I spent the better part of last week up in Napa, California, driving around in the soon-to-be-released 2011 Cadillac CTS Coupe. Rough life, I know, but I managed to survive. Here are some of my initial thoughts...
I like it. There, I said it. I really kind of like the Coupe. They body is sharp, faceted and quite aggressive. Make it out of a composite material and I'm convinced it'll be invisible to radar. I'm a fan of the raked-out front and rear glass, sweeping C-pillar and flat-slab doors that have had their door handles shaved off.
Performance-wise, the CTS Coupe impressed me. Enough power to get into plenty of trouble and dynamic handling to get me out of it. I tossed the two-door Caddy into some pretty hairy roads around wine country and it sliced through them with fighter jet precision. It's safe to say, this is one of the most youthful vehicles to come out of Cadillac in a while. I can't wait until the CTS-V Coupe comes our way.
But it's not perfect. Nothing really is, right? But we'll leave the negatives for the upcoming full test drive.
By cruiserhead1
on June 24, 2010
11:14 AM
I like the styling except it looks too much like a hatchback and not enough like a coupe. Maybe in real life that is not such a problem.
They overall styling is really nice though.
I also like the CTS wagon, saw one on the road and it looks pretty exotic.
By dougtheeng
on June 24, 2010
11:48 AM
Not a fan of the back end, but overall its a solid looking vehicle.
By mlh
on June 24, 2010
12:25 PM
Would love to see it with some chunkier/blockier wheels to match the exterior design.
By 1487
on June 24, 2010
01:22 PM
if the complaints are similar to what others have been reporting (limited rear headroom, compromised visibility, etc.) I would say most coupe buyers wont care. No one buys coupes for rear seat space.
The more I see this the more I like the design. I love that there is minimal clearance between fenders and tires like a German sports sedan.
By estreka
on June 24, 2010
01:36 PM
The exhaust is the only thing that annoys me about this car. Otherwise it's an absolute home run for GM.
By greenpony
on June 24, 2010
03:39 PM
Bucking what would otherwise appear to be a unanimous response from the too-kind commenters, I have to say this is possibly the ugliest vehicle I have ever seen. It could have the speed of a Veyron, the reactions of an Elise, the economy of a Prius, and the price tag of a three-year old Aveo, and I would still not buy one. If given the choice between an Aztek and this hideous monstrosity, I would proudly cruise in the Pontiac.
By firstwagon
on June 24, 2010
04:08 PM
I wouldn't say it was ugly but it does have a strangely awkward look. An odd combination of a CTS and several other cars comes to mind.
The CTS wagon is a much better looking car.
By johnnyturbo
on June 24, 2010
04:53 PM
I dunno, there are some elements to the design I like, such as the strong Cadillac face and the side window shapes. But overall, it's too chunky and the stubby tail looks more economy car than luxury sport coupe.
Stick a paper banner out of the sunroof and it could be a supersized Hershey Kiss.
By wrinklebump
on June 24, 2010
05:10 PM
The rear is a bit awkward.
By wrinklebump
on June 24, 2010
05:12 PM
I like big butts and I cannot lie, but this thing has the most awkwardly-proportioned derrier I've ever seen in a mainstream automobile.
By blueguydotcom
on June 24, 2010
11:39 PM
wow, they took a fairly looking sedan and made it uglier than the homely 3 coupe. tall order. success for caddy.
By 1487
on June 25, 2010
08:40 AM
"I wouldn't say it was ugly but it does have a strangely awkward look. An odd combination of a CTS and several other cars comes to mind."
What non-Cadillac looks ANYTHING like this car? I've heard a lot of things, but never "the CTS coupe reminds me of several other models". I'd love to see that list.
So most of the auto press who has seen the car in the flesh likes the design while people who think Lexus represents the epitome of classy design find this car to be offensive. I think Cadillac will take their chances with the daring design.
By subytrojan
on June 25, 2010
09:34 AM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fqz1ojIQTBk
By rod_stewart
on June 25, 2010
10:10 PM
No really, why is this 1487 human allowed to post here? She basically exists to defend GM products like she's on the payroll. It'd be hilarious if it were a joke. As for the CTS, the wheels look way too small for a sports whatever. Overall an interesting design but the sedan and wagon seem better proportioned and classier. This one has a tacky look, like someone trading up from a Camaro might like it but an A5 or 335 driver wouldn't look twice except to giggle at the tacky CTS driver.
By firstwagon
on June 26, 2010
04:15 PM
1487
Well I know you'll never agree with me but from the side it looks like this car...
http://car-news.roadfly.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/04/Infiniti-G37-Coupe.jpg
There are lots of little styling cues that remind me of other cars but I haven't time right now to find pictures of them.
And of course the from and back look like a variation of the CTS.
And (once again) nice try to start a import/domestic debate with the Lexus reference.
By 1487
on June 29, 2010
08:52 AM
rod:
Its a "he" and I don't even like the rear end of the CTS coupe. I'm just saying its no surprise that people who worship the austerity of European cars arent pleased with this design. It would be pointless for Cadillac to create a BMW wannabe design and try and peddle it as something uniquely American. You think 19" wheels are too small for this car?
firstwagon:
No debate needed. If you think Japanese cars are the best examples of design you arent going to like the CTS. Its a simple point- not an attempt to start any debate. I don't want to debate you- trust me on that. As far as I can tell you don't like anything except import branded subcompacts so I don't know you feel the need to post comments on every vehicle that you DON'T like when there isn't much you do like. You think the Mazda2 is hot so I wouldn't expect you to be interested in a car like this. Too big, too much power, too expensive, not an import. We know the drill.
The CTS looks like the G37 in the sense that they both have two doors and limited greenhouses. The details are totally different.
By rod_stewart
on July 3, 2010
01:35 AM
@1487--Its a "he" and I don't even like the rear end of the CTS coupe. I'm just saying its no surprise that people who worship the austerity of European cars arent pleased with this design. It would be pointless for Cadillac to create a BMW wannabe design and try and peddle it as something uniquely American. You think 19" wheels are too small for this car?--
Surprisingly civil for a blatant shill, LOL. You're not a man though. Don't play. Btw my point can be translated as GIVEN THAT these are 19s and STILL look small, maybe there's something wrong with say the gigantic hindquarters/high belt line/et cetera. Kthx.