2008 Motor Trend Car Of The Year Stars At Auto Show

Available adaptive highintensity discharge headlights automatically follow the Cadillac CTS sedan driver's steering input and provide 20 degrees of travel for improved night visibility.

Among the galaxy of automotive stars at this year's New York International Auto Show, open to the public from March 21 to 30 at the Jacob Javits Convention Center in Manhattan, General Motors' Cadillac CTS sedan is a supernova. The all-new Cadillac CTS--a sedan that's bold, savvy, uncompromising and a showpiece of a car--is the 2008 Motor Trend Car of the Year, the first car from General Motors to earn the distinction of being named the premier automotive magazine's Car of the Year since 1998. The CTS is available now at City Cadillac, 43-60 Northern Blvd., Long Island City.

Its wide, gently chiseled shape features wheel arches that ride low and snugly over the tires. The massive prow politely but firmly clears the way. The front grille was inspired by the Cadillac Sixteen concept car. The available adaptive high-intensity discharge headlights automatically follow a driver's steering inputs and provide 20 degrees of travel for improved night visibility in turns. Exquisite LED "light pipes" lend a unique look to the exterior as well.

The Cadillac CTS sedan's wide, gently chiseled shape features wheel arches that ride low and snug over the tires and an authoritative prow. The 2008 Motor Trend Car of the Year is available now at City Cadillac, 43-60 Northern Blvd., Long Island City.

The 2008 CTS designers carried its edgy exterior theme and penchant for beauty inside the car. "V" details in seats and console elegantly strengthen the Cadillac signature. The materials and controls are comfortable and reassuring to the touch. There is an absence of jarring cockpit cut-lines and the exterior panels are a tight, even fit. There are no annoying rattles, only the faintest of wind and road noises. The chromed side air extractors recall similar cars of days gone by. The CTS Smart Remote Start controls engine ignition from up to 200 feet away and activates climate control and heated/cooled seats in accordance with the dictates of exterior and interior temperatures. In addition to available XM Satellite Radio and 10-speaker Bose 5.1 surround sound, the CTS offers an integrated USB port for iPods and other music players.

The choice of engines includes a sixspeed manual with short-throw shift lever or six-speed automatic transmission. The 2008 CTS rides on a shortened Sigma (STS) platform and a 113.4-inch wheelbase. The CTS offers a choice of three suspension configurations: base FE1, stiffer FE2 (also adds 18-inch wheels and limited slip) and stiffest, performance-tuned FE3 with self-leveling ZF Sachs Nivomat shocks (FE3 is rear-drive only). All suspension variants get standard StabiliTrak electronic chassis control and four-wheel vented disc brakes (FE3 wears largerdiameter, cast-iron rotors front and rear).

A test car equipped with direct-injection engine, six-speed automatic and FE3 performance suspension ran to 60 mph in 6.3 seconds and went from 60 mph to 0 in 109 feet. The engine makes the 3,960- pound CTS feel like a much lighter car. Variable-effort steering communicates the driver's wishes almost instantaneously and the brakes provide maximum control without gripping.

The CTS is said to be among the industry's quietest sedans. Advanced "Aachen Head" digital recording mimics the human hearing process and helped engineers to isolate and minimize interior noise.

The base price for the 2008 CTS is $32,990, including a 263-horse VVT V-6 (a 304-horse direction-injection version is optional), eight-speaker Bose audio, 17- inch wheels and dual-zone climate control.

A loaded CTS, including 304-horse DI six, automatic, leather, disappearing nav, premium audio, entertainment hard drive, polished wheels and more has a manufacturer's suggested retail price of approximately $45,000.

For more information, contact City Cadillac, 43-60 Northern Blvd., Long Island City; 1-888-700-8741.