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"Cadillac CTS downgrade?

Marketing people of Cadillac are now considering to reposition the CTS to steal sales from Honda Accord etc. instead of BMW 3-series, because they found the German cars are virtually unbeatable. However, in another extreme GM is now developing a performance CTS powered by Corvette’s 5.7-litre V8, good for about 350 horsepower."

Considering that GM is dropping the current European-assembled V6 and Getrag gearbox next year - say hello to a domestic mulitvalve V6 and Tremac 6-speed - it's possible that there is something behind this rumor.

I was just looking at a $38,000 CTS on a dealer's lot yesterday, and that car wasn't even loaded! A $45,000-$50,000 CTSv looked like a silly proposition at the time, especially considering the competition at that price.

Perhaps the new, lower-cost domestic powertrains will make the CTS and CTSv true competitors. It also gives me some hope that "Sigma architecture" will yield an affordable 5th generation Camaro.

We should also take note that all of the conjecture surrounding the CTSv indicates a 350hp V8 - not 400hp as originally reported. It sounds like the LS1 is going into the Cadillac instead of the LS6, just like the new GTO.

 

The rating on the engine could have to do with the whole "hiearchy" thing within GM. It is not higher than a Corvette.............

 

I was also thinking the CTS & the GTO's LS1 were one in the same (especially makes sense when one considers they may soon be identical under the skin).

If CTS goes down in price, alot more people will go for it, no doubt. The current V6 manual is about as quick as a Mustang GT automatic (about 7 seconds), so if the new V6 is more powerful, CTS could end up with quite a reputation.

Of course, having GTO's V8 won't hurt either.

 

At $38,000 that CTS would have to have just about everything except for the Navigation System....

 

Cadillac is not going downmarket with the CTS. Why would they, they sell all they can make. Mark LeNeve, Cadillac's general manager, has repeatedly derided BMW's and Mercedes' march downmarket, stating that Cadillac would instead start to move upmarket. This makes sense, especially since Cadillac sells more $40,000-plus cars than anyone else on the planet.

Do BMW and Mercedes really think their brands will be held in such esteem when you can buy one of their models for less than a V6 Camry? Sure, it will work for a while, but eventually their brands will become diluted.

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2000 Z28, Arctic White, Ebony leather, A4, 2.73, RS-A, 13.3 @ 105.9 stock

 

Well I saw a CTS for the first time yesterday in person and all I can say is WOW!! Pictures on TV and the net just don't do it justice compared to seeing it in person. Something about the proportions or something, I really liked it. Once you get past those funky headlights, it's a good looking car. I don't know what kind of V6 it has in it, but I say stick an LS1 in there. GM must have plenty extra ones since they are not making F-bodies any more!

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Dax Anderson, Sr
1993 Z28 6speed stock Sold 4/26/02!
1991 S10 4X4
My Page

 

All in the eye of the beholder...

I cringe when I see them, wrapping such a nice car in such an ugly packaging. Even looking past the funky headlights, the car looks OUT of proportion to me. The doors and side of the car extend too high; the gap on each side of the grill-to-headlights looks too large; even the rear leaves a lot to be desired. It all adds up to a car that looks very heavy, clumbsy, and awkward. Whether that couldn't be further from the truth or not, the car's appearance plays a big role. If I were shopping for a car in this segment, V6 vs. V6, I like the looks and comparable performance of the Infiniti G35 a lot better.

Now, that said, I think a V8, restyled nose, and different wheels as seen in the spy pics are nice improvements. I'm curious as to how the pricing and target market will shake out for the CTSv. Are they going to try and make it some "no frills" (on a Cadillac?), high performance edition--CTSvalue?

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-JERRY-
'02 Impreza WRX
'88 Fiero Formula
Formerly owned: '93 Firebird Formula