2012 Cadillac CTS line gets new grille, more powerful V6

2012 Cadillac CTS Coupe – Click above for high-res image gallery

Cadillac has some changes in store for the 2012 CTS, with an upgraded grille and a V6 that gains 14 horsepower versus the 2011 model. Aesthetic changes are limited to the front grille, where premium finishes have been added to better highlight the combination of frame and mesh. The Wreath & Crest logo has been tweaked (again), with brighter colors and raised ridges.

The big news on the power front is an upgraded 3.6-liter V6 that now delivers 318 horsepower and 275 pound-feet of torque; up from the current mill's 304 horses and 273 lb-ft. GM engineers were able to improve power without impacting fuel economy by developing larger intake valves, an improved port design and adding a longer-duration intake camshaft. The aluminum V6 is also an impressive 20.5-pounds lighter for 2012, thanks to a composite intake manifold, a lighter front cover and high-strength connecting rods. The 3.6's weight-loss program aids fuel efficiency (an EPA-estimated 18 city/27 highway) while also improving weight distribution, which is never a bad thing.

Also new for 2012 is a Touring package that adds a darker grille and 19-inch wheels on the outside and dark Sapele wood interior trim, steel pedals, sued inserts on the seats, shift knob and steering wheel inside the cabin. Finally, Bluetooth connectivity has been added across the range, while the Coupe, with its massive pair of rear flanks, gets standard blind-zone alert technology.

Hit the jump to read over the Cadillac press release.


2012 Cadillac CTS
2012 Cadillac CTS
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[Source: Cadillac]
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New grille features premium finishes for mesh and frame, refined Cadillac Wreath & Crest logo

CTS adds Touring Package with exclusive grille with dark finish, larger wheels and tires, metal pedals, dark Sapele wood interior and sueded wheel and shifter

Bluetooth phone integration now standard on all models, Coupe has available side blind-zone alert


DETROIT – Cadillac's CTS luxury sport Sedan, Coupe and Wagon will add an upgraded V-6 engine, new grille and new Touring Package edition for the 2012 model year.

The new 3.6L V-6 will use a lighter, more efficient design to give customers more power at the same fuel economy as the current 3.6L V-6. The new engine delivers an SAE-certified 318 horsepower (237 kW) and 275 lb.-ft. (372 Nm) of torque, compared to the current engine's 304 horsepower (227 kW) and 273 lb.-ft. (370 Nm) of torque. The EPA fuel economy label will remain 18 city/27 highway mpg.

The CTS's distinctive shield-shaped front grille has been redesigned with new premium finishes that highlight the intricacies of a new frame and mesh combination. The Wreath & Crest logo also has sharper colors and raised ridges between the colors, giving it a three-dimensional quality. The result provides customers a CTS with a more refined appearance.

The changes will be carried in all three CTS models – CTS Sport Sedan, Sport Wagon and Coupe. The 2012 models will arrive at dealerships in late summer. Pricing will be announced closer to the start of production.

"CTS has established itself as a world-class line of luxury sports cars, but to remain on top, we have to continually make improvements," said Don Butler, vice president of Cadillac marketing. "The changes for the 2012 model year give customers a fresh take on the CTS's bold front grille and provide enhanced driving performance without sacrificing fuel economy."

The new grille builds on a design that has helped the CTS family win a spot on Car and Driver's 10 Best list, Popular Mechanics' Auto Excellence Awards and Automobile Magazine's All-Stars list. The new finishes on the grille add more gloss to the mesh and luster to the frame, accentuating the details in the design. The mesh also is pulled flusher to the frame, making these details stand out even more.

The new 3.6L V-6 builds on another award-winning design. It's an evolution of an engine named twice to Ward's 10 Best Engines list for what the automotive publication called its "laudable low-end torque and effortless power delivery." The new CTS engine, like its predecessor, provides more horsepower and torque than comparable V-6 offerings in the Mercedes-Benz E-Class and Lexus ES350.

Cadillac engineers were able to improve the current design in several ways. The cylinder heads have larger intake valves and an improved intake port design. These work with a longer-duration intake camshaft to boost power and efficiency by allowing more air to flow into the engine.

Engineers also reduced the engine's weight. An integrated cylinder head/exhaust manifold design saves about 13 pounds (6 kg) per engine compared to the cylinder heads and manifolds of the current engine.

The new composite intake manifold saves about 5.5 pounds (2.5 kg) compared to the current aluminum intake. A lighter-weight structural front cover and lighter-weight, high-strength connecting rods bring the total weight savings to 20.5 pounds (9.3 kg), which helps the vehicle's fuel efficiency and improves the car's handling and driving balance.

In addition to the new engine and grille, Cadillac is adding a new Touring Package for 2012 that enhances key touch-points of the CTS. The Touring Package, available in the 3.0L V-6 and 3.6L V-6 engines, will have an exclusive grille with a dark finish, metal pedals, dark Sapele wood interior trim and sueded seat inserts, steering wheel and shift knob.

The Touring Package Sedan and Wagon also will have chrome door handles. The 3.6L version will have 19-inch polished wheels and Recaro 14-way adjustable performance seats. The 3.0L version will have 18-inch wheels with a pearl-nickel finish.

Other changes for the 2012 model year on the CTS include standard Bluetooth phone integration on all models and side blind-zone alert technology available on the CTS Coupe

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