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Metal to Molded Cadillac Art and Science and Cost

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The 1st generation CTS-V had a stainless steel mesh front grill.  This became a hallmark of the V-Series.  You can quickly and easily tell if a Cadillac is a V-Series by looking for the mesh upper grill and other highlights, such as V Series badges.

2nd Gen CTS-V Sedan

When the 2nd Generation CTS-V arrived in 2009, the front grill looks like a stainless steel mesh, but is a molded plastic piece.  Some Critics were quick to claim that this was done to save money, and was an inferior solution to the metal mesh of the first generation V.

1st Gen CTS-V Mesh Grill on a CTS

Actually, the Designers at Cadillac changed to the molded piece in order to attain a 3-dimensional grill for artistic purposes.    The stainless steel mesh looked great from front on or at an angle, but in close up photos or direct light one could see right through the stainless mesh to the mechanical bits beneath.  I like mechanical parts, as I am a function over form guy.  But from an artistic point of view, one function of the grill is to have some depth to it to hide the internal mechanical bits.  The new molded V-Series grill gives the same great mesh look, but also has some depth to it so that it looks great from a variety of angles, and doesn’t expose the mechanicals behind it.

In terms of cost, the Wags assume that a molded “plastic” grill  is less expensive than stainless steel mesh.  In fact the new grill may be MORE expensive, but it also improves the appearance of the V-Series.  That is what I like to see — continuous, thoughtful improvements in these great Cadillacs.

I have met the Cadillac CTS-V Coupe

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Cadillac’s Nick Twork was on his way through Dallas from Detroit in a new, pre-production 2011 Cadillac CTS-V Coupe and was nice enough to slow down and spend some one-on-one time with CaddyInfo.com.  Here is a photo of me and the V-Coupe; looks like we would be a good match!

Bruce Nunnally of CaddyInfo.com and the soon to be released Cadillac CTS-V Coupe

I like to think *I* look better in person than in photos, but the CTS-V Coupe DEFINITELY fits that description. In photos the rear of the Coupe especially seems very tall vertically, but in person it seems very well proportioned.

This example has the CTS Coupe specific Saffron interior, which is a two-tone yellow and black interior.  It looks very good in person.

There is a button on the top of the back of the passenger seat that makes it easy to electrically move the passenger seat forward to make space to climb into the back seat.   Once seated, the back seats are comfortable but have reduced head room compared to the CTS Sedan.  If you need rear seats and frequently have people in them, you should really get the Sedan instead.  If you really love the look of the CTS Coupe and want a 2-door but need back seats occasionally, welcome to the Cadillac CTS Coupe.

Rear Seat Access requires some flexibility

The back seat is also well detailed once you get into it (I climbed right in back for a size check).  There is plenty of leg room.  Because there are no rear door grab handles in the Coupe, it has trick pop-down hooks for hanging a suit jacket or other garment on either side.   These are a very nice touch.  The detailing of the rear seating area is very attractive.

The View from the Rear Seat of the CTS-V Coupe

Beneath the skin, the CTS-V Coupe has all the super car gear from the CTS-V Sedan — 556 hp Supercharged 6.2L V8, MR suspension, Brembo brakes, the whole package.

Outside, the CTS-V Coupe is a rolling work of art.

2011 Cadillac CTS-V Coupe Rear

There is a group of Cadillac Buyers who want the room of a full-size, four-seat Cadillac, but who also insist on two-doors.   To some people that is a hallmark of a personal luxury car — the space of the Sedan, with the personal convenience and style of the Coupe.  I am glad that Cadillac is making this car and I hope that they sell a lot of them.

2011 Cadillac CTS-V Coupe Rear

With storms along the way, Nick’s travel time became harder to predict.  When he called to link up, I was out sitting by the pool at a friend’s house, so after we met I headed back to enjoy the tranquility of the afternoon.

Relaxing by the Pool

Okay, You want the Cadillac CTS Coupe; now which one do you want?

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The new 2011 Cadillac CTS Coupe will be arriving in Cadillac showrooms this summer.  So, let’s look at which one of these luxury performance sedans you want.

First, there is a choice between the V-Coupe and the V6 Coupe.  The V-Coupe is the CTS-V Coupe, with the Supercharged 6.2L 556 hp V8, Brembo Brakes, Magnetic (MR) Suspension, and other supercar goodies.  The V6 Coupe has the LLT Direct Injected 3.6L 304 hp V6 engine.   Cadillac has not announced pricing yet for the CTS Coupe.   The V-Coupe is likely to start at $65K, while the V6 Coupes might run from $45-55K.

CTS-V Coupe: If you decide on the CTS-V Coupe you are almost done.  The main options to decide on then are colors, and whether to get the Recaro Seats, and the Sapele wood trim options.  Again, I recommend both of these options as relatively worth the money after testing a CTS-V Sedan with both.  If you can’t afford them, then the “base” CTS-V Coupe is excellent out of the box, no worries.

RWD or AWD: For the V6 CTS Coupe, the next choices are between rear-wheel drive (RWD) and all-wheel drive (AWD).  If you live in an area that has snow, I would want the AWD.  The AWD does add some weight and so the RWD tends to be faster off the line and at the track.  But if you need AWD, it is a great feature to have. For other options on either the RWD or AWD, the rest of the discussion applies to either.

V6 Base: The Base CTS Coupe is the least expensive way to buy and enjoy a CTS Coupe.  It has the great looks, the great V6 engine, limited slip differential, and the FE2 Sport Suspension.  What it does not offer is the luxury packages, wood trim, or performance package with maximum rubber / wheels / paddle shifters etc.  This CTS Coupe still has all the core goodness included.

V6 CTS Performance Coupe : The CTS Performance Coupe adds electric, heated memory seats, bluetooth, garage door opener, an improved audio system, and high intensity discharge (HID) headlights.  This is also the “I want it my way” option, because it opens up a lot of available option packages.  If you don’t want everything that comes on the Premium Package, the Performance package lets you pick and choose the options that are important to you.

V6 CTS Premium Coupe: The CTS Premium Coupe is the maxed-out, fully equipped CTS Coupe.  If you don’t need the max performance features of the CTS-V Coupe, but want everything AND the economy of the V6 Coupe, this is your Cadillac.   The Premium Coupe adds to the Performance Coupe: theft deterrent, rear view camera, accent lighting, heated/vented front seats, power telescoping steering wheel, cabin air filtration, premium audio with navigation, sunroof with power sunshade, and Sapele wood trim.

The main decision available on the Premium Coupe is whether to get the Y43 Performance Package (Summer tire) option:

Y43 Performance Package: 19″ (48.3 cm) Summer Tire, includes (KB7) steering wheel mounted paddle shift controls, (P87) 19″ x 8.5″ polished wheels, (QIV) P245/45ZR Y-rated performance summer tires, (V03) performance cooling system, (FE3) performance suspension and (J55) performance brake system

This is an interesting option because it pushes the suspension to FE3, as well as adds performance brakes and additional engine cooling.  Cadillac has also said that the Recaro sport seats will be available as an option.

Summary

I like the way Cadillac has packaged the CTS Coupe.  From the Base to the Design-your-own Performance model to the Fully Optioned Premium Model, I don’t see any bad choices here, and the options are laid out in a thoughtful manner to suit a variety of buyers.

Cadillac has said the CTS Coupes will arrive in showrooms this summer.  Please contact your local Cadillac Dealer for exact timing, or to pre-order.