By Mauricio Lezcano / carsntravel.com
Cadillac’s all-new 2014 CTS Vsport ascends into the heart of the midsize luxury market with expanded performance, elevated luxury and sophisticated technology. A longer, lower and more athletic-looking proportion is introduced and evolves the brand’s Art & Science design philosophy. While growing five inches in length, including a 1.2-inch longer wheelbase, the roofline and cowl, the base of the windshield are about an inch lower, dimensions that complement the longer exterior to accentuate the car’s lean aesthetic.
Cadillac’s shield grille and signature vertical lighting elements including LED front signature lighting detail evolve on the CTS Vsport. The grille is wider, with a more detailed texture, while the headlamps flow up with the hood line, incorporating crystalline LED light guides for a technologically advanced appearance with more uniform illumination.
Under the hood the CTS Vsport is powered by Cadillac’s 3.6L Twin-Turbo V6 engine, it’s SAE-certified at 420 horsepower (313 kW) and 430 lb.-ft. of torque (583 Nm), making it the most power-dense six-cylinder engine in the segment. A pair of smaller turbochargers helps provide more immediate power on demand, with approximately 90 percent of peak torque available from 2,500 rpm to 5,500 rpm. That gives the engine a broad torque curve that customers will feel as strong, willing power in almost all driving conditions and helps the CTS Vsport reach 60 mph in an estimated 4.6 seconds.
Selectable drive modes will allow drivers to adjust the vehicle’s performance dynamics for touring, ice and snow, or sport driving. The CTS Vsport model features a track drive mode with specific Magnetic Ride Control calibration and enhanced throttle progression for greater track performance.
Excellent power-to-weight ratios and racetrack-honed suspension geometries established with the development of the ATS enabled engineers to advance CTS’s Vsport performance with greater feelings of feedback, control and response. The comparatively low curb weight helps make the most of the driving experience by allowing the use of lighter-weight chassis components, which reduces unsprung weight to enable more precise handling without compromising ride quality.
The CTS Vsport seamlessly blends comfort, convenience and safety technologies with the interior’s hand crafted appointments and flowing design. Active safety features provide alerts and intervene when necessary to help avoid crashes.
At the core of the car’s intuitive technologies is CUE, Cadillac’s infotainment system that uses smartphone and tablet-influenced controls and commands to access information and entertainment data. An eight-inch, high-resolution color touch screen with haptic feedback allows users to swipe and drag preferences. Bluetooth connectivity with natural voice recognition is standard with CUE, along with USB and SD card ports.
An available 12.3-inch high-resolution, configurable LCD instrument cluster display complements the CUE display and supports the active safety features. It offers drivers four layouts from basic to performance-oriented each delivering bold, crisp graphics tailored to the level of vehicle information desired. A full-color, configurable head-up display is also available.
The new CTS Vsport offers Automatic Parking Assist, which enables the car to park itself in parallel spaces. It uses ultrasonic sensors to locate a suitable space and maneuver the car into the space, with the driver only required to engage reverse and apply the accelerator and brake pedals. Ultrasonic rear park assist is standard.
Ultrasonic sensors, as well as radar and cameras, support the advanced safety features to help prevent crashes. Among the most sophisticated is Front and Rear Automatic Braking, which relies on short-range radar technology and ultrasonic sensors to help the driver prevent front and rear low-speed collisions via a progression of alerts that extend to complete braking, if necessary.
A Driver Awareness Package includes Cadillac’s patented Safety Alert Seat technology. It uses vibrating pulses in the driver’s seat to alert the driver to an imminent collision or to vehicles in the car’s blind spot. The seat vibrates on the left or right side, or both sides simultaneously, depending on the direction of the risk.
The new CTS Vsport also features 10 standard air bags, including front-passenger dual-stage low-risk deployment, which makes the most of the air bag trajectory and inflation rate based on the occupant’s size, position and severity of the crash.
Additionally, OnStar is standard for one year. It can use GPS and cellular phone technology to automatically call for help in the event of a crash. OnStar service also includes myCadillac and OnStar myCadillac mobile apps, which offer vehicle information, controls and OnStar services via the customer’s iPhone or Android smart phone.
The manufacturer’s suggested retail price starts at $59,070.00. The EPA fuel economy estimates 16 MPG City and 24 MPG Highway with the 3.6L Twin Turbo V6 engine. mlezcano@carsntravel.com
