Set to be unveiled in the shiny, metallic silver flesh at next week's LA Auto Show, the 2+2 Cadillac CTS Coupe is designed to take the CTS lineup into the smaller, quicker and more wedge-like future.

Cadillac's designed the CTS Coupe to put the wreath-bedecked luxury brand's best foot forward in a tight little two-door powered by a 3.6-liter direct-injection V6 — the same one found in the Cadillac CTS sedan. The Coupe gets even more goodies as standard than the well-appointed sedan including bluetooth connectivity and doors that open with the same touch-point technology as the Corvette.

Beyond the toys, you'll be able to order the CTS Coupe in a couple of different flavors — like RWD with your choice of Aisin AY6 six-speed manual or Hydra-Matic 6L50 six-speed automatic. Or, choose the auto tranny and you can also get some AWD action. Unsure which to choose? Not between manual and auto of course, but between RWD and AWD? Check out the gear ratios — specifically the final gear ratios — and you'll realize the RWD version'll get you a faster 0-to-60 time than the CTS Sedan. Not too shabby, eh?

But saving the best news for last is final confirmation that the Cadillac CTS-V Coupe's coming sometime during 2010. Nice. Full press release below:

2011 CADILLAC CTS COUPE: NEW SPORTS COUPE IS CADILLAC'S MOST DRAMATIC DESIGN

LOS ANGELES – Cadillac today unveiled the 2011 CTS Coupe, the latest and most dramatic of the brand's series of new designs to reach production. Slated to arrive in Cadillac showrooms in the spring of 2010, the CTS Coupe is a new luxury sports coupe designed to become the centerpiece of the brand's revised lineup.

"CTS Coupe is the new focal point of Cadillac, expressing both our design and technical capabilities," said Bryan Nesbitt, Cadillac general manager. "It is intended to appeal to a new generation of car enthusiasts."
The Coupe joins the CTS Sport Sedan, the 556-horsepower (415 kW) CTS-V and new CTS Sport Wagon as the foundation of Cadillac's lineup. A high-performance V-Series edition of the Coupe will also be released in 2010.

The CTS Coupe's design carries over virtually unchanged from the concept car that was introduced at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit in 2008. The Coupe is a classic 2+2 layout bolstered with advanced technology, such as a rear- view camera system and a performance-oriented suspension system coupled to rear- wheel or all-wheel drive.

Design

CTS Coupe emerged as a proposal inside Cadillac's design studio, where designers have developed and evolved the brand's Art and Science design philosophy.

"Cadillac has always been an emotional brand – it's about delivering art regardless of body style," said Max Wolff, director of exterior design for Cadillac. "With the CTS Coupe, it was about taking something very strong – the CTS Sport Sedan – and extending its potential."

The coupe has the same wheelbase as the CTS, but an overall height that is approximately two inches (51 mm) lower and an overall length that is two inches (51 mm) shorter.

Although it draws from its sport sedan sister, the CTS Coupe shares only the instrument panel, console, headlamps, front fenders and grille. Key design features include:

Classic hardtop styling, with no conventional B-pillar

Touch-pad operation for the doors removes the need for conventional door handles, creating a technical, clean profile

A windshield laid at a faster angle (62.3 degrees) and a long, nearly horizontal backglass area combine to create a sleek, aerodynamic look

Sculpted lower front fascia with unique brake-cooling vents

Diamond cut-style rear fascia with mesh lower grilles

Center-outlet exhaust with twin dihedral-shaped tips that pass through the rear fascia

Signature vertical lighting, highlighted with LED light pipes

Rear spoiler integrated into the center high-mounted stop lamp

Sculpted roof-mounted antenna for OnStar and XM Satellite Radio.

At first glance, the shape of CTS Coupe is refreshingly simple, yet amplified with intricately carved details. Distinctive and original Cadillac signature cues combine with hand-sculpted forms, artfully articulating the confidence of the chassis. For example, the rear fenders were purposefully developed by hand in Cadillac design studios to visually acknowledge the RWD powertrain. The gestured profile, coupled with Cadillac's vertical taillamps and pronounced rear centerline, aim to achieve the most visually confident coupe in the segment.

