We recently heard an auto exec say that being “right-sized for a segment is good”. That’s why the first-generation Cadillac CTS Coupe was somewhat of an enigma: it had the footprint of a midsize sport-luxury coupe but the price of a compact sport-lux sedan. And its blocky exterior design, itself an adaptation of Caddy’s Art & Science philosophy, was either a love-it-or-hate-it affair. Today, the ATS Sedan competes squarely in the compact sport-luxury sedan segment, while the 2015 ATS Coupe is positioned directly in the compact sport-luxury coupe space — one that’s dominated by the likes of the BMW 4-Series, Mercedes-Benz C-Class Coupe, and Audi A/S/RS5. And just like the ATS Coupe’s “right size” is good for it in the market place, so are its soft(er) lines (compared to the first CTS Coupe), which promise to appeal to significantly more potential customers. So, where does that leave a coupe version of the new CTS?
Cadillac still seems to be in the midst of considering whether to produce a second-gen CTS Coupe. If such a model does come to market, it would be sometime in 2016 or 2017 as a 2017 or 2018 model year vehicle. And it would take on the Mercedes-Benz E-Class Coupe and BMW 6-Series (coupe and convertible) in the midsize luxury coupe segment, one that’s low on volume but high on solidifying a brand’s image. And with that in mind, we’ve penned what a second-generation, two-door CTS Coupe could look like, taking into account the design evolution of the ATS Sedan into the ATS Coupe.
We started with the Alpha-platformed 2014 CTS Sedan and ended up with this coupe variant, with an elegant and expressive cab-rearward side profile that retains the traditional three-box design philosophy.
Should Caddy build a CTS Coupe? How do you like the rendering? Sound off in the comments section below.
Comments
This is nice, but I would like to see more of the wedge shape of the current CTS Coupe, more sloping wind shield and rear window, sail panel C pillar. I have a CTS Coupe, love it. That being said, I love it because of its design. I have found out the hard way that coupes are not the most practical, you buy them because of the design and that’s why I chose my CTS Coupe over the sedan. It terms of the the ATS, I would choose the sedan over the coupe, the coupe isn’t dramatic enough to sacrifice the practicality. Cadillac needs a dramatic coupe to take the place of the current CTS Coupe. The ELR could be the next iteration of that but the electric power train and FWD platform holds it back from fulfilling that role. I hope Cadillac has something up its sleeve for us current CTS Coupe owners getting ready to get something new.
100% agree. Same here. I choose CTS-coupe over Audi A5 or Mercedes E-coupe because of the shape. Beside your arguments, ELR is to much overpriced ,in my opinion ,regarding in what is offer. The new CTS 4-V is nice ,but if GM go with the same shape for the coupe ,I think they will lose some clients.
Your rendering is nice, but I also am one who wishes that they would continue with the shape of the last CTS coupe. It was just plain HOT. IMO that is.
Agreed! Certain posters suggest that the last generation lacked sophistication, but I couldn’t agree less.
I fantastic, refined design (was wasted) on ERL. In my view, it was an ideal evolutionary design perfect in stature for ATS coupe.
My worry is that Cadillac has jumped onto to Audi-like design band wagon–non-controversial, bland and ideal for a Chinese governmental employee.
Caddy, for better or worse, is all about American design and luxury. Unlike Buick, it can not rely on stale European influences. (Leave the copy cat design to Chrysler.)
I can’t agree more about the ELR. The most beautiful design in the current GM portfolio, wasted
The ELR is a glorified version of the Volt, as it is built on the same chassis. I’m sorry but cannot justify paying in the upwards of 60k for a vehicle that was designed to fail from day 1.
Hmm… maybe GM should just take the electric charge system and small motor out of the ELR and substitute a good V6 into it, and LOWER the price tag from the ELR and add a panorama sunroof… maybe I’d buy one in a heart beat. The looks would be awesome and comparable quite nicely to the 1st generation. Need more coups in the line up. Just my opinion only tho…
Exactly, or flip the design onto the Alpha platform.
Cadillac should be controversial as it turns heads, and garners attention. The world does not need a better built Audi.
