When will dealers be able to start taking orders on the 2008 CTS?

The bluetooth info just made my day. I already loved the new CTS, but one issue I had was going to be the lack of bluetooth. No worries now.

With the CTS not offering maual transmission on the AWD do expect to lose some sales to the new Audi A5 which will have this offering and sounds like it will be only slightly smaller?

Will the 2008 CTS be available with a keyless push button ignition system?

With the 18 inch wheels will a spare tire be included or will Run Flat tires be necessary?

I was very disappointed to read that you are not going to be offering the combination of All Wheel Drive with the manual transmission. I near Lansing, Michigan where the cars are to be built and I enjoy driving a car with a manual gearbox, but with our brutal Michigan winters, AWD would be a big asset. I hope GM and the Cadillac division will reconsider not offering this combination.
Best Regards:
Bryan

I will also add my VERY STRONG DESIRE to have the 6 speed with AWD and a console mounted e-brake. BMW 5-series, Audi A5 and G35/37 are competitors that will be cross shopped (myself included) and they all offer this particular combination. Cadillac is selling itself short for performance enthusiasts not to offer this combination. Please reconsider this decision - especially for the two door coupe (assuming that car is still in development). And don't forget about the ebrake repositioning - I'd gladly give up a bit of storage space to get it relocated to its rightful position in the car. If the CTS is not offered with the 6 speed and AWD, I will be forced to look elsewhere, as will most younger buyers, and you will miss a strategic opportunity to lure a new and younger affluent customer base to Cadillac. What a shame.

Although as an enthusiast, I too would like AWD and a manual transmission, there still has to be an economic case for it. Even though the bean-counters don't get to run the show at Cadillac (thank goodness!), only 8% of cars in the US are sold with manual transmissions now, and only certain parts of the country (including where I live, NYC), are interested in AWD. It's just not going to be enough sales to justify the cost.

Other manufacturers have done things like offering a manual transmission because some enthusiasts said "we've got to have it." And sales of the stick versions just weren't great - the Lincoln LS, the Acura TL, first gen Lexus IS. All were dinged for not offering a stick, and when they did, almost no one ordered it.

I've been holding off on a new car until the 2008 CTS arrives, but now I'm disappointed that there will not be a manual/AWD combination (something I already have on my current vehicle). It may not be that popular, but I know several fellow import owners who would seriously look at such a car.

I am very happy to hear that AWD will be offered with the more powerful engine. I had read a rumor on one of the automotive magazine web sites to the contrary and was starting to lose interest in the CTS because of it.

At this winter's Chicago Auto Show, I had asked one of the Cadillac product specialists whether high-performance all season radials would be an option for any sport/handling packages that might be offered with the new CTS. For those of us in the upper mid-west, the combination of AWD, sport/handling equipment and high performance all-season radials makes a great deal of sense.

And of course a heated steering wheel (with paddle shifters) would be icing on the cake!

I am also VERY interested in the manual/AWD combination. I had a 2004 CTS with a 5-speed and loved it. However, once I moved up to Albany, NY and we got our first snow storm, the RWD wasn't as much fun. I will be checking out the 2008 model as soon as possible, but the manual/AWD combination would pretty much seal the deal for me.

As Gov. Arnold has signed into law here in CA a bill that requires "hands free" technology for use with cell phones in cars in 2008, if you want sell us a new CTS it will have to have Bluetooth one way or the other. We prefer to have it installed at the factory (like Lexus)as we had Bluetooth installed at the dealerhip in our present Volvo S80 T6 and it has had problems ever since! The dealers consider you a big pain in the bleep if you keep bringing it back over and over saying, "Once again it is not functioning properly, please fix it". Why doesn't GM just change policy and make Bluetooth standard in ALL of its new vehicles instead? For the sake of your millions of CA customers alone, it would be worth it to you, GM.

i have been waiting for years to be able to buy an american car with the features i want including awd and a stick. if the 2008 does not have the promised stick its back to bmw 528ix.

