DOA: Droptop CTS Coupe
We're all fidgety waiting for the arrival of the Cadillac CTS coupe, but GM has already axed a potentially popular variant of the two door entry-Caddy. Despite indications that GM's turnaround plan is making headway, resources still need to be allocated carefully, so we're guessing that an alfresco CTS Coupe didn't make a good enough business case to justify the cost to bring it to market. While it certainly cost GM money to make the CTS a two-door, significant investment would have been necessary to engineer and fine-tune the reported retractable hardtop the convertible would have gotten. Convertible buyers are often a little different than hardcore coupe purchasers, opening up another sales niche. GM also misses out on another challenge to BMW, which offers a Skyliner-ized 3-series. If there's enough clamor for a convertible CTS Coupe, GM may eventually commit to it as Cadillac takes aim at BMW with it's awesomeized CTS.
[Source: Inside Line, Photo: Inside Line]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Robert O 1:02PM (5/15/2008)
Too bad. This is where in the market Cadillac should be building a convertible instead of trying to compete higher-up the market. And it wouldn't hurt that this is one sexy car!
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Craig 8:25PM (5/15/2008)
Do you drive around listening to 'Baby Got Back' by Sir Mix-a-lot?
That is one huge ass for a car. I would like to see a rear rendering to see if the bumper looks like a diaper.
Corey W. 1:15PM (5/15/2008)
They should have reengineered the convertable application when they started on the coupe, instead of making it an after thought. Sort of the same way they do the Vette/Viper.
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SPG 1:48PM (5/15/2008)
Very true, makes you wonder why it was not incorporated into the initial design.
Not to mention, with how taunt this car is you'd think it would be ideal for turning into a convertible.
I'm guessing the extra design dollars that GM feels they need to save are for the folding hardtop design as the article mentions.
Chris 1:08PM (5/15/2008)
than rendering looks horrid from the side
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Montezuma 10:41PM (5/15/2008)
IMO the CTS coupe (well, any CTS) looks angular and awkward from pretty much any angle, except for coupe looking good in profile, and their design doesn't flow at all, it's just a bunch of awkward misaligned angles (if I may say so) glued together, like a diamond job done by a drunk jeweler. It's not ugly, it's just awkward. Toyota Echo awkward. Also, angular cars never age well.
But I guess this works for some people, so...
MemphisNET 1:08PM (5/15/2008)
It's too bad, but they gotta learn to walk all over again before they can start running.
Get the CTS Coupe bang-on, then worry about a convertible as a mid-life refresh.
Wagon please? :D
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Blake 1:16PM (5/15/2008)
I absolutely love it.
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jg 1:18PM (5/15/2008)
I thought the CTS was a 5 series fighter. Is the CTS-V a M5 fighter but the regular CTS is only aiming at the 3 series?
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Mark 1:47PM (5/15/2008)
The CTS is a BMW M*, 3 and 5 fighter. Cheap, roomy, powerful, and beautiful. It's got all of the bases covered.
jg 2:49PM (5/15/2008)
the CTS is not an M fighter, a 3 fighter and a 5 fighter. That's absurd. That's fanboy.
As I've said before but it seems to need repeating. Faster than a BMW is not better than a BMW. BMWs lead their class but they've hardly been the fastest car in their class.
Mr. Oak 4:09PM (5/15/2008)
The '09 CTS-V is not a M5 fighter, it is a M(anything) KILLER. Assinated, annihilated, unmercifully put down (taken behind the proverbial woodshed).
Better suspension, better asthetics, better dimentional package, better (lighter / more power) engine = better car.
Ssssshhh, go whine elsewhere. The Vee is the better car. The M5 reminds me of my mother-in-law, and even though I love her, I pray that my wife doesn't end up looking exactly like her.
Unfairly though, the Vee may have had a better driver? Naw, not be possible, European drivers are genetically superior to their fat, lazy, stupid Yank counterparts.
Can't wait for the ZR-1, to back Li'l bro up, with the ultimate put down.
Bah 11:41AM (5/16/2008)
Price wise it's a 3 series competitor. In terms of size, luxury, performance, and a realistic comparison it is a 5 series competitor. The V is definately an M5 killer (see recent Nurburgring time).
Look at every comparison where they put the CTS, 3 series and C class together. The CTS is always called too heavy but nice and roomy by comparison. In the few comparisons where the CTS is put against the 5 series, it goes toe to toe with the Bimmer without a problem and while saving money at the bank.
Alex 1:20PM (5/15/2008)
This picture made me gasp for air! In my view, it's very cool looking.
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Bah 11:41AM (5/16/2008)
Look at the (lack of) trunk in the profile. Where would the top fit? Even a soft top would take out most of the trunk space. A folding hardtop would be very difficult without removing the rear seats and/or drastically changing the roofline.
why not the LS2LS7? 1:22PM (5/15/2008)
It cannot be.
They put that big ass on the coupe and it wasn't to hide a hardtop? Was it just to emulate a 1984 seville?
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BLS 1:23PM (5/15/2008)
I like that rendering quite a bit more than the CTS Coupe (which I have seen in person). I don't see why it has to be a hard top though. Look at the Saab 93 'vert.
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continentalop 1:25PM (5/15/2008)
That's why GM is where it is. If they really want to compete with BMW and MB this convertible is a must sell. Just look at it. GM will sell tons of these and those sales will come right off BMW, MB, Audi and, yes, Saab. The coupe was a no brainer and so is the convertible.
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DCragtop 1:23PM (5/15/2008)
Hot car, but we have a ton of 'verts to choose from. Make the coupe in regular and extra-strength and create an all-together different 'vertible for folks. GM is doing right by this decision (if this article is even true).
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Torrent 1:35PM (5/15/2008)
I'd buy it, but I want a V.
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