[Cartoday]
General Motors is definitely not sitting around licking its wounds after it posted a 15,5-billion dollar quarterly loss in late July. The company is going full steam ahead with its future plans for Cadillac, including new models set to launch in the near future, and a few concepts to wet our appetites.
First up is the Cadillac CTS Coupe Concept. It may be based on the CTS saloon that made its debut at the 2007 Detroit Motor Show, but it has a few characteristics that set it apart from its saloon sibling. Namely, its lower stance, 20-inch front and 21-inch rear rubber with seven spoke alloy rims, as well as the Cadillac XLR roadster’s hidden door handles.
This Concept’s cabin features black leather and microfibre trim, while a Bose sound system, a 40 gigabyte hard drive and an onboard navigation system with a VGA screen offer added entertainment.
Engine options include Cadillac’s 3,6-litre V6, which delivers 229 kW, as well the possibility of a new 2,9-litre turbodiesel with an output of 184 kW and 550 N.m. These units are likely to be mated with a choice of six-speed manual or automatic transmissions.
While the CTS coupe is still in its concept form, the 2010 CTS Sports Wagon will roll off the production line and onto international showroom floors in 2009. The CTS Sports Wagon makes its debut in the States this weekend.
Under its bonnet lies the same 3,6-litre V6 that does duty in the Coupe Concept. The base model at the launch is a 3,6-litre VVT unit that develops 196 kW and 343 N.m. These units are mated with six-speed manual and automatic transmissions.
The new 184 kW 2,9-litre four-valve V6 turbo diesel unit is being developed for wagons destined for the European and Asian markets. Described by GM as “a sister vehicle to the CTS Coupe Concept”, the wagon is based on the CTS Sports Saloon and rides on the same 2,880-mm wheelbase as its sedan sibling, but claims to offer more luggage capacity with an amount of 720-litres available behind the rear seats.
Key design elements include the large vertical tail lights that feature the American marque’s light pipe technology, an integrated roof load management system that appears to be seamless, 19-inch alloys and a panoramic rear sunroof.
Like its saloon and Concept Coupe siblings, the CTS Sports Wagon offers features such as all-wheel drive, a 40-gigabyte internal hard drive, and a pop-up navigation screen.
Another vehicle set to come out of the GM stable in 2009 is the next-gen Cadillac SRX Crossover. This vehicle is set to replace the current model, and sports styling features derived from the Cadillac Provoq Concept.
More information about this new crossover is expected to become available when the SRX makes its appearance at various motor shows before its mid-2009 launch.
According to spokesman from GMSA, there are no plans for the Sports Wagon to be brought over here, but consideration is being given to the CTS Coupe.