Cadillac CTS: Taking Art and Science To A Higher Level

DUBAI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES – March 24, 2009: The Cadillac renaissance which started in 1998 signalled a new, aggressive strategy to redefine the brand, based on a bold, angular new design theme and brand ethos called “Art and Science.”The Art and Science language was born out of a desire to once again set Cadillac apart from the pack and reposition the brand to a new generation of luxury consumers.

“Art and Science was a revolution for Cadillac, inside and outside our design studio,” said Clay Dean, Cadillac’s Global Director of Design. “It was the catalyst that reinvigorated Cadillac to customers, but just as important, it was the catalyst that changed the way we approach design at General Motors.”

The award-winning CTS sports sedan gets a second burst from Cadillac's next-generation salvo to take the bold "Art and Science" design and make it fit better with the sport-luxury segment on which the company has set its sights.

The CTS is spectacular from all angles – from its handcrafted, tailored interior to its dramatic outer skin - extending Cadillac’s legendary design lineage to create a dynamic new presence in the formerly reserved world of luxury sedans.

“The CTS raises the bar to take Cadillac to the next level,” says Adib Takieddine, Marketing Manager for Cadillac in the Middle East. “We added a little more art, this time, to Cadillac’s art and science philosophy, with greater detail, sculpted shapes and more surface development.”

Both the exterior and the interior design elements of the CTS reflect not only an evolution from the previous-generation model, but serve as templates for future Cadillac design features.

Exterior Details: Performance with Style and Substance
Inspired by Cadillac’s landmark Sixteen concept car, the front appearance of the CTS can be easily recognized, yet also is new. More vertical in shape, the large, chrome dual-textured grille is both aggressive and intricate. A large centre-positioned wreath and crest add to the three-dimensional face. The front fascia is balanced with vertically stacked headlamps with bright bezels stacked in a staircase-like array. The lower air intake is flanked on both sides with fog lamps and brake duct intakes.

Chromed, side air extractors located forward of the front doors are a modern homage to Cadillac’s grand heritage. Additional bright details include chrome molding surrounding the side windows and three-inch, chromed exhaust outlets. Even on the rear of the car, where many sedans are ordinary, Cadillac designers injected charisma. The vertical taillamps are a Cadillac trademark. The roofline and rear backlight have a coupe-like profile. At the centerline, the decklid carries the angular and directional theme of the front.

The overall shape has given the CTS a stronger definition. It now has a two-inch wider track. This change, while driven mostly by performance and engineering goals, served designers well. The wider stance gives the new model a more planted, capable and well-grounded appearance that is exemplified by much tighter tire-to-fender relationship.

The CTS new exterior features more section to the surfaces; the areas around the wheels and tires are highly sculpted. Expert modelers and sculptors lavished the CTS’ surfaces with minute attention, rather than computer-generated shaping. The attention to detail and the tight wheel-to-body relationship help communicate the CTS’ agility as well as its sophistication and substance.

Seven-spoke, 17-inch wheels or available nine-spoke, 18-inch wheels surround larger high-performance brake calipers and rotors. Both painted and machined finishes are available for the standard 17-inch wheels. The larger, 18-inch wheels are available in a premium multicoat finish or a high-polish finish.

The CTS is offered in 10 exterior colours, including new Black Cherry, Crystal Red Tintcoat, Blue Chip, Thunder Gray, Black Raven, Transition Blue Metallic, Gold Mist Metallic, Radiant Bronze and Light Platinum.

Interior: Performance and elegance combine
Cadillac left no stone unturned with the CTS. Just as definitive as CTS’ exterior 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.

Emphasizing modern, premium materials and technical precision with elegant, handcrafted details, the CTS represents a new design direction for Cadillac interiors. It is more upscale, with added luxury, ornamentation and attention to detail. Spacious, with headroom, legroom and shoulder room all near or at the top of the class, the CTS is as practical as it is sporty.

Strict attention to material choices, surface development and comfort combine to meet the discriminating tastes of luxury performance sedan buyers. The upper instrument panel and door trim surfaces, for example, are hand-cut, sewn and wrapped by expert craftsmen. The interior is lively, catering to a wide audience. New interior trims include ebony with ebony accents; cashmere with cocoa accents and light titanium with ebony accents.

Clean, white ambient LED light pipes are recessed between the upper and lower instrument panel. The result is a dramatic effect similar to indirect lighting used in contemporary homes. Subtle backlighting positioned in the door pulls and footwells completes the theater-style night lighting.

The hand-assembled center console with a satin metallic finish sweeps smoothly into the low, laid-back integrated center stack, providing a sporty “cockpit” feel for the driver and passenger without compromising space. Center stack controls were optimized for logical, intuitive use. Tri-barrel analog instrumentation, defined by bright chrome accents, is tightly framed with a compact hood that adds to the car’s sporting feel.

Heated and ventilated seats incorporate new “thin-seat” technology for maximum occupant comfort and enhanced rear-seat leg, knee and foot room. Highly sculpted bolsters provide lateral support for spirited driving without sacrificing comfort. A signature V-shaped medallion appears as a decorative touch on the backs of the front seats. French stitching is used throughout the interior, including the upper instrument panel, door inserts, seats and shifter boot. Also, the leather-wrapped steering wheel includes standard integrated controls for cruise and audio system.

“Art and Science has a foundation, there is tremendous freedom in what can be built on it. Rather than a rigid concept, Art and Science has proven to be a good platform for us to explore new ideas and vehicles like the CTS Sport Sedan that take Cadillac into new areas and set high goals for others to reach,” concluded Takieddine.