The Cadillac CTS Coupe was the surprise of the 2008 Detroit Motor Show. And less than three months after GM whipped the covers off the concept, CAR’s spies have caught the production car testing.
CAR can confirm that the CTS Coupe will be coming to Europe in 2010. The four-seat two-door is based on the CTS platform, which has been engineered for right-hand drive conversion. The CTS Coupe should be a decent car too, because the four-door saloon is the best-handling Cadillac ever.
Cadillac CTS Coupe: the looks
The edgy, sharply creased design that has graced the past two generations of CTS saloon remains. Unfortunately some GM cost-cutting means the lights and grille are now standard CTS saloon items, rather than the funkier items from the concept. The black B-pillar is also a change from the concept’s flush glasshouse.
However, the door handles on the test car are conspicuous by their absence. It might be one concept car feature that makes production.
Click ‘Next’ below to read about the Cadillac CTS Coupe’s engines and prices
Cadillac CTS Coupe: the engines
When the CTS Coupe reaches the UK it should be powered by a range of V6 engines. A 311bhp 3.6-litre petrol V6 is a certainty, and a 2.8-litre should also be available. GM’s 2.9-litre V6 diesel is also a must for decent UK sales, and its 250bhp and 405lb ft outputs don’t seem shabby either.
To take on the BMW M3 Cadillac might drop the CTS-V saloon’s 6.2-litre supercharged V8 into the two-door. The 550bhp, 550lb ft LS9 engine is a detuned version of the Corvette ZR-1’s engine, and should give the Caddy the pace to leave the M3 for dead on the straights.
Cadillac CTS Coupe: the price and rivals
The most obvious rival for the CTS Coupe is BMW’s 3-series coupe, but Audi’s new A5 and Mercedes’ forthcoming CLK are also serious challengers. That’s not forgetting Infiniti, which is launching the G37 Coupe in the UK at the start of 2009. Expect the CTS Coupe to undercut all three German rivals, with prices for the 3.6-litre V6 starting at just under £30,000.