide and 1441 mm high, the sedan's exterior dimensions are likewise oriented to international standards. In performance terms, too, the Cadillac meets the particularly high standards European car drivers expect of a premium-class vehicle. The CTS 3.2L reaches a top speed of 238 km/h (automatic version: 230 km/h) and makes the sprint from zero to 100 km/h in just 7.4 seconds (7.7 s). The CTS 2.6L is 223 km/h fast (automatic version: 206 km/h) and needs 9.3 seconds (9.7 s) to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h. The two engines also boast impressive torque power; both the 3.2 and 2.6-liter engines reach their maximum torque of 300 Nm and 245 Nm respectively at just 3400 rpm. Both engines are also up to modern standards in terms of fuel economy. The CTS 3.2L has a combined cycle figure of 10.7 liters regular unleaded over 100 kilometers (automatic: 11.2 l), and the CTS 2.6L 10.2 liters (automatic: 10.7 l). With either unit, the luxury sedan has Euro 3 emissions certification. Sporty engines and smooth-shifting gearboxes Key features of the two longitudinally mounted V6 engines in the Cadillac CTS are aluminum cylinder heads, four-valve technology and exhaust gas recirculation. The valves are controlled via four overhead cams; electric throttle control (ETC) ensures immediate provision of the desired engine output. In the CTS, ETC also functions as an integral component of the standard-fitted traction control. The fuel feed with sequential injection and knock detection is likewise state-of-the-art. Maintenance-free direct ignition guarantees optimum ignition of the fuel mix, thereby contributing to the moderate consumption and favorable emissions levels. Thanks to a cylinder bank angle of just 54 degrees, both engines are extremely compact, helping to accommodate the efficient packaging of the CTS. The six-cylinder is combined with either a 5-speed automatic or a 5-speed manual gearbox. This makes the CTS the first Cadillac for almost 20 years to offer the choice of manual transmission. The precise and smooth-shifting manual transmission emphasizes the sporty orientation of the CTS' development. Made by German manufacturer Getrag, the gearbox was adapted to the specific low-noise and smooth-shifting requirements of Cadillac. Core structural features include advanced rubber and foam insulation on the two-part driveshaft, in the transmission tunnel and on the transmission and shifter bushings. A dual-mass flywheel reduces the engine torque pulses to the transmission. Smart automatic The Cadillac CTS is to receive another General Motors first – the 5L40-E Hydra-Matic 5-speed automatic gearbox. The light, compact transmission features a full complement of advanced electronic control capabilities: These include a shift mode button that allows the driver to select between "Sport," "Winter" and "Economy" modes, shift patterns that adapt to driving conditions and driver style. They work smoothly together with the traction control and engine torque management during shifting. A further GM innovation: engine braking during downshifting gives the automatic the same sporty feel as a manual. The efficiency of the 5L40-E transmission is further increased by the electronically controlled clutch. Advantage: the torque converter clutch switches to fixed drive at low speeds. In "Sport" mode, the 5L40-E transmission ensures better acceleration by way of delayed upshifting and early downshifting. When the driver's foot is lifted off the gas pedal during cornering, it responds by holding the gear indefinitely instead of changing to a higher ratio. In "Winter" mode, approach is in third gear so as to reduce wheel slippage on hazardous road surfaces. As soon as the vehicle exceeds a speed of 80 km/h, the system automatically changes to "Economy" mode. Chassis fulfils highest standards in comfort and dynamic performance The high standards of driving response and ride comfort in the Cadillac CTS are particularly evident in the chassis, which was fine tuned during extensive testing on Germany's Nürburgring racing circuit. The rear-wheel-driven sedan boasts independent wheel suspension front and rear. The front wheels are guided by a short long arm coil over shock configuration, while cornering and directional stability are impeccable thanks to the five-link rear axle with transverse members and diagonal links, which is separated from the body for enhanced interior acoustics. A hydraulic leveling system compensates for varying loads. Ride and handling are enhanced by the use of aluminum in the front and rear control arms and also the rear differential and the suspension knuckles. Four large, vented disc brakes measuring 299 mm (front) and 294 mm (rear) and a standard-fitted next-generation four-channel ABS system guarantee that the up to 1.624 kg sedan always comes to a safe halt. A high-precision power-assisted rack-and-pinion steering and the turning circle of 10.8 m ensure agile handling. Further advanced features of the Cadillac CTS chassis include optionally available next-generation electronic stability enhancement, StabiliTrak, which helps keep the vehicle on track by adjusting brake application on all four wheels. Particularly sporty drivers can switch off both StabiliTrak and the standard-fitted traction control. In addition, the Cadillac CTS offers a high level of passive safety thanks to its rigid body. Two full-size airbags with two-phase deployment, which respond according to collision severity, are equipped as standard, as are side airbags located in the sides of the front seats and two roof-mounted bags that run virtually the entire length of the cabin from A-pillar to C-pillar. The safety package is rounded off with three-point safety belts for all occupants and standard-fitted fog lamps and powerful halogen headlamps. Spacious interior and comprehensive standard equipment The Cadillac CTS is distinguished by particularly generous interior space. The four-door sedan, whose wheelbase of 2880 mm provides the foundation for ample interior dimensions, can seat five people. In classic Cadillac style, occupants have a wide range of luxury features at their disposal. Even the base version includes a powerful dual-zone climate control system with separate temperature controls for driver and front passenger, a power-adjustable driver's seat, power windows all-round, power-folding heated wing mirrors, cruise control, onboard computer and a top-class sound system with built-in CD/cassette/radio. All Infotainment and climate control functions can also be operated from the multifunctional steering wheel. The "Comfort" equipment version also includes a power-adjustable front passenger seat, heated seats and an electronic memory that stores settings for the climate control and favorite radio stations. On top of this, the "Elegance" top-of-the-range version offers wood and leather trim as well as an exclusive Bose sound system with a built-in 6-disc CD changer and cassette unit or a navigation system as desired. | ||
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