1. I'm happy to learn of Bluetooth 'capability' on the 08 CTS models (i.e. this feature can apparently be added by way of a dealer-installed Bluetooth 'pack').
I agree with Jim's comments (May 3, 2007) in that GM should make Bluetooth standard in all of its new vehicles... certainly right away in all of its luxury branded cars.

2. The interior photos of the 08 CTS at the cadillac.com site appear to show a conventional key inserted into the ignition on the right side of the steering column. Is this how the 08 CTS will be configured when production begins? If that represents the go-live configuration, it seems rather archaic, given what most of GM's competition is doing. There should be a dash mounted keyless push-button ignition system.

3. As an FYI for all here... the 2008 on-line ordering guide for all GM cars (including the 08 CTS) can be found at the following URL:
http://eogld.ecomm.gm.com/NASApp/domestic/brandsel.jsp?year=2008®ionID=1
Click on the Cadillac wreath (this takes you to the Cadillac ordering guide home page), then choose 'CTS' in the drop-down box.

4. I'm interested in seeing some interior photos of the 08 CTS fitted with 'Ebony' color seats & trim, together with the available 'B19' & 'B20' wood trim packages. Should a fellow blogger locate such photos on-line over the next several weeks, I ask that he/she post the URL info into this blog site. Thanks.

Hmmm. I really feel that the new 08 CTS needs to have an AWD/Manual option. Where I live, it's something that is needed in a car or truck. We get a decent amount of snow and we also have the Sierra NV mountains. Theres nothing worse than leaving your car at the bottom of the hill while everyone else withAWD/4x4 pass you up. No one wnats to leave a luxury car out on the streets.

Will there be any lease incentives and will the CTS have available GPS

In addition to my previous suggestions....I hope there are no automatic door locks....they are another example of GM stupidity...I really think I'm capable of locking my door when I want to, and with seat and shoulder belts, etc, and if there are no children, it is a great annoyance to the driver and front seat passenger. Why is it only GM?

Will the '08 CTS have a valet key system for the trunk release and glove compartment, and a lockable fold down rear seat? I am always concerned when I leave my '03 with a loaded trunk at a valet service. Even my wife's old Honda has more security.

With GM's emphasis on safety (ie This year's Corporate report with a picture of a child behind a pickup and the warning to check behind the vehicle before backing up) why is no backup camera available with the navigation system, or even without considering the pop up screen will be available?

Looking at the online ordering guide, it appears that to get remote start, you have to get two option packages and push button start. With remote start, who needs the push button, and why should we pay extra for something standard on a Malibu?

For the previous commenter, I believe most automatic locking can be disabled.

Great news re: BlutTooth!

OK news re: AWD and manual, the case ($) has to be made, I'd imagine.

? pushbutton start: That is less of a deal to me than the car recognizing me when I walk up to it with my hands full (or nearly so.)

? I am a fan of hands-free, eyes-free phoning and voice activiation makes this easy on my 2005 Audi; will there be any voice commands offered on the CTS???

Can I get the EZ Key and other options (other than sunroof, performance package and wood trime) without getting leather?

Liz:
I want to add my voice for AWD w/manual. It's so natural and fun. If you build it, I'll buy CTS on a spot.

Will AWD indeed be available right away? When I spoke with a local dealer, they insisted on late availability.

I have been looking at the CTS since they frist came out. I was waiting for the frist V to come out but couldn't wait and ended up geting an WRX STI instead.. I now want it all Luxuy, perfromace and AWD with a six speed.. I am set to buy an CTS, but with out the AWD 6 speed, I will be forced to go esle where.

I too am dissapointed to learn about lack of awd option with manual transmission. I am a current owner of BMW330xi and will most likely not be purchasing CTS due to no manual. The CTS looks incredible with competitive engine, but why not target 100% of competitor's customers and meet their requirements? CTS already has the cost advantage! fyi, not everyone makes a big puchase decision simply to save a few dollars (or nickels and dimes). Hopefully, this can be rectified sooner rather than later...

