2008 Detroit Auto Show: Cadillac CTS Coupe Concept
At the unveil of the CTS Coupe concept, GM’s design chief Ed Welburn said it was a car that was never supposed to happen. “But when we saw the initial sketches, it was so beautiful we knew we just had to build it,” he said.
So, Ed and his team aren’t going to win the “thinking outside the box” award at this year’s show, but they did succeed in making a unique-looking, if not beautiful two-door CTS. It’s a striking coupe in person, but there’s a little too much Mercedes C-Class coupe in it and not enough Audi S5 for our tastes...
There’s something about the size of the rear quarter panel and the car’s almost hatchbacklike profile that just doesn’t work.
Neither Ed Welburn nor Jim Taylor, Cadillac’s general manager, mentioned a production date for the CTS concept, but figure sometime late next year. That should give Welburn and his team some time to tweak the rear end a little, not to mention figure out how to make a convertible out of it.
-- Ed Hellwig, Lead Senior Editor, Inside Line
UPDATE: The original Cadillac press release called it the "CT Coupe" concept. It has since been revised to "CTS Coupe" concept.
- Permalink | Comments (27)
- Posted by: Ed Hellwig January 14, 2008, 8:47 AM
- Categories: Cadillac, Coupes, Detroit Auto Show
Yeah, this thing needs a trunklid. They were aiming for that whole Aston Marton V8 Vantage long hood, short rear deck look and really didn't quite make it. That huge slab of sheetmetal just aft of the rear wheels just looks funny. Just make the rear taillights more vertical & more prominent, move the intersection point of the decklid with the rear glass & C-pillar forward, drop the rear bumper, and raise that side characterline & extend it through the rear bumper & voila! It's fixed.
Gorgeous! Everything works for me. I wouldn't change a thing.
I call it Caddy's Coupe de Thrill! :)
Not enough Audi S5? What the hell is so great about the S5, or for that matter any Audi's styling??
I personally love this thing. Drop the CTS-V engine in there and it'd be even better.
Golly that's ugly.
This reminds me a bit of a Ford Torino or Mustang SportsRoof from the early 1970s, which is all right by me though the rear window will get dirty very quickly. I agree with roar02ram that it would look better with bigger taillights, and the oft-rumored CTS wagon variant is the one I'm REALLY waiting to see.
in my opinion, I think this concept is beautiful, although I'm not a big fan of the tail design. New caddys look like roosters from the rear.
Looks fantastic to me, like an F-18 crouched on the catapult launch of a carrier. Also reminds me of a faceted version of the G35.
I really like the Alfa-Romeo Brera-ish hatchback/coupe look. It looks really original. I'm not a huge Caddy fan, but this looks great!
rear needs some work but overall its hot. Why is IL hating on this car? Just because its not an A5 doesnt mean its ugly. It supposed to look like a Cadillac, not an Audi.
Forget it!! This might have a bit of a tail that looks a little hatchbackish, which is a concern in hatchback hating America, but it IS a very good looking car that has a premium appearance. It's only a matter of time before other car companies start to copy bits and pieces for their own designs. Remember when everyone gagged when the Bangle BMW's were introduced with their hump-trunks? While still not the prettiest, it is vaguely copied by Honda: Accord, Toyota: Avalon. And everyone lamented Audi's new gapping mouth front arm dam; shall I name the numerous cars that look similar now?
Say what you will but it's enevitable with this Caddy.
Can't say the same thing about the anonymous new Lincoln MK......what letter is this one again?
GORGEOUS!
Wow, just stunning.
A modern version of the Audi Quattro Coupe from the late 80s. Edit for link:
http://bringatrailer.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/04/1983_Audi_Ur_Quattro_Coupe_Rear_1.jpg
Beautiful.
Don't change a thing!
I'm a big CTS fan but I don't know what I think about this car. It seems fat to me....just overall really large, but that may just be the pictures.
I think it needs to lose a little weight in the appearance.
Gotta have a normal trunk with a back quarter panel. Other than that, with those 19" chrome wheels this little rocket will be a major success for GM. IMHO as always.
Nice. Love the rear, love that it doesn't have a long, useless trunk.
-mike
I agree with previous posters, this car needs trunk lid. It has great front portion and odd rear
mmmmmmmmmmmmmmm Can't wait to order one!
I want it. Don't even need the CTS-V powertrain, just give me the direct-injection V6 and a six-speed manual. And to me, it doesn't look like ANYTHING else.
The only thing I'd change would be additional detail to the C-pillar. It's too flat.
Otherwise, immaculate. Even the interior looks production ready.
Notice, too, that there are three pedals in the driver's footwell. Tells you who they're aiming it at.
Why, hmm..., that is a big VW Scirocco!? It needs to be a real hatchback.
Edmunds, I think I understand your comparison to the CLK coupe and the Audi S5. This car is certainly more comparible to the CLK coupe as its comes off as a knockoff of its sedan sibling. On the contrary the Audi S5 is purely orignal and was designed as a coupe from the get go. I wont even touch on the signature Audi detailing.
I do like this concept A LOT but it does need a trunk as the hatch makes it seem a bit downmarket. For some reason when I see it I think AMC Javelin and Toyota Celica. With a trucnk and better design execution this coupe could be a real head turner.
I have been waiting, not very patiently, for this CTS Coupe. It is a gorgeous creation. What stands out the most is the rear styling which, I think, has caught everyone by surprise, what with all the photochops showing basically a two door CTS this car flys in a totally different direction. As I'm sure everyone who loves cars knows, photo angles can cast unfavorable impressions, let's wait to see the real thing before we call it a hatchback. As for the A5/S5 comparison, please, there is not a truly attractive Audi on the market.
The car looks awesome. I still like the look of the Audi S5 better though. But I am sure this will be less expensive. I don't care for the suede look on the steering wheel. I saw the same thing on the 2009 CTS-V photos. I hope there is an option to just get just regular smooth leather on the steering wheel. That's like a deal breaker for me.
I want one right NOW!
YES, finally, with the new CTS, a amrerica made car that looks purposeful, with high quality and substance.
Home run for sure. Let's hope it does not get to diluted by the GM's penny counters...
OMG, this is so beautiful.. Look at that sharpe exterior, and having both sporty and luxurious interior. I am crossing my fingers right now and hope this doesn't cost more than the 5 Series. I am gonna GET this car!!!!
as long as ( LUTZ the guru of crashlandings ) iswith GM the will never produce an exciting car he teased us with the beutifiul CIEN then dropped the only coupe ( eldorad) his comment after discontinuing the camaro was that it would come back when hell freezes over he has drven tooo many loyal customers to competiton and should have retired 10 years ago...ka...