New York Auto Show: Are You The 2014 Cadillac CTS?: Comments

[William Maley]

By William Maley

Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com

March 24, 2013

Even though we are coming to the end of Auto Show season, the leaks about what new vehicles will make their debut are coming still. Case in point are some shots that are reportedly the new 2014 Cadillac CTS.

While the shots don't reveal the entire vehicle, they do show the CTS' new front end which features a larger grille and strips of LEDs running from the fog lights and continue to the top of the headlights. Also shown is the rear end and one of the door panels. The door panel shot has us curious since it seems Cadillac is really stepping up in the interior materials.

We're not sure if these shots are the real deal or not, but we can say they do match up with previous spy shots.

We'll find out if its the real deal not when the 2014 CTS makes it debut later this week at the New York Auto Show.

Update: Now with more complete shots -dd

Source: upcomingvehiclesx's flickr

William Maley is a staff writer for Cheers & Gears. He can be reached at [email protected] or you can follow him on twitter at @realmudmonster.

View full article

[eldiablobanshee]

that car looks so sexy it is not even funny.

[Drew Dowdell]

BMW and Mercedes were put on notice with the ATS. I think now, they've been given their notice.

[Intrepidation]

Can't wait to see the whole thing.

[PONTIAC06]

Damn I'm excited now!

[Intrepidation]

There's some really nice detailing going on. I like how the shapes of the headlights and fog lights line up and become framed in a triangular shape. Good attention to detail.

[smk4565]

I am not a fan, the rear looks too much like the XTS (which has boring trunk design) and the front looks too much like the ATS, which I think is the weak point of the ATS. The XTS has a strong front end and ATS strong from side profile, yet they didn't use those. I wish they did this car with sharper angles like the original CTS and without the headlights that go halfway to the windshield. I have a feeling this car will come off a bit tacky looking in GM's effort to make things look bold or expensive, they tend to over bling it and then you get a design that gets dated in a hurry.

I'm curious to see the whole thing when they release it but I don't think this car is beating the Germans, it is will probably outsell the A6 and Infiniti M (or Q-whatever) and Lexus GS, but those 3 have been getting whipped by the E-class and 5-series since they day they were born.

[ocnblu]

This thing is the Mack Daddy.

[Drew Dowdell]

William uploaded all of the leaked pics to our gallery and added it to the article.

[smk4565]

Well, it is going to be better than the XTS, so at least that is a plus. But I don't think it is knocking the E-class of it's throne any time soon. The E-class only as 1 more year of the 4.7 liter V8, in 2015 it will be gone, which is what the market is going towards, but it will be sad to see it go.

[pow]

Hope there's also an alternative fuel powertrain option, whether diesel, hybrid, or electric. Spending $75 to fill up every 10 days, whether you can afford it or not, just isn't cool.

I drove an E350 Bluetec for 76 miles today--massaging seats and active bolsters on--and averaged 34.2 mpg. There's just something satisfying about being resourceful and not using more than you need.

[smk4565]

I think it would be cool if their LED lights were in the shape of a V similar to the old logo. They could also do a wreath in a circle which would give it a bit of a BMW look, but I'd like to see this shape, minus the "16" as their LEDs. That vertical bar you can find on a Ford Edge, boring.

E350 Bluetec is gone for 2014, the E250 Bluetec will take it's place. 195 hp, 369 lb-ft, that will probably push 40 mpg. There is an E-class hybrid too, but that seems pointless.

Edited March 25, 2013 by smk4565

[Drew Dowdell]

The only way Cadillac could ever satisfy you SMK is if the put Mercedes badges on their cars.

[balthazar]

Wow, that one shot (the 3rd pic) looks like high-gloss dynamite. The e-class looks 15 yrs old next to it. Going to be real interesting to see the whole enchilada.

[dwightlooi]

I am not a big fan of gaping grilles that go through the bumper -- a really annoying trend started by Audi in the last two model cycles. I am also not a fan of the vertical front fascia although that's more the result of stupid EU regulations on passenger crash safety. If it's me, I'll have two front clips -- an ugly EU front clip to comply with EU rules and a more rakish NA/International front clip for every where else.