If you want to compete with the Germans you guys know what you have to do, dont do it half a$$ like you've been doing. Cadillac has always been nice but not quite as nice as BMW. Go at them head to head. Give the consumer the options that they want or you will continue to loose a chuck of your business to the kraut's across the pond like you have been the past 20 yrs.

Liz,
I'm concerned that the dealer installed "pack" for bluetooth capability is nothing but the aftermarket kits we're installing now. Please tell me this isn't the case.

How could there be any question at GM as to whether or not to install Bluetooth? My God, people, this is why I traded in my '03 Monte Carlo for a Charger! How many cell phones come with Bluetooth? Most. What better way to talk on your cell phone while driving??? I certainly would never use OnStar for anything but I use UConnect every day to call people from my car and love it. Pull your heads out over there at GM and realize that you need to step up and make cars with options people want that look like something as well. Case in point: look at your Monte Carlo...bland, front-drive, nothing there to excite people. Now look at a Charger/Magnum/300...great styling, rear drive, V-8 power that will smoke those rear tires, along wiht leather and Bluetooth at a decent price. No brainer there.

I love GM but WHY CAN'T YOU JUST PUT BLUETOOTH ON EVERYTHING???? instead of trying to push people into buying minutes on the MUCH inferior OnStar phone....

BAD BUSINESS MOVE...

BLUETOOTH IS A MUST MUST MUST!!!

As is manual with AWD. But you must have bluetooth.

Must...

That is all.

The Bluetooth capability is going to be a make-or-break feature for tech-savvy younger customers. You need those customers.

Guys, GM's decision to not include Bluetooth makes good sense though - most buyers of the CTS, or any Cadillac, are much too old to know what that technology is or understand how to use it.

In my humble opinion a blue tooth feature is priceless. It's extremely convenient for drives, and can help save lives. But problems often arise from these "after market" blue tooth systems. I suggest having a factory blue tooth system offred, much like are in current Lexus, BMW, and Mercedes.

Jeez.....you can get bluetooth on $15k-$20K Hondas and Nissans but not on $30k(Lucerne, CTS etc) thru $100k (Escalade ESV, XLR etc) GM cars...

pathetic...like Stuart said, GM MUST put bluetooth in if they want to attract the younger customers it needs to increase sales...

if not the cars will ALWAYS be also-rans....

and NO, add-on dealer "packs" aren't good enough....

ihave already voted in this forum for manual tran. with the awd 2008 cts. i now request, advise, plead for bluetooth with the car. my other choice will be the bimmer535xi which has bt and awd with mt.i do want to get the cts but! dave

CTS with AWD and a manual tranny and I'll by american for the first time in some while. Presently otherwise considering Audi. I wish the V6 Saab 9-3's were availiable with AWD...

I'd like more info on this Bluetooth "pack"... Will it enable full integration of BT into the car -- ie dial from the phone's address book? Dial from the numbers in the nav system info? See incoming caller ID info on the nav screen? What will the cost be?

I'm not as concerned with a dealer-installed pack, although it is disappointing that it isn't avail on the option sheet directly from the factory. BT chips themselves only cost a couple dollars -- and the car already has most of the other things needed (Mic, programming on the nav system, etc). But this "pack" better be integrated into the car and not just a box that clips to the sun visor that does BT separately.

I'd like the AWD/manny tranny combo as well.

I have been a GM - Chevy - Pontiac guy my whole life... I love my 2007 Tahoe, But I hate that i can't use my own cell interface with my vehicle. Most of the other "high end" brands offer this. Why can't GM put out a Bluetooth Kit or pak for all Caddy & ON STAR vehicles? Surely they would make money by selling & installing them
Why Not?

