Autoblog

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]

While Cadillac busies itself with a 2-door version of the new CTS sedan, the folks over at Coach Builders, Ltd have been busy taking their tops off. The boulevardier CTS gets an insulated, hydraulically-powered roof fitted with a heated glass rear window and cloth headliner. The top also comes in several colors. Judging by this pic, it also looks like a fair bit of work has gone into making the car look good with the top down. No word on what happens to trunk space, however.

It'll cost you more than a few quarters -- $19,000 gets the job done in eight weeks -- but that's the price of exclusivity, right? It's also employs a manual release, but these things happen when you're a style pioneer. We'd like to see pics of the car with the top up, because we wonder if this could be the first cloth-topped Caddy truly fit for the younger set.

[Source: Inside Line]

Click above for high-res gallery of Cadillac CTS Wagon spy shots

Codenamed internally as the GMX 206, the Cadillac CTS Wagon has clearly gone beyond the consideration phase within GM's hallowed halls and is actively being developed. This prototype was just caught by spy photographers and the profile is unmistakable evidence that the CTS will soon get some extra cargo space. Cadillac's plan to expand the CTS into a full-fledged lineup that can compete with the likes of the the BMW 3-Series and Audi A4 hinges on producing more variants than just the sedan. The CTS Coupe Concept was introduced at the Detroit Auto Show in January, so it's no surprise that we're seeing the wagon in development now and we would expect a convertible version of the coupe eventually, as well. Sources say that Cadillac will build around 10,000 - 12,000 units of the CTS wagon at the same Lansing Grand River Assembly Plant as the sedan and coupe, with most of those being earmarked for sale in Europe. And we have to say that the Family Truckster has never looked so sharp.


[Source: Chris Doane for Brenda Priddy & Co.]

Click above to view the D3 Cadillac CTS in hi-res

Push comes to shove, the Cadillac CTS is one of the sharpest-looking sports sedans on the market. But that doesn't mean that room for improvement is missing... subjective though that may be. D3 Cadillac definitely sees it that way, and to that end has come out with a full aero kit for the crisp Caddy.

D3's kit places a heavy emphasis on downforce, fitting a front splitter, roof spoiler, deck spoiler and diffuser to be extra sure that the CTS stays planted on the boulevard. The kit also includes a new front end with bigger vents for keeping the engine and front brakes cool, plus side skirts, a shiny new grille and, of course, big ol' rims to cap it all off. A 'Vette-powered CTS-V she ain't, but the D3 kit enhances the CTS' lines and improves airflow for those wanting a sharper Caddy than the ones down at the country club. Check out the info in the press release after the jump and the images in the gallery below for all the angles. We've already asked the models in the shots to move so we could see the car better, but they aren't budging.

[Source: D3 Cadillac via Serious Wheels]

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]

Click on the image above to view in high resolution

With the new CTS, Cadillac set itself some mighty lofty goals, going head-to-head with some of Europe's best sports sedans. But if you listen closely, you can faintly hear the sound of champagne corks popping in Detroit as Consumer Reports gave the CTS top honors in the upscale sports sedan segment, beating out the BMW 3-Series and Mercedes C-Class.

Comparing the new CTS with the likes of the BMW 328i and Mercedes-Benz C300, the Cadillac was the only model to receive an "Excellent" overall rating from the discerning publication. The citation will undoubtedly sit nicely in the Cadillac trophy cabinet, right next to the Motor Trend Car of the Year award it took a couple of months ago.

Full press release after the jump.

click above more images of the Cadillac CTS' interior and infotainment

With all of the COTY, 10 Best and All-Star awards being handed out this time of year, it's easy to tune out and miss some of the more interesting awards. The tech website CNET has announced 11 winners of its annual Car Tech Awards that rather than focusing on which particular vehicle is simply best of the year, breaks it into more narrow and, in some cases, funny categories.

CNET's overall Tech Car of the Year award goes to the 2008 Cadillac CTS, which beat out the one-trick-pony Lexus LS600h and its self-parking feature thanks to the Cadillac's ability to pause live radio and receive a live weather feed through satellite radio. We, too, are smitten with the recording capability incorporated into the Cadillac's radio and hope to see this technology proliferate quickly in car's available with an in-dash hard drive.

Ford's SYNC system nabbed the honors for Coolest new car tech, while the Most frustrating interface award went to the Acura RL and its button-happy instrument panel. The Best car to take you for a ride was the Rolls-Royce Phantom, which we happen to agree with 100% having driven around our own friends in it. There's eight more categories to peruse over at CNET, so click the Read link if you're so inclined.

[Source: CNET]

The new Cadillac CTS has been snatching up awards and garnering praise since its launch last year, and now its got another trophy to place on its shelf. After the IIHS wrapped up its battery of batterings, the CTS joined the Institute's list of Top Safety Picks for 2008. Cadillac's entry-level sports sedan is sitting at the table with the Volvo S80, Saab 9-3, Audi A4 and A6 as another vehicle to receive the highest rating issued by the Institute after enduring front, side and rear crash tests, along with being equipped with electronic stability control.

The IIHS' full press release is posted after the jump.

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!

Since 1953, thousands of beautiful models have posed for Hef's Playboy magazine, and yet the R-rated publication prides itself on giving "readers" more than just a bunch of naked women in various poses. To celebrate its diversity of content, the bunny has penned its hottest new rides of 2008. If it wasn't already obvious that Mr. Hefner had a passion for nice curves, his publication's selections for the best transportation on four wheels hints at broader appeal than the female persuasion. Playboy chose the Audi R8 as its car of the year, citing a 0-60 time of 4.4 seconds as its main attraction. The even better looking Maserati GranTurismo took the best sports couple category, and the hot new Cadillac CTS took sports sedan honors. Playboy's entire list of winners, accompanied by it's official press release, is available after the jump. Check it out and tell us if you think The Girls Next Door wrote the description for the CTS.

[Source: Playboy]