Abbotsford News Thursday, November 14, 2013
drivewayBC.ca |
A27
Welcome to the driver’s seat
Established in 1902, Cadillac is one of the oldest luxury brands, and continues to be General Motors’ flagship in terms of refinement and technology. Zack Spencer
Visit the Cadillac CTS photo gallery at drivewayBC.ca
The CTS model is a lighter car, made of high tensile steel. It is stiffer, safer, handles better, and above all, is more efficient.
ZACK SPENCER
Question
Cadillac in the rear-view mirror of the European premium brands 2014 Cadillac CTS One auto trend that shows little sign of waning is the move towards more luxury or premium cars by manufacturers and consumers alike. As baby boomers age, they have earned the nicer things in life, and the offspring of baby boomers are getting used to the finer things in life, so more automakers are moving upscale. The Europeans do luxury and performance better than most and the Japanese luxury brands have been putting in their time to becoming a real force. But long before the Japanese, there have always been the American luxury brands, with many firsts in features and technology. Established in 1902, Cadillac is one of the oldest, along with Mercedes-Benz, and continues to be General Motors’ flagship in terms of refinement and technology. Looks The smaller Cadillac ATS was released a year ago and went on to win the North American Car of the Year award. General Motors has taken that platform and elongated it to produce the lightest mid-sized car in its class. It’s a full 173kg lighter than the benchmark BMW 5-Series it competes against, and 34kg lighter than the outgoing car. A lighter car, made of
Drive With a lighter car high tensile steel, is stiffer, comes a better performsafer, handles better ing car, but the heart of and above all is more any luxury performance efficient. What Cadillac car is a solid engine. On didn’t change was the this front, Cadillac offers edgy design language three options and all they have become known three have more power for. The LED accent lights The longer and than the closest comare especially attractive lower stance of the CTS petitors. The first is the at night and run vertical makes it look athletic, same 2.0L turbocharged compared to most cars’ engine used by the ATS. horizontal approach. The yet elegant. With 272hp it is well longer and lower stance Zack Spencer above the 240hp offered of the CTS makes it look in the BMW 528i. The athletic, yet elegant. The carryover engine is the direct injection one weak area is the back. It lacks the 3.6L V6 with 321hp, again more than same visual punch as the impressive the 300hp in the 535i. The top of range front grille and headlamps. motor, for now, is the Vsport model Inside The new CTS is lighter than with a twin turbocharged version of the BMW but it is a bit smaller inside. the 3.6L engine, putting out 420hp. You It’s not as wide and the back seat is a guessed it, more power than the 400hp bit shorter. Front seat passengers are found in the V8 550i. The Vsport is only treated to plenty of room and a view sold as a rear wheel drive car (RWD) onto the dash is impressive. The centre where all the others are available with console has a touch-screen system all wheel drive (AWD). The catch is that called CUE, which has rich colours and AWD models come with an 8-speed striking graphics. The heat, volume and automatic transmission, but the AWD a few other controls are all touch-senversions are fitted with a 6-speed unit. sitive, meaning they have no dials The steering offers good feedback or switches. The problem is it shows to the driver and the suspension is fingerprints and dust against the shiny smooth, yet lively, and has a nearly black plastic. perfect 50/50 weight distribution.
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FIRST MONTH’S LEASE PAYMENT †
PLUS
GET UP TO
DOWN †
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Do you plan to put winter tires on your vehicle this year, or will you stick with all-season tires? Please explain why you have made that decision.
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QUESTION OF THE WEEK!
Go to drivewayBC.ca to submit your answer.
Safety Tip: Challenging fall and winter conditions can already be found in many parts of B.C. Please adjust your driving for the conditions you encounter. In poor weather, slow down, increase your following distance and give yourself plenty of time to get to your destination.
