14 DAY TRIAL // Cadillac is probably the most famous American brand of luxury vehicles, produced and mostly sold in the United States and Canada, but sold in almost every part of the world. It has become a "must have" for many newcomers in the richest people arena.
In the United States, the name became a synonym for "high quality", used in such phrases as "the Cadillac of watches," referring to a Rolex or an Omega. The next model about to enter production, the 2009 Cadillac CTS, is designed to live up to its name and even propel it forward, as it will be the most powerful Caddy in production.
Set to debut later this summer to legions of fans and more than a few curious onlookers who previously bought BMW and Lexus sedans, the new CTS will have a new, 600-horsepower engine, called LSA. It will be a V8, expected to offer both a manual six-speed and an automatic with paddle shifters.
The new V-series CTS will feature high performance V8 engines mated to six speed transmissions, more aggressively tuned braking and suspension systems, revised interiors and special V-series bodywork which is intended to improve vehicle performance as well as differentiate it from its normal production counterparts.
Production on the new CTS V-Series will start in September of 2008, and will be limited to about 7000 units annually. Internally, GM is referring to the car as GMX322 V S/C. The car will have a final weight of about 3600 pounds (1633 kilograms), and pricing should be higher than the current car's $53,470, but not as high as $60,000.
The main competitors of the new model will be the sport versions of the most famous German sedans, like the BMW M3, the Audi RS4 and the Mercedes CLK63 AMG Black Series.