2008 CTS Preview Picture!

[BMWDave]

I really like this.  It looks like it has a lot of BTS in it, which is good, because thats one of the best looking Cadillacs out there.

[gasoline]

Because Andaluz, every car tries to look like that. A melted bar of soap.

After a while it becomes a caricature.




The people who brought you this:



And this:




Do not do this:



No Sir!

[red_shift]

I think those LEDs might be something like city lights. High beams are not the territory of LEDs *yet*. I could be wrong though, Lumileds makes some really bright automotive LEDs.

I don't particularly like the looks of this CTS, mainly because of the XXL grill.

[gasoline]

So I went to the Lumileds website (Thanks, red_shift!) and saw that even the Amish are using LEDs!

[JYODER240]

It's big, bold, and in-your-face. I like it and I think its perfect for Cadillac.

[red_shift]

So I went to the Lumileds website (Thanks, red_shift!) and saw that even the Amish are using LEDs!

That's pretty funny. I'd like to see the guy peddling away in the cabin in order to power his Lumiled! 

[nickdrinkwater]

Hmmm. Then what could these things be then (on top of the projector)?

Gasoline, keep your trousers on   

At least it's distinctive, unlike the current car.

[Andaluz]

So you are saying this (pitured below) is a melted bar of soap?





I really can't entrust any positive credence upon the judgment of someone who said this car looks good...



...that just ruined your credibility. There are far better looking family cars on sale in North America than this ungodly ugly thing.

[gasoline]

I did allow that I was a little weird.

This:



Is an "original".

This,



is a bar of soap.

Which one will be memorable in 20 years?

[VetteZ06]

At least it's distinctive, unlike the current car.

Regarding the latter part of this sentence, I completely and totally disagree. How is the current CTS not distinctive compared to its competition? Sure, we've gotten used to it over the years, but I think saying it's "not distinct" is really pushing it. Much was made of its controversial styling when it was first released in 2002 (I believe it was 2002, anyway).

Please elaborate for me.

[ifcar]

In model year 03, it was certainly more distinctive and original than most of the competition, especially when it had never been seen before. Just take a look at what the basic entry-lux class in the US was then:






















It may not have been the prettiest, but it stood out. Everyone got used to it by the end of its life, though.

[Colonel Cadillac]

Wow! It looks good. I am really impressed as of that shot, which is REALLY sharp!

[TBR]

How can you possibly judge the build quality and even the design of a car based solely on the front fascia of a preproduction car? Come on now...

And, different really does sell, I believe all of the "Bangle" BMWs sell better than their predecessors, even though some of them are just plain ugly to me.

[JYODER240]

Come on now Andaluz. You're trying to compare Cadillac's styling to Aston Martin. Atleast compare Cadillac's styling to their competition.

[gasoline]

The people here, http://www.cadillacforums.com/forums/cadillac-cts-forum/93469-sneak-peak-2008-cts-high-res.html are cautious about it.

And the British call it "brutishly angular": http://www.carmagazine.co.uk/news.php?sid=350&page=1

I call it beautiful. 

[autom?vel]

Oh wow, that actually looks pretty nice for a Caddy.   

[gasoline]

Oh wow, that actually looks pretty nice for a Caddy.   

Look what else I noticed:





Interesting... :P

I'm having fun today.

[autom?vel]

WHOOPS!? I just clicked the wrong smiley face.? Just check all the other screw up posts I had today to prove it.? ?

[nickdrinkwater]

Regarding the latter part of this sentence, I completely and totally disagree. How is the current CTS not distinctive compared to its competition? Sure, we've gotten used to it over the years, but I think saying it's "not distinct" is really pushing it. Much was made of its controversial styling when it was first released in 2002 (I believe it was 2002, anyway).

Please elaborate for me.

I feel it has dated badly.  Distinctive was probably the wrong word - I was trying to describe the lack of road presence the car has compared to its rivals.  It's appearance just doesn't convey any sense that it's a luxury car.  I consider the 5 Series to demand much more attention.  I guess the CTS is a little different - maybe it could use more chrome or a more pronounced grille.  Cheap is probably a better description, rather than a lack of 'distinctiveness' (is that a word? !)  The new one looks like it has addressed that, from what we've seen so far.

On a different note, I wouldn't consider the CTS to be a 3-Series, C-Class and A4 rival, as you suggest, ifcar.  I would say it competes with the 5-Series, A6 and E-Class, with the smaller BLS being designed to battle the 3,C and A4.

[ifcar]

The CTS is the same price as the cars I listed in the US, just a bit bigger on the outside. And we don't have the BLS.

[nickdrinkwater]

The CTS is the same price as the cars I listed in the US, just a bit bigger on the outside. And we don't have the BLS.

