After a week’s worth of leaks, we are finally looking at the official photos of the 2014 Cadillac CTS Sedan. For its third generation, the model that started the brand’s renaissance and introduced the Art & Science design philosophy enters the midsize luxury class, becoming more sophisticated, longer, lower, and leaner.
Based on the high-performing rear-wheel-drive vehicle architecture (Alpha) of the award-winning and highly-acclaimed Cadillac ATS sport sedan, the CTS will be the segment’s lightest car — enabling the most agile driving dynamics in the class. Propelling the lightest midsize luxury sedan in the segment will be a range of power-dense powertrains, with the all-new Cadillac twin-turbo engine V6 (LF3) and eight-speed automatic transmission serving as the range-topper (excluding the unannounced and unmentioned V-Series).
On the outside, the 2014 CTS evolves the brand’s Art & Science design philosophy while growing five inches (127 mm) in length and adding 1.2 inches (30.40 mm) to its wheelbase over the outgoing second-generation model; but even with these added dimensions, the roofline and cowl (base of the windshield) are about an inch lower. The larger exterior dimensions don’t add to the car’s curb weight: Cadillac says that the new CTS has a lower curb weight than the outgoing model, and weighs about 200 pounds (90 kg) less than the BMW 528i.
The light weight is achieved by a series of weight-saving features, including Cadillac’s first use of aluminum door structures, that contribute to the lower weight and nearly a 50/50 weight balance. And suspending all of that light weight is the highly-renowned Magnetic Ride Control. The real-time damping system is even available on base models.
Cadillac’s signature shield grille and vertical lighting elements (including the LED front signature lighting detail) progress the CTS’ design. The grille is now wider, with a more detailed texture, while the headlamps flow up with the hood line. Improving aerodynamic performance and enhancing fuel efficiency at highway speeds are active grille shutters that are included on some models.
Inside, the 2014 CTS features a driver-centric cockpit interior with integrated technology and hand-crafted appointments. The cabin is roomier, and eight interior environments are available, each offering authentic wood, carbon fiber, or aluminum. Leather seating is available (what is standard?), as is full semi-aniline leather, with hand-crafted, cut-and-sewn executions.
Serving as the top-of-the-line trim level is what Cadillac has termed “Vsport”. The trim level combines the new Cadillac twin-turbo V6 (LF3) engine good for an SAE-rated 420 horsepower and 430 lb.-ft. of torque mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission — marking the first time Cadillac has offered both technologies. The CTS Vsport includes:
Outside of the range-topping CTS Vsport line and its 3.6 liter twin-turbo V6 (LF3) is the naturally aspirated 3.6L V6 (LFX) rated at 321 horsepower matched to the new eight-speed automatic with paddle shifters (in RWD models). According to Cadillac, the eight-speed gearbox provides a 1.5-percent increase in fuel economy over a six-speed transmission, along with greater performance advantages; a six-speed automatic continues to be the transmission of choice for AWD models. The base engine of the 2014 Cadillac CTS is the 2.0 liter turbocharged four-cylinder (LTG) rated at an estimated 272 horsepower; a six-speed auto gearbox is standard.
In engineering the suspension system of the 2014 CTS, Cadillac utilized a number of aluminum components in the front suspension system; the rear suspension is made mostly of steel. This setup helps offset the weight of the engine and transmission at the front of the car, contributed to less noise and vibration while delivering a near-perfect weight balance.
As far as interior technology goes, the 2014 CTS offers the familiar CUE infotainment system with an eight-inch high-resolution touch screen with haptic feedback. CUE delivers standard Bluetooth connectivity, USB and SD card ports, and natural voice recognition. Complementing the CUE infotainment system is the optional 12.3-inch high-res digital instrument cluster that offers four layouts, from basic to performance-oriented. A full-color, configurable head-up display is available.
Increasing the comfort level of the front passengers are Cadillac’s first 20-way adjustable seats that are heated and cooled (ventilated). A heated steering wheel and motorized cup holder, electronically-locking glove box, electronic park brake, and adaptive remote start round out the cabin’s amenities. The already-familiar Bose eleven-speaker sound system is standard, while a thirteen-speaker Bose Centerpoint Surround Sound system is optional.
Safety technology is more than abundant in the 2014 CTS: for starters, the new midsize sport luxury sedan is the first Cadillac to offer Automatic Parking Assist that enables the car to parallel-park itself. Just like other systems from competing brands, the CTS uses ultrasonic sensors to locate a suitable space and maneuver the car into it; all that the driver needs to do is put the car into reverse, apply the accelerator and brake pedals. Best of all, ultrasonic rear park assist is standard (while leather is not; see the irony?).
A plethora of advanced safety features re supported by the ultrasonic sensors, radar technology, and cameras, including front and rear automatic braking. The technologies relies on short-range radar technology and ultrasonic sensors to help the driver prevent front and rear low-speed collisions via a progression of alerts that extend to complete braking, if necessary.
