Careful, you could cut your hand on those edges. The new 2003 Cadillac CTS, an American-built luxury sedan that will replace the German-built Catera, is set to be unveiled at the Frankfurt Motor Show.
It looks sharp all right, with the first 100 per cent application of Cadillac's "art and science" design approach showcased in their Evoq concept car.
There's a lethal weapon under the hood too. A new 3200 CC V6 generates a hefty 220 bhp at 6000 rpm, with nearly 30 juicy kgm of torque at a low 3400 revs.
The powerplant is unusual in that the cylinders are banked at a 54-degree angle, the norm being 60 degrees. These horses journey to the rear wheels via a five-speed manual gearbox, or a five-speed automatic shared with BMW, to blast the CTS past 100 kph in under 7 seconds. The manual will be the first such on a Caddy in almost half a century.
For markets outside America, a smaller 2600 CC engine will be offered. The tall, thin integrated headlights flank a large egg-crate grille. Inside, there's plenty of wood, and warm, rich materials and colours to create an inviting, luxurious ambience.
The CTS is an indicator of the direction the American marque is headed, with an alphabet-soup name to take on the imported competition from BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Lexus and others.
