The 2011 Cadillac CTS sedan. Image: © GM Corp.
One of the selling points of Cadillac’s superb CTS coupe and sedan was that even modestly-engined models could be ordered with a row-it-yourself gearbox. Buy a Performance or Premium package CTS with the 3.6-liter V-6 engine, and you could select either a six speed manual or a six speed automatic. Even base, 3.0-liter equipped cars could be ordered with a manual transmission, which gave Cadillac bragging rights and the ability to counter sales of European sport sedans. Competitive products from Audi and BMW gave buyers the option of a stick or a slushbox, and including a manual transmission option was key to Cadillac’s market positioning (even if most buyers opted for the automatic). That’s changed for 2012, and if you’re looking to buy a 3.0-liter or 3.6-liter Cadillac CTS with a manual transmission, you’re out of luck. Insufficient demand for the manual transmission has forced GM to cease production, since it’s simply not cost effective to build cars that customers don’t want to buy. Since there’s no significant difference in other mechanicals between the 2011 and 2012 cars, you may still have luck shopping dealer inventory for a manual-transmission-equipped 2011 CTS coupe or sedan.
The change doesn’t impact Cadillac’s CTS-V models, which continue to be available with either the six speed manual or the six speed automatic transmission. Even the CTS-V Sportwagon can be ordered with a manual transmission, making it the only 556 horsepower, row-it-yourself station wagon on the market today. Ironically, the CTS-V’s record Nürburgring lap time was set in an automatic-equipped car, with the transmission in “Sport” mode. Sure, the automatic is faster, but it’s no where near as satisfying to drive.
Source: InsideLine
Kurt Ernst has been passionate about automobiles and driving nearly his entire life. His early years were shaped working in the family service station, though his real passion was auto racing. After graduating from the University of Colorado, Kurt spent a year club racing with the Sports Car Club of America, before focusing on a business career in marketing and project management. Later, his passion for writing and the automotive hobby found him freelancing for a variety of automotive news sites, including Automotive Addicts and Motor Authority, where his work was syndicated and appeared in several national publications. Recognized as an expert in the automotive field, Kurt joined Hemmings Motor News as an Associate Editor in 2013, and in the years since has progressed to Editor, Hemmings Daily; Managing Editor for Hemmings Motor News, Hemmings Classic Car, Hemmings Muscle Machines, and the Hemmings Daily; and now, Managing Editor, Hemmings Auctions. Kurt was instrumental in organizing the Hemmings Motor News Concours d’Elegance from 2013-2019, and has served as a judge at this event and The Vintage Racing Stable Concours d’Elegance. A Skip Barber Racing School graduate and prolific writer, Ernst is also skilled in copyediting, project management, brand development, and public relations.
