mobile-menu-icon
GM Authority

Officially Official: 2011 Cadillac CTS Coupe

Cadillac-CTS-Coupe-featWhile we’ve known for some time that the stunning CTS Coupe would be coming sometime in the beginning of 2010, Cadillac has officially announced some interesting details about the vehicle. While the price is still an unknown, we now know that the 2+2 coupe will be chock-full of cutting-edge tech such as a rear-view camera, touch-pad door operation, and a performance-oriented suspension system coupled to the Sigma platform trademark rear- or all-wheel drive.

Design

The CTS Coupe continues Cadillac’s Art and Science design philosophy seen on the CTS Sedan and Sport Wagon and carries over virtually unchanged from the concept car that was introduced at the 2008 North American International Auto Show. The coupe has the same wheelbase as the CTS sedan (113.4 inches) but the overall ride height is about two inches (51mm) lower and the overall length is shorter by the same amount. The coupe shares only a few design elements with the sedan, including the instrument panel, console, headlamps, front fenders, and grille. According to Cadillac, key design features include:

  • Classic hardtop styling, with no conventional B-pillar
  • Touch-pad operation for the doors removes the need for conventional door handles, creating a technical, clean profile
  • A windshield laid at a faster angle (62.3 degrees) and a long, nearly horizontal backglass area combine to create a sleek, aerodynamic look
  • Sculpted lower front fascia with unique brake-cooling vents
  • Diamond cut-style rear fascia with mesh lower grilles
  • Center-outlet exhaust with twin dihedral-shaped tips that pass through the rear fascia
  • Signature vertical lighting, highlighted with LED light pipes
  • Rear spoiler integrated into the center high-mounted stop lamp
  • Sculpted roof-mounted antenna for OnStar and XM Satellite Radio.

Performance

The standard powertrain in the CTS Coupe is the direct-injected 3.6L V-6 LLT good for 304hp (227kW). It’s mated to a six-speed manual gearbox featuring a revised clutch and dual-mass flywheel that offers better clutch pedal feel and improved engine isolation. A six-speed automatic transmission with Driver Shift Control (and available steering wheel mounted shift buttons) is available as an option.

According to GM, “the powertrain’s performance is channeled through a chassis that delivers sports car performance without punishment. The hardware includes an independent short/long arm ( SLA) front suspension system, with hydraulic control arm front bushings; and a multi-link rear suspension mounted on a fully isolated subframe. Also included are four-wheel disc performance brakes, premium steering and limited-slip differential.”

Keep reading after the break and be sure to check out the high-resolution galleries of the production-intent CTS Coupe and the CTS Coupe Concept.

2011 Cadillac CTS Coupe

[nggallery id=34]

Cadillac CTS Coupe Concept

[nggallery id=7]

Technology

The interior contains hand-sewn accents covering the door, center storage console, and instrument panel trim. In an exciting turn of events, the 14-way adjustable Recaro sport seats that were previously exclusive on Cadillac’s V-Series model, will be offered on all CTS Coupe models as an option. The CTS Coupe also offers a host of advanced technologies, including:

  • Integrated iPod/MP3 capability
  • 40-gig hard drive, including the ability to store music and pause-and-replay live radio
  • Pop-up navigation system
  • Adaptive forward lighting system
  • Bluetooth connectivity
  • Standard Keyless Access and Smart Remote Start
  • Rear Camera system
  • Bose 5.1 Cabin Surroundâ„¢ audio system

GM’s OnStar with Turn-by-Turn Navigation, which is the first factory-installed, fully integrated GPS navigation system from OnStar, is standard.

The CTS Coupe will be available in two suspension-tuning levels:

  • Performance package includes 18-inch wheels and all-season tires and be available in both RWD and AWD
  • Summer Tire Performance Package includes 19-inch wheels and tires and a higher level of road holding capability.

StabiliTrak, GM’s advanced electronic chassis control system, will be standard across the entire model range.

