Originally Posted by
Blakbird24
This depends greatly on whether you are speaking of the 2003-07 CTS-V (V1) or 2009-11 CTS-V (V2).
The CTS-V1 was the smallest sedan in the V-series. Powered by the 400hp LS2 mated to a 6-speed manual (no auto option), it topped out around $55k fully loaded. While it did have a very nicely appointed interior, and navigation came standard, it did not offer alot of really high-end options like the competition.
The CTS-V2 will be, as of next year, the midsize sedan in the V-series. Powered by the 556hp LSA mated to a 6-speed auto or manual, it tops out around $65k fully loaded. The second generation CTS comes with a much nicer interior, though is still lacking in many expected high-end options.
The STS-V was the midsize sedan in the V-series. Powered by the 469hp LC3 mated to a six speed sequential gearbox, it topped out just over $80k fully loaded. It features a fully leather and suede trimmed interior, four-zone climate control, heated and cooled seats, full-color heads up display, auto-tinting heated mirrors, adaptive forward HID lighting, LED rear lighting, adaptive cruise control, lane departure control, magneheteorological damping, navigation and infotainment system with 8" touch display, 14-speaker 7.1 channel THX certified Bose sound system, voice recognition and bluetooth...and many more gadgets that I can't recall at this time.
The STS was, up to this point, the midsize car in Cadillac's lineup. The most impressive part about the STS was it's ability to compare well to the best sedans europe had to offer. With an interior designed and built by Bentley's Draxlmeier, and an options list that features some of the best technology available for it's time, the STS really showed what Cadillac has in store for us down the road.
The CTS-V2 is no longer intended to be the small car in the V lineup. Next year the Cadillac ATS will debut along with a V-variant that will take up the entry-level space for Cadillac's performance series. The ATS will be smaller than the first gen CTS, and the second gen CTS is significantly larger than the first gen CTS, making it relatively close to the STS in size. Thus the reason that the STS-V was discontinued following the 2009 model year. Going forward, Cadillac's lineup will be ATS (small sedan/coupe), CTS (midsize sedan/coupe), XTS (full-size sedan only), and in 2015, the ZTS will debut as Cadillac's flagship sedan, possibly introducing the first V12 offering in GM's history.
Does that help?
