CTS. More or less?

[91 s-10baja]

Within the notch Chicago has punched in the nation's snow belt, two key factors lead to a luxury sedan's success: a prestige badge on the hood and all-wheel drive behind the wheels. A day of commuting along any of its salt-clogged arteries will show that, in the Windy City, quattro Audis and anything with an "X" in the name are as popular as Daleys and deep dish. German marques have twigged to the necessity of all-wheel drive for two decades, and Cadillac would have left untold sales on the table if it had sent the CTS out onto these roads without its own all-weather variant. Fortunately, Cadillac's decision makers have smartened up since the days of V-8 diesels and leather-lined Cavaliers, and the CTS4 is its answer to this demanding segment.

That this is the first all-wheel-drive CTS doesn't mean the mechanicals are new. The larger STS and the SRX crossover have been using the CTS4's electronically controlled system for about three years and, like those two vehicles, the CTS gets a 40/60 rear-biased torque split under normal driving conditions. The only difference here is that the CTS is the first model to get a new generation of Borg Warner's "TorqTransfer" computer algorithm. As a result, the car's rear-drive characteristics are mostly preserved — mash the throttle and a load of torque will jump on your back rather than pull you by the forearms. Under extreme slippage, the active transfer case can push a full 100 percent of the engine's output to either end. A rear limited-slip differential is available as part of an optional performance package, and stability control is standard.

Other than the little chrome "4" added on the trunk, nothing visually separates this CTS from the rest of the pack — it rides on the same wheels and tires and measures equally in width and height. But get in and drive, and it is immediately apparent that the CTS's performance edge has been dulled by 244 pounds of extended driveline. A numerically lower final drive ratio (3.23 vs. 3.42) hurts acceleration numbers and makes the CTS4 feel less than excited to pass the unrushed members of the driving community. More drivetrain components also mean more drivetrain power loss, so we suspect fewer of the direct-injection 3.6-liter's 304 horses actually make the trip down to the ground. The steering feels slower and heavier, too, and a quick look at the specs confirms suspicions: the CTS4 uses a relaxed 19.1:1 steering ratio while the two-wheel model's system is set at 16.1:1. Although none of this is good news for the enthusiast, Cadillac deserves credit for developing a cohesive group of controls — the car got heavier and slower so the steering and throttle have followed suit.

more:
http://www.motivemag.com/pub/feature...lac_CTS4.shtml

[goblue]

Its interesting that the last 535 vs CTS comparison was AWD against AWD and none of this was an issue - so I'm guessing the 535 has the same compromises.

I am a little disappointed Cadillac felt the need to soften the AWD version. One possibility is they are comparing an FE3 RWD to a FE1 AWD - or something along those lines.

Regardless, a car I would seriously buy is an AWD FE2/3 CTS with about 75 more hp and torque. May settle for the 3.6L DI - but I'd like an AWD CTS thats tuned for performance.

[big swede]

That 250lbs on the driveline is going to kill the fun for me. I could see it if you lived in the top 1/3 of the country and this was your only car otherwise sporty cars that are big and heavy to begin with turn into lethargic tanks when even more heft is added to a crucial areas like the drivetrain.

[MOGI]

Yep yep yep...loaded, AWD, heavier, traction...yep...GFYS...Yep

World class car no doubt

[c5thunder]

Get a FE3 CTS. Get snow tires for winter. Best of both worlds.

[Hoosier Red]

I think those buying the AWD would understand and appreciate the compromises. If I find myself back in the midwest, I need something that will get me to work even on those 2-3 days that most can afford to stay home. The Corvette in my garage isn't going to do it. Most of the time FWD will be fine, but if I want the CTS, it's probably going to have to be the 4 in the midwest. I think the gearing must allow them to maintain the mileage because both the CTS and CTS4 are rated for the same mileage on the website......a little surprising. What I'm really waiting for is the CTS4 wagon!!

[jbernie]

It will be interesting to see if sales of the 4 will lead to a V variant. I have seen a few CTS4's here in Denver. AWD or RWD that car is very very nice to look at.

[igotzzoom]

It makes no sense why they'd put a taller final-drive on an AWD car that's 200+ lbs. heavier. If anything, it seems like you could get away with a shorter one. For fuel economy, maybe? That's the only thing I can figure.

