Cadillac takes wraps off of new CTS

Cadillac opened the next chapter of its ongoing 21 st century comeback story, as the 2008 CTS Sedan made its world premiere at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit.

The performance luxury sedan is scheduled to begin production in late-summer of 2007, with worldwide sales to follow in the fall.

“The all-new CTS’s mission is to bring the performance of a sports car, the striking design of a concept car and sophistication of an elegant sedan right into the heart of the luxury market," said general manager Jim Taylor. “Cadillac is injecting more dramatic character into the normally reserved luxury sedan category."

Inspired by Cadillac’s landmark Sixteen concept car, the new CTS reinterprets a bit of the brand’s traditional grandeur in a very contemporary design. CTS employs lessons learned from Cadillac’s acclaimed V-Series of high-performance cars, aiming to combine sports car-like performance with the poise of prestigious luxury sedans.

Advanced Direct Injection technology delivers an estimated 300-hp (223-kW) with good fuel efficiency and reduced emissions from its new 3.6-liter V6 engine. The all-new CTS chassis was developed via extensive testing ranging from famed German raceways to roads in China and the U.S.

Cadillac’s first-generation CTS built a strong record of success on many levels since its inception in 2002. Cadillac sold more than 54,000 copies in the U.S. in 2006, compared to roughly 38,000 in 2002, an increase of more than 50% over that period. There are roughly 275,000 CTS owners worldwide, and industry researchers say they are among the most satisfied in the automotive market. AutoPacific rated CTS as the top Entry Luxury Car in its annual Vehicle Satisfaction Awards in 2006.