Mods -- please leave this as a separate thread the next few days. I'm very busy, and will only see questions if they are not buried within the main thread on the 2008 CTS. I wish I had time to go through that thread to look for questions addressed to me, but I don't. Note that my impressions are based on actually sitting in the car a couple of times, not just the photos.

Anyway, I sat in the 2008 CTS for a longer period of time today, and in the driver's seat this time. Impressions:

--as I said earlier, I think the styling is excellent, not boring and full of detail but with none of these details or lines extraneous or forced

--materials look and feel excellent

--seats thinner for space efficiency but very nicely shaped for both comfort and a moderate amount of lateral support, latter about the same as in the base Corvette buckets; a bit less cushy than the current seats

New material:

--stitched material along the tops of the door panels is heavily padded, nice and cushy to the touch. This is in contrast to the STS-V and the revised SRX, where the stitched material is firm to the touch.

--padding on the door-mounted armrests extends a bit of the way up the hand grip, so when you grip this grip your thumb rests on this padding. Again, very nice

--the backside of the grip, though, is hard plastic, and other than the padding the grip is composed of two pieces of this hard plastic. When you squeeze the grip these compress together a bit, so not as solid a feel as I'd like. The same problem exists to a much larger extent in the Saturn Outlook. Visit a Saturn dealer and drip the pull on the door and you'll see what I mean. Cadillac's interior chief was standing just outside the car looking in as I examined the interior. I conveyed this minor issue to him. Also mentioned that the door panels in GM cars often give a bit when used as a brace in hard cornering. Told him that I knew these were really engineering issues not up to them, but something he might want to communicate to them.

--I very much like the beveled metallic trim that flows down the center stack then along the console. In real life in looks smaller than it does in photos, so delicate and jewel-like, very ritzy. The sort of thing I've noticed in some Lexus models, but even better here.

--the various buttons on the center stack have very little travel and generally have a premium feel. No clicking sensation. No breakthrough here, but no problem, either.

--some people here have had a problem with the steering wheel. Sitting behind it I had no serious problems with it. It feels good to the hand, with proper grips. The trim on the spokes moves more than it should when pressed on, but this may be a prototype issue. The hub isn't the most attractive, but again no real problem personally. It's not as prominent as it may appear in photos. You may sit a little higher relative to the steering wheel than in the current CTS, so the hub isn't in your direct field of view. You definitely sit higher than in the STS, in which I feel much more buried in the car than in the new CTS.

--one of the CTS prototypes had a power tilt and telescoping wheel. Can't remember if this was evident in photos.

--someone yesterday asked about room for the right leg. I noticed no problem, but then I rarely if ever notice this problem in cars. My height--5-9--may have something to do with this.

--I told the Cadillac designer that I'd tell everyone here to start saving their pennies, because anyone who likes the current CTS is going to really want this car. He's getting tons of positive feedback, but a bit more doesn't hurt. They deserve it.

If anyone has any questions, I'll be happy to try to answer them. If this does get buried, feel free to directly contact me through my site:

http://www.truedelta.com

Contact link at bottom of every page. I told a few GM people that I hope to have initial reliability data on the car around the end of February 2008. This forum has been very helpful, so this should be very feasible.

Good review!!

I agree- this should be kept seperate.

I HATE that new steering wheel! OH MAN is that thing UGLY! Oh well. Love the car for the most part. Maybe if they make a V in auto that might be my next car in the next few years.

No Im not a bitch. im just to lazy to be shifting all the time! :thumbsup:

Please merge if appropriate. Real news, didn't want it buried.

A panel of distinguished designers have just given the Eyes on Design awards to four cars (http://www.gminsidenews.com/forums/showthread.php?p=892132#) at the NAIAS. The CTS was the only production design to win an award.

Concept Implementation Award -- A concept scheme or attribute that is crafted to bring out the true brand or product character in a new and significant way.

Winner: Cadillac CTS

Aesthetics and Innovation Award -- This is a design award with its emphasis on aesthetics. The very essence of the design and the innovative way it brings out a new and significant design standard.

Winner: Chrysler Nassau

Functionality Award -- This award focuses on design and conveys function in an efficient usable way, enabling the user to execute daily life in a proficient and constructive way.

Winner: Kia Kue

Note: designers had trouble figuring out what the awards were about. They decided this one was about where functionality has to go, a view of the future.

Spirit of Industrial Design -- Designs that blend materials, aesthetics and functional designs to suggest greater customer appreciation.

Winner: Jeep Trailhawk

Note: Designers decided that this award should focus on the interior.

So, the new car has its first award. I'll go out on a limb and predict that the only thing keeping it from winning COTY from everyone who gives such an award is the desire to not pick the same winner as someone else. If the Aura can win North American COTY, the CTS is a shoo-in.

