click above for more high-res live shots of the Cadillac CTS Coupe Concept
The grand finale of GM's Cadillac press conference was the moment everyone had been waiting for. After a brief introduction from Bob Lutz, who ziplined in from his secret lair in the RenCen, the hotly anticipated Cadillac CTS Coupe Concept rolled onstage, with design head Ed Welburn riding 'gun. The Coupe blends the CTS sedan's face with a new, wedge-shaped 2-door body that finishes off with what Ed described as a "hint of Cadillac fin" in the arrangement of the taillamps. The concept's rear had a single central exhaust outlet whose shape is a nod to the chevrons used to dress up the current CTS interior. Speaking of the interior, the CTS was dressed in black with maize-colored sueded accents and contrast stitching. In another departure from the sedan, the 2-door CTS has sportier, deeper seats. Welburn was intentionally vague abour powertrains, saying it could be powered by a number of existing ones (i.e. the ones in the CTS sedan) as well as a diesel. The car, according to him, was born out of the extra efforts of his design team, who penned the Coupe for fun after the sedan was finished and never stopped refining it. It got to a point where the a concept was approved, and though no mention of a production version was made, this looks like a sure thing in our opinion. Video of the live reveal is available after the jump, as well as Cadillac's official press release.
PRESS RELEASE:
CT COUPE CONCEPT CELEBRATES CADILLAC'S DESIGN RENAISSANCE
DETROIT – Having earned critical acclaim, industry awards and brisk sales, Cadillac CTS has moved into the vanguard of contemporary design. In doing so, Cadillac designers faced the question of what to do next. Their answer celebrates that design legacy with the exhilarating Cadillac CT Coupe Concept, which premiered at the 2008 North American International Auto Show.
The CT Coupe takes Cadillac's acclaimed Art and Science design language and adds more of both. More expressive, more technical and very personal, the CT Coupe extends the dramatic design of its sedan predecessor with all-new sculpted bodywork aft of the front fenders.
"The CT Coupe Concept is a dramatic design statement," said Ed Welburn, VP, GM Global Design. "We did not create it as the result of sifting through reams of market data, nor is its shape trimmed to suit the input collected at a consumer clinic – it is emotion on four wheels and the very essence of what defines Cadillac today."
The CT Coupe Concept has a classic 2+2 interior layout, highlighted by black leather and Alcantara microfiber trim that is complemented by yellow ochre-colored seat inserts and leather stitching. It is designed to accommodate a range of engines for the global luxury market, including Cadillac's popular 3.6L Direct Injection V-6, as well as a new 2.9L turbo-diesel currently in development.
"This Coupe Concept is a natural extension of our design language, and of the CTS itself," said Jim Taylor, Cadillac general manager. "Very simply, the dramatic design of the sedan begged the question of what it would look like in the unbridled form of a Coupe."
Generated from the spark of the CTS design team's imagination, the CT Coupe casts a profile unlike anything else on the road. Its fast-rake styling – it has the same wheelbase as the CTS, but an overall height that is approximately four inches (101 mm) shorter – blends with hand-sculpted bodywork that bulges around the wheels, giving the vehicle a ready-to-pounce stance that is dramatic, powerful and sleek.
"Just about every decade, Cadillac designs a breakthrough car that becomes synonymous with the brand's character of the period, such as the 1938 60 Special, the 1959 lineup, the 1975 Seville and the 2003 Sixteen Concept," said Clay Dean, global director of design, for Cadillac. "The CT Coupe Concept is the next great design, carrying the baton from the Evoq Concept that ushered in the Art and Science era in 1999."
A design gem
Among the CT Coupe Concept's signature design cues are a number of elements that suggest the look of a carefully cut diamond – particularly at the rear. These elements are seen in everything from the chrome header above the rear license plate holder to the indents that comprise the basic form of the rear fascia.
"The diamond-cut elements enhance the sleek profile of the car," said John Manoogian II, director of exterior design for Cadillac. "The CT Coupe uses the elements, along with other nods to classic Cadillac cues – such as vertical headlamps and taillamps – to acknowledge the brand's heritage without resorting to nostalgia. It is a forward-looking design in every sense of the term."
Although based on the sedan, the CT Coupe shares only the instrument panel, console, headlamps, front fenders and grille with the production model. Unique elements include:
- Classic hardtop styling, with no B-pillar
- CTS production windshield laid at a faster angle to create a sleeker profile
- Chrome, split seven-spoke wheel design; 20-inch front wheels and 21-inch rear wheels
- Sculpted lower front fascia with unique brake-cooling vents
- Slim-profile outside mirrors
- XLR-type hidden door handles with proximity remote opening
- Unique front fender vents
- Diamond-cut rear fascia with mesh lower grilles and center-outlet exhaust
- Taillamps with a subtle fin profile and are highlighted with LED lighting technology with light pipes
- Rear spoiler integrated into the center high-mounted stop lamp
- Sculpted roof-mounted antenna for OnStar, XM Satellite Radio, etc.
The surfaces of CT Coupe Concept are complex, inviting careful inspection. The rear fenders, for example, were sculpted by hand in the design studio until they provided a perfect, muscular form that wrapped tightly over the wheels. At the top, the rear fenders are beveled – owing to the diamond-cut theme – and become part of a horizontal plane that runs from the leading edge of the taillamps and merges into the roof.
"At first glance, the design appears effectively simple, because there are no extraneous moldings, spoilers or other protrusions, but the more you look at it, the more complex it becomes," said Manoogian. "The angles and bevels were carefully carved to enhance the car's sleek shape, but aren't 'busy' or distracting – there's really nothing quite like it."
