If I'm pushing a car so hard that an automatic downshift could spin me out, that's dangerous, at least on a public highway.

I have to admit, heel-and-toe downshifts are gratifying, but dropping a clutch and powershifting are way more fun. That brings me to the topic of "things you shouldn't do to your own car..."

In any case, I'm spoiled by my car, because there are very few vehicle that don't suffer in terms of acceleration from an automatic transmission. In a world of low torque engines and "confused" electronic slushboxes, the reality is different. I could agree with you 100% if we're talking about a Subaru WRX or a Mazda RX-8. If the new premium V6 is a decently torquey engine, unlike the old MV6 in the Catera and CTS 3.2, the manual transmission won't be much of a loss.

 

I would imagine that once GM gets a 5 speed tranny that is better suited to the 3.6 than the Getrag unit is, they will offer a it.

 

GM knew from the beginning that the build rate would be less than 5%. Some things you just gotta do for image.

 

Exactly...

I totally agree... but with a I think CTS-V has changed the formula a bit... It is now the image producer...

 

It's hard to convince anyone with a brain that it's a drivers car when no manual transmission is even offered (whether or not they actually buy it).

I love how BMW makes manuals optional in almost everything. To even compete, most of these other manufacturers must make them optional when they normally wouldn't.

BTW, I bet the Cadillac image, which has historically never been "drivers cars" has an effect on the % of manual sales.

 

I gotta agree with you on this one.
In the first post it says ...."will debut with an automatic..." It never says one will not be availbe later. Althogh I am disapointed it will not be there on debut of the new engine.

Couldn't this just be a ploy to get rid of manual/
3.2L stock?

If GM belives this car to get as many people as possible they would be stupid not offer a manual trans...but then again this is GM.

I say throw the 6 speed in it. CTS V series will get it and far cheaper cars have a 6 speed (ie Maxima)

 

Isn't the SRX V6 and V8 going to get manuals??? what trans are they using for thses?? Why can't Caddy get the trans from the makers that make the G35 6 speed or M3?

 

I am 100% sure a V8 SRX will be auto only and 99.9% sue a V6 will be as well

 

GOOD NEWS!

Turns out I was wrong (for once )
The manual doesn't go away - it gets replaced with a 6-speed.

----------------------------------

2004 CTS gets new V-6, other upgrades
Automotive News 03/31/03
author: Richard Truett

DETROIT -- After one model year, the Cadillac CTS is getting a tuneup.
Though CTS sales of 37,976 units in 2002 exceeded Cadillac's expectations, engineers are reworking the suspension system and making a new, all-aluminum 3.6-liter V-6 engine available for the 2004 model, which is expected to go on sale in August.
The overhead cam engine will be the high feature V-6 in General Motors' engine portfolio, with a variety of applications.
The engine can be configured for front-wheel-, rear-wheel- or all-wheel-drive vehicles, says Tim Cyrus, chief engineer for the engine, which GM calls the LY7.
Cyrus said three oil pans were designed so the engine could be used in many vehicles. In its awd configuration, the engine's oil pan has a pass-through for the axles.
The engine will be built on a new production line in St. Catharines, Ontario, and in Port Melbourne, Australia.
The engine's basic design also can be used to make V-6s with displacements of 2.8 liters and 3.2 liters. It can be outfitted with a direct gasoline injection fuel system and a turbocharger.
After the CTS, the engine will be used in the 2005 Cadillac SRX premium sport wagon and a new version of the Buick Rendezvous, the Ultra.
For the CTS, the 3.6-liter, 24-valve engine features variable valve timing on both intake and exhaust cams. Horsepower is rated at 255, up from the 220 hp in the vehicle's current 3.2-liter V-6.
The 2004 CTS is expected to reach 60 mph in 6.7 seconds, down from 7.3 seconds for a 2003 model. But the power boost doesn't hurt fuel economy. GM says the engine will deliver the same 18 mpg city and 26 mpg highway as its predecessor.
For 2004, the CTS still will be equipped with the 3.2-liter V-6, but only with a five-speed manual transmission. The 3.6-liter V-6 will be offered only with a five-speed automatic.
In 2005, the 3.2-liter V-6 will be dropped, and the 3.6-liter V-6 will be available with a six-speed manual, says Jim Federico, GM's chief engineer for prestige vehicles.
Other changes to the 2004 CTS: New shocks and shock mounts will reduce noise and provide a slightly softer ride without affecting the car's sporty handing, says Federico.

 

Yeah, but we gotta wait a year and a half for it!

On the other hand, my Zed will be paid off by then .

 

Glad to see they will have a 6 speed manual for the new 3.6L V6, Smart move keeping the old V6 and Manual combo to hold people over until the new 6 speed is avalible.

 

Just look at it this way, the Lincoln LS sports sedan (the car that "convinced" GM to do the CTS in the 1st place) lost their manual transmission completely this year, and isn't likely to get another.

At least there will be 2 versions with the CTS with a manual for the forseeable future!

 

That is a very good point. Manuals with 2 out of 3 engines is better than most cars. As long as the 400HP V8 has a manual its all good

 

AWSOME

 

So GM is retaining the 3.2/Getrag 5-speed combo for another year. The new joke for 2004 is going to be that the CTS V6 automatic will be a far quicker car than the manual version. After that, we can "look forward to" a Tremec T-56 6-speed in the base CTS. Not exactly shifting nirvana.

Its easy to see why GM would seek commonality with the upcoming CTSv. By the same token, lets hope that GM uses the close ratio version of this gearbox, as in the Z06.