CTS Coupe Convertible

[mystik]

Seeing as GM has given the obvious green light to the CTS Coupe, what are the chances that this thing becomes a convertible? A retractable hard-top would definitely put it on the list of people looking at Benz CLK's and even SL500's or SC430's. But I do think a retractable hardtop Caddy CTS would render the current XLR osbolete both from a design and price standpoint. Anyway, I do think that if GM really wants to send BMW, Lexus, Audi, and Mercedes back to the drawing boards, they need to cover as many bases as they can with this car, and a retractable hardtop would do just that. CTC, CTC-V, CTC-D(iesel), CTC-H (Hybrid), CTC-R (Roadster Convertible). Here's a Photoshop I did of what the convertible might look like.

What do you guys think?

[citrusZ28]

Get some!

[Oracle of Delphi]

I actually like that!

[K.C.]

Damn. That thing just DRIPS sex!

[Robert Hall]

Slick...I hope they build it.

[CSpec]

Sigma can't do convertibles. Shame.

[Robert Hall]

Sigma can't do convertibles. Shame.

Why not?

[smk4565]

While I doubt anyone shopping for a $95,000 SL550 is considering anything from Cadillac, there has been a CTS convertible rumor for a while. I remember the dealer telling me that it was in the works a couple years ago, they also said awd and a coupe were coming, so they got 2 of those. But GM changes their minds a lot, so who knows if we'll see a convertible. They might as well built it since the XLR is supposed to get canned in a couple years. Unless they are planning on doing a BTS convertible . But they should have one in their lineup.

[smk4565]

Sigma can't do convertibles. Shame.

I never knew that, but Sigma is old anyway, it came out in 2002, the 5-series will have had 2 new chassis (E60 in 2004 and F10 in 2010) during Sigma's lifetime. If Sigma can't do convertibles, then they need to engineer that into SigmaII, along with some weight saving materials.

[Robert Hall]

I never knew that, but Sigma is old anyway, it came out in 2002, the 5-series will have had 2 new chassis (E60 in 2004 and F10 in 2010) during Sigma's lifetime. If Sigma can't do convertibles, then they need to engineer that into SigmaII, along with some weight saving materials.

What is the source of this talk about 'Sigma can't do convertibles'? Sounds like BS.

Edited April 1, 2008 by moltar

[Croc]

What is the source of this talk about 'Sigma can't do convertibles'? Sounds like BS.

Agreed. I'm not seeing how that's possible.

[Dragon]

in its current form, if it wasn't designed with the required reinforcement to make up for the reduce rigidity that comes with the loss of a fixed roof, then it can't do a vert.

and given the engineering and tooling mods required to add it and the decreased fuel efficiency from the increased weight, it might not make business sense

[DBeaSSt]

Oooh! Wow! Sign me up!

[97regalGS]

While I doubt anyone shopping for a $95,000 SL550 is considering anything from Cadillac, there has been a CTS convertible rumor for a while. I remember the dealer telling me that it was in the works a couple years ago, they also said awd and a coupe were coming, so they got 2 of those. But GM changes their minds a lot, so who knows if we'll see a convertible. They might as well built it since the XLR is supposed to get canned in a couple years. Unless they are planning on doing a BTS convertible . But they should have one in their lineup.

since when does a dealer know diddly squat about future plans? most are clueless.

[Croc]

in its current form, if it wasn't designed with the required reinforcement to make up for the reduce rigidity that comes with the loss of a fixed roof, then it can't do a vert.

and given the engineering and tooling mods required to add it and the decreased fuel efficiency from the increased weight, it might not make business sense

Just about every convertible variant has added reinforcement in the side and doors when compared to the non-convertible variants. Again, I don't see how Sigma is somehow incapable of having a convertible, when much less rigid platforms of the past have spawned convertibles.

[Dragon]

Just about every convertible variant has added reinforcement in the side and doors when compared to the non-convertible variants. Again, I don't see how Sigma is somehow incapable of having a convertible, when much less rigid platforms of the past have spawned convertibles.

exactly. and from what I believe he means is it stands now, the Sigma platform does not have this reinforcements so it can't do a convertible. If sigma was modified it could, but it might not make a good business case

[ClassyEldo]

Because of the financial constraints at General Motors, it is unlikely there will be a Convertible CTC very soon after the Coupe's introduction. In my opinion, the sooner the better, and a true cloth-top/ragtop would do just fine--there is a certain romanticism associated with soft tops that the retractable hardtops will not ever quite capture. Also, it will be critical for the designers to work on the body at the level of the roof cut-off (i.e. bottom of the side windows and back direction)--there needs to be a slight "haunch" or rising of the bodywork to add interest and really make this drop-top Cadillac sizzle! (Historically, the '67-'70 Eldorados had a nice body line--or shoulder--just aft of the C-pillar, as did the '67-'70 DeVille Convertibles and the '71 to '76 Eldorado Convertibles--and many other Convertibles feature subtle curves in this area, and it helps to give them a solid, wide "stance" with the top down. Also, the Porsche Carrera Cabriolet incorporates this nicely.) Just my 0.02 cents!

[gm4life]

It is almost better as a vert than a coupe. I like it!

[Robert Hall]

exactly. and from what I believe he means is it stands now, the Sigma platform does not have this reinforcements so it can't do a convertible. If sigma was modified it could, but it might not make a good business case

Weak sauce. The 3-series has a convertible. the CLK has a convertible. A G37 convertible is rumoured. An A5 convertible is coming. GM needs to get their sh*t together and develop a CTS convertible.

[C.H.U.D.]

Cool! No seats!

[MyerShift]

Weak sauce. The 3-series has a convertible. the CLK has a convertible. A G37 convertible is rumoured. An A5 convertible is coming. GM needs to get their sh*t together and develop a CTS convertible.