Cadillac’s all-new 2014 CTS sedan is just one honey of an automobile and the fact that Motor Trend magazine has named it “Car of the Year” only serves to underline my appreciation for it.
The Cadillac brass has made no secret that the CTS is intended to go head to head with the likes of BMW, Mercedes Benz and Audi, and this time Caddy intends to come out on top. This third-generation CTS sedan is based on the high-performing rear-drive architecture of the award-winning ATS sport sedan, moving Cadillac into the of midsize luxury class. It comes in as the segment’s lightest car and offers superbly agile driving dynamics.
There’s a broad range of powertrains to choose from, including the all-new Cadillac Twin-Turbo V-6 engine and eight-speed automatic transmission combination in the new CTS Vsport. It is the first twin-turbocharged engine ever offered by Cadillac and is the brand’s first eight-speed automatic. The Twin-Turbo has 420 hp and 430 poundfeet of torque, making it the most powerdense six-cylinder engine in the segment.
A pair of smaller turbochargers helps provide more immediate power on demand, with 90 percent of peak torque available from 2,500 rpm to 5,500 rpm. That gives the engine a broad torque curve and helps the CTS Vsport reach 60 mph in about 4.6 seconds.
The 2014 CTS also is available with a naturally aspirated 3.6-liter 321 hp V-6 also matched with the new paddle-shift eightspeed automatic in rear-wheel-drive models (or six-speed automatic with all-wheel drive) and a 2.0-liter, 272 hp turbocharged engine paired with a six-speed automatic.
The new CTS sedan has a longer, lower and more athletic-looking proportion and evolves Cadillac’s Art & Science design philosophy. With five inches more in length, including a 1.2-inch longer wheelbase, the roofline and cowl — the base of the windshield — are about an inch lower. Yet, the CTS sedan has a lower curb weight than the earlier model and weighs about 200 pounds less than its closest competitor. Lightweight features, including Cadillac’s first aluminum door structures, contribute to the lower weight and a 50/50 weight balance. And Magnetic Ride Control is available for the first time on CTS on base models.
Cadillac’s shield grille and signature vertical lighting elements — including LED front signature lighting detail — evolve on the CTS. The grille is wider, with a more detailed texture, while the headlights flow up with the hood line, incorporating LED light guides for a technologically advanced appearance.
Inside, a roomier, driver-centric cockpit interior with integrated technology and handcrafted appointments complements the exterior. Eight available interior environments are offered, each trimmed with authentic wood, carbon fiber or aluminum.
The MSRP on the 2014 Cadillac CTS Sedan ranges from $39,495 to $69,070.
Ron Beasley is the automotive editor for Miami’s Community Newspapers. He may be contacted by calling 305-662-2277, ext. 261, or by addressing email correspondence to LetsTalkCars@aol.com.
