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Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press |
The other news is the 2014 CTS, a car that’s completely redesigned from the ground up. I loved the previous-generation CTS, especially in Sport Wagon trim. That particular CTS body style is still available, as is a two-door coupe, but the four-door has been totally reworked to make way for the more compact ATS that slotted underneath last year. Now the CTS sedan has grown to take on the A6s, 5 Series and E-Classes of the world, let alone the TL, GS, Q70, XF, et al, and it’s fully up to the task.
It’s been lengthened by 127 millimetres (5 inches), albeit only 28 mm (1.1 inches) of that is between the wheels, the majority hanging over the rear end to enlarge
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Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press |
When you heard “V6 models” you probably thought that other CTS iterations utilize a V8, but that’s not exactly true. Yes, a V8-powered CTS will arrive sometime later this year or early next with Cadillac’s coveted “V” attached to its alpha designation, but the other engine in the CTS lineup is actually the same lively 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder available in the smaller ATS. That’s the base powerplant, capable of a very reasonable 272 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque from as low as 1,700 rpm, good enough for moving 1,640 kilos (3,616 lbs) of
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Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press |
My rear-drive-only CTS VSport tester also came fitted with a 3.6-litre V6, albeit with
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Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press |
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Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press |
Along with Tour, Sport, and Snow/Ice modes, the CTS VSport gets a Track mode as part of its driver selectable Magnetic Ride Control suspension. Track mode increases steering weight, which is already quicker turning in VSport trim, and adjusts the suspension’s calibrations for the best possible handling when pushed to the limit. I took it down my usual unpopulated country back road “test track” and was surprised at how well it took to the really tight, reserved-for-a-Lotus-Elise corners, but this is no featherweight Brit.
Rather,
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Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press |
Cadillac doesn’t shortchange on interior quality, fit, finish and features, though. Truly, the crested-wreath division didn’t just finish the VSport in the usual soft-touch plastic surfacing, but rather it boasts both smooth and perforated stitched leather on the dash top to match the wonderfully comfortable and totally supportive seats, while the door uppers are skinned in leather and suede-like alcantara. Additionally, the dash and door trim is upgraded with what appears like genuine
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Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press |
Also expected, but not appreciated by me at least, is the glossy piano black lacquered plastic that covers the steering wheel and centre stack. This surfacing treatment is showing up in everything from subcompact economy models to top-line luxury cars like this CTS VSport, and while it looks good in the showroom it doesn’t wear well at all, attracting dust and smudges immediately after cleaning and worse, scratching all too easily. The steering wheel hub and spokes are saturated in the stuff, and while constantly smeared with thumbprints its myriad buttons are tight fitting and nicely damped. Even better, the VSport’s chromed metal
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Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press |
The TFT display in front of the driver is very detailed and customizable, although its graphics quality leaves something to be desired. Let’s face it, after becoming accustomed to the utter brilliance of today’s iPads with their retina displays, not to mention most other tablets, laptops, TVs and smartphones on the market, consumers just won’t stand for anything but the highest resolution from our high-priced cars.
The graphics from Cadillac’s CUE infotainment system are better, mind you, and the system is much more user-friendly than it was at launch. Likewise the VSport’s
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Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press |
What wasn’t slick was an auto-braking system that thought a regular-height curb was
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Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press |
The CTS VSport is filled with conveniences, as one expects with a Cadillac. Along with the aforementioned VSport upgrades, the car gets the majority of features available with lesser CTS models. For instance, the VSport gets the base CTS model’s E-Z Key passive entry system with pushbutton ignition, heated steering wheel, powered tilt/telescopic steering column, auto-dimming rearview mirror and side mirrors, two-way driver seat and exterior mirror memory, heated front seats, Cadillac’s
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Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press |
Along with the features above, the VSport includes items from the CTS Luxury Collection such as forward collision alert, lane departure warning, side blind zone alert, rear cross traffic alert, HID headlights, IntelliBeam headlights, a backup camera, and rain-sensing wipers. Likewise, a number of CTS Performance Collection features get added too, including two extra speakers for the Bose audio system for a total of 13, navigation, an additional automatic climate control zone for a total of three,
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Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press |
As mentioned above, all of this performance and luxury doesn’t come cheaply, but then again $74,495 plus $1,800 for freight and pre-delivery prep is very competitive for what Cadillac is offering. I’m guessing that an hour spent behind the wheel of a new CTS VSport will have you quickly forgetting the price anyway, and rather coming up with ways to include the extra cost in your budget.
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