Following our tradition of bringing you the latest in General Motors news, rumors, and exclusive content, Cheers and Gears is proud to present our vision of the 2008 Cadillac CTS sport sedan. We know you've seen a few rear-angle renderings before, but we feel ours is rather accurate.

From a variety of sources, including spy shots, the infamous 60 Minutes glimpse, and his own imagination, C&G member and Photoshop artist Frank Budzyn (NOS2006) created his own detailed rendition of what is arguably the most anticipated product debut this season.

From what we've seen, the CTS' successor will reamin chiseled and taut, continuing the side detailing trend set by the 2003 CTS with a grooved character line jutting upwards into the taillamp pod, which are slimmer and house arrays of ultrabright LEDs, a Cadillac signature. A spoiler designed with integration in mind caps off a shortened rear deck; combined with a rear-wheel drive-proportioned hood, this gives the car a drawn-back and aggressive stance. We predict a wide-wedge third brake lamp inset into the deck's aft edge, creasing the decklid itself, much like the XLR. Wide, round dual exhaust tips will trumpet the vocals of its V6 or V-Series V8 powerplant. Inset rear 'grille' mimics the bold lower grille from the front of the car.

Note also the wider look of the car. Our sources have confirmed that the overall track of the 2008 CTS has been widened by about 2 inches to equal the STS' track so it can accomodate all-wheel drive without compromising its stance or looks. So AWD lovers, your CTS is on the horizon at last. Also, we expect an increase of $1500-3500 in MSRP from current levels to make room for the rumored next-generation BLS to slot underneath the CTS as Cadillac's new price leader. Transmissions will include GM's new 6-speed shiftable automatic along with a six-speed manual.

If you think this is it, it isn't. Be sure to join us later this week when we unveil a second artist rendering of the 2008 CTS as well as some additional details on the most-awaited CTS-V!

CTS: The CTS will be restyled and re-engineered for the 2008 model year.

...

A key change for the 2008 CTS is the dramatic look of the front end, centered on a tall, ornate, nearly checkerboard-style grille composed of wide horizontal and narrow vertical bars. A large Cadillac crest is in the center of the grille. The front fascia will take cues from the Cadillac Sixteen concept car shown in 2003.

A coupe is scheduled to expand the CTS line for the 2010 model year. At that time, GM will likely freshen the sedan.

The high-performance CTS-V will skip the 2008 model year, returning for the 2009 model year. A horsepower boost is expected.

DETROIT - General Motors has shown auto dealers fastback coupe and Euro-styled crossover variants of the Cadillac CTS, sources close to Cadillac say.

Cadillac General Manager Jim Taylor says developing a broader line of CTS-based vehicles - as BMW does with the 3 series and Mercedes-Benz with the C class - would boost revenue for the vehicle program. But Taylor says GM's board of directors has yet to approve the plan.

The restyled and re-engineered 2008 CTS sedan is scheduled to reach dealerships in fall 2007. It's a key part of GM's effort to build on the revival of its luxury brand and attempt to win more conquest buyers from European luxury makes.

The coupe and crossover are "taking shape," according to sources close to Cadillac.

A third spinoff is likely, one source says.

All-wheel drive is a likely option for the CTS lineup, sources say. Three sources close to Cadillac, who spoke on condition of anonymity, have seen the derivatives.

Cadillac's key competitors field a broad line of entry-luxury vehicles, such as BMW's 3 series, Taylor said in an interview with Automotive News.

A full line boosts revenue for the entire platform, he says. Cadillac could get additional volume by selling CTS niche products overseas.

"If you leverage these platforms in automotives, that's the name of the game because that's where we make all of our money," Taylor says.

"It's a smart area for us to go because the CTS has created credibility for us."

Taylor is optimistic that Cadillac will get board approval for the derivative products, but he also is cautious.

"Until the board has signed their check to us, I've seen way too many of these programs go the other way," Taylor says.

Cadillac sold 57,211 units of the CTS in 2004 and 61,512 last year. This year Cadillac sold 34,672 units of the CTS through July. That's down from 39,446 in the year-ago period.

Dealers are counting on the 2008 CTS to continue Cadillac's revival.

"Most of where we've given up money this year has been in the small-sedan segment, so the new CTS will be important," says Howard Drake, co-owner of Casa Automotive Group in Sherman Oaks, Calif. Drake sells Hummer, Saab and Cadillac.

Taylor hopes to keep momentum strong for the current CTS through new advertising and marketing. He anticipates flat to modestly increased CTS sales this year, compared with last year.

Taylor admits that having the CTS at the end of its life cycle is tough for dealers and GM: "We're biting our lip because we've got one more year to go."