An available Driver Awareness Package delivers Cadillac’s patented Safety Alert Seat technology that uses vibrating pulses in the driver’s seat to alert the driver to an imminent collision, or to vehicles in the car’s blind spot. The seat vibrates on the left or right side, or both sides simultaneously, depending on the direction of the risk.
In addition, the 2014 CTS marks GM’s first application of automatic safety belt tightening. The available technology automatically takes slack out of the safety belts when buckled and offers real-time, active adjustments during driving to ensure optimal tension and comfort. Additional available safety features on the new CTS include:
Rounding out the safety features are ten standard airbags. The front-passenger units feature dual-stage low-risk deployment, which makes the most of the air bag trajectory and inflation rate based on the occupant’s size, position and severity of the crash. Not unexpected is one year of standard OnStar service.
Production of the 2014 CTS begins this fall in Lansing, Michigan.
Click here to view the full specifications of the 2014 CTS.
Stay tuned to GM Authority for more 2014 CTS news as we spend some quality hands-on time with the car at the New York Auto Show.
[nggallery id=516]Moving opposite to market trends.
With four model years recommended for purchase.
This example is a former NCRS award winner.
Many automakers oppose right-to-repair laws citing cybersecurity concerns.
Breaking out the spec sheets for a comparison.
View Comments
Waiting to see what the exact curb weight is...
@Pat as @scott said, the base curb weight is 3616 lbs (1640 kg). We'll have official specs within about an hour at:
http://gmauthority.com/blog/cadillac/cts/2014-cts/
Curb weight is 3616 pounds with lots of aluminum in use.
To compare that is 244 pounds less than the present CTS and 200 pounds under the 528I.
The car is nearly 50/50 balance too in keeping with what GM has done with the ATS.
The car is larger but lower. You will be surprise how low it looks as it has a real planted look about it.
Gah, I wasn't expecting Cadillac to pull this "V-Sport" crap, and I don't like it. BMW is ruining ////l/l by doing just that.
Wy gm use the ugly red color every time the show a new car...woooaaaa
Type your message here...
Let's do a quick run down:
200lbs lighter than a BMW 550
4.6 second 0-60mph (5 Series takes 5 seconds)
Brembo Brakes
MRC suspension
A proven Alpha platform
Performance wise it wins, it wins hard.
Now the luxury breakdown:
Electronic cup holders. Boom, done. What else is needed lol
When I first saw the headlights, I hated 'em. I thought that they looked hideous..... But now? They've grown on me. These headlights look really good from the angles shown here. I've seen many people say that it looks exactly like a Mercedes E-Class, which I think is a really stupid thing to say. I see Mercedes when I look at the grill, but that is it. The two grills are different, but similar enough to see the influence in the design of the new CTS. I really like it and can't wait to see the V-Series..... I just hope it comes with either a biturbo LT1 V8 or a supercharged LT1 V8 and an 8 speed auto(I'm sure that will be in it) with a 7 speed manual option, that would be killer.
love it… has anybody heard anything about the v series?
Nothing. I can only expect we won't hear anything official until the end of this year. Rumors will fly and a few spy photos will surface, but generally, the next CTS-V likely will be available on the 2015 CTS.
They are testing both with supercharged and turbocharged LT1 V8s
My own thoughts:
~600hp ~600lb-ft LT1 turbo
8spd auto and 7spd manual
4100lb curb weight
0-60 3.5 seconds
Nurburgring lap time: 7:38 (faster than the ZL1)
And you'll need FAA permission before you take off
i hope your right with your numbers. That will blow the competition out of the water! You think the germans are shaking in their boots? lol
@chevyman18 Check out the full 2014 CTS specs:
http://gmauthority.com/blog/cadillac/cts/2014-cts/
They're accurate... and someone is shaking in their boots :)
Hey, that's a pretty cool page of information, didn't know it was there. Will you be making one for other cars as well?
Alex do u know if the 295 ft lb of torque is accurate on the 2.0t bc it makes 260 in the ats and Malibu n would over power the 3.6 torque of only 275.. ??
I think the new CTS weighs about 3600 pounds. So, what you've said plus the lighter curb weigth means this car is going to be killer when it gets the LT1.
It won't weight 3600 lbs with the LT1. It weighs 3616lbs with the little 2.0T
The more shots(photos) we get to see the better it looks, performance wise as well.
If they make a wagon version I'm buying. If not, hopefully the next Srx won't be a barge like the one I have now is.
Why is the 8 speed transmission not available with all wheel drive across all the engines? Why is the 3.6 TT only RWD? There's not much order here. Just offer every engine with the 8 speed and RWD with optional AWD
The 8spd is a rwd transmission.
The 6spd auto being used for the awd models likely can't handle the power/torque from the 3.6TT
Makes no sense to me either, awd should be an option on the 3.6tt, and I think the reason there's no 8 speed on the smaller engines I'd because the 8 speed is a heavy duty transmission and isn't made by gm because GMs 8 speeds aren't ready and it would only make sense that a bigger heavier tranny would actually be more work and fuel for the smaller engines and also add unnecessary weight to the base models.. 8 speeds should come in across the board within a year or two
The 8 speed will be their own in house transmission.