Car and Driver tests the 08 CTS

Amazingly, each new product coming down the GM pipeline these days seems to signal that the once-defining beancounter bureaucracy has finally been replaced by a genuine desire to create top-notch products. And this latest CTS is the most comprehensively integrated vehicle we’ve seen yet.

GM’s confidence is so high that it flew a passel of 2008 CTSs from Detroit to Germany—at a cost between $20,000 and $30,000 each—to be test-driven by the motoring press on the highly challenging Nürburgring racetrack, just as it did six years ago with the original CTS, the first model to bear the knife-edged art-and-science design language of 21st-century Cadillac.

Since the CTS spent extensive development time on the tortuous 12.9 miles of Nürburgring pavement, we asked lead development engineer Rob Kotarak how many laps he’d turned there. Quite a few, he said, but all of them from the passenger seat. That’s because he hasn’t acquired GM’s top driving certification and therefore is not allowed to drive at the German track. Meanwhile, a first-timer from Car and Driver gets to lap freely—what was that about a bureaucracy? Just so you know, Mr. Kotarak, your car is quite adept. Despite our inexperience with the Nürburgring (read “driving like a hack”), the CTS was planted and predictable and never did anything unexpected.

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neutral - 7/26/2007 8:14:29 PM

-1 Boost

Finally, America has a serious competitor in this market segment. Sorry imports, this CTS is going to hurt!

printhan - 7/26/2007 8:17:56 PM

-7 Boost

that's wat u think

paul3230 - 7/27/2007 12:24:19 AM

0 Boost

No, that's how it is.

Murcielago_LP640 - 7/27/2007 4:35:48 AM

0 Boost

Indeed it is what he thinks..and from a British point of view, this car is pretty decent.

Need4Speed - 7/27/2007 4:44:31 PM

+2 Boost

I've recently wanted to buy American as all my previous vehicles were Japanese. This is my excuse!

I95SPEEDINGTICKETS - 7/26/2007 9:00:54 PM

-3 Boost

I do not think this vehicle will sway the buying trends of the current German / Japanese Luxury Buyers.

This vehicle (At Least In Pictures) looks very Horrid and Mis-Matched and that silly attempt at a side vent lets me know they still have not given up Gimmicks over substance

Need4Speed - 7/27/2007 4:37:18 PM

+2 Boost

Wow gimmicky is bad!?! Who would have thought...it's a good thing they dont have stacked tailpipes...or 747 wings attached to the trunklid!

SixxFive - 7/26/2007 10:28:39 PM

+5 Boost

Very impressive throughout - the new CTS will lure many buyers away from the Lexus IS.

EnnNorak - 7/27/2007 1:32:46 PM

+2 Boost

Agree -- see my comment below. Unless Mercedes offers the Vision C220 Bluetec in North America real soon with LSD as an option, the CTS will steal C-Class sales as well.

keyzi747 - 7/26/2007 10:41:35 PM

+4 Boost

Don't think it will lure buyers of other brands? I swear by BMW, but if the CTS Coupe is half as good, I will be a Caddy owner!

Need4Speed - 7/27/2007 4:49:05 PM

+2 Boost

When it comes down to dollars and cents the Caddy wins. For the price I would pay for a CTS-V I couldn't get an M3 or RS4...that's where the decision process ends!

SHOWTIME - 7/26/2007 10:51:34 PM

+4 Boost

Love the front and side view but hate the back. Nice interior too.

paul3230 - 7/27/2007 12:23:49 AM

+2 Boost

The best damn caddy ever. They are going to rock the market pretty good when this comes out. Not saying it's going to vault Cadillac (in sales) above BMW or Lexus, but it's damn sure going to put Cadillac firmly behind them.

farabira1 - 7/27/2007 1:07:53 AM

-1 Boost

Great attempt by Caddy, but still i don't see people changing their plans on replacing their 3 series with more of the BMWs. People here are quite unpatriotic, they want to be more European than American, and that is why the motor industry has had a slip in the last couple of years.

JUGNU - 7/27/2007 5:32:46 AM

-2 Boost

Interior is very uninspiring and to me looks like MB C Class.

JUGNU

Bill - 7/27/2007 10:20:44 AM

0 Boost

I feel the same way about the overrated Lexus IS interior: BLAND.

Will_ - 7/27/2007 8:09:08 AM

+1 Boost

Looks fantastic inside and out, drives great, and it's American. The 2008 CTS: yet another reason not to buy German.

Kinger - 7/27/2007 12:24:14 PM

+1 Boost

Or Japanese ;)

Will_ - 7/27/2007 12:52:15 PM

+2 Boost

Or British! :0

Larry - 7/27/2007 8:19:42 AM

-4 Boost

finally GM giving some decent product.

Htay7500 - 7/27/2007 9:17:07 AM

-1 Boost

finally!!!

Yonder7 - 7/27/2007 10:03:35 AM

+2 Boost

I love this continet but I am not nortamerican (USA). But I have to recognize that some times I hate americans. You have all the resources to do the best things in the world, why you are just below average? (world best weapons and aircrafts) but your industry in the last years is just below average. Why? This new cady is great, (but you can do something better). Do you know were you come from? Is almost icredible that people that belives in God is not giving the best of them. This is your fault, not japanese or european. And stop saying who is wrong or who is right when you talk about designs. The beauty is the eyes of the beholder, To my eyes there is nothing in this category from Japan or Europe better than this cady if you talk about design. This was not modeled by EOLE like most of other ones. Sharp design, if you do not like, is ok but that does not means that your or me are right. GM is in the right path. I love MB but if Cadillac is able to provide the same or even better quality and designs (and they have the capability) for sure, Everybody will be willing to chose it. One of the main reason because you are lossing ground is because you are always focus on Patriotic points. America is the world greates country because you belive in GOD, then keep your word, a good job is a Bless of GOD, then give your best Because you are not working for GM or Ford, You are working for GOD and in the last years you are not working well. Your basic problem now is that your are forgeting your main values. Wakeup America you are the land that hold the persecuted from the past and show your gratefulness to GOD, but not in your dolar but in your whole attitude. God Bless America.

no1listensanyway - 7/27/2007 12:58:41 PM

+2 Boost

This Caddy is hot. It will shake up the market. Think about it, you would be getting a 5 series competitor for a sub 335 price. This car is a no brainer for anyone who has a sense of value.

EnnNorak - 7/27/2007 1:29:37 PM

+2 Boost

My main reason for placing the 2008 CTS at the top of my shopping list is that I can get it with a powerful V6 as well as RWD and LSD. I looked at the Lexus IS but found it a bit too small and was annoyed that RWD with LSD is available only on the IS350 Sport model. Besides, I'd rather not give my business to our economic adversaries.

Need4Speed - 7/27/2007 4:39:49 PM

+1 Boost

My sentiments and repost from a previous article:

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!