Cadillac CTS 3.6 V6 (2007) CAR review

What’s this? A Cadillac I like the look of? What’s going on?

Strange things indeed. Oh-so-US Cadillac has long spoken of being a BMW alternative, offering look-at-me impact for less shy and retiring types. But while the Art & Science styling theme had plenty of drama on the 1999 Evoq concept car, it’s always appeared a bit like cheap Christmas tree baubles in production. However, by evolving the theme to include the more organic element of – shock – contours between the straight lines, Cadillac may have hit on something. The all-new CTS, which arrives here in summer 2008, is certainly ostentatious - from the deep grille and chromed alloys, to the functional cast-metal wing vent and LED-packed vertical clear-lens tail lights. However, clean surfacing and better proportions (note the forward-set front wheels, the higher windowline and shallower glass) give it a well resolved look.

Hang on, this sounds promising. What’s this CTS all about, then?

You, like all but 450 people this year, have probably ignored Cadillac’s UK foray until now. A muddled marketing and retail strategy have done it no favours; what, exactly, is the point of the brand? It's not even registered on the radar of most UK car buyers. That’s what the CTS plans to sort out. A BMW 5-series rival for those after a more outgoing alternative, it’s essentially the bling choice of the executive car sector. Don’t be sniffy; there are plenty of successful people out there who want to show it. Understatement is not for them. The thing is, because they’re successful, they usually know what they’re talking about. Blind bling won’t do. It needs substance. That’s what Cadillac’s sought to achieve with the CTS.