Burled walnut is a nice touch -- nice and also very American (it's a traditionally American wood).

Tail treatment is a little conservative I think. A little too much plastic (lamp covers) and too generic a trunk deck.

Headlights and LED light strips look well executed and proportioned.

I hope the car has a distributed aperture system for parking and blind spot warning. It's about time...

[Drew Dowdell]

Bump. New pics in the article.

[Robert Hall]

Seeing the full car now, quite impressive..looking forward to seeing it in person.

[ocnblu]

I appreciate the dagmars in the front bumper. Overall, crazy, in-your-face and totally appropriate.

[Drew Dowdell]

This car is Out. Of. The. Park.!!!

[Drew Dowdell]

Distinctly American, totally bad-ass, in your face and expensive looking. I am blown away. I'll need a defibrillator when they show the V-series.

[William Maley]

I'm not sure what it is.. But I'm kinda of not liking the new CTS. I don't know what it is about the design, maybe the mashup of the E-Class front and XTS rear is messing me up.

I do have to say, I'm loving the interior.

[regfootball]

Like it, although I would have preferred larger headlights. Minor.

I do think, even with the twin turbo v6, that the lack of the v8 is kind of bad. And not a pushrod. A new gen Northstar v8...yes i know it would prob have the same specs as the TT, but I do still think some caddy fans expect the v8 somewhere.

really top notch, caddy.....is the 2.0t standard? MT available? Curb weight?

I am not huge on the long hood designs but the Germans do it this way and this is really the arena Caddy is going for. First gen CTS had a nice proportion IMHO but it was not as extreme as is expected in this class of car.

How does the coupe translate here? Current CTS coupe will become an instant classic I think due to it not really making over to this language.....

this car should be the first caddy to get diesel again here in the US......

I could enjoy a base CTS 2.0t manual turbo.....more room than the ATS.

Love how the wreath and crest are above the grille centerline........asymmetrical......

[ehaase]

This is the best Cadillac in decades.

[regfootball]

I'm not sure what it is.. But I'm kinda of not liking the new CTS. I don't know what it is about the design, maybe the mashup of the E-Class front and XTS rear is messing me up.

I do have to say, I'm loving the interior.

Could it be the Mercedes overtones? I do see a lot of 'Art and Science + Mercedes proportions' here.....

[Lamar]

Stately. I give it about a 97.5/100 from these images. The rear still looks a little plain compared to the rest of the car, but that's the worst thing I can say about it.

The blunted nose (compared to the current gen) has to be due to this car going to Europe. Pedestrian regs?

[Robert Hall]

Stately. I give it about a 97.5/100 from these images. The rear still looks a little plain compared to the rest of the car, but that's the worst thing I can say about it.

The blunted nose (compared to the current gen) has to be due to this car going to Europe. Pedestrian regs?

Maybe...I really like the short overhang.

[William Maley]

really top notch, caddy.....is the 2.0t standard? MT available? Curb weight?

How does the coupe translate here? Current CTS coupe will become an instant classic I think due to it not really making over to this language.....

Let me break it down,

• 2.0T is the base engine, the 3.6L DI will be the middle, and TT 3.6L is the top dog.
• Don't know on the manual transmission.
• Don't know curb weight. Stay tuned this week.
• Crystal ball is a bit murky on this on. Rumor has it that wagon will not be returning due to poor sales.

[Robert Hall]

I'm not sure what it is.. But I'm kinda of not liking the new CTS. I don't know what it is about the design, maybe the mashup of the E-Class front and XTS rear is messing me up.

I do have to say, I'm loving the interior.

Could it be the Mercedes overtones? I do see a lot of 'Art and Science + Mercedes proportions' here.....

I like how it looks distinctly RWD...you wouldn't confuse this w/ a FWD model. The greenhouse is very Mercedes to me, the side window treatment is very similar to the current C- and E-class...I would have preferred more angular cutlines for the upper door openings like the current CTS...but all in all, I like it.

I hope they do a coupe and convertible.

Edited March 26, 2013 by Cubical-aka-Moltar

[regfootball]

The fortunate aspect of this is how the XTS and CTS can't be mistaken for each other in terms of proportions.