[stevecmh]

Originally Posted by MOGI

Yep yep yep...loaded, AWD, heavier, traction...yep...GFYS...Yep

World class car no doubt

agreed.

we just got 15 inches here in Wisconsin.. i wish i had AWD

but i saw 2 new CTS4's today i was jealous

[motorman]

Originally Posted by stevecmh

agreed.

we just got 15 inches here in Wisconsin.. i wish i had AWD

but i saw 2 new CTS4's today i was jealous

buy a hummer go anywhere

[bone]

Most buyers of the 4 would never notice the extra 250 lbs. IMO it doesn't matter whether its a BMW,Merecedes,Volvo,or Infinity, adding 4WD will have its compromises. The important thing is being able to get around on any snowy road surface.

[tgagneguam]

Originally Posted by goblue

...I am a little disappointed Cadillac felt the need to soften the AWD version. One possibility is they are comparing an FE3 RWD to a FE1 AWD - or something along those lines.

Regardless, a car I would seriously buy is an AWD FE2/3 CTS with about 75 more hp and torque. May settle for the 3.6L DI - but I'd like an AWD CTS thats tuned for performance.

Yes to paragraph 1, yes to paragraph 2, though I'd like my CTS to come 2-doors shy of the sedan.

Originally Posted by Hoosier Red

I think those buying the AWD would understand and appreciate the compromises. If I find myself back in the midwest, I need something that will get me to work even on those 2-3 days that most can afford to stay home. The Corvette in my garage isn't going to do it. Most of the time FWD will be fine, but if I want the CTS, it's probably going to have to be the 4 in the midwest. I think the gearing must allow them to maintain the mileage because both the CTS and CTS4 are rated for the same mileage on the website......a little surprising. What I'm really waiting for is the CTS4 wagon!!

I share the same sentiment of your post, too, Hoosier Red, though again you may prefer 5-doors, I prefer the 2-door variant. Maybe Cadillac will seek to please all of us (you, goblue, and me)?

Originally Posted by jbernie

It will be interesting to see if sales of the 4 will lead to a V variant. I have seen a few CTS4's here in Denver. AWD or RWD that car is very very nice to look at.

I was also wondering about this, too, jbernie. Yet again, I was hoping for a two-door version.

Within the notch Chicago has punched in the nation's snow belt, two key factors lead to a luxury sedan's success: a prestige badge on the hood and all-wheel drive behind the wheels. A day of commuting along any of its salt-clogged arteries will show that, in the Windy City, quattro Audis and anything with an "X" in the name are as popular as Daleys and deep dish. German marques have twigged to the necessity of all-wheel drive for two decades...

Funny, I cannot help but remember the first snowstorm of the season, in which State government and local municipalities did a less than stellar job of addressing road maintenance. It was interesting-comical?- to see a certain type of vehicle absolutely struggling to make any forward motion: cars carrying Teuton badges. I was absolutely amazed to see the relatively large numbers of new 3-series, 5-series, C- and E-classes littering the highway. I guess they didn't get the message that Chicago drivers got about 4matic and X versions? Hmmm, interesting to note from my diminutive, unfashionable FWD GM car that rather easily got me home.

[Ambalanche]

Originally Posted by bone

Most buyers of the 4 would never notice the extra 250 lbs. .

Exactly right. I'm always amazed when the auto press talks about 35lbs here, 15lbs there. Do you always ride alone in your car? Just don't let that overweight person ride with you and your good!

[Hoosier Red]

Originally Posted by bone

Most buyers of the 4 would never notice the extra 250 lbs. IMO it doesn't matter whether its a BMW,Merecedes,Volvo,or Infinity, adding 4WD will have its compromises. The important thing is being able to get around on any snowy road surface.

All things being equal, I have trouble believing most of us here would notice 250 lbs. I know I wouldn't be able to tell the difference with a full sized passenger in my Corvette. Maybe the rest of you have more sensitive tushes than I do.

[Hoosier Red]

Originally Posted by bone

Most buyers of the 4 would never notice the extra 250 lbs. IMO it doesn't matter whether its a BMW,Merecedes,Volvo,or Infinity, adding 4WD will have its compromises. The important thing is being able to get around on any snowy road surface.

All things being equal, I have trouble believing most of us here would notice 250 lbs. I know I wouldn't be able to tell the difference with a full sized passenger in my Corvette. Maybe the rest of you have more sensitive tushes than I do. If you are talking about suspension changes, gearing changes, etc. then I might be able to feel what we're talking about.