The production version of the Cadillac CTS coupe concept which was unveiled in Detroit last year faithfully follows the show car's theme. As with the concept, the production coupe shares the CTS sedan's front end forwards of the A-pillar, oddly with no changes - not even to the detailing within the grille. Clearly this must be a cost driven issue, although the design in isolation doesn't appear compromised by this. But it does seem to be a missed opportunity to further differentiate the coupe from its sedan and wagon siblings given its more premium and sporting identity; given how different the car looks from the side and rear (thanks in part to a wider rear track and higher decklid); and given that all of its competitors have different fascias, grilles and even lamps and body panels.

The design does keep the same crisp panel creases and corners of the CTS Coupe concept, which must have posed serious production challenges and is a credit to Cadillac; witness in particular the treatment at the base of the A-pillar.

Another nice detail from the concept that we see in this production version is the line that takes off from the top arc of the DLO and runs down the C-pillar to become the dividing line between rear lamp and rear fender.

The rear continues to be faithful to the concept and is the most interesting aspect of the design with a lot of plan shape as the sides taper inwards and as the back surface of the car is angled in a V with a center spline to visually reduce the length of rear overhang. The twin, centrally positioned exhaust pipe integrated into the lower bumper area and a high level central brake light doubling as a spoiler are also great details.

Just as with the concept, the production CTS coupe was well received by the design community. But we hope Cadillac might soon find the handful of dollars necessary to give it a different grille and wheel designs to its sedan sibling - it deserves it. 

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Cadillac CTS Coupe concept - Detroit 2008

The international debut of the new Hyundai Sonata coincided with the North American market introduction of the Tuscan and of the expression ‘fluidic sculpture', which the company is using to describe the new design language of these and forthcoming vehicles from the Korean brand.

The new Sonata follows its predecessor in targeting the Toyota Camry and US market Honda Accord, but differs markedly in having ‘fluidic sculpture': a far more expressive and curvaceous aesthetic. Central to this are the two single sweeping lines that define the top of the DLO and run from the headlamp through the shallow upper shoulder to the rear, a theme reminiscent but distinct from the Mercedes Benz CLS. The lower line innovates in having a chrome seam running from the headlamp through the hood shut line and along the base of the DLO. This sits above an unusually shallow shoulder which itself is defined by a sharp bone line that fades out in the C-pillar. Below this is a similarly sharp bone line that sweeps up from behind the front wheel and takes over from the upper bone line to form a broader shoulder as it runs into the rear. Between these bone lines is a mix of concave and convex surfaces that were impressively well resolved and continued around the front and rear of the car also.

The interior also has some of the ‘fluidic sculpture' of the exterior, notably in the center stack. The use of more matt finish wood appliqué and vertical vanes to air vents are also nice elegant touches, but otherwise the design is quite orthodox.

This new Sonata is a very attractive and distinctive, and a design that despite its complex surfacing has impressive levels of surface refinement. But what we think is most significant is that it shows Hyundai's new found conviction in taking its own route. Whilst its predecessor was a handsomely conservative and quite derivative design, here is a handsomely expressive design with will not be mistaken for any other car on the road.

The Crosstour is based on the same platform as the Acura ZDX that we covered at the New York Auto Show when it debuted in near production form earlier this year. Whilst the Acura has a coupe-meets-crossover identity, the Honda has more of a tall fastback identity; it is clearly closely related in name and design to the Accord sedan, just as the BMW 5 GT is clearly related to the 5 Series sedan. This identity is underpinned by quite conservative form language consistent with the Accord sedan and coupe and lacking the assertive quality of the Acura.

But look closely and there are some interesting, if not very exciting, design details. The doors run all the way to the bottom of the car, hiding the rocker, and have small linear indentations that resemble robust separate rocker protectors of some SUVs. The grille is also unique for Honda: it had chrome finish horizontal vanes that fade out beyond the core graphic, more plan shape that corresponds to the creases on the hood, and is far deeper than on other Accord variants. Along with shallower headlamps than on the sedan it makes for a quite imposing DRG. Another unusual feature is an additional lower glazed panel in the tailgate - a Honda design signature we first saw on the ‘80s CRX as well as on the current European Civic and the Insight.

The Crosstour is an innovative package that may appeal to those downsizing from an SUV but for whom a sedan is too serious or business-like in its image. Regrettably, bar the strong DRG this innovative package is cloaked in a conservative design that makes for an ambiguous and not very enticing proposition.

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Acura ZDX prototype - New York 2009
Design Development: Acura ZDX

More 2009 LA Auto Show Highlights coming soon...