Performance

The CTS Coupe extends Cadillac's emerging performance credentials. The CTS Coupe's standard powertrain consists of a direct injected 3.6L V-6 and six-speed manual transmission. Direct injection technology delivers fuel more precisely to increase the efficiency of combustion, enabling more power while maintaining fuel economy and lowering emissions – including a 25-percent drop in cold-start hydrocarbon emissions.

The 3.6L DI engine is rated at 304 horsepower (227 kW) and offers EPA-estimated fuel economy of 27 mpg on the highway. It also runs on less expensive regular unleaded gasoline.

The powertrain's performance is channeled through a chassis that delivers sports car performance without punishment. The hardware includes an independent short/long arm (SLA) front suspension system, with hydraulic control arm front bushings; and a multi-link rear suspension mounted on a fully isolated subframe. Also included are four-wheel disc performance brakes, premium steering and limited-slip differential.

Two suspension-tuning levels are available: a Performance Package with 18-inch wheels and all-season tires (available in both RWD and AWD,) and the Summer Tire Performance Package, with 19-inch tires and wheels and a higher level of road holding capability. StabiliTrak, the advanced electronic chassis control system, is standard.

The 304-horsepower (227 kW) 3.6L V-6 Direct Injection engine will be standard, equipped with a six-speed manual, featuring a revised clutch and dual-mass flywheel that offers better clutch pedal feel and improved engine isolation. A 6-speed automatic transmission with Driver Shift Control (and available steering wheel mounted shift buttons) is optional.

Technology

CTS Coupe blends handcrafted luxury with a contemporary, driver-focused interior that supports the car's high-performance capabilities. The interior includes hand-sewn accents covering the door, center storage console and instrument panel trim. 14-Way adjustable Recaro sport seats, previously exclusively offered on Cadillac's V-Series model, will be offered on all CTS Coupe models as an option.

The car offers a host of advanced technologies, including:

Integrated iPod/MP3 capability

40-gig hard drive, including the ability to store music and pause-and-replay live radio

Pop-up navigation system

Adaptive forward lighting system

Bluetooth connectivity

Standard Keyless Access and Smart Remote Start

Rear Camera system

Bose 5.1 Cabin Surround audio system

As with other Cadillac models, the CTS Coupe comes standard with OnStar with Turn- by-Turn Navigation, the first factory-installed, fully integrated GPS navigation system from OnStar.

About Cadillac

Cadillac has been a leading luxury auto brand since 1902. In recent years, Cadillac has engineered a historic renaissance led by dramatic new designs and global expansion. More information on Cadillac can be found at media.cadillac.com.

The new branding ad features the Cadillac CTS, the CTS Sport Wagon and the Cadillac SRX. But the real money shot's at the end with a little taste of the two-door hotness to come from Cadillac. But yes, folks, we're told that's not the CTS Coupe concept — that's the actual Cadillac CTS Coupe.

That's a good question. Whereas once we were told the CTS-V Coupe was "still being looked at," as of Friday we've been told it's not only a "go" — it's coming in May alongside the plain ol' CTS Coupe. Can someone say M6 Coupe-killer?

While flipping through the seemingly endless pages of GM's corporate restructuring (all 117 to be exact) we found something a little interesting, a single photo of the production 2010 Cadillac CTS Coupe that will be built Lansing, Michigan and feature a 3.6L V6 mated to a 6-speed auto transmission. So GM, you're telling us it's basically like the CTS sport sedan, but with two fewer doors? Awesome. It looks like the SORP (Start Of Regular Production) is set for June of 2010 with an estimated on sale date in the Fall. Thanks GM!

[via GM, FastLaneDaily (Not really, but it makes them feel better)]

[Edmunds Inside Line]

CTS Coupe Spy Report

It took a long-range spotting scope to get it, but we just caught Cadillac's CTS coupe without its heavy camouflage covering. Now all that separates from the production styling of the CTS coupe is some checkerboard tape—and about a half-mile of distance between the camera and the prototype. The taped camouflage, long distance, and slightly foggy conditions all conspired to keep some of the CTS coupe's finer styling details obfuscated, but the overall design treatment is clearly revealed.

