John Manoogian III directed the second generation CTS design, as initially conceived by Robert Munson.

Introduced in January 2002 as a 2003 model, the CTS sedan used GM's new rear-wheel drive Sigma platform and a fully independent suspension.

[9] Wayne Cherry and Kip Wasenko designed the exterior of the first generation CTS, from a sketch drawn by Robert Munson, selected by Michael Simcoe and developed into a model by Paul Sciluna.

[5] The coupe marked the production debut of Cadillac's design language, marketed as "Art and Science," first seen on the Evoq concept[10]—what noted automotive journalist Dan Neil described as a "fractal geometric style."

In its 100th year and at the 11th hour, Cadillac made a brave investment in the supremacy of design, in the idea that cleverness should be cloaked in beauty.

In 2004, GM introduced the CTS-V, a high-performance version of the CTS intended to compete with luxury performance sedans like the BMW M3/M5, Audi S4/S6, and Mercedes-Benz C and E-class AMGs.

The 2004 and 2005 CTS-Vs were equipped with the 5.7L LS6 V-8 (400 hp (298 kW) at 6,000 rpm, 395 lb⋅ft (536 N⋅m) at 4,800 rpm), a Tremec T56 6-speed manual transmission, 14+" rotors and Brembo 4-piston calipers front and rear, suspension upgrades (higher spring rates, stiffer anti-roll bars, six-lug hubs, and two available damper packages), and subtle exterior changes.

Unique front and rear treatments also included mesh grilles over the front openings, a track-ready suspension, six-lug hubs instead of the regular CTS's five-lug units, and 18×8.5 inch wheels inside of P245/45R18 Z-rated Goodyear Eagle F1 Supercar run-flat tires.

The first generation CTS-V also posted a lap time of 8 minutes 19 seconds at Germany's famed Nürburgring Nordschleife, competitive with rivals such as the Mercedes-Benz E55 AMG and BMW M5.

Other changes included revised exterior, grille, headlights and taillights, side air extractor vents located forward of the front doors, nine-spoke 18-inch wheels, and high-performance brake calipers and rotors.

In 2008, General Motors anticipated relaunching the Cadillac brand in Australia and New Zealand with the second gen CTS,[14] subsequently dropping the launch amidst the global financial crisis.

For the 2012 CTS, the front grille used higher quality materials to give a more vertical design, and the Cadillac logo revised.

[17] General Motors unveiled a coupe concept version of the CTS, along with the new CTS-V performance sedan, at the 2008 North American International Auto Show in Detroit.

A CTS-V Coupe was introduced, first shown at the 2010 North American International Auto Show in Detroit.

Along with the CTS sedan, the coupe received a light facelift for the 2012 model year, including a new grille design.

The CTS Sport Wagon is available in either rear-wheel-drive or all-wheel-drive layouts, and is powered by either a 3.0-liter DOHC V6 engine or a 3.6-liter V6 with variable valve timing.

The rear-wheel-drive platform is the basis for the 2008 to present Cadillac CTS base model with which the CTS-V shares most of the body work.

The dampers, filled with magnetorheological fluid, are adjusted based on sensor readings that happen at 1 ms intervals.

The front brakes were increased in size to 14.567 in (370.0 mm) ventilated discs with six piston Brembo fixed calipers.

The manual is a Tremec TR-6060 six-speed transmission with a short-throw shifter, twin disk clutch and dual-mass flywheel.

Standard features include: leather seats, lateral acceleration gauge, 19-inch aluminum alloy wheels, Michelin Pilot Sport PS2 tires, a built-in 40GB hard drive to store music, and LED flash tracers to tell the driver when to shift.

Options include polished wheels, sunroof, navigation system and, for the first time, Cadillac offers 14-way adjustable performance Recaro seats.

Coinciding with the release of General Motors' Viability Plan, the automaker has disbanded its High Performance Vehicle Operations team, the crew responsible for the line V-series Cadillacs, the Chevrolet Cobalt SS, the HHR SS, and the V8 version of the Colorado.

[31] The CTS-V Coupe debuted at the 2010 North American International Auto Show in Detroit, and entered production in summer 2010 as a 2011 model.

The CTS-V Coupe features unique centered twin exhausts, a larger grille for air intake, and an optional "saffron" interior trim color.

Like the CTS-V sedan, it comes standard with 19-inch aluminum wheels, Brembo brakes, and Magnetic Ride Control.

"[34] GM decided to move forward, introducing a 5-door sport wagon body style to the CTS-V vehicle line at the New York International Auto Show on March 29, 2010.

The article criticized the engine for being "coarse in the upper ranges", the acceleration times, the fuel economy and the CUE entertainment system.

[51] All engines available in the 2014 CTS are constructed from cast aluminum blocks and heads and use direct injection and variable valve timing.

[66] The success of the CTS has been attributed in part to the car's placement in the 2003 sci-fi action film The Matrix Reloaded.