2008 Cadillac CTS Unveiled at NAIAS

Press Release

All-wheel-drive, new direct-injection V6 and six-speed automatic transmission

The all-new 2008 Cadillac CTS has been painstakingly designed and engineered to unite luxury sedan 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, a 400-horsepower specimen of power and precision, ushered in a new era of performance for both its drivers and the engineers who created 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 sedans.

New 3.6L V-6 VVT, six-speed automatic join powertrain lineup

The 2008 Cadillac CTS features GM’s new 3.6L direct-injection V-6 VVT engine, delivering an estimated 300 horsepower (223 kW) and 270 lb.-ft. (366 Nm) of torque. This new powerplant is a compelling mixture of power, smoothness, efficiency and technical sophistication.

The 3.6L direct-injection engine will be the top-level engine option for the 2008 CTS, joining the existing 2.8L V-6 and 3.6L V-6. Designed to operate with regular unleaded gasoline, the new 3.6-liter direct-injection V-6 produces power similar to many V-8 engines, but with much better fuel economy. With direct injection, fuel is delivered directly to the combustion chamber to create a more complete burn of the air/fuel mixture. Less fuel is required to produce the equivalent horsepower, especially at normal cruising speeds, of a conventional port-injection combustion system.

The application of gasoline direct-injection technology on the 3.6L VVT engine contributes greatly to a 15-percent increase in horsepower; 8-percent increase in torque, and 3-percent improvement in brake-specific fuel consumption. Additionally, the application of direct injection reduces cold-start hydrocarbon emissions by 25 percent.

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.

The current 3.6L VVT engine that produces 258 horsepower (192 kW) and 252 lb.-ft (342 Nm) of torque will serve as the base engine in North America and will be available in rear- and all-wheel-drive layouts.

The 2.8L VVT engine will be available only on rear-drive export models of the CTS. The all-aluminum, 60-degree DOHC, four-valve-per-cylinder engine develops 210 horsepower (156 kW) at 6500 rpm and 194 lb.-ft. (263 Nm) of torque at 3200 rpm.

The Aisin six-speed manual transmission, introduced in 2005, is fully synchronized (including reverse) with a single overdrive. This allows for lower propshaft speeds and improved engine noise, vibration and harshness. A new short-throw shifter has been added for improved precision.

The Hydra-Matic 6L50 six-speed automatic is the same transmission introduced on the Cadillac STS-V in 2005, and is designed to decrease engine rpm and enhance overall fuel economy.

On vehicles equipped with the new all-wheel-drive system, the 6L50 will be equipped with a new active transfer case that automatically transfers torque from the rear to the front of the vehicle for optimal traction, safety and performance. A limited-slip differential also is available.

Chassis enhancements include all wheel drive, globally tested suspension

The 2008 CTS features a greatly revised chassis featuring a two-inch wider track and the application of all-wheel drive. The front track is increased to 61.8 inches (1569 mm), and rear track is now 62.0 inches (1575 mm). Wheelbase remains at 113.4 inches (2880 mm).

Cadillac engineers have designed and developed new geometry for both the independent short/long arm front suspension and the multilink rear suspension. Engineers implemented numerous tweaks and revisions to the suspension using extensive computer modeling, combined with development driving of prototype cars on roads all over the world, but mostly in North America, Europe and China . From famed tracks such as Germany ’s Nürburgring to everyday roads in the U.S. and China, the CTS suspension was exhaustively tested and honed.

The use of aluminum in the upper and lower front control arms and knuckles helps reduce mass and contributes to higher limits in handling and dynamic wheel control. Front suspensions for the rear-drive model and the all-wheel-drive version, while similar, have been designed to best meet the chassis dynamics of the individual versions.

The engine cradle has six attachment points, two more than typically used on a performance sedan, to better handle heavier loads and engine vibration.

New for CTS is a tower-to-tower brace that adds cross-car stiffness and enhances the overall steering feel. This is an innovation from the high-performance CTS-V model that has been modified and adapted for use in the 2008 CTS.

The multilink rear suspension, with a fully isolated subframe, is an uncompromising design with excellent suspension kinematics that delivers a superior ride with excellent handling. The rear suspension design is shared in both the rear-wheel and all-wheel-drive models, and has been extensively revised to accommodate the larger rear track.

The braking and steering systems for CTS are all-new, with extensive changes to increase responsiveness, premium “feel� and performance in spirited driving conditions.

The 2008 CTS features standard 17-by-8-inch aluminum wheels paired with Michelin H-rated (P235/55R17) all-season radials. The optional performance suspension includes an 18- by- 8.5-inch wheel with the all-new Michelin Pilot Sport 2 (P235/50R18) tire that can either be V- or Y- (summer) rated.

In addition to this finely tuned hardware, the 2008 CTS features advanced chassis technology in the form of Cadillac’s StabiliTrak electronic chassis control system. StabiliTrak integrates the car’s standard four-channel ABS with the full-function traction control, hydraulic brake assist and engine drag control systems.