The awesome coupe is slated to arrive in Caddy showrooms in the spring of 2010 and we can’t wait to get some wheel time behind one! Cadillac is looking at the CTS Coupe as the centerpiece of the brand’s continuously revised line-up and will compete with market stalwarts such as the BMW 3 series, Mercedes-Benz E-Class Coupe, Infiniti G, Audi A5, as well as Lexus IS-C and Volvo C70.

Even though the CTS Coupe that we see here is the first-generation product, expect the second-gen CTS Coupe to move upmarket in the footsteps of the next-gen CTS Sedan.

Here’s GM’s full presser:

PRESS RELEASE

2011 Cadillac CTS Coupe: New Sports Coupe Is Cadillac’s Most Dramatic Design

11-23-2009

LOS ANGELES – Cadillac today unveiled the 2011 CTS Coupe, the latest and most dramatic of the brand’s series of new designs to reach production. Slated to arrive in Cadillac showrooms in the spring of 2010, the CTS Coupe is a new luxury sports coupe designed to become the centerpiece of the brand’s revised lineup.

“CTS Coupe is the new focal point of Cadillac, expressing both our design and technical capabilities,” said Bryan Nesbitt, Cadillac general manager. “It is intended to appeal to a new generation of car enthusiasts.”

The Coupe joins the CTS Sport Sedan, the 556-horsepower (415 kW) CTS-V and new CTS Sport Wagon as the foundation of Cadillac’s lineup. A high-performance V-Series edition of the Coupe will also be released in 2010.

The CTS Coupe’s design carries over virtually unchanged from the concept car that was introduced at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit in 2008.

The Coupe is a classic 2+2 layout bolstered with advanced technology, such as a rear-view camera system and a performance-oriented suspension system coupled to rear-wheel or all-wheel drive.

Design

CTS Coupe emerged as a proposal inside Cadillac’s design studio, where designers have developed and evolved the brand’s Art and Science design philosophy.

“Cadillac has always been an emotional brand – it’s about delivering art regardless of body style,” said Max Wolff, director of exterior design for Cadillac. “With the CTS Coupe, it was about taking something very strong – the CTS Sport Sedan – and extending its potential.”

The coupe has the same wheelbase as the CTS, but an overall height that is approximately two inches (51 mm) lower and an overall length that is two inches (51 mm) shorter.

Although it draws from its sport sedan sister, the CTS Coupe shares only the instrument panel, console, headlamps, front fenders and grille. Key design features include:

  • Classic hardtop styling, with no conventional B-pillar
  • Touch-pad operation for the doors removes the need for conventional door handles, creating a technical, clean profile
  • A windshield laid at a faster angle (62.3 degrees) and a long, nearly horizontal backglass area combine to create a sleek, aerodynamic look
  • Sculpted lower front fascia with unique brake-cooling vents
  • Diamond cut-style rear fascia with mesh lower grilles
  • Center-outlet exhaust with twin dihedral-shaped tips that pass through the rear fascia
  • Signature vertical lighting, highlighted with LED light pipes
  • Rear spoiler integrated into the center high-mounted stop lamp
  • Sculpted roof-mounted antenna for OnStar and XM Satellite Radio.

At first glance, the shape of CTS Coupe is refreshingly simple, yet amplified with intricately carved details. Distinctive and original Cadillac signature cues combine with hand-sculpted forms, artfully articulating the confidence of the chassis. For example, the rear fenders were purposefully developed by hand in Cadillac design studios to visually acknowledge the RWD powertrain. The gestured profile, coupled with Cadillac’s vertical taillamps and pronounced rear centerline, aim to achieve the most visually confident coupe in the segment.

Performance

The CTS Coupe extends Cadillac’s emerging performance credentials. The CTS Coupe’s standard powertrain consists of a direct injected 3.6L V-6 and six-speed manual transmission. Direct injection technology delivers fuel more precisely to increase the efficiency of combustion, enabling more power while maintaining fuel economy and lowering emissions – including a 25-percent drop in cold-start hydrocarbon emissions.

