Next CTS to receive 420-hp turbo V6

[afty]

http://www.autoblog.com/2013/03/18/cadillac-confirms-420-hp-twin-turbo-v6-for-2014-cts-w-videos

From the press release:

Rated at an SAE-certified 420 horsepower (313 kW) and 430 lb.-ft. of torque (583 Nm), it is the most powerful V-6 ever from General Motors. It also has 15 percent greater power density than BMW 535i's turbocharged 3.0L six, which is rated at 300 horsepower (223 kW), for a ratio of 100 horsepower per liter (74 kW/liter) – and even the BMW 550i's TwinPower 4.4L V-8, rated at 400 horsepower (298 kW), or 91 horsepower per liter (68 kW/liter). Power density is a measure of efficiency for an engine's size.

The 2014 CTS sedan will also feature the naturally aspirated 3.6L V-6 rated at 321 horsepower, as well as a 2.0L turbocharged engine rated at an estimated 272 horsepower.

Looks exciting.  I've been thinking that the current CTS-V, while awesome, is just too ridiculous to actually buy (especially with fuel economy of 12/18).  This is something that actually makes sense as a reasonable upgrade over the current NA V6.

[SVT666]

http://www.autoblog.com/2013/03/18/cadillac-confirms-420-hp-twin-turbo-v6-for-2014-cts-w-videos

From the press release:
Looks exciting.  I've been thinking that the current CTS-V, while awesome, is just too ridiculous to actually buy (especially with fuel economy of 12/18).  This is something that actually makes sense as a reasonable upgrade over the current NA V6.

As impressive as the engine may be, the LS3 would be preferable. 

[Vinsanity]

Looks like this might be the motor going into the ATS-V. The V6TT makes sense for a big luxury car with some extra power, but for a "hot" model like the ATS-V (especially since it's sharing its platform with the next Camaro), it's definitely gotta be a small-block V8.

[68_427]

Link[/quote]

[MrH]

Yeaaaaaah

Wish they'd ditch the vertical taillights, but this will be a huge upgrade over the current one.

[Colin]

........ but this will be a huge upgrade over the current one.

It needs to be.

Standards move on, and my impression of the outgoing one was that the interior was miles off the sort of quality and ambience that buyers who select BMW/Mercedes/Audi expect or even demand. Also the boot was far smaller than on the German trio. Despite Cadillac proudly boasting that this car was their equal and that it would spearhead a sales explosion in Europe, the reality is that they sold about 20 a year in UK (and almost of those were to the dealers or CTS-Vs). The lack of a diesel in Europe was of course the real killer blow.

Will this one be better? Looking at the pics, it would appear to have a stubby tail, so I bet the boot size issue is not fixed, but the interior looks like it could be a lot better. That is pretty decent looking wood inlay in the pic.  I look forward to inspecting it in person at NYIAS.

[Madman]

In terms of size, the old CTS was stuck in the No-Man's-Land between the 3 Series and the 5 Series.  With the ATS now going head-to-head against the 3er, the CTS can move up half a size and do battle directly against the 5er, A6, XF and E Class.

It's going to be a tough road, however.  The Germans (and, to a lesser extent, Jaguar) have had decades to refine their designs.  Cadillac has only really been seriously tackling the premium segment for about ten years.  They have a LOT of catching up to do.  It won't happen overnight, either.  At least Cadillac seems to be thinking long term about establishing themselves as a serious contender against the Germans.

Let's hope they can pull it off.

[CJ]

That wood looks horrible.  GM can't get interior colors that aren't black right.

[Madman]

That wood looks horrible.  GM can't get interior colors that aren't black right.

I at least hope the wood is real.  Generations of plasti-wood trimmed Cadillacs are part of what made the brand a laughingstock.

[Raza]

The teaser photos are indeed promising. 

[280Z Turbo]

I was surprised at how bad the current CTS interior looked in comparison to the ATS.

[LonghornTX]

That wood looks horrible.  GM can't get interior colors that aren't black right.

I thought the exact opposite on the wood. Looks like it might have a natural rough finish, which is quite neat to me.

[LonghornTX]

Wow, I am loving it so far

[GoCougs]

This shot speaks to some serious musculature.

[afty]

Looks great to me in these shots. 