In its uncovered state, the production CTS coupe still remains faithful to the original concept, but some minor changes are visible on the prototype's rear-end. The mesh vents which flank the central exhaust on the concept have been replaced with slim red reflectors, in a nod to safety standards on the production model. Also, the concept's license plate housing has been reshaped (perhaps to accommodate both U.S. and international registration plates), while a larger chrome strip adorns the trunk lid. The overall shape to the prototype's rear bumper looks nearly identical to the concept, right down to the careful sculpting at the bottom corners which wrap around toward the central exhaust.

The side window lines look just about identical on both cars, while the truly B-pillar-free design on the concept is less exotic on the production car. Stylists appear to have done an admirable job keep a smooth glass-to-glass effect on the side windows, but a B-pillar is still in place. The front-end on this prototype looks to be straight off the CTS sedan, without the subtle body kit applied to the concept's front fascia.

With our appetite whetted upon seeing this unclad CTS coupe prototype, we're now eager to get a closer look at a similarly finished prototype running on public roads. As always, we'll keep our eyes open

Among the initiatives Wagoner announced today were:

-Truck capacity reduction by 300,000 units, including stamping and engines
-Cutting sales and marketing budgets, particularly in motorsports and promotions
-Holding engineering expenses steady
-Reduce salaried headcount
-Eliminate health care coverage at 65 for retirees, but increase pension payments
-No base compensation increases for salaried employees through 2009
-No cash bonuses for executives
-Delaying next gen full size pickups and SUVs
-Delay V8 engine design developments
-Alternative and small displacement engine design budget increases
-Suspension of dividend payments
-Defer health care spending payments
-Explore sale of assets: Hummer under review, remaining brands focused on profit improvements
-Additional borrowing against assets

Prior to the news conference, an anonymous GM executive familiar with the plan said, reportedly with a straight face, "It will be a clear message on the ways we will restore our health, our measures to realign capacity. It's tough medicine, but it's real." Unlike every wave of job cuts since 1973, this one is REAL. Well, that should do it then.

Cadillac CTS Coupe! - A running prototype - Closely based on the concept, we caught what is obviously the Cadillac CTS Coupe - although sources speculate that name may actually be CTC when it reaches production in May of 2009. Codenamed GMX226, the stylish couple will be built along side the CTS sedan at the Lansing Grand River Plant.

The coupe will feature a backup camera which is not currently found on the sedan, and wont have tradition door handles, but touch pad setup instead. Styling wise, it obviously follows the concept VERY closely. Even the dual exhaust will make production. Only the concept front end may see a modest toning down to bring it inline with the CTS sedan.

Because although on-stage at the reveal Lutz was mum on production, we got the same wink and nod the boys at C&D got from our sources at the General, who told us it should hit the roads at the end of 2009 as a 2010 model. Actually, to be fair, we only got a wink. We're not entirely sure, but that nod may just have been a nervous tic of some sort, so we can't be entirely certain it meant anything. [via Car & Driver]

NEW PRODUCTION MODELS AND CONCEPTS HIGHLIGHT CADILLAC'S DESIGN AND INNOVATION AT THE NORTH AMERICAN INTERNATIONAL AUTO SHOW

DETROIT - Carrying the momentum of its ongoing product renaissance - exemplified in the new, award-winning CTS - Cadillac accelerates into 2008 with significant moves that advance the brand's dramatic design and innovative performance technology. These initiatives are on display at the North American Auto Show, in a pair of new production models and a pair of forward-looking concepts:

* 2009 CTS-V - the ultimate expression of Cadillac's performance, luxury and design
* 2009 Escalade Hybrid - the first hybrid propulsion system applied to a large luxury SUV, delivering more than 50-percent improved fuel mileage in city driving
* Myst Concept - a petroleum-free, hydrogen-powered vision of future luxury transportation
* CTS Coupe Concept - a celebration of Cadillac's design heritage in the form of a personal, expressive sports coupe

"Cadillac's portfolio of technical solutions for luxury consumers around the globe has never been more diverse," said Jim Taylor, Cadillac general manager. "Wrapping all these products together is the distinctive design that has powered Cadillac's resurgence."

The CTS-V, Myst Concept and CTS Coupe Concept make their world debuts at Detroit, representing different yet complementary aspects of Cadillac's advanced technical development and evolving design language. The Escalade Hybrid, beginning production in mid-2008, extends the desirability of the leading large luxury SUV.

# # #