NHTSA Tests New Crop of Vehicles

A host of 2014 vehicles have earned the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's five-star rating in crash tests, perhaps most notably the redesigned-for-2014 Cadillac CTS.

Both the rear-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive versions of the CTS got an overall score of five in NHTSA's safety ratings. Both earned fives in frontal-crash tests and side-crash tests, and fours in rollover tests. Meanwhile, its compact sibling, the 2014 ATS, earned fives across the board for both the rear-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive versions. Both the front-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive versions of the 2014 XTS also earned an overall five-star score, with fives in frontal- and side-crash ratings and fours in rollover tests.

Other 2014 models joining NHTSA's five-star club earned fives in frontal- and side-crash ratings and fours in rollover tests. They included:

2014 Cadillac XTS: What's Changed

• Most significant changes: All-new twin-turbo V-6, automatic parking assist and Intellibeam automatic high-beam control system
• Price change: TBA
• On sale: Summer 2013
• Which should you buy, 2013 or 2014? Price will weigh heavily, but the twin-turbo engine is tempting

When the 2014 Cadillac XTS goes on sale later this summer, the large sedan will be what the automaker calls "one of the most technologically advanced production cars in the brand's history." Topping the list of upgrades is a new twin-turbo V-6 engine that's borrowed from the 2014 CTS sedan.

Cadillac said the optional twin-turbo 3.6-liter V-6 is good for 410 horsepower and 369 pounds-feet of torque; that’s compared with the standard naturally aspirated 3.6-liter V-6's 304 hp and 264 pounds-feet of torque. The twin-turbo engine comes only with all-wheel drive while the standard V-6 comes with front-wheel drive or optional all-wheel drive. Both engines are mated to a six-speed automatic transmission. The twin-turbo requires premium gas; fuel-economy figures have not yet been announced.

2014 Cadillac CTS Video

Not only does the 2014 CTS position Cadillac better than ever to compete with luxury midsize sedans from BMW and Mercedes-Benz, Cars.com reviewer Kelsey Mays says it's the strongest candidate to accelerate GM into the 21st century. Drawing heavily from 2011's Ciel concept, the redesigned CTS aims for cutting edge with newfangled LED running lights under the headlights, abundant high-quality interior stitching, real metal and wood trim, and lots of tech features — though the forward-looking thing might go a tad far with the motorized cupholder cover.

More 2013 New York Auto Show Coverage

All that combined with a substantially reduced weight — particularly in the Vsport trim, powered by a 420-horsepower, twin-turbo 3.6-liter V-6 — may bode well for a CTS coupe comeback, though the future of the unpopular wagon remains hazy. Check out the video below.

2014 Cadillac CTS: Photo Gallery

When the 2014 Cadillac CTS rolled out onto the stage at the 2013 New York International Auto Show this week, you could almost hear a faint "gulp!" from its German luxury midsize sedan counterparts. Lower, longer and lighter than its predecessor and boasting updated exterior styling, a top-quality interior and a new twin-turbo 3.6-liter V-6, this third-generation CTS may just have come into its own as a global force in this upscale segment.

More 2013 New York Auto Show Coverage

Check out Cars.com photographer Evan Sears' photo gallery below, taking note of the new CTS’ sculpted, creased front end, length-spanning character lines, tall headlights with distinctive LED running lamps and new "cut-and-sewn" interior.

2014 Cadillac CTS: Up Close

Cadillac's CTS has always set the stage for the brand's overall styling theme, evolving from a controversial, radical new shape when it first appeared to the latest generation's long, low, lean look. The second generation was an improvement, a refinement on the first, and this third-generation CTS is the next step in the company's Art & Science theme.

More 2013 New York Auto Show Coverage

The car's initial visual impact is that it is indeed lower and longer than the current one, noticeably so with a dramatically sculpted and creased front end that is instantly recognizable as a Cadillac.

2014 Cadillac CTS at the 2013 New York Auto Show

• Competes with: Mercedes-Benz E-Class, BMW 5 Series, Audi A6
• Looks like: A stretched Cadillac ATS with some Mercedes-Benz roofline elements
• Drivetrain: 2.0-liter turbo four-cylinder, 3.6-liter V-6 or a new 3.6-liter twin-turbo V-6 making 420-hp, mated to a six-speed or all-new eight-speed transmission
• Hits dealerships: Fall 2013

Cadillac has pulled the wraps off of its third-generation CTS sedan at the New York International Auto Show, revealing a longer, lower and wider machine that more solidly pits the CTS against its midsize rivals like the Mercedes-Benz E-Class and BMW 5 Series. Like both of those Germans, the Cadillac remains rear-wheel drive, but unlike the Germans, Cadillac will not immediately offer a V-8, instead opting for a brand-new twin-turbocharged version of GM's 3.6-liter direct-injected V-6. It'll be its top engine choice — at least until the CTS-V is revealed.