[regfootball]

really top notch, caddy.....is the 2.0t standard? MT available? Curb weight?

How does the coupe translate here? Current CTS coupe will become an instant classic I think due to it not really making over to this language.....

Let me break it down,

• 2.0T is the base engine, the 3.6L DI will be the middle, and TT 3.6L is the top dog.
• Don't know on the manual transmission.
• Don't know curb weight. Stay tuned this week.
• Crystal ball is a bit murky on this on. Rumor has it that wagon will not be returning due to poor sales.

no wagon = no big deal, to me anyways. I would rather Cadillac concentrate on putting the best diesels in for a launch into Europe and also share those diesels with us here.

Coupe and convertible though, possibly.

[Lamar]

Stately. I give it about a 97.5/100 from these images. The rear still looks a little plain compared to the rest of the car, but that's the worst thing I can say about it.

The blunted nose (compared to the current gen) has to be due to this car going to Europe. Pedestrian regs?

Maybe...I really like the short overhang.

Me too, really. It's not a bad thing at all, just something that stood out to me.

[Drew Dowdell]

Another batch added to the gallery:

[smk4565]

From the A pillar to the C pillar it is very Mercedes E-class, just as the ATS is very C-class from the side and greenhouse. I like that part on both because I like Mercedes. The back end looks too much like the XTS, it just comes off bland, it isn't bad, but isn't great. The grille isn't Audi big, but it bigger than I like, and the headlights are my complaint. I don't like the headlight that sweep back so far or the big LED bar, I have the same complaint on the ATS. If this car had the original CTS headlight shape I'd like it a lot more.

I am not sure what I think of the interior, I don't like brown seats in any car, so I'd have to see this in another color, like beige.

[smk4565]

It is better than any of the god awful products Lexus has put out lately. In the USA it will outsell the A6 because that car though good just doesn't seem to sell here. But after seeing it all, I still think the 5-series and E-class remain on top, and some may have sticker shock when they price this car, it might cost more than the XTS.

[balthazar]

e-class stops the chrome beltline trim where the black plastic triangle of the sideview mirror mount starts- that reeks of cheapness & highlights the plastic.

CTS does it cohesively, and runs the trim right to the lower corner, takes the eye around the sidelights round-trip, rather than stopping it cold. Cadillac did it right.

Frankly, I see no more 'mercedes' in here that a dozen other cars; it's not like mercedes is unique or proprietary in their greenhouse design. But we're talking about the most generic of sedan views; the profile view of the greenhouse. Where mercedes falls flat is that the '14 CTS overall makes it look, instantly, quite dated. Hard to avoid with how generic MB's look : pop the 'star' off and it could be a bunch of different brands (and it's "brand new" for '13).

Edited March 26, 2013 by balthazar

[avant1963]

balth,

If you didn't say that was a side view of an E-class, I would think it was a 10 year old Accord.

I know what the side view of the CTS is. No mistaking a Caddy with a Honda.

[PurdueGuy]

This new CTS looks more premium and more mature. I really like it. I can see the maturity of the design coming across as boring in some views, though. Previous generations probably pushed the envelope a bit more, challenged what people thought of when they thought of Cadillac. This more mature design doesn't push the envelope as much, but comes off as significantly more refined, which should result in higher customer satisfaction. It results more in envy than shock.

[Camino LS6]

I need to see real world pics of this car (or see it in person). In certain angles, it looks pretty good - in others not so much.

Looks like crap in this shot:

http://www.cheersandgears.com/uploads/gallery/album_616/med_gallery_51_616_43285.jpg

Not a fan of the LEDs, nor the way the headlights are done in general.

So far, the car looks best to me in the overhead shot.

Edited March 26, 2013 by Camino LS6

[Camino LS6]

I really like the grille and the hood sculpting, but what's outboard of them turns me off.

[G. David Felt]

This car truly puts BMW and MB on notice and says to the world, this is a World Standard Luxury sedan.

Comparing this next to current BMW and MB equal models and they look so stale/dated.

I do not have the time, but it would be nice to put the same 3/4 front and rear image along with the default basic stats and price in a spreadsheet and post it here as a comparison.

My gut tells me that Caddy just smashed the competition with this sedan.