2008 Cadillac CTS debuts

Is it just me, or do these steering wheels look really similar?

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i thought the same thing actually. Im not liking the exterior. Its like someone told Cadillac that the CTS was too boring, so they went all out to make it look cool and modern. But the interior is literally 5x as good as it was.

If it had to be this or the G35, i would take the Infiniti every time
 
I like a lot. 8)

Those vents in the center are too low, it is already known that vents that low will cause discomfort for the driver.
 
I - nomix, the guy who think America is the least good thing in the world, after North Korea and onions - LOVE that car. Looks quite nice.

Go yanks!
 
Blegh, what is it with overdesigning cars lately? what happened to the beauty of a few subtle, well-placed lines. All cars look the same, too much, angular lines that all seem to scream "LOOK AT ME I HAVE TEH LARGEST P3N1S GET OUT OF MY WAY GRRRRR!"

Like the interior tho, looks very stylish. Wish i could say the same about the outside...
 
More photos:

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2008 CADILLAC CTS ADDS ALL-WHEEL DRIVE, NEW DIRECT-INJECTION V-6 AND SIX-SPEED AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

DETROIT ? The all-new 2008 Cadillac CTS has been painstakingly designed and engineered to unite luxury sedan poise and sports car performance. A redesigned chassis, an enhanced engine and transmission lineup and all-wheel drive combine to push the CTS further in all directions with more power and performance, enhanced ride quality, quietness and safety.

The first-generation CTS (2002-2007) helped re-establish Cadillac's rear-wheel-drive performance credentials. The landmark CTS-V, a 400-horsepower specimen of power and precision, ushered in a new era of performance for both its drivers and the engineers who created it. With this in mind, the Cadillac team behind the 2008 CTS took to development roads in Germany, China and the U.S. intending to enhance the car's power and performance in every way. The result is a machine capable of serious performance driving, while simultaneously delivering the panache unique to luxury sedans.

New 3.6L V-6 VVT, six-speed automatic join powertrain lineup

The 2008 Cadillac CTS features GM's new 3.6L direct-injection V-6 VVT engine, delivering an estimated 300 horsepower (223 kW) and 270 lb.-ft. (366 Nm) of torque. This new powerplant is a compelling mixture of power, smoothness, efficiency and technical sophistication.

The 3.6L direct-injection engine will be the top-level engine option for the 2008 CTS, joining the existing 2.8L V-6 and 3.6L V-6. Designed to operate with regular unleaded gasoline, the new 3.6-liter direct-injection V-6 produces power similar to many V-8 engines, but with much better fuel economy. With direct injection, fuel is delivered directly to the combustion chamber to create a more complete burn of the air/fuel mixture. Less fuel is required to produce the equivalent horsepower, especially at normal cruising speeds, of a conventional port-injection combustion system.

The application of gasoline direct-injection technology on the 3.6L VVT engine contributes greatly to a 15-percent increase in horsepower; 8-percent increase in torque, and 3-percent improvement in brake-specific fuel consumption. Additionally, the application of direct injection reduces cold-start hydrocarbon emissions by 25 percent.

For the first time, the 2008 CTS will be available in both rear- and all-wheel-drive configurations. Additionally, the transmission lineup now consists only of six-speed units ? an Aisin six-speed manual or ? new for CTS ? a Hydra-Matic 6L50 six-speed automatic.

The current 3.6L VVT engine that produces 258 horsepower (192 kW) and 252 lb.-ft (342 Nm) of torque will serve as the base engine in North America and will be available in rear- and all-wheel-drive layouts.

The 2.8L VVT engine will be available only on rear-drive export models of the CTS. The all-aluminum, 60-degree DOHC, four-valve-per-cylinder engine develops 210 horsepower (156 kW) at 6500 rpm and 194 lb.-ft. (263 Nm) of torque at 3200 rpm.

The Aisin six-speed manual transmission, introduced in 2005, is fully synchronized (including reverse) with a single overdrive. This allows for lower propshaft speeds and improved engine noise, vibration and harshness. A new short-throw shifter has been added for improved precision.

The Hydra-Matic 6L50 six-speed automatic is the same transmission introduced on the Cadillac STS-V in 2005, and is designed to decrease engine rpm and enhance overall fuel economy.

On vehicles equipped with the new all-wheel-drive system, the 6L50 will be equipped with a new active transfer case that automatically transfers torque from the rear to the front of the vehicle for optimal traction, safety and performance. A limited-slip differential also is available.

Chassis enhancements include all wheel drive, globally tested suspension

The 2008 CTS features a greatly revised chassis featuring a two-inch wider track and the application of all-wheel drive. The front track is increased to 61.8 inches (1569 mm), and rear track is now 62.0 inches (1575 mm). Wheelbase remains at 113.4 inches (2880 mm).

Cadillac engineers have designed and developed new geometry for both the independent short/long arm front suspension and the multilink rear suspension. Engineers implemented numerous tweaks and revisions to the suspension using extensive computer modeling, combined with development driving of prototype cars on roads all over the world, but mostly in North America, Europe and China. From famed tracks such as Germany's N?rburgring to everyday roads in the U.S. and China, the CTS suspension was exhaustively tested and honed.