The 3.6L DI engine is rated at 304 horsepower (227 kW) and offers EPA-estimated fuel economy of 27 mpg on the highway. It also runs on less expensive regular unleaded gasoline.

The powertrain’s performance is channeled through a chassis that delivers sports car performance without punishment. The hardware includes an independent short/long arm ( SLA) front suspension system, with hydraulic control arm front bushings; and a multi-link rear suspension mounted on a fully isolated subframe. Also included are four-wheel disc performance brakes, premium steering and limited-slip differential.

Two suspension-tuning levels are available: a Performance Package with 18-inch wheels and all-season tires (available in both RWD and AWD,) and the Summer Tire Performance Package, with 19-inch tires and wheels and a higher level of road holding capability. StabiliTrak, the advanced electronic chassis control system, is standard.

The 304-horsepower (227 kW) 3.6L V-6 Direct Injection engine will be standard, equipped with a six-speed manual, featuring a revised clutch and dual-mass flywheel that offers better clutch pedal feel and improved engine isolation. A 6-speed automatic transmission with Driver Shift Control (and available steering wheel mounted shift buttons) is optional.

Technology

CTS Coupe blends handcrafted luxury with a contemporary, driver-focused interior that supports the car’s high-performance capabilities. The interior includes hand-sewn accents covering the door, center storage console and instrument panel trim. 14-Way adjustable Recaro sport seats, previously exclusively offered on Cadillac’s V-Series model, will be offered on all CTS Coupe models as an option.

The car offers a host of advanced technologies, including:

  • Integrated iPod/MP3 capability
  • 40-gig hard drive, including the ability to store music and pause-and-replay live radio
  • Pop-up navigation system
  • Adaptive forward lighting system
  • Bluetooth connectivity
  • Standard Keyless Access and Smart Remote Start
  • Rear Camera system
  • Bose 5.1 Cabin Surroundâ„¢ audio system

As with other Cadillac models, the CTS Coupe comes standard with OnStar with Turn-by-Turn Navigation, the first factory-installed, fully integrated GPS navigation system from OnStar.


2011 CADILLAC CTS COUPE SPECIFICATIONS

Overview

Model: 2011 Cadillac CTS Coupe
Body style / driveline: 2-door sport luxury coupe
Construction: unitized welded steel body with direct-mounted front cradle and rubber-isolated, multi-link independent rear suspension
EPA vehicle class: midsize car
Manufacturing location: Lansing Grand River Assembly, Lansing, Mich.

Engine

3.6L V-6 VVT DI
Type: 3.6L V-6 VVT (variable valve timing) with spark-ignition, direct injection
Displacement (cu in / cc): 217 / 3564
Bore & stroke (in / mm): 3.7 x 3.37 / 94 x 85.6
Block material: sand-cast aluminum with cast-in bore liners
Cylinder head material: cast aluminum
Valvetrain: DOHC, 4 valves per cylinder, variable valve timing (VVT)
Fuel delivery: direct high-pressure fuel injection
Compression ratio: 11.3:1
Horsepower (hp / kw @ rpm): 304 / 227 @ 6400 rpm*
Torque (lb-ft / Nm @ rpm): 273 / 370 @ 5200 rpm*
Recommended fuel: unleaded regular
Maximum engine speed (rpm): 6950
EPA estimated fuel economy
(city / hwy):
17 / 26 (RWD and AWD with automatic)
17 / 25 (RWD with manual)

Transmission

Aisin AY6 Hydra-Matic 6L50
Type: six-speed manual six-speed, electronically controlled, automatic overdrive with torque converter clutch
Gear ratios (:1)
First: 4.15 4.02
Second: 2.51 2.36
Third: 1.69 1.53
Fourth: 1.27 1.15
Fifth: 1.00 0.85
Sixth: 0.75 0.67
Reverse: 3.67 3.06
Final drive ratio: 3.73 3.73 (RWD)
3.23 (AWD)

