Autoblog

Click above for more high-res spy shots of the Cadillac CTS Coupe

Not long after Car and Driver snagged the first shots of the production Cadillac CTS Coupe, we now have new spy shots showing the coupe's profile and front end, and a few surprises were awaiting us at these angles. For one, this preproduction prototype has no door handles, instead incorporating the same door-opening mechanism used on the Corvette in which the recess for the door latch comes after the door and is completely flush. The Cadillac CTS Coupe Concept also featured this type of door handle, though we honestly didn't expect it to see it on the production version. Also of note that wasn't totally obvious in the C&D images is that the CTS Coupe Concept's fastback profile will make it to production intact. Some, including us, were worried that Old GM could resurface and cost cut the production CTS Coupe to the point that it became the sedan with a longer pair of doors. This doesn't seem to be the case, as the production CTS Coupe appears to feature completely different sheetmetal than the sedan from the A-pillar back. While the front end and front fenders don't exhibit quite the level of flare seen on the concept, the production car will retain a center exhaust, sporty side sills and new wheels. Check out the spy photographer's notes after the jump and all the pics in the gallery below.



[Source: KGP Photography]

When the Cadillac CTS Coupe Concept was revealed at the Detroit Auto Show in January, no overt mention was made that the car would go into production. But c'mon, it's a no brainer if Caddy wants to compete with its German rivals on every level. Though we still have no official word on the CTS Coupe's production plans, Car and Driver actually spotted two prototypes in the desert undergoing testing. How's that for production confirmed?

Though the rear end of the coupe is covered, engineers were forced to keep exposed those sweet center-mounted dual exhaust tips that carry over from the concept. As for the rest of the car, it doesn't take much brain power to imagine a CTS with two doors instead of four. The CTS Concept itself is a veiled production car, so we don't expect much to change at all on its journey to the dealer lot.

Now, let's hope C&D keeps its cameras focused on the horizon for any sight of a pre-production Cadillac CTS-V Coupe. Thanks for the tip, Mac!



[Source: Car and Driver]

Click image for a high-res gallery of the CTS Coupe

If you liked the Cadillac CTS Coupe Concept and feel that your garage is incomplete without one in it, well, you're gonna be able to scratch that itch next year. Inside Line reports that the concept will go into production in mid-2009 as a 2010 model. Expect the same general shape as the show car, albeit with some detail tweaks to make it production-friendly. The most obvious ones will be the addition of an integrated rear spoiler with a CHMSL and the conversion from the stylized center-outlet exhaust to something more traditional, like the CTS sedan's dual tips. We're betting it'll be deja vu all over again next January in Cobo as the usual suspects reconvene to drive the production CTS coupe (CTC, maybe?) onto the very same stage that welcomed the concept. And General, don't forget to drop in the LSA and do a 2-door V-Series while you're at it.

[Source: Inside Line]

Here's a way to create content long after an auto show has ended, dream up a list of editorial favorite picks. Well, what the hell, we might as well be meta and report on the anti-news. Here we go blithely. AutoWeek handed out its Editors' Choice awards for the North American International Auto Show at its Design Forum on Wednesday. We can debate the relevance, but we'd rather just talk about the cars. The four vehicles that AutoWeek thought were the bee's knees are as follows:

• Most Fun: Audi R8 V12 TDI
• Best Concept: Cadillac CTS Coupe
• Most Significant: 2009 Ford F150
• Best of Show: 2009 Corvette ZR1

As Linda Richman would say: discuss.

[Source: AutoWeek]

Media days of the Detroit Auto Show have come and gone, and we've done our best to provide you with plenty of pics and updates of all the significant debuts during North America's biggest auto show. We scoured through all the new concepts and world debuts to give you our five most significant new products at NAIAS. Click on the video above to view the Autoblog Five, and be sure to give us your top five all-new concepts and world debuts after the jump.

UPDATE: Click here to watch video of live reveal!

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.

Hot off the wire is GM's surprise announcement that Cadillac will unveil a CTS Coupe Concept at its press conference later this morning. We've been expecting a CTS Coupe as part of the diversification of that model's offerings, and this concept should give us a great idea of what the probable production car will look like. Photos won't be released until closer to showtime, and we'll get them up as soon as they're released. Joining the CTS Coupe will be the Cadillac Provoq hydrogen concept, the CTS-V and Escalade Hybrid, which round out the Caddy contingent. Stay tuned for more.

UPDATE: The CTS Coupe Concept has been revealed!

[Source: GM]

In Europe, Cadillac hasn't been moving the new CTS in the kind of numbers it wanted, and the BLS has always been somewhat of a disappointment. On account of this, Cadillac is once again being said to seriously consider broadening the CTS range to include a coupe and wagon, the better to compete with its German rivals in Europe. Word is that the CTS wagon could bow at Detroit in January, with a CTS coupe coming some time after that. While rumors of a CTS Wagon and Coupe have been around for at least a year, additional European demand for such models could sway the General into giving these cars the green light.

We can't say it strongly enough: Cadillac, do it. And in case that still wasn't enough: we double dog dare you. Cadillac wants its new CTS to swipe buyers from both BMW and Mercedes. Sure, the CTS is COTY, but -- and with all due respect to Motor Trend -- no one buys a 3-Series or C-Class because it wins COTY. The fact that Cadillac doesn't want to offend its core buyers attract new, trendy import buyers with a single four-door sedan is a challenge that we have yet to see anyone overcome. And certainly not a challenger starting from Cadillac's perceived image.

If Cadillac really wants to show the coastal metropolitan crowd that it's serious, it needs to offer more than one great choice of car. A coupe, a wagon, and throw a diesel in, as well... those are great places to start.

[Source: World Car Fans]

While at SEMA, we took a few minutes to talk with GM Specialty Vehicle manager Doug Schumacker about the Cadillac CTS Sport concept. Doug also spoke about an upcoming CTS coupe and wagon, and hinted that many of the cosmetic changes to the Sport concept could make production. CTS-V anyone? Click on the video above to view the three-minute clip – it's worth a look.