What is it?
2002 Cadillac CTS
What's special about it?
The CTS is the first production application of Cadillac's new design philosophy that emphasizes cutting-edge design and high technology. First shown on the Evoq concept car that debuted at the 1999 North American International Auto Show, this new look gives the CTS a sharp-edged profile that sets it apart from just about anything else on the road. The distinctive lines should help the CTS do battle in what has become one of the most aggressively marketed vehicle segments in the industry, that of the entry-level luxury sedan.
Underneath its chiseled skin lies a 3.2-liter V6 rated at 220 horsepower and an all-new suspension developed through extensive testing on Germany's famed Nurburgring test track. An available five-speed manual transmission gives the CTS an added measure of sport sedan credibility. Preliminary reports have given the CTS high marks for outstanding vehicle dynamics, a trait that Cadillac engineers worked hard to perfect, going so far as to use BMW's well-regarded 5 Series sedan as a benchmark.
The high-tech look continues in the interior where trapezoidal shapes on the doors contrast with the softer look of the wood accents that adorn the steering wheel, shift lever and door handles. Titanium-faced analog gauges are large and uncluttered, while the center console features an available navigation system and fully automatic climate control. The bucket seats are extremely comfortable, with plenty of support for spirited driving, and all interior materials are soft to the touch, adding to the feeling of luxury in the cabin.
Why should you care?
The CTS will be the first real test of Cadillac's new design philosophy. If it proves successful, it could catapult Cadillac back into the ranks of the world's top manufacturers. Should it fail, the numerous other upcoming models that share the CTS' edgy look could face a bumpy road to success. If anything, the CTS is a good sign that Cadillac realizes it needs to do something dramatic in order to revive interest in a brand that was once touted as "the standard of the world." — Ed Hellwig
2002 Cadillac CTS
What's special about it?
The CTS is the first production application of Cadillac's new design philosophy that emphasizes cutting-edge design and high technology. First shown on the Evoq concept car that debuted at the 1999 North American International Auto Show, this new look gives the CTS a sharp-edged profile that sets it apart from just about anything else on the road. The distinctive lines should help the CTS do battle in what has become one of the most aggressively marketed vehicle segments in the industry, that of the entry-level luxury sedan.
Underneath its chiseled skin lies a 3.2-liter V6 rated at 220 horsepower and an all-new suspension developed through extensive testing on Germany's famed Nurburgring test track. An available five-speed manual transmission gives the CTS an added measure of sport sedan credibility. Preliminary reports have given the CTS high marks for outstanding vehicle dynamics, a trait that Cadillac engineers worked hard to perfect, going so far as to use BMW's well-regarded 5 Series sedan as a benchmark.
The high-tech look continues in the interior where trapezoidal shapes on the doors contrast with the softer look of the wood accents that adorn the steering wheel, shift lever and door handles. Titanium-faced analog gauges are large and uncluttered, while the center console features an available navigation system and fully automatic climate control. The bucket seats are extremely comfortable, with plenty of support for spirited driving, and all interior materials are soft to the touch, adding to the feeling of luxury in the cabin.
Why should you care?
The CTS will be the first real test of Cadillac's new design philosophy. If it proves successful, it could catapult Cadillac back into the ranks of the world's top manufacturers. Should it fail, the numerous other upcoming models that share the CTS' edgy look could face a bumpy road to success. If anything, the CTS is a good sign that Cadillac realizes it needs to do something dramatic in order to revive interest in a brand that was once touted as "the standard of the world." — Ed Hellwig
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