Chassis/Suspension

Performance Summer Tire Performance
Configuration RWD or AWD RWD
Differential: limited-slip limited-slip
Front suspension: independent SLA with monotube shock absorbers; 29 mm hollow stabilizer bar (33 mm bar with AWD) independent SLA with monotube shock absorbers; 29 mm hollow stabilizer bar
Rear suspension: independent multi-link with monotube shock absorbers; 25.4 mm hollow stabilizer bar (24 mm bar with AWD) independent multi-link with monotube shock absorbers; 25.4 mm hollow stabilizer bar
Chassis control: 4-channel StabiliTrak w/ brake assist 4-channel StabiliTrak w/ brake assist

Chassis/Suspension (cont.)

Performance Summer Tire Performance
Wheels: 18 x 8.5-inch alloy; five-lug 19 x 8.5-inch alloy; five-lug
Tires: P235/50R18 V-rated Michelin all-season P245/45ZR19 Y-rated Continental high-performance
Brakes (type): 4-wheel disc; 4-channel ABS/TCS w/ DRP 4-wheel disc; 4-channel ABS/TCS w/ DRP
Front rotors (mm): 316 x 30; vented 345 x 30; vented
Rear rotors (mm): 315 x 23; vented 339 x 23; vented
Front calipers: aluminum, dual-piston cast iron, dual-piston
Rear calipers: aluminum, single-piston aluminum, single-piston
Steering (type): variable assist rack-and-pinion variable assist rack-and-pinion
Steering ratio: 16.1:1 (RWD)
19.1:1 (AWD)
16.1:1
Steering turns, lock-to-lock: 2.81 (RWD)
3.26 (AWD)
2.81
Turn circle (ft. / m): 35.9 / 10.9 (RWD)
36.6 /11.2 (AWD)
31.15 / 11

Dimensions
Exterior

Wheelbase (in / mm): 113.4 / 2880
Length (in / mm): 188.5 / 4789
Height (in / mm): 55.9 / 1422
Width (in / mm): 74.1 / 1883
Track (in / mm): 62 / 1576 (front with 18-inch wheels)
61.8 / 1570 (front with 19-inch wheels)
63 / 1600 (rear with 18-inch wheels)
62.8 / 1597 (rear with 19-inch wheels)
Curb weight (lb / kg): 3931 / 1783 (RWD with manual trans)
3909 / 1773 (RWD with auto trans)
4131 / 1874 (AWD)
Weight distribution (% front / rear): 53 / 47 (RWD)
54 / 46 (AWD)

Interior

Headroom (in / mm): 36.9 / 937 (front)
34.6 / 879 (rear)
Legroom (in / mm): 42.4 / 1078 (front)
35 / 890 (rear)
Shoulder room (in / mm): 56 / 1424 (front)
50.9 / 1294 (rear)
Hip room (in / mm): 54.5 / 1385 (front)
47.7 / 1212 (rear)

Capacities

Seating capacity (front / rear): 2 / 2
EPA passenger volume (cu ft / L): 86.6 / 2452
EPA trunk volume (cu ft / L): 10.5 / 298
Trailer towing maximum (lb / kg): TBD
Fuel tank (gal. / L): 18 / 68
Engine oil (qt. / L): 6 / 6.2
Cooling system (qt / L): 10.9 / 10.3

*SAE certified.
Note: Information shown is current at time of publication. Please visit http://media.cadiilac.com for updates.

[Source: General Motors]

GM Authority Executive Editor with a passion for business strategy and fast cars.

Subscribe to GM Authority

For around-the-clock GM news coverage

We'll send you one email per day with the latest GM news. It's totally free.

No Comments yet

Leave a comment

Cancel