2008 Cadillac CTS Previewed

The folks at GM are all about preview images these days, aren’t they? After yesterday’s revealing shot of the all-new Chevy Malibu, we weren’t the least bit surprised to get this early look at the all-new Cadillac CTS, which will also debut in full at the Detroit auto show. That's Ed Welburn, GM Vice President of Global Design and Bob Lutz, GM Vice Charirman of Global Product Development, flanking the shrouded car. 

The CTS is a tremendously important vehicle in the Cadillac lineup; it saw sales increases in 2006, which was the final year of its initial design. We’re looking forward to seeing this one next month, but for now we’re happy with this tiny peek.

Comments

I think technically this is a "sneak peek" not a "preview".

looks beautiful and bold, which is what you don't see much of in the toyota/honda world that we unfortunately live in

Caddy continues the Batmobile look. Doesn't work for me.

Yes, any chance to attack Toyota/Honda and you cant miss it, V. Lopez. Get a grip.

The TL is quite bold. So shut up. So are the IS and GS from Lexus.

They're different, and so are the BMW 3-series and 5-series and C and E-class.

Good for Caddy for being different.

V's comment wasn't much of an attack actually. And I'm just glad it's an initial now. Toyota, more so than honda, has a history of building very bland vehicles until very recently (FJ Cruiser) and so has Honda until the new Civic. That didn't stop them from selling well. The CTS resurrected the Cadillac brand when it debuted because it was so bold. To top that has to be a tough job. It'll be interesting to see the full design.

Looks like a big, ugly grille. Big, ugly grilles are in--just look at any recent Audi or VW product. Maybe it will look better when we can see the rest of the car.

Cadillac has started making cars that looks like someone took a knife to a hunk of cheese and just carved it up. All kinds of sharp edges with no style whatsoever. I've been driving Caddy's for years and I can say that my next car won't be a Cadillac because of the lack of syle. They have become ugly cars, just like they were in the eighties. Now, to make it worse, the headlight housing that is enormous, going over the top of the car really uglifies the front end. BMW is making a beautiful car. elegant styling and lots of personality. Cadillac should go to BMW styling school.

Duke, you are all by yourself.
Cadillac is back.
Style is cutting-edge.

I agree with Duke: these sharp edges look completely random and all over the place. I can't say I hate them, but they don't attract me to the vehicle brand either...

I agree with Duke. The thing looks like Hellen Keller was given a knife and a block of cheese.

I agree Randy. Not only is it very stylish, but there is no other vehicle like it in the GM line up, which is not what Ford can claim with the Lincoln Zephyr, MKZ, (or is it Mark Z this week?).

Cadillac needs some serious help in the design depot.

BMW, Benz, Acura, Infiniti, they all look better and well, are better. Face it, GM's "American Revolution" is nothing more than a fluke. They just can't get away from sharing parts among so many of their models and long-term reliability still has me scared to buy one.

With the money I could spend on the new CTS I'd much prefer a G35 or TL.

well first off, "american revolution" is chevrolet's trademark, not GM. Get your facts straight.

ALL, and i'll repeat for you that are not up to par on car manufacturing and cost cutting methods, ~~~ALL~~~ car makers share parts with other vehicles.

And GM has proven reliability, check the scores!

Don't let public perception ruin your own opinion or mess up hard facts, THANKS!

*younger buyers appreciate cadillac's designs, they hold the money. Older buyers should feel comfortable in a compariable honda or toyota product :-)

The new CTS is bold and DIFFERENT. It's saying "---- you" to BMW, Mercedes, Lexus, and oh yeah, Infiniti. All of the imports have "soft" lines, which are very nice (I may still buy one), but Cadillac (GM) is showing everyone that it can be its own "bad ass" brand and people WILL BUY them! Thanks GM for offering an alternative.

Yeah some people are buying the CTS, but not many. It trails all of it's competitors in sales. The car lacks any clear design style. It looks as if it was carved out of a block of cheese. The lack of imagation is reflected in the poor sales.

