First Drive: 2008 Cadillac CTS

The new Cadillac CTS might've been born and bred in Detroit, but you can tell it has spent time on the Nurburgring Nordschleife during its development. This is an American car with a German chassis: not exactly like a Mercedes or a BMW, but taut, tied down, nicely balanced, and stable at high speeds. It's not just the best-handling Caddy in history, but probably the best-handling American sedan ever.

Two six-speed transmissions are available: GM's new 6L50 automatic and the Aisin Warner AY6 manual. The auto features a sport mode that adapts to your driving style and dynamic inputs such as brake and steering. The algorithms in the transmission computer needed fine tuning on the early production cars we drove-they tended to hang on too long in a lower gear-but Cadillac engineers say this'll be done before cars hit dealer showrooms. In manual shift mode, the transmission matches revs, race-car style, on downshifts. You have to reach for the shifter-back for down, forward for up-to change ratios, as there are no steering-wheel mounted shifter buttons-yet. Expect them on the 2009 models.
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Hyundai - 7/26/2007 12:31:10 PM

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Link no workie.

Will_ - 7/26/2007 12:37:44 PM

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Doesn't look so good in silver, but the black one that Glenn Close was standing next do during the series premiere of that new FX show "Damages" was pretty hot.

"It sure is. The new Cadillac CTS might've been born and bred in Detroit, but you can tell it has spent time on the Nurburgring Nordschleife during its development. This is an American car with a German chassis: not exactly like a Mercedes or a BMW, but taut, tied down, nicely balanced, and stable at high speeds. It's not just the best-handling Caddy in history, but probably the best-handling American sedan ever."

HMMmmm...

Qwazywabbit - 7/26/2007 12:48:00 PM

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Will you are right about the black one on Damages.

Best handling American sedan? very interesting......

cdoke - 7/26/2007 1:14:30 PM

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Interesting.

You know, were they to dispense with that rather cheap looking steering wheel, the interior would look 10 times better.

EnnNorak - 7/27/2007 1:52:35 PM

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I like that engine but would feel better if it had Cadillac's Northstar DOHC V8 engine. My first car was a used dark-green 1947 Fleetwood and I'd like a green CTS to be my last car. Right now my favorite GM sedan is the Buick Lucerne with the Northstar V8 but my wife thinks it's just a little to big to drive around town so I'll probably have to settle for the CTS.

M53R - 7/26/2007 4:38:01 PM

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IMO it also looks better than any american sedan!

BMW995 - 7/26/2007 5:28:20 PM

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On a $Value basis, probably competes very well with the Lexus GS350, and may beat it. Would also compete well with the BMW 528i, but only if you don't rev the engine beyond 5000 rpm.
Overall a damn good job by Cadillac.

Need4Speed - 7/26/2007 7:15:50 PM

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I think Cadillac deserves high praises for putting their best foot forward with the CTS. By any measure no other manufacturer has made the progress Cadillac is making with their products. Each one is an improvement by leaps and bounds over the previous. If this continues I can see Cadillac being a force to be rekoned with very soon. I for one would spend my hard earned dollars on this new CTS. I could care less if it doesn't live up to the expectations of overly biased auto journalist or die hard "anti-American car" evangelist. While there is always room for improvement Cadillac has shown that they want the gold medal and are working very hard for it! Congrats Bob and the rest of the Cadillac team!

paul3230 - 7/27/2007 12:30:16 AM

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I second your comment! I can't wait for the V...hmmm :)