Tag Archives: cts

Cadillac CTS Sport Wagon speeding closer

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GM Europe has a highlight article on the new 2009 CTS Sport Wagon up.

GM Europe’s article has an intro write-up, then rather more coverage on the Cadillac BLS, which is of course currently available in Europe.

CTS Sport Wagon: Cadillacs Renaissance takes a new form

Click on the ‘more’ button and you get more info on the CTS Sport Wagon:

The CTS Sport Wagon, due in showrooms from summer 2009, rides on the same 2,880mm wheelbase as the CTS Sedan, but offers a generous cargo area of 720 liters behind the rear seats. Further design highlights include new 19-inch wheels and the option of a large panoramic rear sunroof.

2010 Cadillac CTS Sport Wagon rear

2010 Cadillac CTS Sport Wagon rear


I am confused as to whether the Sport Wagon will arrive in time to be a 2009 model or not.  All good either way.  I did not pick up on the switch to 19″ wheels, which may be very popular.

Cadillac STS: Lexus smooth, BMW powerful, Mercedes Class … and All Alone on Saturday night

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The current Cadillac STS is the single most over-looked Cadillac model.  While the CTS has captured the lime light and popular focus as a Sales Star, the current generation STS has been the older, perhaps more elegant Sister who is still a bride’s maid, never a bride.

2009 Cadillac STS

2009 Cadillac STS

What are the differences between the 2009 Cadillac CTS and the 2009 Cadillac STS?

Powertrain: CTS offers the great 263hp 3.6L VVT V6 engine standard, with a 304hp 3.6L direct-injection variant of the same engine optional.  The STS offers the direct injection 3.6L engine as standard, with a 320hp 4.6L Northstar V8 engine as optional.  Both cars are front engine, RWD, and both cars are available in all wheel drive for northern climates.  Nod: STS.

2009 Cadillac CTS

2009 Cadillac CTS

Suspension: The CTS was redesigned in 2008, and rides on the Sigma II suspension.  The STS rides on the similar Sigma I suspension.  The STS is a bit larger than the CTS, riding on a 116.4″ wheel base vs the CTS’ 113.4 inch wheelbase, so the STS provides  2.5″ more rear leg room.   If you want a bit more room in your executive sedan, you want the STS.  Nod: CTS.

2008 STS interior

2008 STS interior

Interior Options: The STS has a higher level of standard features.  Not to jump ahead, but it also has a higer price.  There are however some features ONLY available on the STS, such as heads-up display and lane change warning.  Nod: STS

2009 CTS interior

2009 CTS interior

Price: The CTS starts at US$34K and quickly options up to over US$45K.  The STS starts at US$44.5K and quickly options up to over US$60K.  Nod: CTS

V-Series Choices: The V Series is Cadillac’s no holds-barred performance editions.   The CTS from 2004-2007 offered the CTS-V with a Corvette Z06 engine at over 400 hp.   Starting in 2006, the Cadillac STS-V bowed, sporting a 4.4L supercharged Northstar V8 making a rousing 469 hp.  Upping the ante, the 2009 Cadillac CTS-V is arriving at showrooms now for around US$60K (price not set yet) making 556hp.  Will the STS-V be able to answer?  Stay tuned.

So why has the Cadillac CTS sold better than the in some ways superior Cadillac STS?

Looks: although the last refresh has given the STS a bit more style, the STS body does not have the curvaceous appeal of the CTS.  If you want everyone’s all-American beauty, you’d select the CTS.  Price: even though with options the CTS quickly climbs into the same stratosphere as the STS, buyers may be more comfortable inching up to it with individual option packages.

Conclusion: The Cadillac STS is probably one of the most overlooked elegant, excellent, performance and luxury executive sedans of our time.  Everyone will understand and agree with your choice if you bring home the new Cadillac CTS.  It is great looking and performs well.  Bring home a new Cadillac STS and the neighbors may not understand exactly what it is.  But you’ll know that you married the older but wiser sister whose beauty, if understated, may be more lasting.

Cadillac CTS and Meguiar’s NXT Tech Wax, week 2

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More rain today as Hurricane Ike comes ashore south of us.  Hopefully everyone stays safe from the storm.

 

Grabbed this shot of my Cadillac CTS with my Kodak C875 on a tripod.  Looks like the Meguiar’s Tech Wax is still beading up very well after week 2 of real-world use.  The paint feels waxy, silky good to the touch.  Click the image for a close-up link to the larger file.

After another week or so I want to use Meguiar’s Cleaner Wax, then top it with a coat of NXT Tech wax and see how that looks.

The grill medallion to the left is a Heritage Of Ownership medallion.  These are originally ordered by the Sales department at a Cadillac Dealer and presented as a ‘gift’ to the vehicle purchaser.  The number on the medallion indicates the number of Cadillacs you have owned.  In my case the list includes a 1992 Cadillac STS, a 1989 Cadillac Fleetwood (briefly), a 1996 Cadillac STS, and a 2004 Cadillac CTS.  Between my 04 and 05 models I have 75K+ miles in CTS’s now; they have been great cars.

Next time I think I definitely want a sunroof.  I had avoided the sunroof when I got my CTS’s due to the loss of head room and to the extra weight (racer Bruce lol) an (cough) cost.   I think a sunroof can add a lot to the enjoyment of the Cadillac though, so if my next Cadillac is not an XLR (hardtop convertible) then it will definitely have a sunroof.