Highly Acclaimed, Surpassing European Rivals

The new Cadillac CTS, a mid-size sedan set to go on sale in April 2014, was announced alongside the 7th-generation new "Corvette." It will be available in two grades: the "CTS Luxury" priced at 5,990,000 yen and the "CTS Elegance" at 6,990,000 yen. The primary difference between the two is their equipment, with powertrains and body variations being virtually identical.



The third-generation CTS, unveiled this March as Cadillac celebrated its 111th anniversary,New York Motor Showmade its world premiere at the New York Motor Show. It is already on sale in the United States and has received high praise, including winning MotorTrend magazine's "2014 Car of the Year" award.

This award is given to new car models introduced in the year. This year, 22 vehicles were entered, and in the final stage, along with the Cadillac CTS, seven strong contenders including European major brands such asBMW"4 Series", Jaguar'sF-Type", andMercedes-Benz"S-Class", advanced to the final stage. Ultimately, after rigorous testing across three different courses, the CTS brilliantly secured the Car of the Year honor.


Cadillac first won MotorTrend's Car of the Year in 1949. Since then, the Cadillac "Seville" in 1952 and 1992, and the Cadillac "CTS" (second generation) in 2008, have also earned this prestigious award. This marks the second time the Cadillac CTS has achieved this feat.

A Silhouette Emphasizing Dynamicism

While based on the motif of previous "CTS" models, the new Cadillac CTS, with its evolved "Art & Science" design, stands out with enhanced individuality. Although the overall length has increased by 100mm, the roofline, hood line, and windshield area—essentially the upper body—have been lowered by approximately 25mm. This accentuates the long-nose proportion, creating a more dynamic impression.


The body dimensions are 4,970mm in length, 1,840mm in width, and 1,465mm in height. The wheelbase has been extended by 30mm to 2,910mm, finally surpassing the 2,900mm mark.

The distinctive vertical front headlamps, symbolizing the new generation of Cadillac, make extensive use of LEDs. Indirectly lit LEDs are positioned on the outer sides of each headlamp, seamlessly connecting to the LED driving lights and turn signals integrated into the bumper. The front fascia, centered around a large grille bearing the Cadillac emblem, showcases a sculpted design that emphasizes individuality.


The character lines flowing along the body sides also feature a sculpted, dynamic design. The taillights, reminiscent of Cadillac's traditional fins, employ a three-layer internal structure for a sophisticated glow. The Cadillac name etched above the lights further underscores its commitment to luxury.

An Interior Befitting the Cadillac Name

The interior adopts a driver-oriented, asymmetrical design. A touch-screen 8-inch display featuring the functional "CUE (Cadillac User Experience)" infotainment system is centrally located on the console, creating a refined space with genuine materials and sophisticated design.


Interior trim options include Sapele wood for the CTS Luxury and carbon fiber for the CTS Elegance. The leather seats, equipped with heating and ventilation as standard, are handcrafted by skilled artisans. The leather-wrapped steering wheel with heating further enhances the tactile and visual luxury befitting the Cadillac brand.

The "CUE (Cadillac User Experience)" infotainment system, already featured in the CadillacATS", allows for intuitive operation similar to a smartphone. It supports Bluetooth connectivity for up to 10 devices, including hands-free calling, and facilitates easy connection and control of USB drives, SD cards, and MP3 players.


The "BOSE premium sound system," a familiar feature in Cadillacs, is also integrated with CUE. Cadillac first introduced a genuine BOSE sound system in the 1983 Seville, with the groundbreaking slogan "Transforming the car interior into a concert hall."


The evolved "BOSE premium sound system" in the new Cadillac CTS features 13 speakers, delivering powerful sound. Additionally, Active Noise Cancellation (ANC), co-developed with BOSE, is equipped to provide a quiet and comfortable cabin environment befitting a luxury vehicle.

Rivals: The E-Segment Models from Germany's Big Three

The chassis, which has achieved a 7% weight reduction compared to the previous model, combined with an ideal 50:50 static weight distribution, reportedly delivers precise handling and a comfortable ride.


The doors and hood are now made of aluminum, and advanced materials such as magnesium and high-strength steel are extensively used. The body weight of the CTS Luxury is kept down to 1,680kg, comparable to C-segment models.


Structural adhesive is used in the body joints. This securely bonds structural members and components that bear loads, while the adhesive's damping effect reduces vibrations transmitted to the body. Consequently, body rigidity has improved by approximately 40% compared to the previous model.

The suspension, featuring multi-link setups front and rear, comes standard with the advanced "Magnetic Ride Control" (real-time damping system). This variable damping system monitors road conditions every 1/1,000th of a second and adjusts damping force every 5/1,000th of a second, achieving a balance between a comfortable ride and sporty performance with improved steering response.


The brakes are Brembo (front), and the higher-grade CTS Elegance also features an auto-dry brake function.


In line with the current trend of downsizing, the engine has been replaced with a lightweight and highly efficient 2.0-liter direct-injection turbocharged inline-4 engine, instead of the conventional V6. With a compression ratio of 9.5:1, it produces a maximum output of 203kW (276ps) and a flat peak torque of 400Nm (40.8kgm) between 3,000-4,500rpm.


The new Cadillac "CTS," while building on its heritage, represents a clear evolution. It undoubtedly possesses the appeal to rival the immensely popular German luxury trio in Japan. We will report on its driving potential in more detail at a later opportunity.Mercedes-Benz"E-Class" andBMW"5 Series", andAudi"A6", it will be interesting to see how it competes against these formidable rivals. We will continue to monitor its progress.