March 2004

Cadillac CTS: exciting form vocabulary with a sporty touch

Dynamic luxury sedan successfully enters European market

GENEVA - After a successful commercial launch in the USA, the first models of the Cadillac CTS, a dynamic luxury sedan with its bold, accented contours and distinctive chiseled form, have already found their way to European customers. Buyers can now order the visually unmistakable rear-wheel-drive model with two smooth-running six-cylinder engines and outputs of 181 and 218 hp respectively.

The design of the CTS bears the unmistakable hallmarks of Cadillac's technological orientation. Characteristic design cues include vertical headlamps and tail lamps, a V-shaped front that tapers into the classic Cadillac mesh grille with the prominent wreath and crest logo and a dramatic, rising shoulder line that refracts the light. It thus splits the car into a light upper and dark lower section, which adds to the perceived length of the vehicle.

The body's stature is reinforced by strong wheel arches defined by a precise undercut in the metal – emphasizing a sporty design feature that makes the standard 16-inch aluminium wheels seem even larger. The CTS's vertical headlights and tail lamps 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.

Ample interior room

The Cadillac CTS is distinguished by unusually generous interior space for a performance sedan. The four-door model, whose wheelbase of 2880 mm provides the foundation for ample interior dimensions, can comfortably accommodate five people. Measuring 1075 by 940 millimeters, there is legroom galore for both front and rear occupants. The shoulder room up front is also exemplary for this class at 1438 mm. The trunk has a VDA cargo rating of 420 liters. The fold-down 60/40-split rear bench means the cargo capacity can be increased with utmost ease.

The unconventional form vocabulary of the Cadillac CTS is reflected in the interior design. Among the styling highlights are the strikingly designed dials reminiscent of stop watches and the three-spoke steering wheel with its V-shaped airbag cover. The center console is clearly laid out, with the displays for the sound system, climate control and the optional navigation unit being ergonomically arranged within the driver's view. Different leather interiors are available, including a particularly elegant two-tone version featuring a contrasting color scheme for the well designed and comfortable seats.

Standard equipment includes six next-generation airbags. The two dual-stage front airbags inflate according to crash severity to avoid unnecessary injuries during minor collisions. A side-on impact triggers the front-seat-mounted side bags and the roof-mounted curtain bags. The latter inflate between the A- and C-pillars to ensure that all outboard occupants are protected. Because they inflate over a large area, the air cushions can also catch the heads of smaller passengers.

Factory-fitted luxury

For Europeans, the "American way of driving" has always been associated with sumptuous in-car equipment – especially when dealing with vehicles made by US luxury marque Cadillac. The new CTS meets these superior standards and is factory-fitted with countless luxury features that are by no means standard equipment for this vehicle class. These include, for example, efficient dual-zone climate control, the eight-way power-adjustable driver's seat with memory function, front heated seats, cruise control, front and rear power windows, remote controlled central locking and electrochromic rear-view mirror that automatically darkens as soon as the risk of glare is detected from vehicles behind the CTS.

Control buttons on the steering wheel ensure comfortable operation of the audio system included in the standard equipment. The top-class Bose hi-fi boasts a built-in 6-disc CD player and eight high-quality speakers. The infotainment system can also be upgraded with optional extras such as a DVD-based navigation system with a large screen. Further equipment extras include a power sunroof.

The Luxury Sport package provided by Cadillac with either engine version comprises a practical combination of attractive extras. In addition to the StabiliTrak electronic stability enhancement system, the package also features leather seats, zebrano wood touches (on the steering wheel, shifter knob and door handles), Xenon headlamps with high-pressure washer and polished 17-inch aluminum wheels with 225/50 R 17 tires.

Smooth running

Two modern V6 engines mean that the new sedan can satisfy performance- and ride-oriented customers alike. Both versions are mounted longitudinally and represent an especially compact arrangement with their unconventional cylinder bank angle of 54 degrees. Further common features include the aluminium cylinder heads, four valves per cylinder, the four overhead cams and electronically controlled throttle ("drive-by-wire"). The latter ensures extremely sensitive engine response to gas pedal inputs.

Both CTS engines boast high performance – even the smaller 2.6-liter V6 unit with 133 kW/181 hp combines superior performance with moderate fuel consumption. The manual-shift model makes the dash from 0 to 100 km/h in 9.3 seconds, and boasts a top speed of 220 km/h. Not surprisingly, the top version with a 3.2 liter displacement and 160 kW/218 hp results in a higher top speed – 240 km/h. The engines reach their respective peak torques of 232 and 300 Nm at 3400 rpm – credit for which goes to the induction system, which was revamped for high torque at low engine speeds.

High-performance manual gearbox

As is befitting for a sporty, agile feel at the wheel, the CTS is standard-fitted with a five-speed manual gearbox. This makes it the first Cadillac for over 20 years to feature manual transmission, the last being the Cimarron launched in 1981. The gearbox from Getrag, a renowned German manufacturer, boasts an especially accurate shift feel thanks to a rod-actuated shift linkage.

Both engines can also be specified with an electronically controlled five-speed automatic transmission. A shift button allows the driver to activate Sport or Winter modes. In the first mode, for example, the gearbox does not shift up when the driver's foot is lifted off the accelerator pedal ahead of bends. The engine control uses a variety of parameters such as speed, steering angle and throttle valve setting to detect a situation of this kind, after which it communicates with the transmission control to suppress upshifting. In Winter mode, the CTS starts in third gear.

Superior driving dynamics

A "European way of driving" – i.e. sporty, agile handling – was the guiding principle for the CTS designers, who performed meticulous fine-tuning on the sophisticated chassis of the rear-wheel-drive sedan for this purpose. The wheel suspensions and the modern, electronic control systems had to prove their dynamic qualities, robust arrangement and high safety reserves during extensive test drives on Germany's challenging Nürburgring racetrack and elsewhere. The task of fine-tuning was made easier by the near-perfectly balanced weight distribution – 53 % front, 47 % rear.

The front suspension in the CTS features a double A-arm design with coil springs. The rear wheels are mounted on a five-link rear axle, isolated from the body by four rubber mounts. The front upper and lower control arms are made of aluminium, which is also used on the rear axle for the upper control arm and the suspension knuckles.

Specially designed for European requirements, the suspension features modifications such as elastomeric instead of hydraulic bushings on the lower control arm. Even on poor-quality surfaces and with the car fully loaded, very good ride comfort is guaranteed by Nivomat self-leveling rear suspension – all CTS models destined for Europe are factory-fitted with this system from the German company Sachs Automotive.

Responsive driving dynamics systems

Another standard feature is the traction control. If its sensors detect insufficient traction, the system immediately applies the brakes to the relevant wheels and, if necessary, also retards the engine timing. If the car is stuck in deep snow, for example, the traction control can be deactivated via a switch, which is located in the glovebox to prevent it being accidentally activated.

The optionally available StabiliTrak stability control system increases driving safety during swerves around bends or sudden avoidance maneuvers by restabilizing the car through precise application of the brakes on individual wheels. This next-generation stability control, adapted from the driving dynamics system in the Corvette, is highly responsive and can adjust braking at any of the four wheels to maintain vehicle control. Like the traction control, StabiliTrak can also be deactivated via a switch in the glove compartment.