RPO Central: 2012 CTS And CTS-V Sedan Get Minor Changes

Comments

1. 

   (W2E) Recaro performance seats offered only with 3.6L (WBL) CTS Touring Package and CTS-V Sedan

   Does this mean that the W2E Recaro seats will not be offered in the 2012 CTS-V coupe?
   We were going to purchase a V coupe, but won’t do so without the Recaro seats.
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   1. 

      John — as KC said — this is only for the CTS and CTS-V Sedan. We’ll discuss the changes for the Coupe and Sport Wagon in a subsequent post (hopefully coming later today).
      Reply
2. 

   I think GM’s concern over CAFE and fuel economy standards keeps the normally aspirated 6.2L V-8 from being slotted between the LFX and CTS-V. The new grille looks nice, and the Touring Pkg is a nice update, but the interior needs tweaked to make it more upscale and the front seats need replaced with ones that are more comfortable. Buyers should not have to spend $2800 on comfortable seats.
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   1. 

      That’s a good point regarding the CAFE regulations. But how come BMW, Mercedes, and Lexus can do it with the 550, E550, and GS460 — while GM is sitting on the sidelines?

      I wonder if we’ll see any interior updates to the CTS before the all-new Alpha-based CTS is ready. If it will come in 2015, I don’t think the interior of the CTS as it stands today will age well over the next four years!
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3. 

   @John, No worries, the Recaro seat option is still available on the coupe models. This article is only for the CTS-V sedan.
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4. 

   @Alex, good point regarding the German/Asian automakers and their use of V-8s. I agree that GM is being too conservative by not offering a “mid level” V-8 offering in the CTS. It would be a good competitor to the E550, GS460, and 550i sedan. I believe that GM thinks that Cadillac needed a “fresh start” for Cadillac as a luxury brand. This fresh start involved starting like a new entrant into the luxury market, so the 3.6 is the higher engine on pedestrian CTS models, with the CTS-V being the monster image car to get people into the showroom. I think once they are established as a world class player they will offer that mid-level V-8 powered model.
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   1. 

      Interesting point of view. I agree — the V8 will probably not result in THAT many sales, so it may not even be worth it to offer it now.

      For instance, the 550i accounts for less than 20% of all 5 series sales in the U.S. But I wonder if it carries a higher profit margin…
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5. 

   “Cadillac seems to be telling us that the Sedan versions of the CTS and CTS-V are just fine in their current form and don’t need many updates to be perfect.”

   Come on guys, this is a cheap shot, and not up to the standard to which you guys usually hold yourselves.

   Perhaps the question you should be asking is, “Do you agree with Cadillac’s use of R&D money in order to develop new models, while leaving their current offerings with few updates? Should Cadillac put off the release of new models to shore up the shortcomings in their current lineup?”
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   1. 

      Paul — I think there are two things at play here:
      1. Yes, R&D for future products (such as the next-gen ATS and CTS as well as the XTS) is important. However…
      2. Every competent automaker, especially in the luxury space, has a budget reserved for at least one update to each model within its life cycle. We haven’t seen such an update from Caddy for the CTS — and it takes only a few short minutes inside the car to realize that the cabin isn’t exactly up to snuff with the competition. Couple that with the fact that the 5 series offers four engine choices (528, 535, 550, and M5) while the CTS only has three (3,0, 3.6, CTS-V) — and the CTS looks dated if not uncompetitive.

      I’d love to say the CTS is at the top of its class — but in its current form, it’s not. But it coud be with a few tweaks and the addition of a new engine — nothing as major (or expensive) as a thorough redesign. In fact, it would be quite cheap to 1) update the cabin and 2) offer the 6.2 LS3/L99. No major R&D or investment necessary.
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6. 

   The biggest complaint we have is that the 2012 CTS-V’s interior is not equal or better compared to competitors: hoping Cadillac would improve this for 2012. The “similar-priced competition” has nicer interiors for 2012: C63, M3 and, although less expense and not in the same performance league, the E550 has a new engine with improved performance and mileage.
   Although more expensive, the “next level up” competition has improved performance and mileage along with better interiors: E63, M5.

   Cadillac can step up without a major redo.
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   1. 

      When you say the CTS-V’s interior is not equal or better how so ? I had the 2012 Mercedes C63 AMG and 2011 Cadillac CTS-V Sport Wagon Interiors side by side and I would take the CTS over the C63 any day. The C63 looks old school the CTS looks more modern to me. By any standers the Fit and finish in the CTS is just as good if not better. I remember reading that Cadillac orders the parts for the dashboard from the same company that BMW orders from. Is it just a matter of it does not suit your taste ? that would be understandable. I don’t know any company that can make anything for that mater that would please everyone. 🙂
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      1. 

         Oh man, their interiors aren’t even in the same class! Look at the E’s use of soft-touch, high-quality leather (not just on the seats). Look at the steering wheel. I’m not even going to mention design here, since that’s subjective, but the Benz is so much more refined in terms of materials and design!

         Here are some specifics to look at:
         1. Doors: the E’s doors are vault-solid. The CTS isn’t bad, but it’s nowhere near as good as the Benz. Feel the door handles (inside and out), listen to the door slam sounds. Even the way the door travels on the hinges. The Benz just feels like a million bucks… the CTS feels like $40k. I remember sitting down to drive a CTS sedan and pulling on the handle to shut the door. What I got is this horrific sound that resembled glue separating from some other material.
         2. The E uses real wood and metal — and it shows. Not sure if the CTS even uses real wood and metals — but whatever it does use, it’s nowhere as good.
         3. Steering wheels (on non-V or non-AMG models): the Caddy steering wheels are horrible compared to their counterparts on Mercedes, BMW, and Audi vehicles. Not only is the CTS wheel ugly, but it’s cheap and have these plastic wings sticking out on the back (depending on the build consistency — some CTS models have this, others don’t).
         4. Arm rests – have a seat in the back of the CTS and have a look at the flimsy rear armrest.
         5. Ambient lighting – almost non-existent in the CTS. Amazing and beautiful in the E.

         I could go on… but I’ll just leave it at this: the CTS is a great car, but it’s not at the level of segment stalwarts just yet. The E (and 5er) feel like “real” luxury cars, whereas the CTS feels like it’s one or two levels below. Granted, the CTS is less expensive — but that’s GM’s positioning problem: a luxury brand shouldn’t make compromises for the sake of a lower price.

         Ironically, my fiance — who doesn’t live and breathe cars like all of us do here — drove the CTS, E-Class, and 5er back-to-back at Cadillac’s ride-and-drive event. I kept my mouth shut the entire time she was driving just to see what she thought. She ranked the 5er first, followed by the E Class and the CTS. She then proceeded to drive the 5er five more times! And — according to her — the CTS was a distant third. Unfortunately, I think that’s how most “regular” people perceive the current competitive scenario.
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         1. 

            well said as usual 🙂
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