4Car-UK: CTS scores 4 of 5 Stars in Review

[nadepalma]

More good news for Caddy in Europe. A good review by a UK outfit. I hope there are more of these types of reviews coming.

If they can get the diesel over there sooner rather than later it might translate into a few more sales for the Wreath and Crest brand (not that the numbers would be huge).

All the reviews I've read in the past from European magazines have always said that the CTS was the "5-Series" competitor -- but this review (and the video) plug it as a 3-Series competitor. I know we have this debate on GMI alot (is the "competitor" based on price or size?) but it would seem this review has it pegged in the latter category.

There is also a video as well with a few written comments on the bottome of the screen.

Originally Posted by 4Car

SOURCE: 4Car-UK

Review: 2008 CTS





Summary:
Assets
Striking looks, good performance, a lot of car for the money.
Drawbacks
Sporty suspension set-up is a mismatch for this elegant cruiser.
Verdict
Drives well and feels built to last.

Daring to be different is a tricky concept. When applied to everyday behaviour there's a very thin line between being a free-thinking, independent-minded maverick and being a twerp. Wearing your trousers back to front is different, but there's a reason everybody else is wearing them the right way around.

Recent attempts to sell US cars in the UK have gone big on daring to be different. The Dodge Caliber and Chrysler 300C have done decent business on that basis, and the Chrysler PT Cruiser sold so well that it ceased to be different and became an everyday sight. But sometimes the 'dare to be different' approach feels like a marketing department's desperate attempt to make a virtue of a necessity by putting a brave face on poor sales.

Cadillac wants to be different, but not very different. The BLS is basically a Saab 9-3 with a Cadillac face on it - a look that started with the Evoq concept of 1999 and returned with 2003's Sixteen concept. Its bigger brother, the CTS, again has that Cadillac look but under the skin is an attempt to compete with the compact executive kings, the BMW 3-Series and Mercedes C-Class, on their own terms.

The first CTS, dating from 2002, was promising but patchy. The new one, which goes on sale in the UK with right-hand drive in the summer of 2008, keeps the styling, improves the interior and is - with the right combination of engine, gearbox and suspension - a serious alternative. It's an accomplished performer and one that requires no allowances or apologies.

It will be available at first with a 3.6-litre petrol V6 producing 307bhp and 276lb-ft of torque, and a 2.8-litre petrol V6 making 208bhp and 182lb-ft. A lower-powered version of the 3.6 will also be sold in some countries. In 2009 a 2.9-litre diesel V6 will follow, with 247bhp and a very promising 406lb-ft of torque. A hot CTS-V might also join the UK line-up, as could all-wheel-drive versions.

Reliabilty and Quality

The lack of rattles, squeaks and wobbles is enough to tell you that Cadillac has made a huge leap forward with the quality of the US-built CTS. It's reassuringly solid, and far more impressive than the plasticky feel of the smaller, cheaper BLS.

From the sturdiness of the new side vent behind the front wheel to the nicely damped movement of the glovebox lid, it's all up to the standards you'd expect from a Japanese or German car.

The major mechanical components should all last well, as they come from the tried and trusted GM gene pool.

MORE HERE

[Masospaghetti]

Wooo!! 2.9 Turbodiesel with 406 ft-lbs...that's incredible!

[mgescuro]

Yup!!! If I ever get a Cadillac, I'm getting the clear tail lenses!!!

[skylark68]

Originally Posted by Masospaghetti

Wooo!! 2.9 Turbodiesel with 406 ft-lbs...that's incredible!

Sounds like that would be the engine to get.

[Mikkoo]

I believe that the new CTS will go on sale here in Finland by the end of this
year. I'm going to go out on the limb, and predict better sales than the
previous CTS, which was only sold in bead like quanities here in Finland.
It just wasn't good enough to justify the 50,000 euro ( $72,000 USD )
price that must be paid in order to own the V6 model. All new cars
purchased here are heavily taxed, so other virtues must standout to
make the purchase viable.

[stevecmh]

Originally Posted by Masospaghetti

Wooo!! 2.9 Turbodiesel with 406 ft-lbs...that's incredible!

we need that here.. sounds like a great engine.. beat the other automakers for once with a diesel...

Why do we not get the awesome taillights ... i wish they would make them an option here

[agman25]

Originally Posted by nadepalma

More good news for Caddy in Europe. A good review by a UK outfit. I hope there are more of these types of reviews coming.

If they can get the diesel over there sooner rather than later it might translate into a few more sales for the Wreath and Crest brand (not that the numbers would be huge).

All the reviews I've read in the past from European magazines have always said that the CTS was the "5-Series" competitor -- but this review (and the video) plug it as a 3-Series competitor. I know we have this debate on GMI alot (is the "competitor" based on price or size?) but it would seem this review has it pegged in the latter category.

There is also a video as well with a few written comments on the bottome of the screen.

In Europe the CTS has to compete against the 5-series. Most of the 3-series, C class, A4 sold in Europe have gas or diesel I4's. 6-cylinder models only make a minority of sales in this category and there is no I4 for the CTS. The CTS is a 4-series competitor in reality. Being a tweener can be disadvantageous at times.

[zete]

Silver with the clear lenses looks cool. I wonder if it looks as good with the other colours?

Gotta love that sunroof. Massive.

I still wish they'd incorporated faux tail fins in the back by having the rear quarter rake downwards in line with the windows to create what would look like tail fins. It's the only awkward part to the car to my eyes. A downward angle from the lights that follows a line through the doors would be awesome. Wish I was half useful with Photoshop so I could show folks what I mean. The best example I can give is the Cien.



That rear treatment on the CTS would have been great and harken back even more to the 50s era Caddies.

[Russell]

Originally Posted by stevecmh

we need that here.. sounds like a great engine.. beat the other automakers for once with a diesel...

Why do we not get the awesome taillights ... i wish they would make them an option here

Ahhh, grass is always greener on the other side.

[Dorsai]

Originally Posted by zete

That rear treatment on the CTS would have been great and harken back even more to the 50s era Caddies.

Seriously...it's time for fins to make a comeback!

[Gm786]

I really like those taillights! I can say that this is a good review coming from the UK.

[Slideways]

Originally Posted by agman25

In Europe the CTS has to compete against the 5-series. Most of the 3-series, C class, A4 sold in Europe have gas or diesel I4's. 6-cylinder models only make a minority of sales in this category and there is no I4 for the CTS. The CTS is a 4-series competitor in reality. Being a tweener can be disadvantageous at times.

I'm really tired of the "is it a 5-series or 3-series competitor?" debate. It's a CTS. It is a car in its own right and in my opinion it looks a hell of a lot better than anything that BMW has rolled out since the I-drive/Bangle era began.

[MelvinJ]

Originally Posted by mgescuro

Yup!!! If I ever get a Cadillac, I'm getting the clear tail lenses!!!

I'll keep an eye out for any major temperature drops in hell.

[Hollywood]

Just so you guys know, the clear-lenses are going to be an accessory from GM Parts soon (as will the Recaros that will be in the V). They were officially announced at SEMA.

[telo]

Originally Posted by Hollywood

Just so you guys know, the clear-lenses are going to be an accessory from GM Parts soon (as will the Recaros that will be in the V). They were officially announced at SEMA.

That's awesome. Throw some tint on that puppy and man I wish I made enough money. Maybe one day.

What else is available from the SEMA show?