The Cadillac CTS is a luxury car manufactured and marketed by General Motors under the Cadillac brand from 2002 until 2019 across three generations. Initially available as a 4-door sedan using the GM Sigma platform, GM offered the second-generation CTS as a 4-door sedan, 2-door coupe, and 5-door sport wagon, and the third generation as a sedan, using a stretched version of the GM Alpha platform. High performance sedan variants were offered for each generation as the CTS-V, with wagon and coupe variants offered for the second generation.
The first-generation CTS marked a $4 billion investment by General Motors to set a new course for Cadillac styling, introduce a new rear-drive platform, and most importantly, re-establish the brand's relevancy. Wayne Cherry and Kip Wasenko designed the exterior of the first-generation CTS, marking the production debut of its "Art and Science" design language first used on the Evoq concept car, and developed with key contributions from Thomas Kearns and Mike Torpey. John Manoogian II directed the second-generation CTS design, as initially conceived by Robert Munson. Bob Boniface and Robin Krieg designed the exterior of the third-generation CTS.
The CTS ended production in 2019 and was replaced by the CT5, which shared its platform with the third and final generation of the CTS in addition to the smaller CT4.
First generation (2003)
Introduced in January 2002 as a 2003 model, the CTS sedan used GM's new rear-wheel drive Sigma platform and a fully independent suspension. It was the first Cadillac offered with a manual transmission since the 1988 Cimarron. All models were manufactured at GM's Lansing Grand River Assembly in Lansing, Michigan.
The CTS replaced the Opel-based Catera, the initialism "CTS" standing for "Catera Touring Sedan". Wayne Cherry and Kip Wasenko designed the exterior of the first-generation CTS — the coupe variant having developed from a sketch drawn by Robert Munson, selected by Michael Simcoe, and developed into a model by Paul Sciluna.
The coupe marked the production debut of Cadillac's "Art and Science" design language, first seen on the Evoq concept, which automotive journalist Dan Neil described as a "fractal geometric style". Writing for The New York Times, Neil described the design of the CTS as "confident, distinctive and pure," and called the car itself "a serious automobile, a car of consequence. In its 100th year and at the 11th hour, Cadillac made a brave investment in the supremacy of design, in the idea that cleverness should be cloaked in beauty."
Originally powered by a 3.2 L LA3 V6 producing , the CTS received an updated 3.6 L DOHC V6 with variable valve timing as an option in 2004, producing and of torque. The 3.2 L engine went out of production in 2005, when a new 2.8 L version of the DOHC V6 debuted in an entry-level version of the CTS. In Europe, the 2.8 L replaced the previous entry-level 2.6 L engine.
The CTS was originally offered with either GM's in-house five-speed 5L40-E automatic transmission or a five-speed Getrag 260 manual transmission. For the 2005 model year, the Getrag was replaced with an Aisin AY-6 six-speed.
In 2004, GM introduced the CTS-V, a high-performance version of the CTS intended to compete with luxury performance sedans like the BMW M3/M5, Audi S4/S6, and Mercedes-Benz C- and E-Class AMGs. The 2004 and 2005 CTS-Vs were equipped with the 5.7L LS6 V-8 ( at 6,000 rpm, at 4,800 rpm), a Tremec T56 6-speed manual transmission, 14+" rotors and Brembo 4-piston calipers front and rear, suspension upgrades (higher spring rates, stiffer anti-roll bars, six-lug hubs, and two available damper packages), and subtle exterior changes. As the LS6 was phased out, the 2006 and 2007 CTS-Vs received the 6.0L LS2 V-8, which carried the same HP and torque ratings (with peak torque coming 400 rpm sooner).
A prototype first-generation CTS station wagon was created but never manufactured.
CTS-V (2004–2007) Chassis
The first-generation CTS-V is based on the same rear-wheel-drive GM Sigma platform, as is the base model CTS. The use of a V8 engine required a unique engine cradle distinct from the base CTS V6. Larger anti-roll bars and larger shocks were also added. The spring rate was significantly increased. The 2006–2007 update also included a stronger rear differential and half shaft design. Unique front and rear treatments also included mesh grilles over the front openings, a track-ready suspension, six-lug hubs instead of the regular CTS's five-lug units, and 18×8.5 inch wheels inside of P245/45R18 Z-rated Goodyear Eagle F1 Supercar run-flat tires. Brakes were rotors in the front, with rotors in the rear - each with four-piston Brembo calipers on the front and rear wheels. In addition, GM badges were added on 2006 models. For performance enthusiasts, a high-performance suspension package (RPO FG2) was available as a dealer-installed option.
Engine The CTS sedan is enhanced with GM performance parts like a 5.7 L LS6 V8, as well as the Chevrolet Corvette Z06's six-speed Tremec manual transmission gear ratios. From 2004 and 2005, the CTS-V came with the 5.7 L pushrod OHV LS6 engine producing at 6,000 rpm and of torque at 4,800 rpm. The torque reduction of the CTS-V vs the LS6 used in the C5 Z06, was due to the exhaust manifold that needed to be used on the CTS-V. From 2006 to 2007, the previous LS6 engine was superseded by the 6.0 L OHV LS2. The new LS2 engine was rated at the same at 6,000 rpm with the peak torque of at 4,400 rpm. While both engines offer the same HP and torque specifications, the LS2's benefit was a wider torque band, due to the higher displacement it offered.
