By Vince Bodiford
Automotive Editor
Cadillac. An American icon. The unmistakable statement that you’ve arrived.
Elvis Presley gave away over 100 of them. Mary Kaye painted them pink and awarded them to top-selling cosmetic sales reps. It’s long been a prominent fixture in the White House garage.
The name itself inspires everyone to some sort of emotion. Love them or despise them, Cadillac has successfully reinvented itself about three times over the last 100 years to survive in the most difficult arena of high fashion luxury automobiles. Once the "standard of the world" among luxury cars, Cadillac is ready to revive itself and rightfully claim that standard again.
With styling beyond bold, the new 2003 Cadillac CTS is the first 100 percent application of Cadillac’s Art and Science approach to passenger car design.
Its chiseled body is lean, with sheer forms, sharp edges and crisp intersecting lines. "In our first century of existence, many memorable designs have set Cadillac apart from the other premium cars in the crowd," Mark LaNeve, Cadillac general manager, told The Weekend Drive. "CTS will turn heads.”
In addition to its expressive design, CTS connects to Cadillac’s storied past with its performance. Built on rear-drive architecture, Cadillac’s new performance sedan is available with either an automatic or manual transmission mated to a 3.2-liter V6 that powers it from 0-60 mph in less than seven seconds.
Driving the CTS is an experience full of crisp acceleration, precise steering, road-tuned ride, and comfort that is not too soft, not too hard. It’s a rare balance in luxury performance that the CTS serves up confidently and for less money that any European competitor.
Inside, CTS makes use of warm, rich, inviting materials and colors, using wood only in areas where you will contact it, such as on the steering wheel, shifter knob and door pulls. It is quiet but not silent in the cabin. Its entertainment system and on-board computer, navigation system, and On-Star rival the finest cars in the world. It’s a level of harmony that has long eluded Cadillac until now. Inside, it’s about craftsmanship and contemporary luxury.
In developing the new Cadillac CTS into a true world-class sports sedan, Cadillac benchmarked the competition’s best, including the BMW 528i sedan and tested where they test – on the most challenging race circuit in the world, Germany’s famed Nürburgring.
The new 3.2-liter V6 powering CTS is a completely re-engineered version of the 3.0-liter V6 in its predecessor. The engine makes 220 hp at 6000 rpm and 218 lb-ft of torque at 3400 rpm. The engine has been redesigned to improve drivability, power, torque and emissions. While most V6 engines use a 60-degree inclination, the CTS uses a 54-degree bank angle, unique among GM four-camshaft V6s.
The engine is mated to either a five-speed manual or five-speed automatic transmission. We opted to test the automatic, which includes shift mode buttons that allow the driver to select between "Sport," "Winter" and "Economy" modes, shift patterns that adapt to driving conditions and driver style, traction control capability, engine torque management during shifts, and power train protection capabilities.
Cadillac has set out to build CTS to be the best it can be, taking advantage of its new architecture, and its brand new, state-of-the-art assembly plant, Lansing Grand River, in Lansing, Mich. CTS is covered by Cadillac’s 4-year, 50,000 mile warranty with roadside assistance, and comes standard with Michelin Pilot all-season radial tires.
HIGHS: Breakthrough styling, rear wheel drive. Superior interior comfort. Class-leading on-board navigation, entertainment, and computer system.
LOWS: We’d like a bigger motor, like the 4.0 liter Aurora V-8 engine. Some of the plastic trim inside could be upgraded.
THE VERDICT: Cadillac’s “stuffy” image is dead, and its bones are dry. A real, refreshing Cadillac. New youthful appeal.
VEHICLE PRICE: MSRP $29,350 – as tested, $39,690. For more information about the Cadillac CTS or for a dealer near you, call 800-333-4223 or visit www.cadillac.com.
ENJOY THE DRIVE. More reviews online at www.theweekenddrive.com. E-mail comments to vince@theweekenddrive.com. Remember, always drive safely, obey all traffic laws, never drive impaired, and wear your seat belts. Copyright ©© 2002 The Weekend Drive®®.
