Lock & Load: CTS-V to go hunting in Europe after all
Click above for a photo gallery of the Cadillac CTS-V
Last week, we reported on a Top Gear piece that indicated Cadillac would not be sending the CTS-V super-sedan to Europe. Cadillac contacted us with some corrections and clarifications, which we now deliver to you. First, the CTS-V is going to Europe. That fantasy matchup in the likes of Auto Motor und Sport that pits it against the likes of the M5, RS6 and the AMG E-Class is bound to happen after all. Top Gear's complaint centered around the UK-market's particular situation. You see, the CTS-V is not going to Blighty in right-hand-drive form. The V-Series car is only being produced with the steering wheel on the left side of the IP, though the company STILL can (and intends to) offer a limited number of CTS-V sedans in the UK in LHD configuration, according to Caddy spokesman David Caldwell. This could be duplicated in other RHD markets as well, save for Australia, where apparently, the regulations are such that left-hand-drive vehicles are simply not an option. We won't shed a tear for Australia, though. They have plenty of cool stuff that we won't see either.
So, to sum up: the CTS-V will be exported. Europe will see it, and so might the UK, but with the steering wheel on the "wrong" side (as far as they're concerned).
Gallery: First Ride: 2009 Cadillac CTS-V
[Source: Cadillac]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
Vintage 2:08PM (7/14/2008)
Why bother selling it if you aren't going to move the steering wheel? Seems kinda dumb.
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Justin 2:18PM (7/14/2008)
For the really crazy people who will buy it anyway.
It makes a statement and gets people interested.
David 2:25PM (7/14/2008)
Yeah. That's definitely stupid and lazy to not move the steering wheel to the right side for the UK. If you're going to sell it there, don't do it half-assed.
P.V. 2:28PM (7/14/2008)
It's possible that it increases the "exotic" (for UK) status of the car and thus increases its desirability.
Do you really want your CTS-V in Britain to look like every other CTS on the road? (Although, the CTS hasn't been selling too well anywhere in Europe, as far as I'm concerned.)
why not the LS2LS7? 2:37PM (7/14/2008)
Because they figure they'll sell 16 with LHD, which is 16 of pure profit. Whereas if they made it RHD, they'd sell 24, but the costs of doing so would eat the profits from all 24.
HotRodzNKustoms 2:40PM (7/14/2008)
small market for RHD cars
huge investment needed to convert most cars
Not worth the investment in many cases
rar 2:42PM (7/14/2008)
Can you guys read? It is going to the UK in a limited number. Why bother to spend the money to put the steering wheel on the right side of the car for a few cars. There is a lot more to Europe than just the UK. The rest of Europe will not have a problem with the steering wheel placement.
Torrent 3:16PM (7/14/2008)
A lot of people don't like you, Vintage. Almost all of your comments are always low ranked. Maybe you should just look and not comment. It's kind criticism, not an insult.
Vintage 3:32PM (7/14/2008)
I speak truth. Lots of people do like that, and I've received many replies that people look forward to my comments.
Torrent 4:58PM (7/14/2008)
I respect that. Tell me Vintage, are there any cars that you don't hate?
RJ 6:12PM (7/14/2008)
The Subaru SVX.
Harrison 7:21PM (7/14/2008)
Well, they are only going to sell a few hundred cars; it won't make sense to re-engineer the whole thing.
Vintage 8:43PM (7/14/2008)
I like many, MANY cars. Subaru Justy, Impreza 2.5RS, Subaru XTs, Dodge Neon 5spds, SRT4s, Sciroccos, Corrado SLCs, GTIs (older ones), 60s, 70s, and 80s Lincolns, CRXs, Preludes, 944s, 928s, Corolla GTSs, Omni GLHSs, Spirit R/Ts, any OLD mopar muscle, Contour SVTs, Turbo Chrysler Minivans, AMC Eagles, Rebels, AMXs, Javelins, Opel Mantas, Opel GTs, I could go on and on and on and on. I am obsessed with automobiles and very much an enthusiast.
Alex 2:10PM (7/14/2008)
sweet. good luck Caddy.
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why not the LS2LS7? 2:10PM (7/14/2008)
It's on.
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Justin 2:19PM (7/14/2008)
That about sums it up.
I can't wait to see this all go down.
Beat-it-nerd 2:11PM (7/14/2008)
Finally, something American to take on those euro performers. And this car ACTUALLY has a shot...
http://www.gmaccessoriesstore.com
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Vintage 2:49PM (7/14/2008)
Except the steering wheel is on the wrong side making passing almost impossible.
Talk about complete FAILBOAT.
500 3:08PM (7/14/2008)
Vintage, I owned a '72 Rolls Royce in America with the steering wheel on the "wrong side," and got used to it very quickly. And this was a huge 6,000 lb vehicle, nothing like the relatively compact CTS. Sure, drive-thrus and tollbooths were a bit awkward, but it all soon became second nature. And when I went to Ireland, my experience with the Rolls made driving a RHD rental car on the "wrong side of the road" quite effortless.
Bah 4:00PM (7/14/2008)
Vintage, you seem to forget that most of Europe drives on the "right" side of the road.