While most coverage of the all-new 2014 Cadillac CTS seems to revolve around the car’s bewitchingly aggressive front end, the new midsize sedan’s rear end isn’t as popular of a topic. Indeed, the design of the back of the new Alpha-based sport-luxury sedan hasn’t received as much praise as the vehicle’s front. That said, the new CTS’ rear looks much better in person, and this one particular shot shows a side of the new CTS we haven’t really seen before.
From the angle in the photo, the CTS has a very luxurious and refined appearance. The general appearance of the taillights, the surface of the C-pillar, and the way the pillar flows into the body resembles a Maybach (at least to yours truly) — a circumstance that’s in no way way a bad thing (and no, no one is saying the design was inspired or “ripped off”).
2007 Maybach 62. Check out the similarity in the C-pillar and the overall shape of the rear taillights.
Add in the multispoke wheels from the CTS premium trim, which are usually associated with luxurious and classy high-end luxury vehicles, and the entire vehicle looks highly elegant and sophisticated. But replace the multispokes with the aggressive-looking VSport wheels with less chrome and less spokes, and the CTS instantly looks more sporty. Interesting how much a difference some wheels can make.
What a difference a set of wheels makes!
Nevertheless, the new CTS is still a looker — and it seems to offer two rather different appearance personalities: one that’s classy and elegant, and another that’s sporty and aggressive — a strategy that reminds us of the strategies employed by BMW and Mercedes-Benz of offering “Luxury” and “Performance” trim/appearance levels. So, how would you rather have your CTS?
Comments
I like the new CTS, but I neither lust for one or even care to own one. For me it’s one of those cars that restrict its attractiveness to the details. It has a nice grill, gorgeous headlights, attractive, sweeping side crease; yet all on a rather boring overall profile, and taken in its entirety pretty “meh”.
I understand for a lot of people, “luxury” means understated; so restraint is a prerequisite. But restraint need not equal invisible.
Cars like the Maserati Quattro Porte or previous gen S class come to mind, or Bentley and Rolls Royce. When I see those cars I WANT one; these new Caddys are nice, but certainly not lust worthy.
Hopefully the upcoming flag ship will borrow heavily from the proportions and presence of the Ciel and Elmaraj show cars. Then Cadillac will have something I will lust over.
Good point. Recalling the last-generation CTS, they brought out a coupe and a wagon which many think are show stoppers. Arguably, both will be classics; thus, I believe the General has a few aces hidden in their sleeve.
Agreed, the last gen CTS Coupe and Wagon are gorgeous cars. Both are on my “would love to own” list.
I think the lack of recognition for the tail-end of this car is understandable – it looks so generic too.. ala the ATS, XTS..previous CTS..! I have to look thrice to recognize one model from the other. Strong ‘family-resemblance’ is par for luxury vehicle lines, but I think this is too much of an already boring design theme.
These cars are transitional in styling as this is the path to where they are going and not the destination.
The design is evolving with each model introduced. The last two CTS and moved the design and the ATS and new CTS each have moved the stick even more.
As we can see the where the Elmirage went it has proven lust worthy to the media and public as it has even moved the styling even more.
Cars as a whole in this class have many similar family traits and look like larger and smaller versions of the same car.
The CTS coupe of the last gen was to reach out and show Cadillac was not just trying to be different and not just do the same as the rest. Also it was set Cadillac farther from some of its weak past and show they were willing to take risk.
Cars like the Bentley coupe are fabulous but these designs are not something ever company will do and in the case of Bentley may not duplicate. These designs are special and rare. I put the Elmirage in this class and it remains to see how well this styling translates into a sedan we will see first and into a production car.
Often cars in this segment do two things play it safe and not change much like BMW sedans or get crazy and do something like the BMW M1. I see Cadillac playing it safe on the cars they plan for volume and as the price grows they will stretch things. What works well in these cars will be transferred to the others at replacement time.
The key here as Lutz once explained to have 50% loving the car and 50% hating it vs. 75$ just saying it is ok. That 50% that just love the car will help create interest and a change in the rest vs. a luke warm its ok from a majority. In his book Icons and Idiot’s he explains this well about the Taurus and it’s path to success.
Funny you mention Bob Lutz’s take on design philosophy, because this is exactly the type if car that 75% will like! And in a year or two no one will care about. I get that Cadillac is going through transition. I get that the Luxury market is about refinement and restraint. But let’s be real, this CTS – as contemporary and unoffensive as it is – is no polarizer. It’s NOT a stand out car, design wise.
The only person who would get heart palpitations from this run of the mill, mid-size luxo sedan is a guy who gets his mind blown over frosted flakes. “Wow it’s corn flakes but WITH sugar!!”
