After driving the 2008 CTS, I came to the conclusion that it was a lovely car, but not quite sports-car-like enough for my tastes. This morning I got an email from Kevin Smith, manager of communications for Cadillac. He says:
Sounds as though you really prefer a very sporty car and the CTS you drove had the mid-level FE2 suspension. The FE2 is the package intended to be a great balance between comfortable ride and spirited handling. Given your taste for really sporty cars you may have preferred the top-level FE3 suspension on the CTS. The FE3 not only provides a bit firmer ride, but it also comes with larger brakes and a different steering rack providing even more precise steering feel. Next time you try a CTS you might want to request an FE3 equipped car from the fleet for a little comparison between the two.
This was encouraging to hear, as I had assumed the CTS I drove had the sportiest suspension. I called Mr. Smith to follow up, and he explained that the tip-off that my car had the FE2 suspension was my mention of all-season performance tires. Sounds like the FE3 could potentially make the CTS the Infiniti-beater I'd like to see. He also mentioned the blog comments from many of you citing the comparison of the CTS to bigger cars like the BMW 5-series and Mercedes E-Class, and confirmed that that was Caddy's intention. (To be honest, I still don't quite see it -- the 5 and the E are mini-limos in back, and both offer butt-kicking V8 engines.) Furthermore, he sais the upcoming CTS-V will be pitched against cars like the BMW M5 and the Mercedes E63 AMG. All I can say is, um, wow. That's a tall order. But after driving the CTS, it's clear to me that Cadillac is capable of much more than I thought. Kevin, thanks for taking the time to respond to my review. -- Aaron Gold
Photo © Aaron Gold
Maybe the CTS falls between the Euro model sizing. They’re on the metric system you know.
Another thought–If the CTS is aimed at the 5 series, why did they skip the 3 series/c-class/G35? Maybe Caddy has a secret smaller, more sporty model in the works. It would make sense with CAFE standards going up.
The CTS-V will have a detuned (read 500 HP) version of the supercharged ‘Vette motor. That should compare favorably with the Beemer V-8.
Kudos to Cadillac for listening!
z
I’m on my third Caddie, interspersed by Infinity, Corvette and Porsche. Have owned just about everything that rolls over the past 50 plus years I have to say that te Cad has given me the biggest bang for the buck. Brother Jerry, coming off a Toyota, just bought a new CTS and loves it. I’ll own another, fates willing. I’d love to have a “V,” STS or CTS.
Aaron,
When can we expect a test drive & review of a CTS FE3?
Euro Sizing is right. Caddy should come up with something to play in the CAFE class – maybe something to go head-to-head with the upcoming BMW 135i or M3, AMG C-class, and other luxury muscle. That is what I am looking for. Shoehorn that 400-550HP Corvette V8 into a well-appointed luxury sedan that is about 14ft long and uber-nimble. WOOHOO!
-Andy
The car I tested was a FE2 also and I had much the same opinion, but I knew the car I was driving had the FE2 suspension. My reaction: that it wasn’t a BMW 5-series, and as good as CTS might be, it wouldn’t match teh 5-series because it wasn’t intended to. I do wonder how the FE3 suspenders would fare, however.
And of course I’m looking forward to driving the CTS-V. I was, um-is enchanted the right word?-with the last model, which I characterized as a Cadillac with an identity crises. I’m curious how the new CTS-V will shake out.
For the rough condition of American Freeway/Highways, the more couchioned suspention would be the overall choice of the large car buyer’s. As a professional car driver with Enterprise, we find the stiffer suspentioned car’s are less comfortable on long trips. Chrysler put the stiffer suspention in their 300 series and some of us driver’s feel it’s a rough ride because our freeway’s are not as smooth as the autobahn. General Motor’s to us still has a comfortable ride and can absorb the American roads.
Having spent 4+years in Post-Soviet Russia, I can understand your desire for a cushier ride on the American “washboard” roads. Over there in Russia, my choice would have been a Sherman Tank(or the local T-72 Tank). The roads were so rough, that I would happily forgo a smooth ride for a vehicle that I wouldn’t have to replace the axel or repair the constant flats from bottomless pot holes or ice holes (from the foot thick sheets of ice on the highways)!