Transmission The only available transmission was the six-speed manual Tremec T56. The transmission used the skip-shift feature to conserve fuel during light loads by preventing drivers from using the second and third gears, and a dual mass flywheel to reduce "rattle" in no load conditions. The rear axle was a Getrag limited-slip IRS unit with a 3.73:1 ratio.
Performance General Motors states a 0– time of 4.6 seconds for the first-generation CTS-V, with the quarter mile time estimated at 13.1 seconds at , onward to a stated top speed of . The 14-inch Brembo brakes can slow the vehicle from in 110 feet. The first-generation CTS-V also posted a lap time of 8 minutes and 19 seconds at Nürburgring Nordschleife, competitive with rivals such as the Mercedes-Benz E55 AMG and BMW M5.
Second generation (2008)
GM presented the 2008 CTS at the North American International Auto Show in January 2007. The 2008–2009 base model featured a 3.6 L LY7 V6 with and of torque carried over from the previous generation. A second engine, a new 3.6 L direct-injection V6 VVT engine with and of torque was also offered. For 2010, the base engine changed to a 3.0L variable valve timing (VVT) V6 with and of torque. A 6-speed manual transmission was standard equipment on the second generation CTS and GM's 6-speed Hydra-matic 6L50 automatic transmission was available as an option on all variants. On-demand all-wheel drive was offered with both engines when equipped with an automatic transmission. Suspension, braking, and steering improvements from the previous generation CTS-V were incorporated into the new standard CTS.
The second-generation CTS was wider and longer than the original, measuring long, wide and in height. Wheelbase remained unchanged at , but with a wider front/rear track of . Other changes included revised exterior, grille, headlights and taillights, side air extractor vents located forward of the front doors, nine-spoke 18-inch wheels, and high-performance brake calipers and rotors. Available features on the second-gen CTS included a Bose 5.1 surround sound system, GM's ESC system (marketed as Stabiltrak), tire pressure monitoring system, navigation system with real-time traffic and weather data, integrated hard drive for music storage, swiveling headlights, and remote starting.
In 2008, General Motors anticipated relaunching the Cadillac brand in Australia and New Zealand with the second-generation CTS, but subsequently dropped the launch due to the 2008 financial crisis. As a result, the entire batch of cars, less one, which had already been shipped to Australia were transferred to New Zealand and sold via selected Holden New Zealand dealers. One dealer ended up buying the entire stock and, owing to their popularity, sourced further UK market spec models while the model was still produced in right hand drive.
Midway through the 2010 model year, the small GM badges, used by the corporation company-wide, were dropped.
For the 2012 CTS, the front grille used higher quality materials to give a more vertical design, and the Cadillac logo revised. Power was increased on the 3.6-liter V6 to produce , while modified engine internals reduced weight. For 2012, GM also offered some new technology and option packages with the CTS.
Coupe General Motors unveiled a coupe concept version of the CTS, along with the new CTS-V performance sedan, at the 2008 North American International Auto Show in Detroit.
In November 2009, the production version was presented in a press release. The coupe went into production in spring 2010 for sale in August of that year as a 2011 model. The design of the production model is very similar to the concept, still without a B-pillar. The standard engine was a 3.6L direct injected V6 rated at 304 hp. Like the sedan, both six-speed manual and automatic transmissions, in either rear-wheel drive or all-wheel drive configurations, were available. A CTS-V Coupe was also introduced at the 2010 North American International Auto Show in Detroit. It was Cadillac's first coupe since the Eldorado, which was discontinued in 2002.
Along with the CTS sedan, the coupe received a slight facelift for the 2012 model year, including a new grille design. The CTS Coupe was discontinued after the 2014 model year, while the CTS-V Coupe remained in production for the 2015 model year.
Sport Wagon
Cadillac introduced the 2010 CTS Sport Wagon at the 2008 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance. The wagon became available in late 2009 as a 2010 model. A CTS-V version was added for 2011.
The CTS Sport Wagon is available in either rear-wheel drive or all-wheel drive layouts, and is powered by either a 3.0-liter DOHC V6 engine or a 3.6-liter V6 with variable valve timing. The 3.0-liter engine produces , and the 3.6-liter produces .
With the third generation, Cadillac ceased production of the CTS wagon.
CTS-V (2009–2014)
The second-generation CTS-V is based on the new GM Sigma II platform. The rear-wheel drive platform is the basis for the 2008 to present Cadillac CTS base model with which the CTS-V shares most of the body work. The suspension features coil springs front and rear. The front suspension is a control arm arrangement while the rear is an independent multi-link suspension. To improve the handling and comfort, the 2009 CTS-V uses BWI Group's MagneRide technology. The dampers, filled with magnetorheological fluid, are adjusted based on sensor readings that occur at 1 ms intervals. The sedan has four-wheel disc brakes similar to the first generation. The front brakes were increased in size to ventilated discs with six-piston Brembo fixed calipers. The rear brakes are ventilated rotors with four-piston calipers. Steering is speed-sensing hydraulic-assist rack-and-pinion. The steering ratio is 16.1:1. Tire sizes are 255/40ZR19 front and 285/35ZR19 rear on 19×9.0 inch and 19×9.5 inch wheels front and rear.
The second-generation CTS-V sedan, coupe, and station wagon were marketed through 2014, concurrent with the third-generation standard sedan, until the third-generation CTS-V was ready. The car was discontinued and replaced by the CT5–V Blackwing in 2019.
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