The use of aluminum in the upper and lower front control arms and knuckles helps reduce mass and contributes to higher limits in handling and dynamic wheel control. Front suspensions for the rear-drive model and the all-wheel-drive version, while similar, have been designed to best meet the chassis dynamics of the individual versions.

The engine cradle has six attachment points, two more than typically used on a performance sedan, to better handle heavier loads and engine vibration.

New for CTS is a tower-to-tower brace that adds cross-car stiffness and enhances the overall steering feel. This is an innovation from the high-performance CTS-V model that has been modified and adapted for use in the 2008 CTS.

The multilink rear suspension, with a fully isolated subframe, is an uncompromising design with excellent suspension kinematics that delivers a superior ride with excellent handling. The rear suspension design is shared in both the rear-wheel and all-wheel-drive models, and has been extensively revised to accommodate the larger rear track.

The braking and steering systems for CTS are all-new, with extensive changes to increase responsiveness, premium "feel" and performance in spirited driving conditions.

The 2008 CTS features standard 17-by-8-inch aluminum wheels paired with Michelin H-rated (P235/55R17) all-season radials. The optional performance suspension includes an 18- by- 8.5-inch wheel with the all-new Michelin Pilot Sport 2 (P235/50R18) tire that can either be V- or Y- (summer) rated.

In addition to this finely tuned hardware, the 2008 CTS features advanced chassis technology in the form of Cadillac's StabiliTrak electronic chassis control system. StabiliTrak integrates the car's standard four-channel ABS with the full-function traction control, hydraulic brake assist and engine drag control systems.

http://www.autoblog.com/2007/01/08/detroit-auto-show-the-stunning-new-cadillac-cts/
 
A desirable Cadillac! For a long time I have ragged on GM - but I am properly impressed. That interior is a quantum leap ahead. Fantastic.

(You still broke my heart by not building the Sixteen.)
 
Am i alone on the thought that the front would look more appropriate on the DTS or the STS?
 
Am i alone on the thought that the front would look more appropriate on the DTS or the STS?

The front end actually reminds me more of the BLS.

As you can see they do share design elements.

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^ thats true. But the headlights and tailights look like sharper versions of these:

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If the next CTS-V is priced in the 40-50k range, it will murder the M5 in the U.S. By the way, the U.S. makes a lot of Euro models possible by giving the Germans a big enough market for models to be produced profitably.

Peep how the Solstice and the Sky are eating away at MX-5 sales...

Eventually word gets out that a car is good and not everyone is a Eurosnob or a JDM fan who will spend 2 hours in the Internet arguing why a Wankel engine is extreme.
 
I actually like it. A huge improvement over the last gen, and glad they got rid of the horrid PC tower dashboard. I'm betting this may finally be a proper contender against the 5-Series.

This coming from someone who always crap on GM, but witness the Z06, new Silverado/Sierra, the return of the Camaro, and a reinvigorated Saturn lineup, it looks like they're heading in the right direction.
 
I like it :)

Real news comes in the way of a high-output version of the same 3.6-liter V6. It uses direct injection to help deliver 300 hp and 270 pound-feet of torque. Those may be V8-like numbers, but given that four of its competitors already offer at least 300 horses, the CTS is just keeping up.

That pretty much confirms the rumors of a direct injection version of the Alloytech for the commodore.
 
Is the CTS based on the Zeta platform, or a separate one?

The new CTS is based on the new Sigma II platform. This is the first application for the Sigma II platform so far. As for the engine, at this point it is the most powerful version of the 3.6L so far.
 
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sharp eyed reader of the Jalopnik blog managed to capture the first pictures of the 2008 Cadillac CTS in the wild without any camouflage. These pictures give us the first non-GMpr look at this critical model for Cadillac.

The CTS, which was wearing a stunning coat of black paint, was spotted at the Waterford Hill Road Racing course next to an older model Volvo station wagon.

http://www.leftlanenews.com/2008-cts-spotted-without-camouflage.html#more-5107

Seeeexy!!!!:w00t:
 
I like the look of the first gen CTS over this new one. That front grill is just way too big for my taste.
 
I am guessing that is the highest model right? Either way I am happy I got my parents to buy the 06 CTS they have now. With the performance and areo package. IMO it looks better.
 
I'm really on the fence with the new front end. I like it, but I don't. The "bumper" is to low, and is probably what makes it look ugly/massive. Perhaps had things bit a bit more symmetrical or having raised the bumper a bit, would have done a lot. The beefed up fenders give it a tough look. I just wish companies would get away from the big muscular front end and weak back (notice the front fenders sit higher and seemingly further out than the back). The RX-8 does this, and they look a bit like FWD drag cars. At least this CTS isn't quite as bad as the RX8 at that.

I'd own one if I could afford one.
 
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ARGH! Would designers quit with these f#cking fender-vents. They're just copying each other and putting them on every damn car they can. FFS...

(and breathe...)

Yeah.. it's getting a bit overdone. But I guess the Caddy is a high up GM brand, so fair enough I guess.

Is that Ignition? (Holden's orange)

Anyway, I like what I see. The interior looks much better, and if it came over here, and I had the money, i'd seriously consider it. On the way to the Holden Dealership to pick up my 6Lt Caprice.

:p
 
Looks good in Black. Interior looks nice too, now get the panel gaps right, put some decent brakes on it and make sure the internal materials feel classy - got a winner. ...
Hell even nomix likes it!
 
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