I am interested in the 2008 CTS or STS. The STS seems to fill in the voids of the CTS, namely Bluetooth, and some other added saftey features, but doesn't have the 40 GB harddrive NAV/radio that the CTS has (it's not 40 GB after NAV is installed). What I and the rest of us need to know is WHEN will the Bluetooth option (dealer installed or otherwise) be available? As far as I know, the dealer installed option is still not available. When will the sunroof issue be fixed? Should I just go with the STS (which has bluetooth)? GM please tell.

I am 33 years old and looking for my first luxury sedan. The CTS has caught me by surprise due to its great looks and impressive technological features. However, not having Bluetooth as a factory option is puzzling. Will the dealer installed Bluetooth have direct integration with the navigation. Can I control Bluetooth via my steering wheel? Cadillac can win the Generation Xers who want a luxury sedan but the BlueTooth issue is a major one. Ditto for the AWD/Tranny combo. Til then, the BMW 335xi is still my preferred choice.

I drove the '08 CTS without expecting much. I was cross shopping an A6 (I already have one- manual/AWD), 535XI, and M35X. Wow! The CTS is a great car and a great value. However, there are a few deal breakers. The lack of bluetooth has been addressed but a backup camera and a manual/AWD combo would be just great. Since you already have the manual is it really that hard to pair it with the AWD? Bluetooth should be factory integrated with phone directory available from the NAV menus. Also window shades, voice recognition, and rear entertainment would be nice.

I'd gladly spend another 4-5K for a technology package with some of the features found on other cars. I'm 31 years old and people my age like technology and I think manual transmissions are gaining popularity.

I'm 39 and WAS very close to buying the CTS but I won't because of the following 2 deal beakers:

1. No integrated bluetooth. Dealer "add-on" is non-integrated into Nav/steering wheel. These add on systems do not work well. It's got friggin' air conditioned seats but no bluetooth?

2. Car needs to lose about 300 lbs to be more competitive. Better gas mileage and quicker 0-60 times.

If Cadillac wants to compete with BMW it needs to go all the way, not 90% of the way.

With the comprehensive technology that already exists in the CTS, Bluetooth would be a simple addition. Clearly, GM miscalculated, trying to protect their OnStar investment. (BTW, I have had OnStar in my cars for as long as GM has offered it, and NEVER used the feature.)
The integration should extend to full nav display menu support for touch screen (e.g. keypad) and contact lookup dialing.
HOPEFULLY, THERE WILL BE A HARDWARE ADD-ON AND A SOFTWARE UPGRADE SOON FOR US LOYAL CUSTOMERS WHO ALREADY COMMITTED TO THE CTS EXPECTING THIS FEATURE!

I was already to sign on the dotted line for a 2008 CST, (after having a STS) only to find there isn't any Bluetooth! Someone fell asleep on this one! My 2005 STS has Bluetooth that works through the stereo speakers. If GM already had the recipe for including this option, why didn't they put it on the fancy-schmantzy CTS that is supposed to draw the younger buyers? An 'add-on pack' won't cut it. This is a deal breaker for me. GM: FIX THIS, NOW! YOU MUST HAVE BLUETOOTH!!!

I am a current G35 coupe 6MT driver and am looking to make a move to a four-door later this year (09 model year). CTS and BMW 335 are the front runner now based on performance and styling and I am excitedly awaiting the new CTS-v, but like other posters, no integrated bluetooth is a dealbreaker. It may seem small to GM, but I refuse to pay more for onstar minutes just to be able to make calls while driving when I already have a cellphone. Oh, and what if people want to call me? Do they have to keep track of two numbers (onstar and cell) and guess whether I am in the car or not? Ear pieces are ackward (you either have to wear it all the time while driving or fumble with it when the phone rings, which isnt really hands-free anymore) and don't dim the stereo. Unacceptable in a luxury car.

Hi Liz,
Just rec'd my CTS AWD 3.6 DI as I promised. What a Great car. One issue w/ a scrape on the front passenger seat, but besides that flawless. Sudurban Cadillac said they would send it to an upholstery shop and have that piece cut out and a new pc sewn in. Great job on a great car.