[hotrodalex]

I thought the exact opposite on the wood. Looks like it might have a natural rough finish, which is quite neat to me.

Yeah, I love the more natural finishes that companies are putting in their interiors. Much better than the glossy stuff.

[Atomic]

Yeah, I love the more natural finishes that companies are putting in their interiors. Much better than the glossy stuff.

Caddy will probably follow the likes of Mercedes-Benz and other luxury makes in offering different color wood grains and other trims to match its choice of leathers in the all new 2014-MY CTS. I seem to think the MY13 XTS and maybe even "baby" ATS already does.

So far I like what I see but would definitely want to review the entire pallet of interior and exterior color combinations before placing an order. My only concern for me would be budget (already owning a loaded out Volvo). The cost of this larger STS will obviously be steep as a second car. But what a great primary sedan it would make for one longing for a European inspired American luxury-sports sedan (and hopefully coupe, convertible and maybe even tourer down the road)  !

[Atomic]

That wood looks horrible.  GM can't get interior colors that aren't black right.

I praised the car prior to reviewing your comment, CJ. And I do love its shape. However, you make a valid point regarding GM and color schemes.

There has been an "oh, too, typical" choice of GM color-schemes on show cars recently. The gray/tan combination on the 2014 Corvette Stingray coupe, for example. A beauty but it looked rather dull in person (Detroit NAIAS) for such a high profile display car. It was an even odder color schematic choice for its ragtop variant making its world debut in Geneva. As I recall, it was either a similar gray/tan or gray-green with tan combination that Chevrolet had chosen. On a positive note, though, Chevy did a beautiful job with the initial debut of the first '14 Corvette Stingray that was shown to press in Detroit: that gorgeous coupe in Flag Red with Black Leather Interior -- classy and classic at the same time.

[Colin]

Agree that grey was not the best colour for the launch Corvette Stingray Convertible - the red coupe alongside looked far better. Corvettes do bright colours really well.

But executive saloons - in Europe at least more than 50% of them are sold in a palette ranging from silver through various shades of grey to black. Look at a colour chart for a high Mercedes, BMW or Audi and almost you will see are endless variations of grey and black. White is there only for Americans! 

[Vinsanity]

Nice. Now that's how you do LED running lights.

Weird to think that my car will be 2 generations old when this comes out...

[Raza]

Nice. Now that's how you do LED running lights.

Weird to think that my car will be 2 generations old when this comes out...

Time marches on.  I think the Gen 4 Catera will be the best.   

[SVT666]

I don't like the elongated headlamp on the ATS and I don't really like it here either.

[MrH]

It needs to be.

Standards move on, and my impression of the outgoing one was that the interior was miles off the sort of quality and ambience that buyers who select BMW/Mercedes/Audi expect or even demand. Also the boot was far smaller than on the German trio. Despite Cadillac proudly boasting that this car was their equal and that it would spearhead a sales explosion in Europe, the reality is that they sold about 20 a year in UK (and almost of those were to the dealers or CTS-Vs). The lack of a diesel in Europe was of course the real killer blow.

Will this one be better? Looking at the pics, it would appear to have a stubby tail, so I bet the boot size issue is not fixed, but the interior looks like it could be a lot better. That is pretty decent looking wood inlay in the pic.  I look forward to inspecting it in person at NYIAS.

Yeah, I think they got caught in a pickle on two aspects:  They went the American route, trying to be a 5-series sized sedan at 3-series prices.  Basically, the value proposition.  They quickly found out this didn't work out so hot for them.  They also got caught in a weird product cycle.  The vehicle is pretty old compared to the competition, so now it looks really dated.  Once the ATS came out, it just cannibalized any CTS sales.  Slightly smaller, much better vehicle all around for a cheaper price.  This new CTS should put it on 5-series and E-class competition level.

It will be at NYIAS, but I highly doubt you'll be sitting in it.  It'll be on a roped-off pedestal for you to look at.

In terms of size, the old CTS was stuck in the No-Man's-Land between the 3 Series and the 5 Series.  With the ATS now going head-to-head against the 3er, the CTS can move up half a size and do battle directly against the 5er, A6, XF and E Class.

