It’s not hard for me to like a Cadillac; I grew up on them. And I have owned four of them in my adult life. So it will come as no surprise if I tell you that the 2012 Cadillac CTS Coupe is one sweetheart of an automobile.
I know there are some who simply will not buy a coupe under any circumstances, and I understand that — difficulty getting into the back seat and not enough room once you get there; not to mention the dearth of headroom.
All that aside, this new CTS Coupe is something you have to see to believe, and drive to understand. The styling is a dramatic 2+2 sports coupe design, one that was virtually unchanged from the concept vehicle. It joined the CTS lineup in 2011, rounding out a range of models and body styles that included: Sedan, Wagon and the high-performance V-Series. Continuous improvements have helped keep the CTS Caddys on the favorites list of American consumers and earned critical praise, including a spot on Car and Driver’s 10 Best list, Popular Mechanics’ Auto Excellence Awards and Automobile magazine’s All-Star list.
For 2012, the CTS Coupe gets a lighter, more powerful version of the 318 hp 3.6-liter V-6 with direct injection and continuously variable valve timing. The new V-6 gets an EPAestimated 18/27 mpg, despite having about five percent more horsepower than last year’s model. The CTS Coupe is offered in Base, Performance and Premium Collections, all powered by the 3.6-liter engine, and is available in rear-wheel drive or all-wheel drive.
The CTS Coupe has the same wheelbase as the CTS Sedan, but the overall height that is about two inches lower and the overall length two inches shorter. And while it is based on the same architecture, the CTS Coupe shares only the instrument panel, console, headlights, front fenders and grille with its Sedan sibling.
Also for 2912, the Coupe has a new version of the shield-shaped grille, the addition of the side blind-zone alert system, new exterior colors and a new Touring Package edition.
The CTS Coupe has classic hardtop styling with no conventional B-pillars and the windshield is slanted at a faster angle, combining with a long, almost horizontal rear window to create a dramatic profile. The lower front fascia is sculpted with unique brake-cooling vents, while the rear fascia has lower mesh grilles and the center- outlet exhaust with twin dihedralshaped tips pass through the rear fascia.
A rear spoiler is integrated into the center high-mounted stop lamp and a sculpted roof-mounted antenna serves both OnStar and SiriusXM Satellite Radio.
Pricing on the 2012 Cadillac CTS Coupe starts at $38,365.
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.
