Coupe arrived in 2011
Cadillac CTS line offers luxury amenities

he Cadillac CTS is a midsize line of
luxury cars available in sedan, coupe
and sport wagon body styles as well as in
high performance CTS-V versions. The
sedan was introduced in 2003 and up-
dated in 2008. The sport wagon first ap-
peared in 2010, and the coupe made its
debut for the 2011 model year.

Though every CTS model offers similar amenities, the styling of the three body styles varies considerably. This chiseled coupe offers a more pronounced trunk with large, boomerang styled tail lights and a centered, V-shaped third brake light. Embedded dual exhaust tips are located side by side directly underneath the center crease.

To enter the CTS Coupe, door handles have been abandoned, replaced with a stylish “dimple” that features a push button switch to open the long doors once you have unlocked it with your key fob. Inside, front and back bucket seats offer plenty of support and ample legroom. But, take note: Tall rear seating passengers will find head room limited due to the tapered roofline. Moreover, limited trunk space may require use of its cen-

T

tered pass through, effectively removing two seating positions.

Leatherette seating is standard with upgraded leather seating services optional. Each CTS Coupe comes equipped with a Bose sound system, eight-way power adjusted seats, XM radio and a one-year On-Star subscription with driving directions. Performance and premium trim levels increases the amenities to include a navigation system, Bluetooth connectivity, power sunroof, heated front seats and a rear view camera.

Under the hood, a 3.6-liter direct injection V- 6 engine is paired with six-speed manual or automatic transmissions. Powered by its rear wheels with all-wheel-drive optional, this engine produces 304 horsepower and with optional sport suspension this coupe can handle most curves with ease. Credit the summer tires, 18-inch wheels and FE3 suspension with keeping this two-ton personal luxury coupe on the road.

For maximum performance, the CTS-V – retailing for about $26,000 more than the base CTS’s 2012 $38,715 tag – is worth a look. The standard coupe motor is shared with the Camaro, while the top of the line

6.2-liter V- 8 has been borrowed from the Corvette. This supercharged engine is rated at 556 horsepower and benefits from Brembo brakes with cast-iron rotors and large front calipers. Sport shocks, roll control and a Tremec six-speed manual transmission showcase what this sport Caddy can do, something its engineers have proven as the sedan version has successfully lapped Nürburgring, where the CTS has kept pace with Europe’s finest.

Safety features abound and include front, side and side curtain airbags, stability control and rear park assist. Choose the premium package and both HID head-

All Cadillac models are covered by a comprehensive five-year, 100,000-mile warranty. Premium care maintenance service covers all required maintenance for the first four years or 50,000 miles of ownership, whichever comes first.