It's going to be a tough road, however.  The Germans (and, to a lesser extent, Jaguar) have had decades to refine their designs.  Cadillac has only really been seriously tackling the premium segment for about ten years.  They have a LOT of catching up to do.  It won't happen overnight, either.  At least Cadillac seems to be thinking long term about establishing themselves as a serious contender against the Germans.

Let's hope they can pull it off.

Seems like they did it with the ATS   They've beaten the 3-series in a few comparisons, and have beaten the C-class in all of them I think.

That wood looks horrible.  GM can't get interior colors that aren't black right.

  What's so bad about the wood?

I thought the exact opposite on the wood. Looks like it might have a natural rough finish, which is quite neat to me.

Agreed.  This natural, open pour style wood looks awesome.  Everyone is trying to do it.  It's costly as all hell though.  Even your company is doing it in the new Cherokee (looks a tad more janky than Mercedes though but still good).

[LonghornTX]

Agreed.  This natural, open pour style wood looks awesome.  Everyone is trying to do it.  It's costly as all hell though.  Even your company is doing it in the new Cherokee (looks a tad more janky than Mercedes though but still good).

Grand Cherokee or Cherokee? I actually haven't seen what the inside of the Cherokee is going to look like. I assume you prob meant the Grand Cherokee when you were referring to the wood. Yea, it is not quite up there with my favorites (Audi) but it is still pretty nice. I know I have a biased perspective, but comparing the Overland with a well specced ML we had at Chrysler, I generally preferred the interior of the GC.

Back on topic, I am pretty darn impressed with this new CTS. What platform is this on? Stretched version of the ATS (Alpha I believe)?

[CALL_911]

Damn, this thing looks good. Will the CTS now be a 5er/A6/E competitor?

[Atomic]

UPDATE: Nineteen (19) Photo Gallery:

http://www.carscoops.com/2013/03/2014-cadillac-cts-sedan-revealed-in.html

More or less to love, hate or feel meh about?

[MrH]

Grand Cherokee or Cherokee? I actually haven't seen what the inside of the Cherokee is going to look like. I assume you prob meant the Grand Cherokee when you were referring to the wood. Yea, it is not quite up there with my favorites (Audi) but it is still pretty nice. I know I have a biased perspective, but comparing the Overland with a well specced ML we had at Chrysler, I generally preferred the interior of the GC.

Back on topic, I am pretty darn impressed with this new CTS. What platform is this on? Stretched version of the ATS (Alpha I believe)?

Yeah, sorry, Grand Cherokee.  Yeah, the trim in the Grand Cherokee isn't as nice as the ML class, but pretty sure there's a big difference in cost.  I think it looks great for the price point.  Really liking the new bronz-ish metallic trim in the updated GC too.

And yes, it's on the Alpha platform.  Based on what I've read on the ATS, seems like that's a good thing.

Damn, this thing looks good. Will the CTS now be a 5er/A6/E competitor?

Yuuuup

UPDATE: Nineteen (19) Photo Gallery:

http://www.carscoops.com/2013/03/2014-cadillac-cts-sedan-revealed-in.html

More or less to love, hate or feel meh about?

They nailed it with the front end.  Much much better than the previous generations.  The back end is pretty underwhelming though, and I'm guessing it'll be hard to differentiate from the ATS, sadly.

[Atomic]

That wood looks horrible.  GM can't get interior colors that aren't black right.

Seeing even clearer views of the interior when more pics were added today, now agree wholeheartedly with you, CJ. I still think it's the contrasting colors pictures: (1) primary leather, (2) secondary leather (leatherette?) and (3) shade of wood. This should resolve with a solid color interior and better corresponding wood grain trim or metal accents (if offered).

[Atomic]

MrH, I agree with you all around. I also see the influence of the XTS but these elements translate even better on the CTS, given its RWD origin over the XTS' FWD underpinnings.

As for the Jeep Grand Cherokee, the MY14 is up there with the Mercedes ML based on the several models on display at the Detroit NAIAS. However, it is not a 'Benz and there are many justifiable reasons why the ML is priced higher (and the other way around) and also why the GL costs even more.

[CJ]

Let me get this straight...


The wood itself?  It's fine.  I prefer a linear cut wood (Not sure if this makes sense...), but it's not bad. The interior colors are what looks terrible.  GM can't get anything that's not black right, and even that's a stretch.