Joining the CTS stable of cars in 2011 was the Cadillac CTS Coupe—a radically designed, 2+2 coupe promising to turn some heads. Available in three trims including the CTS Coupe 3.6 RWD (as tested) starting at $47,625 MSRP CAD; the CTS Coupe 3.6 AWD starting at $50,255 CAD; and the mind-blowing 556-hp V8 CTS-V starting $71, 425 CAD.
(Note: If you’re planning to buy the Coupe, and unless you’re seriously considering the CTS-V, I strongly suggest you don’t even test drive this monstrosity…otherwise, you’ll be surely disappointed and better add an extra 20k in your budget! The CTS-V is truly in a league of it’s own, the most powerful coupe in Cadillac’s history; hopefully, there will be a proper review in the near future.)
A 3.6L V6 Cadillac Coupe Making Over 300 Horsepower
Alright, back to the 2011 CTS Coupe RWD, a stunning luxury car in its own right. Both the RWD and AWD versions find a 3.6-litre V6 with Direct Injection and Variable Valve Timing (VVT) producing 304-hp and 273 lb-ft of torque. Paired to a standard 6-speed automatic tranny in the RWD.
Despite being the larger guy in the luxury coupe class at a curb weight of 3,909 lbs. for the RWD with automatic transmission, the 2011 Cadillac CTS Coupe retains great handling, riding low and wide. A 4-wheel, sport-tuned suspension is standard, along with 18-inch aluminum rims wrapped in P235/50R18 V-rated all season blackwall tires.
Optional Sport Package adds larger Cadillac wheels and performance handling suspension
My 2011 CTS Coupe here came equipped with the $1770 Sport Package, adding larger 19-inch x 8.5-inch wheels with high polished finish, wrapped in P245/45Z19 Y-rated summer tires; performance handling suspension with auto rear load leveling; performance speed sensitive variable assist steering; paddle shift steering wheels controls; and performance cooling system and braking setup.
CTS Coupe styling finds clean, streamlined features and sporty low roofline
Long, angular lines paired with expansive body panels, renders this beefy yet incredibly sexy and sporty 2-door rocket, all while retaining the class and luxury Cadillac is renowned for.
From all angles, the 2011 CTS Coupe is stunning…a near-flat rear window (reduced visibility, but hey), high shoulder lines coupled with a low roofline, and a menacing frontend all lend to serious curb appeal and impact. Again, while retaining class by means of clean, streamlined features including invisible exterior door handles (they’re hidden, but they’re there. Trust me).
Some standard features include a power tilt sunroof (tilt only, unfortunately); HID xenon headlamps with adaptive forward lighting system and flash-to-pass; fog lamps; dramatic LED tail lights; heated, body-colour dual electric remote control, folding mirrors; and solar-ray glass windows all around. The fiery Crystal Red paint scheme costs an extra $1295.
Cadillac CTS Coupe Interior
The cabin is equally dramatic and well-appointed as you’d expect from Cadillac, finding only premium materials and hand-crafted stitching along the doors, centre console, and instrument panel, as found in the CTS Sedan as well.
A shortlist of standards include heated/ventilated driver/front passenger leather surfaced seats with the usual adjustment controls (plus 60/40 split folding seats in the back); a leather-wrapped steering wheel with controls that include HVAC and the OnStar & voice recognition system (the only luxury coupe to offer OnStar); the EZ key passive entry system and remote keyless entry; Automatic Recall for a variety of driver settings; and dual-zone climate control with air filtration, alongside a cabin odour filtration system.
The cabin also finds a wood trim package, adding Sapele wood to the instrument panel, centre console, door trim, steering wheel and shift knob. The interior accent lighting with LED light pipes and spot lights are pretty cool at night, adding a little something to the mix.
On that note, so are the interior door handles, doing away with the typical hinged door lever in lieu of a button to pop the door ajar.
The Navigation System in this 2011 CTS Coupe, including the pop-up screen as seen here, is optional. The standards are impressive, including a 40 GB harddrive with USB and audio connectivity; a 10-speaker 5.1 surround sound system by Bose; XM Satellite Radio; and the Bluetooth setup allowing Bluetooth-enabled phones to access the CTS’ audio system, microphone, voice recognition and steering wheel controls. With just over 10k in options, this 2011 CTS Coupe rings in at $57,700 MSRP CAD, before taxes/fees.
Takeaway: should you buy or avoid the 2011 Cadillac CTS Coupe?
Cadillac’s first 2-door offering in about a decade, the 2011 CTS Coupe is a luxury performance car setting itself apart from it’s European counterparts—dramatic styling, luxurious cabin, spirited handling, the all-new CTS Coupe is pure Americana, in a good way, recently winning the Best Performance/Sports Car as voted on by the Automobile Journalists Association of Canada (AJAC). Now, if GM would only send me the CTS-V!
On that note, here’s our 2016 Cadillac CTS-V first drive review – an American rocket making 640 horsepower and 630 lb-ft of torque with a top speed of 200 mph.