I think the last comment shows how smart he is and how much he really knows about cars. The new 2008 CTS (shown above) hasn't even been officially unveiled to the public yet and he discusses the lack of sales! The old (current) CTS sales aren't as high as the imports, but that was a FIRST model from 2002, NOT developed under Bob Lutz. I wouldn't buy the old CTS either because of some downfalls. But as I said, the NEW CTS WILL SELL LIKE HOTCAKES because they will be bad ass. Now go eat some cheese!

I remember hearing that the CTS set a sales record at a 2006 model...with it being (in 2007) in its 5th year of production...pretty amazing since you really don't hear that often, oh well, just wait for the new one, people will get tired of BMW (geez, new design already, looks like the same crap from the 70s) Infiniti? (nissan isn't high on quality, sorry!) Lexus (snore, zzz! bland and cheap) and Mercedes (reliability anyone?)

I am concerned about Cadillac's tendency toward a hulking "American" profile and hope the new model gets the proportions right. That means I want to see a graceful and powerful car that is also nimble. GM is trying hard to get it right after having blown the brand's image to hell, but the competition still has the lead. I would also like to see a nice diesel option too (55% of BMWs in Europe are diesels now), but such a thing remains for the future, I presume.

I would just like to say as one of highest associates for selling of Cadillacs that the CTS has always been one of the best sellers for ANY american sedan car. PERIOD. So yes the STS was a great hit to many people. but everybody is forgetting all the older models are OWNED by older people. The new generation of people who can spend that kind of money on a brand new CTS are going to be in the younger ages and the 2008 CTS gives them wat they want. not only is the look amazing the engine is WOW. I personally HAVE seen the 2008 CTS and inside the engine is simply amazing its a great car and anybody who is mouthing it obviously doesn't go into consideration that they are jealous they can't purchase the 2008 cadillac. in the great words of so and so SUCK IT!.

World Class, Amazing, Fast, and Wonderful!

Will sell like mad..

Karen:

I agree that the CTS is a great car. My friend has the CTS V series. He just took it into our local Cadillac dealer here in Austin, Texas and they gave him a new, 2008, black CTS to drive. It has 10 miles on it. To quote him he said, " Ames, you will love it. It is great to drive and looks menacing as hell"

Regards,
Ames

Tom:

I think the CTS offers a new direction in design. The STS as well.

I think MB and BMW have become ugly and dates looking. The CTS is fresh, modern, and designed to thrill.

The new Pontiac G8 will do the same.

I just read that the new V series CTS is comng out in 2009.

Between 2007 and 2013 GM has just a ton of new vehicles coming.

The DTS is going to go away and a new "Super Cadillac" will replace it and the STS, or so I am told. Hard to believe the STS would go away. It is an extraordinary car as well.

The new CTS in Silver is one of ny favorite cars on the road. Even in RED the things just looks great. The women of Texas will buy the Red ones and the men the Silver and Black. GM is Back ...Let us hope their stock can go back to 100 with the new UAW agreement and all of these new products. I can only say that GM is miles ahead of Ford and Chrysler. GM interiors are ust about the best in the business now. In the past 36 months GM has turned itself into a ferocious competitor. I hope more people learn this.

The CTS model that is of particular interest is the model with 304 hp and a six speed manual transmission.

This will hammer the BMW 3 series and 5 series too...

I ordered mine and will have it in 3-4 weeks. It is the best looking car I have seen in a long time. It is beautiful inside and out, and the drive is fantastic. First we were going to get it in the Diamond white, but when we saw the red, there was no debate.

These are selling. The wait is some cities is 6 weeks.

Good work, GM!

Regards,
Ames
http://www.amestiedeman.com/

It appears a two door example is on the way.

Did anyone see the new 2 door model?

What is the story on the 6 cylinder engine in the CTS. How does the horse power comapare to the BMW 6 cylinder?