I agree with David and Paul. The “toned down” design language is bland compared to the first and second generation cars. The ATS coupe is traditional and safe.
If Cadillac launches a CTS coupe, it should err on the side of aggressive. It should be beautiful, edgy, aggressive, and polarizing, not “safe” or “toned down” for foreign markets. Maybe they could go so far as to make the coupe V-only so the performance matches the aggressive style.
More expressive like the Lexus RC, less like an ATS coupe.
I honestly think that Cadillac should do a A7 panamera esque competitor
I’m actually digging this rendering. The smooth, elegant lines along with the understated appearance actually looks more attractive than the somewhat polarizing design of the current CTS coupe. I do agree that it does have a unique and appealing look, but as mentioned earlier some love it, some hate it. The only thing I’d like to see out of this rendering is a tad more muscle to better accentuate the body profile. Other than that this is well done.
But quite honestly, I’d like to see Cadillac, or perhaps even Buick, add a four door coupe to their lineup. I think Buick should have it just to bring more product variety to its lineup.
If there is a CTS Coupe, and I sincerely hope so, not only a Coupe, but a Convertible, and they intend for it to compete with the BMW 6 Series, it is going to need to be much more like the El miraj, and be priced around $90,000. It will seriously need to be UPSCALE much more so than the CTS pictured above, which is very bland..
Cadillac needs three major things ASAP………..Coupes, Convertibles, V8 engines, and another Sport Wagon. OH!…wait, that’s four isn’t it!
Cadillac needs to make this coupe this coupe there eye candy model make the design low slung and wedged with a dramatic C -pillar with boomerang taillight…..also a B-illarless design element…….I would also like to see cadillac bring the Indian Blue paint that debut on the elmiraj….for A Vseries or Vsport exclusive paint…..very beautiful in person…
I am not digging the rendering at all, it is just too safe and conservative. If Cadillac is going to make a statement in a coupe, it needs to be aggressive in design which carries a lot of emotion in design with superior handling and presence like the current CTS Coupe.
This car will have a small percentage of the CTS overall sales but it is no reason for Cadillac to be conservative with the design. The car does not need to look like the sedan with two doors but more in your face swagger with sex appeal written all over it.
I will wait to see what GM is doing before commenting on a unsubstantiated proposal with no roots in reality.
Lets just wait to see the real thing before we get worked up one way or the other. Or just see how the ATS coupe is accepted first. Better yet wait to see if Cadillac will even do a CTS coupe or just let this happen to the LTS as the Elmirage. The coupe market is limited and with the two we may be getting is there room for this one too?
This guy… always hatin on the renderings. Who cares if a made-up picture is substantiated or has roots? Fact is that if such a model makes it to market, it will probably look 90% of what we see here.
And is there room for such a model? Hell to the yes; both Benz and BMW think so. Sure, lux coupes sell in low volumes… but that means nothing when they are much more profitable per unit than sedans/wagons and do a lot for the image of the brand. If Caddy was smart, there would be a coupe of the ATS, CTS and LTS/Elmiraje/whatever it’s called… especially during this time of its Renaissance. Of course, that would be after it got its crossovers in line.
The rendering is pretty but a coupe buyer is looking for a more expressive and perhaps aggressive styling. I will be in the market for one within the next 2 years. Fix cue by adding more buttons and add some decent gauges to the future CTS-V coupe and you may sway me away from the Germans. And don’t forget about the 7 speed manual in the V version.
Cadillac is doing well with the new Escalade here and the SRX has been steady,but the sedans are struggling. Based on the very smug and defiant comments from de Nysschen (no retreat on pricing, turn our back on existing customer base, need fewer dealers, etc…) it seems obvious that the near future focus is more about China, not here. Cadillac is experiencing big growth in China and brand executives have hinted that the new LTS (or whatever the name is) will be launched there first.
Same goes for Ford. Entire focus is on China and nothing else matters. Until the Chinese Communist dictatorship party (PLA) decides otherwise.
“Based on the very smug and defiant comments from de Nysschen (no retreat on pricing, turn our back on existing customer base, need fewer dealers, etc…) it seems obvious that the near future focus is more about China, not here.”
