Spy Shots: Next-Generation Cadillac CTS-V Spotted

Cadillac is behind their target class. They will need more than a big engine with HP to compete.

not in America they won't.

Anyway, that's been Mercedes-Benz AMG's approach for years: big torquey motor and big sticky tires.

But that's not AMG any more, and they're all the better for it. Notice how the C63 AMG is a massive improvement over the C55 because of its focus on handling.

Couldnt have said it better myself. Thats why AMGs have always been great in straight line speed, but lagged behind the M cars and RS cars.

Cadillac should follow suit.

The C63 is one story, but the S-Class, E-Class, and CL based AMG models are still the traditional AMG straight-line luxury rockets.

which will follow suit of the C63. AMG is going on a massive weight reduction and balancing/calibration for more than just straight line speed. Its spreading across the line-up.

Trust me.

In addition to TheirryHenry's comments, the S and CL are not about handling. THEY are the exception; their luxury, sensuous style and mountainous torque are what draw people to the S/CL AMG models.

I think they went with an alloy small block because the CTS is already pretty heavy. The engine specs on the current CTS are in line with all of its competitors ie 3 series, g35, IS but it weighs alot more than those cars and does not perform as well in a straight line. It doesn't handle as well as the two current benchmarks the 3 series and G35 either. I understand it is still a very very good car, but entry level luxury sports sedan buyers want the acceleration AND the handling. Again the CTS is really good, and the CTS-V will most definitely be even better, but the Caddy needs a diet already.

Stone

the previous generation sold very well, and the new version is selling extremely well also. So your wrong about what consumers want. the recent test by edmunds on all these cars proved it was a better car than the G35 as an all rounder, and far more luxurious...it was slow by class standards, but its handling was on par. Not everyone one wants to go fast 0-60 hence why the ES sells so much. Maybe withe old muscle cars all people were concerned about were straight line 0-60 times but not in this class. The cars all have a similar target but all are very different from the 9-3 to the G35 its a wide range of cars, things that differentiate them..There are plenty of reasons to buy cars in this class than 0-60 times like value, quality, etc.

I dont know how many times I have to say this already. GM was not aiming for the 3 series when they built the new CTS, they wanted to create something different within its class. Unlike the G35, C35 and the A4 the CTS is more about luxury then sport - its a great balnce.

Stone I am 21 year old consumer, and I am a car enthusiust like the rest of us, and I can tell you I love my CTS - knowing its not best in class. Further more, I will be purchasing the 09' coupe when it comes out. The new V is going to be beast and a real force to to reckon with.

I don't think I really said anything negative about the CTS, honestly it probably should compete against the 5 series, Infiniti M, etc instead of the entry level cars, but the caddy is marketed as a sports sedan, so I don't think my criticisms are completely off base. As I stated above, I believe it to be a very very good car, and from the reviews I've read a good handler as well just that there are faster, better handling cars at the price point. I am just hoping Caddy puts that same magic into their midsize offering which is what I am in the market for, I will definitely give it a test drive.

Oh, and to get back on topic, I am sure the CTS-V will be a beast, and unlike the imports, tuning it for more HP will definitely be much easier........

Regards,

Stone

I had an 04 CTS 3.6 Sport and even coming from an 01 M Sport 330Ci, I was very impressed with the CTS. Now that the interior is truly world class I will be buying a CTS-V or C63 when the time comes. IMO the CTS interior is so much better than others in the class, and it is kind of a betweener in size.

where is the article that saids every other car in its class has a plastic dash, and a few of them have fake leather door panels, fake aluminum, and fake wood.....

I agree with you germeezy2. I definitely see a dramatic improvement in interior quality. And not just in the CTS either. This is visible throughout the entire GM lineup. As far as the CTS having a better interior than the competition, to a certain extent yes. I do feel that the CTS does have a better interior than the Lexus ES. If I had to choose between the ES and the CTS, I'd have to choose the CTS.

The CTS dash is synthetic leather or real leather(depending on how much you spend) done by what GM calls a "cut-and-stitch leather" process