The car is nice, but the last CTS was far mor dynamic and polarizing a design. I hope and know this will sell well. But I don’t want one. This car’s growth in sales will be because of the refinement and improved interior and driving dynamics. The “nice” styling will be a bonus vs push to buy the car.
I remember a wise man of the car business also said (and I’m paraphrasing) “great styling doesn’t cost anything – there is no excuse for a uninspiring car.”
Oh wait, that was Lutz as well.
Have you even seen this car in person. Seeing it in colors other than red and silver and in person it is a bit more dramatic than you give it credit for.
By they way the guy being paid to help with new Cadillac product including this car is Uncle Bob.
Bob since he got to GM has tired to give Cadillac it’s own look but with a much less orgami hard edge look. He is the one who has soften the lines.
Keep in mind GM is going international with these cars and they are not like past Cadillac’s intended just for Americans. Bob understand Europe better than most and knows what they like in cars. The Cadillac should do well now and in the future. The main players at Jag and other brands have stated that Cadilla has done well with the CTS and the Elmirage. The lead designer at Jag stated they need to do the Elmirage now.
You misunderstand where I’m coming from. I never said the car is ugly, unattractive, or will be a failure. I’m simply saying the car is no Ciel, Sixteen, or Elmiraj. Those concepts were beautiful classic American styled, good looking cars.
And as you pointed out, they were lust worthy to people in Europe, Asia, or where ever. A good looking car does not need to have its styling trailered to a specific demographic. It’s good looking no matter who u are.
A car with mass appeal will be “attractive” to everyone, but not lusted after by everyone. Similar to a Camry, or Accord. The are not, nor ever have been terrible looking cars. But they certainly never won any styling contest either. Yet they dominate their segments.
Cadillac is moving in the right direction. I just hope they make at least one model (preferably the flagship) on the level of the concepts they tease the world with. Something that will make you stop and stare when it rides by. Something young and old will aspire to own. Something guaranteed to creat lust where ever it goes.
That’s what Cadillac needs right now. Till the late 60s, Cadillacs always had luxury and power unheard of in cars anywhere else. But being American, they also had styling and a swagger that forced others to follow in their direction. To garner the international respect and credibility Cadillac seeks; in part, there needs to be a return to that.
No misunderstanding as you are not going to get a Ciel or Sixteen in a CTS.
There are several barriers here to this. One the cars you names are show cars and only have a little that can be used in a real car. The long hood of the Sixteen is the hallmark and the CTS shows this in the new longer hood design as does the grill in the XTS. But neither car will have a hood as long as the Sixteen. It is not practical for real world driving. Also the Sixteen is starting to show it’s age. This is now an old show car.
The Ciel has no real production value to it. The nose is slowly being reviled with each new show car like the Elmirage. But the reality is the Ciel would never meet crash standard front or side impact with what they have shown.
The Elmriage is closer to reality but it still needs work as it is far from production but it does give you an idea where they are going. The size of the car also makes it easier to give the design flow.
I love the Bentley GT but it takes a big car to pull it off. If you had used the same design on a smaller ATS size car it would never have worked and looked like a VW Beetle.
The next car in the LTS line to be shown will be the Sedan and it will be about 90% production. You will find it will have much of the Elmirage but with real world application.
The trouble with show cars gone production is they often have issues with different things. Outward vision is one and the other is ergonomics. Take for example the SSR. It was pretty much made production but you have issues like stone chip issues on the fenders and the fact to adjust the seat you have to open the door every time you need to move it.
The Camaro has taken hits on visability and the interior. Even the Camaro people wanted to fix the interior but they were stopped by GM to keep it show like.
Small cars are hard to design and hard to be very dramatic. As you have seen the ATS has given way to a more dramatic CTS and will in kind to a even more dramatic LTS. Also you have to factor in that not everyone wants a show car. They want a nicely styled elegant car but nothing crazy. This is why Bentley sells a dramatic coupe and a conservative sedan.
Given time Cadillac will evolve the design more and it will change the way people see Cadillac and how they are presented. There are many still mad they are losing the Wreath so the affects of losing or changing the traditional cues will come with each new model.
Just look at the Corvette. Today we have the best Corvette ever and car that will our perform cars at twice the price and yet some piss and moan about the tail lights.
When you bring change it must evolve and you need to gird yourself for a few stones being tossed. In the end the CTS will sell very well and to be honest it is as good or better looking than most cars in class. It is sporty but yet elegant the two things you need to capture in this segment and price range.
This is the volume segment and appeal has to be somewhat wide here. Cadillac has the appeal of the class but also will not be mistaken for a BMW or Benz at a distance like some other brands have tried.