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| 2002-09-26 | ||
September 2002
Paris. One of the most successful new cars in the U.S. market is the Cadillac CTS. Almost 15,000 U.S.A. deliveries have been made in just the first six months of 2002. CTS helped boost Cadillac sales in its home market by no less than 13 percent compared to 2001. CTS is the first of many new Cadillac models which will have the Art and Science design theme. Bold design and dynamic performance will be the cornerstones of all Cadillac models. Its form vocabulary with accented contours and distinctive, chiseled form gives the CTS an unmistakable exterior. 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. This 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. The rear-wheel-drive sedan is powered by two modern V6 gasoline engines with 2.6 and 3.2-liter capacities with respective outputs of 136 kW/185 hp and 160 kW/218 hp at 6,000 rpm. On its home market the CTS is available with the 3.2-liter engine only. The longitudinally mounted engines are mated with either a five-speed manual gearbox or an automatic with a torque converter clutch. The newcomer meets the particular standards of performance that drivers expect from a premium-class vehicle. The CTS 3.2L reaches a top speed of 238 kph (automatic version: 230 kph) and makes the sprint from zero to 100 kph in just 7.4 seconds (7.7 s). The CTS 2.6L is 223 kph fast (automatic version: 206 kph) and needs 9.3 seconds (9.7 s) to accelerate from 0 to 100 kph. The two engines also boast impressive torque power; both the 3.2 and 2.6-liter engines reach their peak torque of 300 Nm and 245 Nm respectively at just 3400 rpm. The high standards of driving response and ride comfort are particularly evident in the meticulously developed chassis of the Cadillac CTS, which was refined during extensive testing on Germany's Nürburgring racing circuit. The front features dual A-arms with coil springs. Cornering and directional stability are impeccable thanks to the five-link rear axle, which is separated from the body for enhanced interior acoustics. A hydraulic leveling system compensates for varying loads. 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. Thanks to the relatively long 2.88-meter wheelbase, the 4.83-meter-long CTS is distinguished by particularly generous interior space. In classic Cadillac style, all five passengers have a wide range of luxury features at their disposal like a dual-zone climate control, power-adjustable front seats, power windows all-round, cruise control, trip computer and a top-quality sound system with a built-in CD/cassette/radio unit. All infotainment and climate functions can also be operated via controls on the multi-function steering wheel. | ||
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