General Motors announced a number of upgrades for the 2012MY Cadillac CTS. They’re not that significant to be honest, but they’re refreshing! Changes apply to all three CTS models – Sport Sedan, Sport Wagon and Coupe.

The main upgrade for the 2012 CTS is a new front grille with premium finishes for mesh and frame, refined Cadillac Wreath & Crest logo. It is now bolder and more pronounced, and gives the car a better personality. The car also gets standard Bluetooth phone integration on all models and side blind-zone alert technology available on the CTS Coupe.

There is a Touring Package, available in the 3.0L V-6 and 3.6L V-6 engines, which offers exclusive grille with a dark finish, metal pedals, dark Sapele wood interior trim and sueded seat inserts, steering wheel and shift knob, as well as chrome door handles. The 3.6L version will have 19-inch polished wheels and Recaro 14-way adjustable performance seats. The 3.0L version will have 18-inch wheels with a pearl-nickel finish.

2012 Caddy CTS also comes with an upgraded V6 engine. The new 3.6L V-6 will use a lighter, more efficient and delivers 318 horsepower (237 kW) and 275 lb.-ft. (372 Nm) of torque. That’s 14 more hp compared to the current engine. The EPA fuel economy rating remains 18 city/27 highway mpg.

Here’s more technical details on the new engine for those who are interested:

Cadillac engineers were able to improve the current design in several ways. The cylinder heads have larger intake valves and an improved intake port design. These work with a longer-duration intake camshaft to boost power and efficiency by allowing more air to flow into the engine.

Engineers also reduced the engine’s weight. An integrated cylinder head/exhaust manifold design saves about 13 pounds (6 kg) per engine compared to the cylinder heads and manifolds of the current engine.

The new composite intake manifold saves about 5.5 pounds (2.5 kg) compared to the current aluminum intake. A lighter-weight structural front cover and lighter-weight, high-strength connecting rods bring the total weight savings to 20.5 pounds (9.3 kg), which helps the vehicle’s fuel efficiency and improves the car’s handling and driving balance.