Given that you're talking future development, here is food for thought:

Below are the spec's for the '08 Accord coupe, with an MSRP of $29K (including delivery).

I certainly hope that the CTS coupe will match this level of performance, especially given that the sticker will most certainly be about $10K higher. Granted, most people in the market for a CTS coupe would probably not cross shop an Accord. However, if the CTS features don't exceed every one of these, then again....

Standard Features

Technical Features
• 268-hp, 3.5-Liter, 24-Valve, SOHC VTEC® V-6 Engine
• Close-Ratio 6-Speed Manual Transmission
• 100K +/- Miles No Scheduled Tune-Ups
• ULEV-2 CARB emissions rating
• Drive-by-Wire™ Throttle System
• Double Wishbone Front Suspension
• Independent Multi-Link Rear Suspension
• Front and Rear Stabilizer Bars
• Variable Gear Ratio (VGR) Power-Assisted Rack-and-Pinion Steering
• Power-Assisted Ventilated Front Disc/Solid Rear Disc Brakes

Safety Features
• 3-Point Seat Belts at all Seating Positions
• Front 3-Point Seat Belts with Automatic Tensioning System
• Dual-Stage, Dual Threshold Front Airbags (SRS)
• Dual-Chamber Front Side Airbags with Passenger-Side Occupant Position Detection System (OPDS)
• Side Curtain Airbags
• Active Front Head Restraints
• Advanced Compatibility Engineering™ (ACE™) body structure
• Vehicle Stability Assist™ (VSA®) with Traction Control
• Brake Assist
• Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)
• Four-wheel Disc Brakes
• Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS)
• Electronic Brake Distribution (EBD)
• Daytime Running Lights (DRL)
• Side-Impact Door Beams
• Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children (LATCH)
• Child-Seat Tether Anchor (Rear-Center)
• Emergency Trunk Opener

Interior Features
• Leather-Trimmed Seats
• Leather-Wrapped Steering Wheel
• Driver's Seat with 8-Way Power Adjustment
• Heated Front Seats
• Power Lumbar Support
• Power Windows with Auto-Up/Down Driver's and Front Passenger's Windows
• Power Door Locks
• Cruise Control
• Center Console with Sliding Armrest and Storage Compartment
• Tilt and Telescopic Steering Column
• Illuminated Steering Wheel-Mounted Cruise and Audio Controls
• Blue Ambient Console Lighting
• Dual-Zone Automatic Climate Control System
• 270-watt AM/FM/6-Disc In-Dash Premium Audio System with 7 Speakers including Subwoofer
• XM® Satellite Radio
• Speed-Sensitive Volume Control (SVC)
• Exterior Temperature Indicator
• Maintenance Minder™ System

Exterior Features
• One-Touch Power Moonroof with Tilt Feature
• 18-inch Alloy Wheels
• Flat Blade Windshield Wipers
• Security System
• Remote Entry System with Power Window Control
• Projector-Beam Halogen Headlights with Auto-On/Off
• Chrome Door Handles
• Body-Colored Heated Power Side Mirrors
• Chrome Exhaust Finisher
• Fog Lights

Yesterday I took delivery of an '08 CTS, AWD, direct injection, FE2 suspension, DI engine, all options except the spare tire. My last car (and the one before that) was an A4 quattro, and I think the looks, handling and fit and finish of the CTS are much better than the A4.

A few thoughts to make a good thing even better:
- Color selection is very limited right now; I assume that will change as production ramps up.
- Make a spare tire standard, not an option. My wife freaked when she heard that I bought a $45k car that does not have a spare tire.
- Add integrated bluetooth. The OnStar phone system is nice, but it is cumbersome to use a separate phone number.
- The location of the parking brake is not a big deal, but the release is a hassle. Too easy to accidentally pop the hood instead of releasing the brake. Maybe just allow release by pressing down on the parking brake pedal - or just move it to the center - happy to give up the space as a trade.

Everything else about the car is fantastic. If I am your target audience (41 yr old suburban dad, professional, first domestic car purchase), you hit it head on. Congrats!