I hope they really do make the Trailhawk, I think that's a really nice looking Jeep.

As I posted yesterday, a prominent Cadillac dealer told me as we stood on the stage looking at the car that he thought an automatic VERY likely in the next V.

Actually he simply said something like, "So how much will you want this as a V with an automatic?" I don't remember the exact words, but definitely recall that he stated it as if it were a fact, not just a wish. He volunteered this, I didn't even ask him anything. He's on the dealer council, which is often consulted on future products and given future product info. I then asked him how he knew this info, and how certain it was. In response, he backtracked a bit, just saying it was very likely.

Which might mean he was just guessing, or that he realized that, in a moment of excitement (from the look in his eyes this guy might as well have been having sex), he had said something he should not have.

You might want to start saving your money.

Great WRITEUP!!! I give you the pulitzer!!! and some greenies :D

That's funny because a Cadillac dealer that was at the New England Autoshow a few months back told me the complete opposite. He advised me that he was told to never expect a V as an auto... And the people working that auto show were all from Detriot.

Was he on the Dealer Council? I just reported what the guy said, but it would be an odd thing to say if he didn't think it was happening.

That I dont know, but regardless I guess only time will tell... Would be pretty cool though if they do come out with a V auto.

Cadillac dealers don't think much of manual transmissions. Around Detroit they hardly ever stock a car with one that's not the CTS-V, where they have no choice. You've got to believe that every dealer has been asking them to offer an automatic in the V.

The problem with offering an automatic is that the manual could well be living on borrowed time as a result--witness the case of the Taurus SHO.

I've been hoping to be able to upgrade to a V sometime after I graduate in 2009. This will be perfect timing to get the new style V, but if they eliminate the manual transmission I will eliminate the V from my wish list.

I wouldn't be worried about losing the manual with the next V. If it went away, it would be with the following redesign or engine change.

Honestly I would prefer a V with an automatic because most of the reviews and write ups on the new generation Corvettes praise the auto for being more precise and quicker shifting than the manual unless you are a true race driver. A CTS-V with paddle shifters like the new 'Vette would be a dream come true! Sure it is a blast to run through the gears on a manual tranny, except for the fact that 90% of the time I spend sitting in stop and go traffic where it is a pain. A paddle shift manumatic would be the ideal compromise for the next gen CTS-V, IMHO. Otherwise, I would take the STS-V over the next-gen CTS-V simply for convenience.

Teriffic review, thanks!

I am glad to hear that the door will be stiched nicely with material. My 2003 is plastic and it looks awful.

Honestly I would prefer a V with an automatic because most of the reviews and write ups on the new generation Corvettes praise the auto for being more precise and quicker shifting than the manual unless you are a true race driver. A CTS-V with paddle shifters like the new 'Vette would be a dream come true! Sure it is a blast to run through the gears on a manual tranny, except for the fact that 90% of the time I spend sitting in stop and go traffic where it is a pain. A paddle shift manumatic would be the ideal compromise for the next gen CTS-V, IMHO. Otherwise, I would take the STS-V over the next-gen CTS-V simply for convenience.

So you're threatening to buy an STS-V if they don't offer the CTS-V with an automatic? That'll certainly give them an incentive...

The way these companies think, a manual transmission is virtually guaranteed for the next V, while an automatic is likely--assuming they have a transmission that can handle the power.

My reasoning:
--have loyal owners with the manual, don't want to lose them when sales have been decent, and can't be sure they would buy an automatic if that was the only transmission offered
--have dealers asking for an automatic, nearly all regular CTS sales are the automatic, and Mercedes-Benz and Chrysler don't even offer manuals in their most comparable cars
--if an automatic is offered, and if manual sales then shrink to near zero, it would be hard to justify developing a manual transmission powertrain for the next major engine upgrade/vehicle redesign

Teriffic review, thanks!

I am glad to hear that the door will be stiched nicely with material. My 2003 is plastic and it looks awful.

You're welcome. The new door panels are infinitely nicer than the old ones, easily the best I've ever seen in a domestic product from a design and materials perspective.

As I posted yesterday, a prominent Cadillac dealer told me as we stood on the stage looking at the car that he thought an automatic VERY likely in the next V.

Actually he simply said something like, "So how much will you want this as a V with an automatic?" I don't remember the exact words, but definitely recall that he stated it as if it were a fact, not just a wish. He volunteered this, I didn't even ask him anything. He's on the dealer council, which is often consulted on future products and given future product info. I then asked him how he knew this info, and how certain it was. In response, he backtracked a bit, just saying it was very likely.

Which might mean he was just guessing, or that he realized that, in a moment of excitement (from the look in his eyes this guy might as well have been having sex), he had said something he should not have.