Personal passenger environment
A classic 2+2 interior environment enhances the CT Coupe's personal feel. It shares the hand cut-and-sewn instrument panel and center console with the CTS, but features unique front and rear seats, a continuous console running between the front and rear seats, and custom door panels.
"The CT Coupe is a personal car – something a customer would choose to reward him or herself – and the passenger environment reflects that," said Eric Clough, interior design director. "The interior uses the already excellent CTS design and takes it to a new, bolder level."
Custom-trimmed sport seats from Recaro are located in all four positions. They support the grand-touring nature of the car and are covered in rich, black and suede-like microfiber material, with yellow ochre-colored inserts. The yellow ochre color provides dramatic contrast with the black surrounding trim, but is a subdued hue consistent with the interior's overall feeling of refinement. Yellow ochre stitching also is used throughout, including the seats, instrument panel, shifter knob and more.
Black microfiber fabric covers the front armrest, as well as an armrest located between the rear seats. The armrests are part of a continuous console that stretches from the instrument panel to rear seats. Carbon-fiber trim accents the console. The interior also features ambient lighting throughout, creating a distinctive environment at night.
Like the sedan, the CTS Coupe Concept's interior is home to a host of technologies, including a premium Bose audio system, 40-gigabyte hard drive and XM Satellite Radio. OnStar with Turn-by-Turn Navigation enhances the vehicle's onboard navigation system, which – like the CTS – features a screen that rises out of the center of the instrument panel.
Performance-bred powertrain and suspension systems
As is the case with its design, the CT Coupe extends the acclaimed capabilities of the sedan in terms of performance technology. This includes the capability to support a broad engine range of gasoline and diesel engines.
The CT Coupe, of course, ascertains the sedan's 3.6L V-6 engines, including the 304-horsepower (227 kW) Direct Injection power plant. The Coupe Concept also is designed for a new 2.9L turbo-diesel being developed for international markets. This new engine, tailored for use in the CTS, will deliver an estimated 250 horsepower (184 kW) and 406 lb.-ft. of torque (550 Nm).
A six-speed manual transmission backs the engine, sending torque to an independently sprung rear axle. The CT Coupe's sport-tuned suspension gives it a slightly lower ride height than a production CTS – a look enhanced by the car's rakish shape and large, 20-inch front and 21-inch rear wheels.
Behind the chrome, split-spoke, aluminum alloy wheels is a set of high-performance brakes, featuring cross-drilled rotors. Six-piston calipers clamp down on the front rotors, while four-piston calipers grab the rear rotors. All of the rotors have a distinctive, yellow-painted finish.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 8)
tbss_in_the_D @ Jan 14th 2008 9:52AM
VERY VERY NICE! I will take a 2 door V Please!
Andrew @ Jan 14th 2008 10:36AM
The grill is a little big, but I actually like it. Pretty mean stance, almost a widebody look going for it. Nice work GM!
TwinTurbo3000GT @ Jan 14th 2008 1:08PM
+1. So freakin sweet! Hopefully it will make it to market and undercut BMW's rediculously overpriced linup.
naggs @ Jan 14th 2008 3:30PM
that thing is HAWT
makes a 3 series coupe look like a hyundai
SPF @ Jan 14th 2008 9:52AM
Effing nice!!!!!!
Chris @ Jan 14th 2008 5:50PM
it looks like a little hot wheels car
meshies @ Jan 14th 2008 9:58AM
O
M
G
Its stunning. Now just give us a convertible!!!!!!!
RickCA @ Jan 14th 2008 1:25PM
YOU STOLE MY SENTIMENTS EXACTLY...Holy mother of god! this is what the Eldorado should have been! cut off the top, get it on the lots so I can get me one!
Absolutely stunning looking vehicle! Way to go Caddy! Now don't make us wait 5 years for this thing!
CastleCharles @ Jan 14th 2008 4:38PM
YES, That is the KEY, BUILD THIS NOW.
This will change the game. Built this, then the (REAL) SIXTEEN and Cadillac will have done IT.
Seoultrain @ Jan 14th 2008 9:58AM
great-looking car, though the front just looks huge. big headlights, huge grill, low bumper, tall hood, etc. They'll probably tone it down for production, and it probably looks stunning in person anyway.
Alex Nunez @ Jan 14th 2008 10:01AM
It is completely kick-ass in person.
Zerk @ Jan 14th 2008 9:58AM
And a franchise is REBORN!
Jason Bird @ Jan 14th 2008 10:40AM
Where do I drop off the firstborn deposit?
sheth @ Jan 14th 2008 9:59AM
pretty sweet indeed. I wonder when this is coming to market.
SNIFFDAR @ Jan 14th 2008 10:01AM
Damn it. Another reason to work 60 Hour weeks.
SNIFFDAR @ Jan 14th 2008 10:01AM
That looks soooo good.
Shawn @ Jan 14th 2008 10:03AM
Wow, this may be the best looking Caddy ever!
HotRodzNKustoms @ Jan 14th 2008 6:18PM
I agree this is certainly the best looking Cadillac since 1959.
It looks like something you would see in a comic book or perhaps an animated movie. It just oozes soul which makes a good design great.
meshies @ Jan 14th 2008 10:07AM
OK OK OK. Just my favorite interior ever. My favorite piece are the chrome cadillac seatbelt buckles.
TBlueMax @ Jan 14th 2008 10:21AM
I'm really impressed by the interior as well. Would like to see the exterior in person to get a better overall feel for it - not sure of the profile if they kept it on the sedan's wheelbase or cut it down a little (the coupe appears slightly shorter compared to the sedan). Also curious about powertrain options, assuming GM builds it - did Ed really mention a diesel CTS coupe? Sold!