Cadillac CTS Coupe options mirror how I would market the CTS Sedan

I like the way Cadillac plans to equip and market the new Cadillac CTS Coupe and CTS-V Couple.  The two will arrive in Cadillac show rooms this summer.

Where the CTS Sedan is offered with 3L V6 as the base model, and 3.6L V6 in the Premium or Performance models, the CTS Coupe comes only with the 3.6L in Performance or Premium, and then the CTS-V model.  One can select rear-wheel drive or all-wheel drive in either Performance or Premium.

I appreciate that Cadillac wants a range for the CTS, but the 3.0L offers NO appreciable fuel economy difference, and must cost Cadillac the same amount to manufacture as the 3.6L.  I would prefer to see the CTS drop the 3L altogether, and offer the 3.6L throughout the range.  This would simplify the CTS Sedan order book to match the CTS Coupe selections.

For suspension options the CTS coupe offers the FE2 “Suspension, Sport”, with 18″ wheels, or the FE3 “Suspension, Performance” suspension tune, with 19″ wheels.  Both are good selections.  The CTS-V Coupe of course will get the FE4 “Suspension, Performance, with MR”, with 19″ wheels.  The MR suspension of course is a world-class magnetic suspension that is ideal in almost any application.

I wondered if we might see a bit more hp from Powertrain for the CTS Coupe.  But the engine outputs showing so far are identical to previous models:

  • CTS Coupe Engine, 3.6L Variable Valve Timing V6 DI Direct Injection (304 hp [226.7 kW] @ 6400 rpm, 273 lb-ft of torque [368.6 N-m] @ 5200 rpm)
  • CTS-V Coupe Engine, 6.2L supercharged V8 (556 hp [414.6 kW] @ 6100 rpm, 551 lb-ft of torque [734.9 N-m] @ 3800 rpm)

All CTS Coupe models will come with limited slip differential.  The CTS Coupe will receive a slightly more aggressive final drive ratio, which should improve acceleration.

Cadillac has not yet announced the CTS Coupe pricing, but one can expect it to be above the CTS Sedan 3.6L Performance Model at $43K and CTS Sedan Permium Model  at $49K.  I of course recommend that Cadillac re-price the entire line, dropping the 3L option for the Sedan and holding prices across the Sedan to $35K-45K.  I would also price the Coupe in the $40K-45K range, but I suspect that Cadillac will price it in the $48K-55K range, filling the gap between the CTS 3.6L Premium Sedan at $49K and the CTS-V Sedan at $62K.

Cadillac Platinum – for When You want the Very Best

Cadillac currently offers two Custom Series — the V-Series for ultimate performance, and the Platinum Series for ultimate luxury. Cadillac describes Platinum as:

The most generously appointed vehicles in the Cadillac portfolio. The Platinum Series makes the ultimate luxury statement, with impeccably adorned interiors and distinctive exterior styling.

2010 Cadillac Escalade Platinum Interior

For the Escalade Platinum, Cadillac has packaged all of the Platinum unique offerings into one RPO code, ULT (for Ultimate?), which includes:

ULT Platinum Edition, includes (UUM) audio system with navigation, (UVC) rearview camera system, (KA9) heated steering wheel, (ARS) power release second row bucket seats, (KB6) heated and cooled driver and front passenger seats, (CF5) power sunroof, (U42) rear seat entertainment system, (HNE) heated and cooled cup holders, (AYE) DVD screens located on backside of front row head restraints, (UFT) Side Blind Zone Alert, (T4Q) LED headlamps,(TQ5) IntelliBeam headlamps, LED rear tail lamps, (S85) 22″ x 9″ (55.9 CM x 22.9 cm) multi-spoke chrome wheels, (BRS) power-retractable assist steps, and (Z95) Magnetic Ride Control suspension system
1 – (KA9) heated steering wheel and (ARS) power release second row seats not available on Platinum Hybrid.

Taken item by item (to make them a bit easier to consider) they include:

  • (UUM) audio system with navigation,
  • (UVC) rearview camera system,
  • (KA9) heated steering wheel,
  • (ARS) power release second row bucket seats,
  • (KB6) heated and cooled driver and front passenger seats,
  • (CF5) power sunroof,
  • (U42) rear seat entertainment system,
  • (HNE) heated and cooled cup holders,
  • (AYE) DVD screens located on backside of front row head restraints,
  • (UFT) Side Blind Zone Alert,
  • (T4Q) LED headlamps,
  • (TQ5) IntelliBeam headlamps, LED rear tail lamps,
  • (S85) 22″ x 9″ (55.9 CM x 22.9 cm) multi-spoke chrome wheels,
  • (BRS) power-retractable assist steps, and
  • (Z95) Magnetic Ride Control suspension system

    All in all a very nice collection of features.

    For the Cadillac STS, the Platinum Edition includes:

    W21 Platinum Edition, includes unique grille finish, (PGK) 18″ (45.7 cm) chromed wheels, specific deck lid emblem, Olive Ash wood trim with Saddle stain, leather-wrapped interior, Alcantara sueded fabric material headliner, premium floor mats, specific door sill plates, (Q12) P235/50R18 front and P255/45R18 rear Michelin W-rated all-season blackwall tires, (ZAA) compact spare tire and Tuscany full-leather seats in either Ebony or Cashmere with Cocoa interior accents
    1 – Also includes (CF5) power sunroof. Not available with (PCZ) Performance Handling Package or any Fleet order types.
    2 – Not available with (PCZ) Performance Handling Package or any Fleet order types. (ZAA) compact spare tire is not included in (W21) Platinum Edition since it is included in the 1SG PEG.

    Item by Item:

    • unique grille finish,
    • (PGK) 18″ (45.7 cm) chromed wheels,
    • specific deck lid emblem,
    • Olive Ash wood trim with Saddle stain,
    • leather-wrapped interior,
    • Alcantara sueded fabric material headliner,
    • premium floor mats,
    • specific door sill plates,
    • (Q12) P235/50R18 front and P255/45R18 rear Michelin W-rated all-season blackwall tires,
    • (ZAA) compact spare tire and
    • Tuscany full-leather seats in either Ebony or Cashmere with Cocoa interior accents

      For the Cadillac DTS, the Platinum Collection includes:


      Badging, Platinum Collection

      Console, leather-wrapped, instrument panel top pad

      Door handles, lift bar, chrome insert

      Door inserts, French seam

      Floor mats, premium

      Grille, chrome finish 1 – Not available with (K59) Adaptive Cruise Control.

      Headliner, Alcantara microfiber, including sail panels and pillars
      UFL Lane Departure Warning

      Lighting, LED front and rear footwell
      F55 Magnetic Ride Control
      UFT Side Blind Zone Alert

      Sill plates, illuminated “Platinum”, front and rear

      Steering wheel, wood, heated with chrome rings
      FE3 Suspension, 4-wheel independent, Performance
      QJE Tires, P245/50R18 H-rated, all-season, blackwall

      Trunk mat, unique, reversible
      PWG Wheels, 18″ x 7.5″ (45.7 cm x 19.1 cm) unique chrome aluminum (ChromeTech)
      Wood trim, genuine Light Ash with decorative inlay

      For the DTS, Platinum appears to have taken the place of the previous DTS Performance Sedan.

      Conclusion?  All in all, the Cadillac Platinum Series vehicles are very special examples of their breed.  The new definition of a fully equipped Cadillac is PLATINUM.