More 2013 New York Auto Show Coverage

Styling is evolutionary, a further refinement of Cadillac's now decade-old "Art and Science" theme that continues to improve with each generation. The creases and angles that marked the first two generations have been softened considerably. The new CTS features the best proportions yet in a modern Cadillac, with a long, low hood and distinctive character lines that start at the front bumper and continue unbroken to the rear. It's a full 5 inches longer than the old one, with a 1-inch extension in the wheelbase for a bigger interior.

2013 New York Auto Show: What to Expect

Billed as the nation's "first and largest-attended" auto show, the 113-year-old New York International Auto Show also may be the most ironic — hosted by the only U.S. city in which more than half the residents don't own a car. But that fact won't be reflected on the expo's 900,000-square-foot show floor, set to feature more than 1,000 vehicles, including a host of North American and world debuts.

The show runs March 29 through April 7 at New York's Jacob Javits Center, 11th Avenue between 34th and 40th streets; hours are 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday. Admission is $15 for adults, $5 for children 3 to 12, free for kids 2 and younger, and $13 per person for groups of 20 or more.

One eagerly anticipated New York debut is the redesigned 2014 Jeep Cherokee. The Liberty replacement trades in the Cherokee's previous boxy, trucklike appearance in favor of narrow, sweeping headlights, a modern-looking seven-slot grille and a creased hood. In addition to the Cherokee's sleek look, Jeep said the SUV boasts improved off-road capability and significantly improved fuel economy.

New Twin-Turbo V-6 Coming to 2014 CTS, XTS

When Cadillac takes the wraps off the redesigned 2014 CTS sedan later this month it will feature an all-new engine under the hood.

The company announced today that a turbocharged version of its 3.6-liter V-6 engine will power not only the new CTS but a version of the XTS large sedan as well.

The engine features two turbochargers and is certified by the Society of Automotive Engineers at 420 horsepower and 430 pounds-feet of torque and is teamed to an eight-speed automatic transmission. General Motors says it's the most powerful V-6 engine it has ever produced and will hit 60 mph in 4.6 seconds.

The company compared the engine to the twin-turbo V-6 in BMW's 535i at 300 hp and 300 pounds-feet of torque as well as the twin-turbo V-8 in the 550i at 400 horses and 450 pounds-feet of torque.

While it may sound like chest beating, to us it sheds some light on the new CTS being squarely positioned at the midsize luxury class despite the current generation's price keeping it competitive with the BMW 3 Series. Cadillac debuted a smaller ATS last year to take on the 3 Series, so it seems like we'll see the CTS aiming its sights higher.

The 2014 CTS goes on sale this fall and will also be available with a non-turbocharged 3.6-liter V-6 as well as the 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder found in the ATS.

Related
Research More Luxury Cars
More New York Auto Show News
More Cadillac News

Beefed-Up Chevy Corvette V-8 Could Power Next Caddy CTS-V

When the 2014 Cadillac CTS debuts at the New York International Auto Show in March, Motor Trend reports the high-powered CTS-V will have a supercharged or turbocharged version of the 2014 Chevrolet Corvette's 6.2-liter V-8. Cadillac parent GM is still deciding which route to take. GM's naturally aspirated LT1 V-8, which goes under the seventh-gen 'Vette's hood, already boasts direct injection, variable valve timing and cylinder deactivation. A turbocharger or supercharger could push output well beyond the 2014 Corvette's 450 horsepower and 450 pounds-feet of torque.

We'd expect it to beat that figure, given that the current CTS-V has a 556-hp, supercharged 6.2-liter V-8. The current engine, dubbed the LSA, is "sort of a sister engine" to the outgoing Corvette ZR1's LS9 V-8, GM powertrain spokesman Tom Read said. Still, it has fixed valve timing, port fuel injection and no cylinder deactivation. The new Corvette's LT1 V-8 is the first 'Vette engine to employ such technologies.

Cadillac to Unveil New CTS Next Month, Escalade This Fall

Cadillac will unveil a redesigned CTS sedan at next month's New York International Auto Show, with a new Escalade SUV arriving this fall. The Detroit News reports Cadillac marketing chief Don Butler told dealers on Sunday at the National Automobile Dealers Association's annual convention in Orlando, Fla., to expect redesigns for both models soon.

The current CTS hit dealerships back in August 2007. Despite its age, the CTS was Cadillac's second best-selling model in 2012 behind only the SRX crossover. Cadillac may move the CTS squarely into the midluxury segment — think BMW 5 Series, Lexus GS and Mercedes-Benz E-Class — in the redesign because the new ATS now stacks up against smaller luxury sport sedans like the BMW 3 Series and Infiniti G-turned-Q50.

Two Cadillac spokesmen did not immediately return our requests for comment, but if availability suggests sales, the CTS coupe could make a strong case to accompany the next generation. It makes up 27% of Cars.com new-car CTS inventory. By contrast, the CTS wagon may not make it; it accounts for less than 4% of all CTS inventory.