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]

Click above to view more new high-res shots of the 2008 Chevy Cobalt SS

Everything looks better with proper lighting. The 2008 Chevy Cobalt SS just stepped into the studio for its glamour shots and they didn't come out half bad. Though the Cobalt itself is somewhat ancient compared to other small cars that have been significantly redesigned in the past few years, it still sells well and the Cobalt SS will likely be the cheapest cost of entry into the wonderful world of direct injection technology when it goes on sale. Its motor is the same one used in the Pontiac Solstice GXP, Saturn Sky Red Line and Chevy HHR SS. The turbocharged, direct-inject 2.0L four cylinder produces 260 horsepower and 260 pound feet of torque, though is tasked with towing around a lighter weight package than other inexpensive pocket rockets like the Dodge Caliber SRT-4 and Mazdaspeed3. Torque steer, of course, is always an issue, but the FE5 sport suspension package was tuned on the famed Nürburgring Nordschleife in Germany and GM promises a ride you can live with on a daily basis. As for the design, it's 95% Cobalt and 5% go-fast tomfoolery. That combination makes for a great sleeper car, as the Cobalt SS does not announce itself on arrival. The 10-split-spoke wheels, subtle (and still useless on a FWD car) rear spoiler, new fog lamps and side sills are extremely tasteful. No scoops and fender vents here, thank you very much. We'll start bothering GM for one to review right now, but in the meantime check out the new 2008 Chevy Cobalt SS shots in the gallery below.

BONUS: GM also release four new shots of the Cadillac CTS Coupe Concept



[Source: GM]

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 above for a high-res gallery of the Cadillac CTS Coupe Concept.

Cadillac has a winner on its hands with the new CTS. We've driven it, we like it and offering a coupe version for people that don't need to lug an extra couple of passengers around is a no-brainer. GM is hoping that the new CTS will bring sales of the sedan back to the levels set in 2005 and adding another model into the CTS fold will help seal the deal.

Dealers were shown the CTS coupe concept during the NADA conference and, according to reports from Automotive News, they were foaming at the mouth to get some of that two-door hotness into showrooms. Although there was no confirmation that it would be built, judging by the reception it's gotten from both dealers, the press and consumers alike, we know it's just a matter of time.



[Source: Automotive News – sub. req'd]

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]

We're not sure how these things happen, but somehow an image of a Cadillac CTS Coupe made its way into a dealer advertisement in the dead-tree edition of the Detroit Free Press. According to the advert, you can pick up a two-year lease on a 2008 CTS Coupe for $366.98/month with $1,885.16 due at signing. Considering that the Cadillac CTS Coupe doesn't exist quite yet, though we expect one to debut at an upcoming auto show, this dealer either made a big mistake or has some serious pull over at the Ren Cen. As for the image of the CTS Coupe, while it does likely come from General Motors, it's difficult to call this a leak. I mean, is it really hard to imagine what the Cadillac CTS Coupe is going to look like? Nevertheless, this may be our first official peek.

BONUS: We found a bunch of new 2008 Cadillact CTS images that show the luxury sedan getting thrashed on the track. View them all in the gallery below, though we especially like the one at right.

Thanks for the tip and pic, Ross!

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]