We did this at AutoWeek with the first generation
Soft suspension, mediocre finish and the handling of a mop: American cars have never really built up a good reputation in Europe. Twenty years ago Cadillac tried to reconquer Europe with the CTS, a car that had to eat from the rack of Audi, BMW and Mercedes. Has the Caddy managed to convince us of its capabilities over the years or would we rather lose it than get rich? The truth turns out to be somewhere in the middle. A look back at what AutoWeek did with the first generation Cadillac CTS.
Before the CTS, Cadillac had the Catera on the menu, a car that shared its DNA with the Opel Omega of the time. After five years, this far-American German was allowed to pass the baton to the CTS, which was designed according to Cadillac’s latest sharp edge design language. The Catera did not come to Europe. The CTS does!
First test at AutoWeek: CTS against a Mercedes E-class
The Americans presented the CTS as a competitor to the Mercedes C-class and BMW 3-series (although a Cadillac BLS on a Saab 9-3 basis would follow later), but because of its dimensions we parked it in its first confrontation stubborn against the benchmark of a higher segment: the Mercedes E-class. General Motors had just finished its new Sigma platform when Cadillac was already allowed to park the CTS on it. We grabbed the 3.2-litre V6 by its claws and let it cross swords with an E320 Avantgarde. With 218 hp and rear-wheel drive on paper a potent yank, and the CTS also managed to impress us in practice. Contrary to what we were used to from American sloops, its handling was anything but disappointing. Only at speeds above 150 km / h did we notice a somewhat searchy steering. “It’s not an E, but we won’t say no!’, we concluded the double test. The German surpassed the CTS, especially in terms of ergonomics and finish, but with the Caddy you kept a nice 10,000 euros in your pocket. With that in mind, Cadillac still had an attractive offer in the showroom.
CTS against a Lancia Thesis and also a 300C
In 2004 we got the Lancia Thesis out of the shed to find out which odd duck was the best alternative to the established order. Because let’s be honest, both models were a separate story in terms of design, finish, equipment and driving characteristics. Again we drove a 3.2-liter V6, but this time with an automatic transmission. In terms of refinement and finesse, the Caddy had to let Lancia go ahead when it came to value for money arrived, the CTS took off with the goblet. We were thrilled about its characterful appearance and high degree of luxury, you really lacked nothing in Cadillac’s European dream. A year later, the CTS was allowed to prove itself against the Chrysler 300C, a compatriot who wanted to fish from the same pond in terms of pricing. Behind the wheel, the CTS turned out to be the nicer car, but the larger size of the 300C killed it anyway.
CTS-V and a Corvette C6
We always left the popping CTS with –V added at the dealer, and that was a bad move. We got a Corvette C6 from the stable to go and erase with these powerhouses. In addition to the screaming legend from the States the Caddy looked a bit docile, but with its 400 hp V8 we had a real bomb under our right foot. Sprint to one hundred? 5.6 seconds. Top speed? 262 km/h. On paper just as flammable as its rival, of course just a little less in the corner. For less than 90,000 euros you drove a car that, in terms of refinement, did not match German autobahn rockets such as the BMW M5 and Mercedes E in AMG trim, but could perhaps provide more fun for less money. The clumsy, raw character of the CTS-V certainly left us groaning with pleasure. All in all, Cadillac has not been able to fulfill its European dream with the CTS, but as a character we have been able to appreciate it more and more.
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– Thanks for information from Autoweek.nl