Aggressive and elegant, expressive and sophisticated, the 2008 Cadillac CTS exudes a dramatic design presence. This all-new luxury saloon not only pushes Cadillac’s design theme higher, it aims to redraw the boundaries of the normally conservative luxury saloon sector. Inside and out, the 2008 CTS contradicts many traditional design conventions. The car’s design expresses its serious performance intent, yet is also more elegant and luxurious. It is a saloon in the heart of the luxury market, yet reaches for the charisma of a sports car.  CTS is thoroughly new and contemporary, whilst evoking the grandeur of classic Cadillac cars.

Since the inception of the first-generation car in 2002, CTS has been renowned for its trend-setting design. The edgy form of the CTS initially provoked controversy, but from the moment it hit the market, the car’s styling also attracted many buyers, with design often noted as a top reason for purchase.  The all-new 2008 edition extends that edgy and contemporary character, with an injection of elegance.

On the exterior, there is no mistaking the five-passenger saloon’s stronger stance, thanks to a two-inch wider track. Additionally, the overall shape of the CTS features a faster profile with more rake, coupled with surfaces that add elegance and grace. Borrowing from Cadillac’s legendary heritage, design cues include vertically shaped headlights and taillights, signature light emitting diode (LED) exterior lighting, horizontal lines and its dihedral-shaped bonnet, all highlighted with many bright and styling accents.

Just as definitive of the car’s evolution in design is the dramatically new interior. Like the exterior, it expresses luxury and performance themes with appointments that are both purposeful and elegant. Advances in surface development, technology, materials and construction combine to make the CTS cabin a compelling blend of technical sophistication, precise tailoring and luxurious character.

The all-new 2008 Cadillac CTS has been painstakingly designed and engineered to unite luxury saloon poise and sports car performance. A redesigned chassis, an enhanced engine and transmission lineup and all-wheel drive combine to push the CTS further in all directions with more power and performance, enhanced ride quality, quietness and safety.

The first-generation CTS (2002-2007) helped re-establish Cadillac’s rear-wheel drive performance credentials. The landmark CTS-V ushered in a new era of performance for both its drivers and the engineers who designed it. With this in mind, the Cadillac team behind the 2008 CTS took to development roads in Germany, China and the U.S. intending to enhance the car’s power and performance in every way. The result is a machine capable of serious performance driving, while simultaneously delivering the panache unique to luxury saloons.

The 2008 Cadillac CTS features GM’s new 3.6-litre direct-injection V6 VVT engine, delivering an estimated 223 kW and 366 Nm of torque. This new powerplant has a compelling mixture of power, smoothness, efficiency and technical sophistication.

The engine will be the top-level engine option for the 2008 CTS, joining the existing 2.8L V6 and the lower powered 3.6L V6. Designed to operate with regular unleaded petrol, the new 3.6-litre direct-injection V6 produces power similar to many V8 engines, but with much better fuel economy. Fuel is delivered directly to the combustion chamber to produce a more complete burn of the air/fuel mixture. Less fuel is required to produce the equivalent horsepower, especially at normal cruising speeds, in comparison to a conventional port-injection combustion system.

For the first time, the 2008 CTS will be available in both rear- and all-wheel drive configurations. Additionally, the transmission lineup now consists only of six-speed units: an Aisin six-speed manual or – new for CTS – a Hydra-Matic 6L50 six-speed automatic.