You might want to start saving your money.

Maybe we wouldn't see as many differantial failures from newby stick drivers :P (I know, I know more to it than that.)

Did any of the models you sit happen to have the nav screen?

I only ask because there have been so many questions about how it looks and how easy it to reach etc.

Exciting thoughts related to a auto V:

The new chasis is 1.8 inches wider... What kept them from putting an auto in the V in the current Gen is not enough width to FIT the auto in...

I will bet there will be some type of auto/ Lets hope for an SMG though.

Reed

the current V was a kludge (look the word up) they didnt intend for the LS engine but its the only one that would fit. Imagine, a blatant chevy engine in a cadillac, the horror! (faked)
the next gen Cts-v will have a cadillac derived engine, and guess what kiddies..
it will have a manual option.. but for you real racers out there.. it will also have an electronicaly actuated manual (sort of like an auto, think clutchless manual) oh.. "auto's suck" hmm yes, at one time they did. but this thing can shift 100 times faster than you and at EXACTLY the right time to give you the most power. I can shift fast enough to blur my arm in a photo, and this trype of tranny will outshift me. nice huh? you can of course override if you wish. its kind of weird to drive one, it behaves JUST like a manual when you over ride it but there is no clutch pedal.

Its still hard for me to understand the prejudice over automatics, sure years ago they sucked compared to manual but now adays they are precison, computer controlled mechanisms that help the car move faster. Hell in the 01 firbirds the automatic was faster than the manual becuase of a nice torque converter and the fact that the computer was programmed to shift at optimum power points. No "lurching" through gears (okay, it feels cool, but it slows you down)

Teriffic review, thanks!

I am glad to hear that the door will be stiched nicely with material. My 2003 is plastic and it looks awful.

I agree.. I like the sounds of this as well.. I remember when Cadillacs used to have very plush doors.. I miss those days..

I personally prefer automatics but I know how much people like driving manuals.. But I think you're right, Kael.. Even the new GTOs are a tenth of a second quicker with the automatic.. The latest f-bodies were quicker with automatics as well.. Unless you're a professional race car driving, I do agree that an automatic is the way to go. But, I do understand the want/need for a manual transmission...

Offer the option of an Auto upgrade if desired, but the standard V config should be a standard xmission.

the current V was a kludge (look the word up) they didnt intend for the LS engine but its the only one that would fit. Imagine, a blatant chevy engine in a cadillac, the horror! (faked)
the next gen Cts-v will have a cadillac derived engine, and guess what kiddies..
it will have a manual option.. but for you real racers out there.. it will also have an electronicaly actuated manual (sort of like an auto, think clutchless manual) oh.. "auto's suck" hmm yes, at one time they did. but this thing can shift 100 times faster than you and at EXACTLY the right time to give you the most power. I can shift fast enough to blur my arm in a photo, and this trype of tranny will outshift me. nice huh? you can of course override if you wish. its kind of weird to drive one, it behaves JUST like a manual when you over ride it but there is no clutch pedal.

Its still hard for me to understand the prejudice over automatics, sure years ago they sucked compared to manual but now adays they are precison, computer controlled mechanisms that help the car move faster. Hell in the 01 firbirds the automatic was faster than the manual becuase of a nice torque converter and the fact that the computer was programmed to shift at optimum power points. No "lurching" through gears (okay, it feels cool, but it slows you down)

A 6.2-liter V8 is in the Escalade. And the next CTS-V apparently will have a 6.2. There's "Cadillac-derived" for you. Since the engine already produces 402 horsepower in the SUV...

Another good question, on the nav. It's in that little hooded screen, the hood must lift up when the nav is in use. I didn't think to ask about this at the time. Wish I'd had these questions before I went to the show for the third time yesterday.

A 6.2-liter V8 is in the Escalade. And the next CTS-V apparently will have a 6.2. There's "Cadillac-derived" for you. Since the engine already produces 402 horsepower in the SUV...

Another good question, on the nav. It's in that little hooded screen, the hood must lift up when the nav is in use. I didn't think to ask about this at the time. Wish I'd had these questions before I went to the show for the third time yesterday.

I'll be there Saturday. I'm going to be on a mission to get some good under-car pics as well... Maybe back-seat ones... and in the trunk... Definately Nav ones...
They're going to think I'm crazy. lol :D

I'll be there saturday too. :yup:

You probably will not be able to get into the car. I had to explain why I needed access and promise I wasn't working for a competitor--they said some journalists front for competitors--before I was able to sit in it the second time. So the general p;ublic is probably out of luck.

Maybe people have already seen this, as it looks like a stock photo, but I just found a photo of the nav in use:

http://images.ctv.ca/archives/CTVNews/img2/20070109/380_ap_cadillac_CTS_070109.jpg