virgivaughn: Image Leak! The 2014 Cadillac CTS Sure Is Purty [UPDATED with Full-Car Images]

UPDATE 3/25: Full images of the car have now slipped into the open; we’ve reposted a few of them here, but the entire batch can be seen at the upcomingvehiclesx Flickr account that hosted the original leaked shots. Enjoy the look at Cadillac’s sultry new sedan, and check back tomorrow evening for full details on the 2014 Cadillac CTS.

We’re mere days away from a major auto show, which means an inevitable slow and steady leak of photos and information covering highly anticipated reveals. We’ve already seen the 2014 Mercedes-Benz CLA45 AMG courtesy of Russian website AutoWP.ru, for example. An original batch of leaked images (now embedded at the bottom of the post) posted by Flickr user upcomingvehiclesx (you can see a couple of additional frames at the link) and found first by GMInsideNews have ripped the sheet from the 2014 Cadillac CTS—and the Alpha-platform car is a stunner.

OK, so ~~none of the photos posted thus far show the full car~~ we now have full photos of the whole car, and it’s clear that the new CTS takes cues from its smaller platform- and stablemate, the ATS. But the larger CTS, which will grow larger to better take on the BMW 5-series and others, features sharper detailing, which makes its little brother look weaker and slightly flabby in comparison. The design features fewer straight lines than the outgoing CTS, and is a clear evolution of the Art and Science styling language Cadillac initiated a little more than a decade ago.

While similar in design, the CTS’s LED signatures are more prominent than the ATS’s—at least on this presumably up-level trim—and extend more cleanly into the lower front fascia. The grille frame is softened from before, and features two horizontal chrome strips versus the current three. We learned last week that the maw will feed air to an engine lineup that includes a new 420-hp, 3.6-liter twin-turbo V-6. Rear- and all-wheel drive will be available. We also note that this car wears Kumho Escsta SPT high-performance summer tires, which now you do, too.

Compared to the aggressive front end, the rear end is decidedly tamer. Creases from the body sides flow into the decklid and create some of the surface contours of the taillight units. We’re digging the classy execution of an Easter egg in those same lamps—look closely and you’ll spot a subtle script “Cadillac”.

One of the original leaked images shows the new car’s front passenger door panel, and it features similar shapes to those seen in the ATS and XTS. Contrast stitching provides a visual break between the full-grain hide on the doortop and the faux suede below. The wood trim in the picture is open-pore stuff, and it looks great. The full interior shot among the second set of images confirms the attractive design and implied material quality, and we’re looking forward to experienceing the cabin in person.

Now that the car has been fully revealed, all that’s left are the particulars—those will come into focus tomorrow night, so stay tuned for the full-boat download on the 2014 CTS.