All-New Cadillac CTS Drives Challenging Nürburgring
Cadillac has been a leading luxury auto brand since 1902. Cadillac is a division of United States-based General Motors Company (GM) that markets and distributes vehicles and vehicle parts. Cadillac’s primary markets are the United States, Canada and Mexico. Cadillac-branded vehicles are also distributed in China and 34 additional markets worldwide.
In 2012, Cadillac’s U.S. sales were 149,782 vehicles. Today Cadillac is growing globally, driven by an expanding product portfolio featuring dramatic design and technology
About Cadillac CTS
The Cadillac CTS is a mid-size luxury car manufactured by the Cadillac division of General Motors. The CTS is currently available in three body styles: 4-door sedan, 2-door coupe, and 5-door sport wagon. Cadillac introduced the CTS in 2002 as a sports sedan, succeeding the Cadillac Catera. The CTS and the supercharged CTS-V variant have been named to the Car and Driver 10 Best list for three consecutive years.
The car’s exterior was designed by Wayne Cherry and Kip Wasenko, and marked the production debut of the “Art and Science” design language first seen on the Evoq concept car.
Cadillac validated its all-new 2014 CTS midsize luxury sedan and power-packed CTS Vsport at the world’s most-demanding test track – Germany’s Nürburgring – and recorded lap times to enhance the nameplate’s reputation as a driver’s car.
Notably, the 2014 CTS Vsport, featuring Cadillac’s first Twin-Turbo engine and eight-speed transmission, recorded a lap time of 8:14.10, almost six seconds faster than the first generation CTS-V recorded 10 years ago with a larger V-8 engine.
Nürburgring validation certified that all CTS suspension packages are capable of handling the extreme conditions and unlimited speeds of Autobahn driving. CTS development included Autobahn and track calibrations of the steering system, shock absorbers, chassis controls and powertrain cooling.
Measuring 12.9 miles (20.8 km) and including some 154 turns, the Nürburgring’s Nordschleife (“north loop”) is widely considered the world’s most-demanding course for vehicle validation. Cadillac vehicle dynamics performance engineer Kevin Zelenka and Jeff Grabowski drove full production models of CTS and CTS Vsport with no performance modifications, validating all-new 2014 CTS sedan that goes on sale this fall.
The new car also has lower curb weight, greater structural stiffness and more horsepower than its primary competitors.
The CTS has been the centerpiece of Cadillac’s portfolio for more than a decade. The third-generation CTS is one inch lower, five inches longer and more than 200 pounds lighter than its predecessor.
Its segment-exclusive Magnetic Ride Control and electronic limited slip differential constantly monitor rear-wheel rotation to ensure optimal handling in a variety of road conditions. The all-new CTS is engineered from the ground up to deliver a driving experience that combines sport-tuned handling with world-class comfort.
Cadillac CTS Price
The 2014 CTS standard model will start at $46,025, including $925 destination. Three collections of option packages – Luxury, Performance and Premium – will be offered with either the 2.0T turbocharged four cylinder or 3.6L naturally aspirated V6 engine in either rear- or all-wheel drive. The CTS Vsport model starts at $59,995, including $925 destination, and features the new Cadillac Twin-Turbo 3.6L V6 (420 hp) in RWD only with an eight-speed transmission.
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