CTS Adds Horsepower, New Grille For 2012 Model Year Cadillac's new V-6 engine delivers extra 14 hp, same fuel economy as previous V-6 2011-04-19


%u25A0New grille features premium finishes for mesh and frame, refined Cadillac Wreath & Crest logo
%u25A0CTS adds Touring Package with exclusive grille with dark finish, larger wheels and tires, metal pedals, dark Sapele wood interior and sueded wheel and shifter
%u25A0Bluetooth phone integration now standard on all models, Coupe has available side blind-zone alert
DETROIT %u2013 Cadillac%u2019s CTS luxury sport Sedan, Coupe and Wagon will add an upgraded V-6 engine, new grille and new Touring Package edition for the 2012 model year.

The new 3.6L V-6 will use a lighter, more efficient design to give customers more power at the same fuel economy as the current 3.6L V-6. The new engine delivers an SAE-certified 318 horsepower (237 kW) and 275 lb.-ft. (372 Nm) of torque, compared to the current engine%u2019s 304 horsepower (227 kW) and 273 lb.-ft. (370 Nm) of torque. The EPA fuel economy label will remain 18 city/27 highway mpg.

The CTS%u2019s distinctive shield-shaped front grille has been redesigned with new premium finishes that highlight the intricacies of a new frame and mesh combination. The Wreath & Crest logo also has sharper colors and raised ridges between the colors, giving it a three-dimensional quality. The result provides customers a CTS with a more refined appearance.

The changes will be carried in all three CTS models %u2013 CTS Sport Sedan, Sport Wagon and Coupe. The 2012 models will arrive at dealerships in late summer. Pricing will be announced closer to the start of production.

%u201CCTS has established itself as a world-class line of luxury sports cars, but to remain on top, we have to continually make improvements,%u201D said Don Butler, vice president of Cadillac marketing. %u201CThe changes for the 2012 model year give customers a fresh take on the CTS%u2019s bold front grille and provide enhanced driving performance without sacrificing fuel economy.%u201D

The new grille builds on a design that has helped the CTS family win a spot on Car and Driver%u2019s 10 Best list, Popular Mechanics%u2019 Auto Excellence Awards and Automobile Magazine%u2019s All-Stars list. The new finishes on the grille add more gloss to the mesh and luster to the frame, accentuating the details in the design. The mesh also is pulled flusher to the frame, making these details stand out even more.

The new 3.6L V-6 builds on another award-winning design. It%u2019s an evolution of an engine named twice to Ward%u2019s 10 Best Engines list for what the automotive publication called its %u201Claudable low-end torque and effortless power delivery.%u201D The new CTS engine, like its predecessor, provides more horsepower and torque than comparable V-6 offerings in the Mercedes-Benz E-Class and Lexus ES350.

Cadillac engineers were able to improve the current design in several ways. The cylinder heads have larger intake valves and an improved intake port design. These work with a longer-duration intake camshaft to boost power and efficiency by allowing more air to flow into the engine.

Engineers also reduced the engine%u2019s weight. An integrated cylinder head/exhaust manifold design saves about 13 pounds (6 kg) per engine compared to the cylinder heads and manifolds of the current engine.

The new composite intake manifold saves about 5.5 pounds (2.5 kg) compared to the current aluminum intake. A lighter-weight structural front cover and lighter-weight, high-strength connecting rods bring the total weight savings to 20.5 pounds (9.3 kg), which helps the vehicle%u2019s fuel efficiency and improves the car%u2019s handling and driving balance.

In addition to the new engine and grille, Cadillac is adding a new Touring Package for 2012 that enhances key touch-points of the CTS. The Touring Package, available in the 3.0L V-6 and 3.6L V-6 engines, will have an exclusive grille with a dark finish, metal pedals, dark Sapele wood interior trim and sueded seat inserts, steering wheel and shift ****.

The Touring Package Sedan and Wagon also will have chrome door handles. The 3.6L version will have 19-inch polished wheels and Recaro 14-way adjustable performance seats. The 3.0L version will have 18-inch wheels with a pearl-nickel finish.

Other changes for the 2012 model year on the CTS include standard Bluetooth phone integration on all models and side blind-zone alert technology available on the CTS Coupe.

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