I have been unable to locate a 2008 CTS with a manual transmission. I found out that in order to get a manual transmission with the direct injected engine, you have to order it with the 18" Summer Tire Performance Package. Are the CTS's with manual transmissions being manufactured? IF not, when will they. I can not even order one through my dealer.

I want to congratulate your team on a job well done. I was traveling on business and rented a brand new (3miles on the odo) 2008 CTS. The car was unbelievable - I am most impressed by the quality of design and execution of the interior. It certainly rivals Audi. BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Infiniti and Lexus are not as nice.
The BOSE sound system was great, loved having XM on this trip.
This is the first Cadillac that drove like a "proper" car, not like a boat. Loved the handling, very smooth but not totally isolated from the road. In my opinion, better than the Lexus IS, Audi A4, BMW335, all of which I recently sampled.

I have always purchased imports because, frankly, the quality of the cars GM produced in the past was below par. This Cadillac is the first domestic vehicle I would consider purchasing, ahead of a BMW3, MB C-Class, etc. It is a very impressive car and, honestly, would make me proud to "drive American". I am right in your target market, male, professional, 38, married, kids.

Job well done!!! the CTS is my new aspirational vehicle!

A couple of small suggestions to make this great car even better:

- add paddles to the steering, it's much easier to shift with them than with the stick. I would pay for them as an option - see what MB have done, don't use the Corvette paddles. Also, I know that GM uses +/- on the stick, but in reality -/+ is better. Much easier to push forward on the stick as you brake and your body moves forward. Pull back for upshifts.
- the rearview mirrors occupy a lot of real estate but are poorly placed. The inside top right of the passenger mirror was obscured by the A-Pillar
- can you change the steering wheel control so that it can cycle between radio stations/XM stations, not just "favorites"?
- the mirror selector light (left/right) for the mirror adjustment is too bright at night.
- would like to see a thigh bolster on the seats, similar to the "sport seat" option on some of your competitors. See Recaro. Otherwise, the seats were great, but the thigh bolster would make a big difference on longer trips.

Again, congratulations on a job well done!!!

Great job I really enjoyed reading about your project! Best of luck!

Got my 2008 Cadillac CTS and I LOVE it!!! White diamond, Ebony, with Nav. Woo-hoo!!!

On the diesel - the European-based folks who work for my employer are constantly singing the praises of the diesels available there, as do the folks who end up with diesel-powered rentals when traveling. Everyone goes on and on about the mountains of torque available from very low RPMs, and the pure performance of the cars on everything from twisties to the autobahn. More than one person has come back from Europe and commenced a search for US market diesel powered cars - obviously without success.

Modern diesels sound like the perfect match for the American driving style, not to mention the significant fuel economy advantages of the Diesel cycle. It's also been pretty widely publicized that GM has stated the intention to bring diesels into the US lineup, especially trucks and SUVs. So what's up with the "primarily for Europe" stuff?

Is the Cadillac market segment still poisoned for diesels by the horrid adapted-diesels of the 70s and 80s?

It was great to read Rob being a father and a 41 year old proffesional still felt this car impressed him as much as it did. I am certainly sold and being a mom of 2 boys I hope this car can hadle us all! I am on way to test drive this baby.

Without a diesel the CTS would be doomed in Europe.
In the UK 50% of all new executive cars purchased are diesels.
They are typically 3.0L+ and often twin turbo'd and produce over 200BHP and over 300lbft or torque.
In terms of overtaking they leave the petrol models for dust.

Diesels used to be about saving money (fuel is expensive over here so an extra 40%? in the economy stakes is handy) but now it's as much about performance with young drivers (say mid to late 20s) favouring the diesels over the petrols...

I read somehwere that 40-70mph in 4th gear is quicker in a SAAB diesel than a Porsche 911 Turbo...

The CTS will be a great hit and deservedly so. I cant wait to drive one. If you plan on a diesel for Europe, please consider including the U.S. as well.

I really like the new Cadillac CTS but have always driven Mercedes diesels for the last 20 years[because we can't buy an American luxury diesel] I will switch to American if Cadillac offers the CTS in diesel format.