The Lowdown Power: 2.0L 4-cylinder with 155hp 3.6L V6 with 321hp or Turbo 3.6L with 420hp Fill-up: 10.5L/6.6L/100km (city/highway 2.0L turbo) Sticker price: $$50,895-$74,495
Find more online at
drivewayBC.ca
zack.spencer@drivewaybc.ca
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ELIGIBLE OWNERS
Verdict The price of the CTS ranges from about $51,000 for the base model to $66,000 for the top premium trim level. The Vsport, high performance model is priced at almost $75,000. The Cadillac CTS is not an inexpensive car, but it offers many features like standard heated and vented leather seats, Bose stereo and push button start even on the base model. Compared to some of the other mid-sized luxury sedans it is less expensive, plus it is a worthy car for any driving enthusiast.
OF THE WEEK:
SECURITY DEPOSIT †
$
DUE AT SIGNING †
BONUS ON SELECT 2014 CHEVROLET MODELS^
ONLY UNTIL
DECEMBER 2 ND CHEVROLET.CA
ON NOW AT YOUR BC CHEVROLET DEALERS. Chevrolet.ca 1-800-GM-DRIVE. Chevrolet is a brand of General Motors of Canada†Offer valid only to eligible retail lessees in Canada who have obtained credit approval by GM Financial, have entered into a lease agreement with GM Financial, and who accept delivery from October 11, 2013 through January 2, 2014 of a new eligible 2014 model. General Motors of Canada will pay the first month’s lease payment (inclusive of taxes and any applicable pro-rata amount normally due at lease delivery as defined on the lease agreement). $0 first month lease payment means no bi-weekly payments will be due in the first month of your lease agreement. After the first month, lessee will be required to make all remaining scheduled payments over the remaining term of the lease agreement. PPSA/RDPRM is not due. Insurance, license, dealer fees, and applicable taxes not included. This offer may not be redeemed for cash and may not be combined with certain other consumer incentives available on GM vehicles. General Motors of Canada Limited reserves the right to amend or terminate this offer, in whole or in part, at any time without prior notice. Void where prohibited by law. Additional conditions and limitations apply. See dealer for details. While we try to ensure accuracy, we reserve the right to correct any errors in pricing or descriptions, and to cancel or refuse to accept a purchase based on an incorrect price or description listed online. Please see your dealer for the most accurate and up-to-date product and pricing details. ^ Offer only valid from November 1, 2013 to December 2, 2013 (the “Program Period”) to retail customers resident in Canada who own or are currently leasing a Chevrolet Aveo, Cobalt, Caprice, Cavalier, Cruze, Epica, Impala, Lumina, Malibu, Metro, Monte Carlo, Optra Sonic, Spark, Volt, Saturn Ion, Aura, Astra, L-Series, S-Series, Sky, that has been registered and insured in Canada in the customer’s name for the previous consecutive six months, will receive a $2,000 credit towards the lease or a $1000 credit towards the purchase or finance of an eligible new 2014 Chevrolet Sonic, Cruze, Malibu or Impala delivered during the Program Period. Eligible retail customers resident in Canada who own or are currently leasing a Chevrolet HHR, Equinox, Tracker, Uplander, Venture, Astro, Lumina APV, Blazer, Traverse, Trailblazer; Saturn Vue, Relay, Outlook; Pontiac Montana/SV6, Transport, Torrent, Aztek, Sunrunner; Buick Rendezvous, Terraza, Enclave, Rainier; Oldsmobile Silhouette, Bravada; GMC Safari, Jimmy, Terrain, Acadia or Envoy, that has been registered and insured in Canada in the customer’s name for the previous consecutive six months, will receive a $2,000 credit towards the lease; or a $1000 credit towards the purchase or finance of an eligible new 2014 Chevrolet Trax, Equinox or Traverse delivered during the program period. Only one (1) credit may be applied per eligible vehicle sale. Offer is transferable to a family member living in the same household (proof of address required). This offer may not be redeemed for cash and may not be combined with certain other consumer incentives available on GM vehicles. The $2,000/$1,000 credit includes HST/GST/QST/PST as applicable by province. As part of the transaction, dealer will request current vehicle registration and/or insurance to prove ownership for the previous consecutive six months. GMCL reserves the right to amend or terminate this offer, in whole or in part, at any time without prior notice. Void where prohibited by law. Additional conditions and limitations apply. See your GM dealer for details.