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L.A. Auto Show: Is the 2011 Cadillac CTS Coupe Just the Pontiac Fiero Re-born?

 
1 667 views Dec 3, 2009
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Cadillac has, without question, the most dynamic and relevant lineup of cars in all of General Motors. But that is like saying Lindsay Lohan is the most talented of the Lohan clan. It's still a mess but that mess has obviously been granted a modicum of talent - just look at the CTS sedan which is cleanly styled and has very pleasantly sporty handling for a luxury car.

 

What the CTS definitely has is an interior built to such a low standard that it feels as stable as one of the Olsen twins (I don't care which one as they both look like a gust of wind could pick them up and carry them away to Oz.) The 3-series may have a pretty austere interior as well but it all works with a very Germanic simplicity and feels like it could survive at least through Cher's next farewell tour (does that woman ever stop?).

 

Recently, due to GM bureaucracy and a far-fetched plan (that was later canceled) for Cadillac to be sold in Europe, the CTS line was first expanded with an utterly pointless station wagon variant. Europeans have a thing for luxury wagons so they thought this was their best first shot at the market. Unfortunately for Cadillac's chances the wagon is not only kind of ugly but it also has no cargo room.

 

Did Cadillac just decide to forget that people who buy wagons generally like to go antique hunting or have a big dog who likes to ride in the back? The CTS wagon has so little rear room you would have to decapitate you Golden Retriever just to get him in the back for rides. (Note: Cadillac, next time read the Audi Avant Wagon playbook for the right way to make a wagon.)

 

I will give you this. The 2011 Cadillac CTS Coupe is a much better fit for the brand and will no doubt sell very well (at least better than the wagon). But there is something remotely chunky about the rear three/quarter panel of the CTS coupe that I feel I have seen before. And why do I keep thinking of Ferris Bueller?

 

I know what it is! Especially when painted in the launch color (a sort of Raspberry Red) the Cadillac CTS looks almost identical to the Pontiac Fiero driven by Ferries Bueller's sister/arch nemesis (Jennifer Gray of "Dirty Dancing" fame) in "Ferris Bueller's Day Off."

Is the Cadillac CTS the modern day Pontiac Fiero? Lets hope not because I think most plastic bodied Fieros met their untimely end in a burst of flames. When was the last time you saw one? One that was running?

While the adventurous styling of the CTS Coupe works on many levels it is always this kind of design that looks aged after a very short period of time. The similarly priced 3-series coupe may be more conservative and have similar car insurance quotes may be more but it oozes more class out of its right rear taillight than the CTS coupe has in its entire DNA. Plus, at this rate, are you sure GM will still be in business in 5-10 years?





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Comment (1)

  1. By Ri Posted: 12/22/2009 9:01am PST

    To the writer of this fine article.I'm sorry that you didn't get an invitation to the CTS-V Challenge,Have you driven the CTS wagon? It is the perfect size to drive on streets of Germany (as well as thru the small towns) I like the New Coupe ...CADILLAC BUILDS A FINE VEHICLE AND YES I HAVE DRIVEN THE WAGON,AND CTS-V. I am looking forward to the new full size sedan for the US market and from a personal point of view. IT SOUNDS LIKE YOU LIVE IN THE WRONG COUNTRY!!!Maybe you should jump in your Skoda,Yugo(or grab your Bus pass) and MOVE ON!!! "CADILLAC KEEP UP THE GREAT WORK!!!"
     
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