Or rather, de Nysschen is putting Cadillac in a more exclusive and loftier position in the market. No more of these rural Minnesota dealers who’s base are 70 year olds who “what real names like the ‘Fleetwood’ back”.
That’s not smugness, that is what is what is demanded of a luxury consumer; they want something that other cannot have, and to pride themselves on it.
2011 I purchased a brand new two door Cadillac CTS, I simply LOVED it. 2015 I went in to buy a 2015 Cadillac two door coupe CTS and found out GM has stopped making them .I was not HAPPY. I then bought a 2015 ats two door coupe I am not HAPPY with it at all. GM needs to look at making the CTS again. STOP and look at the difference at the beautiful lines the cts had compared to the ats . If gm makes another cts two door it is GOOD BYE to my ats.
Do we need another Buick in the Mazda mid size line up. That is an awful rendering. The best thing the General has done for Cadillac was to let them produce the CTS Coupe. Thoughtfulness and style do not abound as they try to compete in a difficult market segment by putting uninspiring product forward like the ATS. I liked it better when they had nothing to lose and had to reinvent the brand. We were almost competing with the Europeans when the CTS was introduced in its many versions. The next coupe needs to be a directional design statement like the last or Cadillac goes into the Buick/ mid size Asian confusion abyss again.
As for the ATS, it is a step backward. The best way to describe it is the next evolution of the “K” Car. I am staying tuned and holding out for a great and inspiring product for the next coupe. Lets see if any of those GM executives and designers have any balls left.
I think the cab is too far forward and the curved roof is too high and round.I agree with anothers view that i should be more wedge shaped.I don’t mind if the car is hard o see out of,I am super careful in a oy like that,besides thats what all the cameras are for.
Are you kidding me with this crap? The new ATS coupe looks like shit…it’s like looking at an accord or some other plain-jane car on the road….ewww! Bring back the CTS coupe!!! PLEASE!!!! I need to get a new one!
If they offered the ELR in a V6, I would be more than interested as I am going to replace a vehicle “this” year for tax purposes. But, if they wait until next year, to bad so sad……………….
The ELR is done:
http://gmauthority.com/blog/2016/05/cadillac-elr-production-ceased-quietly-last-february/
There is more of a chance of a CTS coupe than there ever was of a V6 in the ELR. But why aren’t you considering the ATS Coupe V6?
I think that the next CTS coupe should be made from the ELR body design … the ELR is a great looking car, too expensive, but the body design is very attactive. Since the ELR is going away, just turn it into the CTS coupe…
I love the shape of the 2014 Coupe. It stands out and it only looks like a Cadillac. The body design of the rendering is too round… It looks like any other car on the road. Please bring back the Cts Coupe, but bring it back with the sharp edges and a heavy back….
I have 2 CTS’ coupes. My wife drove my for a while and loved it, so we needed a second one. The styling is great. I love the sharp, chiseled look, I wish GM would quit screwing around a make a new one. The El Mirage (sp?) would be a great option. I’m not a fan of the concept shown above. Too much like a bubble.
Love my 2013 CTS-Performance coupe (only 7,000 miles on her). Give us a new coupe and I’ll consider it. Make it a CTS-V and I’ll buy it!
I purchased a new 2012 CTS Coupe in April of that year. People loved the car. It is sad that a CTS coupe is not in the line. I became suspicious when I didn’t see any new ones and kept seeing ads pushing the puny ATS. I really want to buy another CTS if it has sharp aggressive lines an preferably a V8 so I don’t feel bad parking it next to my new 2017 Grand Sport!
I had a 2013 CTS Coupe and that was the the best looking vehicle ever ever. I never had any issues with it. My plan was to replace it with a 2016 CTS Coupe, however 2014 was the end of production. I spend winters in Florida and notice that every third vehicle on the roads is a CTS Coupe. The ATS Coupe is too small and does not the styling of CTS Coupe. No more Cadillacs for me.
The CTS Coupe was the best looking car GM ever produced. Mine was a 2013 model & I planned on a 2016 model-that didn’t work out. No more GM products for me.