Cadillac CTS-V throws down the gauntlet on performance sedans.

[WarChild]

Green Hellraiser: Caddy CTS-V storms Nordschleife in 7:59.32
The badassery going in inside the supercharged LSA V8 stuffed under the domed hood of the 2009 Cadillac CTS-V appears to translate well on the Nordschleife's graffiti-marked tarmac. GM announced today that John Heinricy exercised his right to life, liberty and the pursuit of a record time by wheeling a CTS-V with production-spec performance mods around the Nürburgring's north loop in 7:59.32, which is believed to be the "fastest documented lap time" for a production sedan. Even if that turns out not to be the case, it's pretty freakin' fast. GM shot video of the whole thing, which should be released in the coming days. Somewhere, Nissan engineers with furrowed brows are shoving the GT-R's 3.8L V6 into a G35 sedan...

More here http://www.autoblog.com/2008/05/09/g...fe-in-7-59-32/

[I'm Looking For A...]

u know, when the first CTS-V came out and hung with the M3 and other road beasts on the Leguna Seca track, I was super excited about it. I couldnt believe the Americans made a car that put the germans to shame

Now, when I see a CTS-V on the road, I look at it like WTF does my grandpa need a sports sedan for? It has unquestionably lost its styling and looks no where near as neat as when it came out. The germans on the other hand, man... I dunno whats nicer, the older models or newer ones

Caddi needs to put more into a car then vette engines to get car fans excited.

[WarChild]

I hear you. I picked up a CTS when I came back from Costa Rica because it was $5000 cash back and 0% finance with no maintenance warranty included. It's not a bad sedan for it's price, comfortable and drives nice.

Cadillac is trying to be "not your father's Caddy.".

You have to admit though, the new CTS-V is a beast by any measure. The M3 doesn't compare to it at all for performance. You'd have to start comparing it at LEAST tot he M5, and even then, by all appearances it would come out on top performance wise.

[farkedup]

they actually did a LOT more than just put a corvette engine into that CTS-V... but I agree with you, the looks aren't all that great, was cool for about a day and thats it. I hate the way they look and the CTS was the start of Cadillac trying to redefine the image of a "grandpa" car. They are trying to take on more of the Chrysler 300 market and the BMW 3's.

I believe they fail greatly since the stock versions are too slow and the interiors just don't compare to the BMW 3's and once you get into the CTS-V its just insanely expensive for what it is.

[woj]

what's the price of it?

[I'm Looking For A...]

Originally Posted by farkedup

They are trying to take on more of the Chrysler 300 market and the BMW 3's.

And thats where the mistake begins. They dont know who they are attracting. A 3 series fan would never go for a 300c, and 300c guys, well... I cant even imagine the comparison of these 2 cars let alone someone trying to build a competitor for BOTH in 1 car! its crazy.

They need to target their market a lot better and as you mentioned, make the lower end models enticing. The M3 is not BMWs moneymaker, the 3 series is. The M3 just shines a lot of light on the 3 which is exactly what its supposed to do. Perfect alignment in marketing.

Dodge on the other hand, they got a beast they can use to push their other cars (the Viper) yet they cant seem to do so. As car manufacturers are building these super sedans, coupes and sports cars, Dodge will be grieving the death of the Viper which is already decided on for 2011.

I feel awful

[farkedup]

yup, the CTS base model falls through the cracks between markets and the CTS-V even though it is a beast on the track isn't aligned really against anything. It's too expensive for that it is or too big to be what it should be, not sure which.

I believe the base CTS is about $5k too much for what it is and they don't have an engine option that is between that CTS-V beast for a midrange performance option.

Chrysler's interiors SUCK and so do the transmissions. I owned an 06 Dodge charger R/T and with rough driving the transmission started having issues around 20k miles and honestly the interior just sucked but it was so much bigger and faster than a similarly priced CTS. The CTS is really just a smallish mid-sized car. When looking at a CTS I think I'd rather have a G8 GXP.

[candyflip]

Can't wait to get my hands on one of the coupe models with the come out.

[Spunky]

They look like a sweet looking ride