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.

Cadillac Sales up 36% in April 2010

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Cadillac’s sales were up 36% in April 2010, with the SRX continuing to lead sales.  The CTS had its best month of 2010, but continues to underperform last year’s sales.   The faces of Cadillac today are definitely the SRX and the CTS, with Escalade and DTS sales in the background.

Cadillac Buyers more and more are CTS and SRX smart, sporty buyers.  That is very hopeful for Cadillac going forward.  The SRX continues to bring new Customers to Cadillac.


 April
(Calendar Year-to-Date)

January – April

2010 2009 % Chg Volume %Chg per S/D
2010 2009 %Chg Volume
Selling Days (S/D) 26 26





CTS 3,278 3,876 -15.4 -15.4
11,403 14,452 -21.1
DTS 1,785 1,458 22.4 22.4
5,160 4,963 4.0
Escalade 1,250 968 29.1 29.1
5,174 4,675 10.7
Escalade ESV 602 479 25.7 25.7
2,216 2,077 6.7
Escalade EXT 148 202 -26.7 -26.7
530 929 -42.9
SRX 3,904 568 587.3 587.3
14,770 2,637 460.1
STS 330 711 -53.6 -53.6
1,295 2,057 -37.0
XLR 20 75 -73.3 -73.3
121 293 -58.7
Cadillac Total 11,317 8,337 35.7 35.7
40,669 32,083 26.8

Press Release:

Cadillac’s total U.S. sales rose 36 percent in April to 11,317 driven by significant gains for SRX and positive momentum for Escalade and CTS.

SRX total sales for April rose 587 percent, the seventh straight month of triple-digit percentage increases. Redesigned for the 2010 model year, SRX has quickly become a stand-out in the fast-growing midsize luxury crossover segment.

The redesigned SRX also is attracting new customers to Cadillac at a higher rate than the previous model. So far this year, about 49 percent of SRX buyers traded in a competitor’s brand, an improvement of 14 percentage points compared to the previous model’s conquest rate.

A five-passenger crossover, SRX’s standard V6 engine is EPA-rated at 25 miles per gallon on the highway. SRX also provides the option of advanced all-wheel drive and a turbocharged V6 engine.

“SRX is appealing to luxury buyers with performance, fuel-efficiency and dramatic design,” said Kurt McNeil, U.S. vice president of Cadillac sales. “SRX has put Cadillac’s signature on the midsize luxury crossover segment.”

Escalade total sales rose 21 percent in April, and CTS had its best month of the year as Cadillac builds on the core of its line-up. Cadillac will launch this summer the CTS Coupe.

Even before its release, CTS Coupe is drawing praise from the automotive press. A luxury sports coupe that will be available in both rear-wheel and all-wheel drive versions, CTS Coupe will become Cadillac’s centerpiece for design and performance.

“It’s safe to say the coupe is positively gorgeous,” Automobile magazine wrote in a preview of the CTS Coupe earlier this year. “Pictures simply don’t do it justice.”

Later this year, Cadillac will expand its line of V-Series high-performance luxury vehicles with the addition of the CTS-V Coupe and CTS-V Sport Wagon.

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