Auto Car Reviews: 2010 Cadillac CTS Coupe Overview and Prices with Pictures

Thursday, August 26, 2010

2010 Cadillac CTS Coupe Overview and Prices with Pictures

The Cadillac CTS is a mid-size luxury car manufactured by the Cadillac marque of General Motors, designed by GM concept artist Scott Wassell. It is currently available in three body styles: Sedan, Coupe, and Sport Wagon. It was introduced in 2002 as a sports sedan as the replacement for the Cadillac Catera. The release of the CTS is credited with reinvigorating the Cadillac brand. The 2010 CTS was named to the Car and Driver 10 best list for a third consecutive year with the headline "Maybe the best American car ever made".

The car's exterior was designed by Wayne Cherry and Kip Wasenko, and marked the production debut of the stealth aircraft-inspired "Art and Science" design language, which was first seen on the Evoq concept car. During the 1990s, Cadillac had attempted to capture a younger demographic with cars such as the Catera and Allanté, but the company did not achieve success until the introduction of the CTS. As part of its marketing campaign, the sedan was featured prominently in an action film, and enjoyed a warm reception from the motoring press, who have granted the car numerous awards and accolades over its lifetime.

At the 2008 North American International Auto Show, General Motors unveiled a coupe concept version of the CTS, alongside the new CTS-V performance sedan. The coupe's unveiling surprised the media and general public, stealing a great deal of attention away from the CTS-V. In November 2009, the production version was unveiled in a press release. The coupe went into production in spring 2010 for sale in August 2010 as a 2011 model. The design of the production model is very similar to the concept, with the B-pillars still removed. The standard engine will be a 3.6L direct injected V6 rated at 304 hp. Like the sedan, both 6-speed manual and automatic transmissions, in either RWD or AWD configurations, will be available. A CTS-V Coupe has also been confirmed, and was shown at the 2010 North American International Auto Show in Detroit. The CTS Coupe will be Cadillac's first coupe since the Eldorado, which was discontinued in 2002.

The CTS Coupe has been a long time coming. First shown in concept form nearly three years ago, the car was originally expected to be launched early 2009, but the May 2009 on-sale date was pushed back during GM's restructuring -- eventually being set for an August 2010 on-sale date.
For $38,990, the CTS Coupe comes standard with a six-speed automatic transmission, rear-wheel drive, 18-inch alloy wheels, a performance suspension, rear parking assist, a Bose audio system, power front seats and keyless access with remote start.

The CTS Performance Collection starts at $43,430, and adds adaptive Xenon headlamps, leather upholstery, an upgraded Bose audio system and a 40 GB hard drive for music storage.

Topping the base CTS Coupe is the $47,835 CTS Coupe Premium Collection, which includes ambient lighting, navigation, a rear-view camera, ventilated front seats, a moonroof and a heated steering wheel.