Fair enough.  I'd still consider it near to the 5 series than 3 series in size, but hey, no harm in agreeing to differ 

[omicron]

I don't mind the detail on the front of the new CTS, but I couldn't give a rat's about how the grille looks if the rest of the CTS is still as awkwardly proportioned as this:

[Lebowski]

There isn't a single cadillac available now that I would consider buying, and I don't think this new CTS will change that.

[Catman]

Looks awesome, can't wait to see the rest!

[Madman]

The biggest problem the CTS has to face is it's rivals.  Let's face it, Caddy in fairly new to the sports sedan game and it's going up against a lot of well-established competitors.  Plus, Cadillac has to live down 30 years of building some truly AWFUL cars.

In order for anyone to buy the new CTS, one would have to say....

No, I don't want a BMW 3 Series
No, I don't want an Audi A4
No, I don't want a Mercedes Benz C-Class
No, I don't want a Volvo S60
No, I don't want a Saab 9-3
No, I don't want a Jaguar X-Type

They would even have to say.....
No, I don't want a Lexus IS or an Infiniti G35.

And really, how likely is that?  Apart from the GM-faithful, how many people are going to give the CTS a chance even if it turns out to be a great car?  Buyers have long memories and, if you were one of the poor unfortunate people who owned a Cadillac in the 80's (or know someone who did) chances are it will be a cold day in hell before you plonk down your hard-earned (or stolen?) cash on another one.


Madman of the People

[gasoline]

The biggest problem the CTS has to face is it's rivals.  Let's face it, Caddy in fairly new to the sports sedan game and it's going up against a lot of well-established competitors.  Plus, Cadillac has to live down 30 years of building some truly AWFUL cars.

In order for anyone to buy the new CTS, one would have to say....

No, I don't want a BMW 3 Series
No, I don't want an Audi A4
No, I don't want a Mercedes Benz C-Class
No, I don't want a Volvo S60
No, I don't want a Saab 9-3
No, I don't want a Jaguar X-Type

They would even have to say.....
No, I don't want a Lexus IS or an Infiniti G35.

And really, how likely is that?  Apart from the GM-faithful, how many people are going to give the CTS a chance even if it turns out to be a great car?  Buyers have long memories and, if you were one of the poor unfortunate people who owned a Cadillac in the 80's (or know someone who did) chances are it will be a cold day in hell before you plonk down your hard-earned (or stolen?) cash on another one.


Madman of the People

They sell at a fairly consistent rate of 60,000 per year.

[tool]

The biggest problem the CTS has to face is it's rivals.? Let's face it, Caddy in fairly new to the sports sedan game and it's going up against a lot of well-established competitors.? Plus, Cadillac has to live down 30 years of building some truly AWFUL cars.

In order for anyone to buy the new CTS, one would have to say....

No, I don't want a BMW 3 Series
No, I don't want an Audi A4
No, I don't want a Mercedes Benz C-Class
No, I don't want a Volvo S60
No, I don't want a Saab 9-3
No, I don't want a Jaguar X-Type

They would even have to say.....
No, I don't want a Lexus IS or an Infiniti G35.

And really, how likely is that?? Apart from the GM-faithful, how many people are going to give the CTS a chance even if it turns out to be a great car?? Buyers have long memories and, if you were one of the poor unfortunate people who owned a Cadillac in the 80's (or know someone who did) chances are it will be a cold day in hell before you plonk down your hard-earned (or stolen?) cash on another one.


Madman of the People

Would it really be that unlikely for someone to say they don't want an x-type, s60, or a 9-3? Please.? And the others, while they have an established fan base, it would be very likely for many to say no.? Unless you enjoy paying a premium to repair a European car when it goes into the shop.? Don't be foolish, 60,000+- proves there is a market for a car...a car on its last leg

[TheIntrepid]

They sell at a fairly consistent rate of 60,000 per year.

Yes but there are lots of GM whores out there... Americans are very loyal.

[Colonel Cadillac]

Yes but there are lots of GM whores out there... Americans are very loyal.

Your statement is hard to make without evidence.

[Madman]

Yes but there are lots of GM whores out there... Americans are very loyal.

My point exactly.

Finding 60,000 GM-loyalists in a country of 300,000,000 people isn't terribly difficult.  The real question is does Cadillac have a chance to expand beyond it's fanbase and appeal to consumers who would have never considered the brand before?  In order for this to happen, Cadillac has to live down it's embarrassing past and deliver a product the is not just class-competitive, but class-leading.

I want the CTS to succeed, really.  But I am also fully aware this is going to be an uphill battle.
For once, it would be nice for an American car not to be the subject of ridicule.  If Cadillac can produce a worthy rival to the best Europe has to offer (and I believe the can, if they really want to) then that would go a long way to reversing the (well deserved) stereotype of all American cars being poorly developed, underengineered and cheaply made throw-away goods.

Yes, I'm keeping my Volvo for the time being, but I will be watching to see if Cadillac makes good on it's promise to deliver a true world-class executive car.


Madman of the People