2011 Cadillac CTS coupe revealed; V-Series model confirmed

Two-door Cadillacs have always had a special place in the hearts of enthusiasts of means, reinforcing the brand as a purveyor of personal luxury and performance. Now comes the latest in the lineage: the 2011 CTS coupe, which will be joined by a high-powered V-Series model.

The first official photos of the car in production trim were released on Monday, and the car is the centerpiece for Cadillac's remade product line. The CTS coupe arrives in the spring of 2010. The V-Series model also will launch next year, but the timing was not specified. These models follow the launch of the drastically redone SRX crossover and CTS Sport Wagon this year.

Not surprisingly, the coupe looks nearly identical to car the shown as a concept at the Detroit auto show in 2008, which won AutoWeek's Best Concept award. The car shares the same 3.6-liter V6 engine as its four-door and wagon siblings; the powerplant makes 304 hp and is expected to get 27 mpg on the highway. It will be paired with a six-speed manual for the base configuration, and an automatic transmission is optional.

GM
A side view of the 2011 Cadillac CTS coupe

The car also will come with rear-wheel or all-wheel drive. The coupe has the same wheelbase as the sedan, but is about two inches shorter in length and height. The interior has a 2+2 layout, and technology goodies include a 40-gig hard drive, pop-up navigation and rear camera. Cadillac will offer 18- and 19-inch wheels.

Exterior features include flashy taillights with LED light pipes, a raked windshield and a rear spoiler. The front fenders, grille and instrument panel are shared with the sedan, but Cadillac said the coupe is substantially different toward the back.

“CTS coupe is the new focal point of Cadillac, expressing both our design and technical capabilities,” Bryan Nesbitt, Cadillac general manager, said in a statement. “It is intended to appeal to a new generation of car enthusiasts.”

By Greg Migliore