Cadillac CTS V
Discussion
All,
I think one thing we should also add is just how many BMWs/Mercs/Jags do we see?
And how many Cadillacs and Corvettes do we see? I think no matter what GM do (take the ZR1 for example, still a very, very quick car) the European public will just bleat along to the BMW/Merc/Jag dealer...
Good for them. Leaves the rest of us with a fine selection of absolutely wonderful cars which you don't see every day...
Look, if I wanted a BMW/Merc/Jag I'd have one. Why don't I? 'Cause there's nothing like a big, stuffing Yankee V8 s***ting on everything in its path...
I think one thing we should also add is just how many BMWs/Mercs/Jags do we see?
And how many Cadillacs and Corvettes do we see? I think no matter what GM do (take the ZR1 for example, still a very, very quick car) the European public will just bleat along to the BMW/Merc/Jag dealer...
Good for them. Leaves the rest of us with a fine selection of absolutely wonderful cars which you don't see every day...
Look, if I wanted a BMW/Merc/Jag I'd have one. Why don't I? 'Cause there's nothing like a big, stuffing Yankee V8 s***ting on everything in its path...
This is true about the CTS V going racing, they are thinking about entering next years American Le Mans series - perhaps that what the 500bhp CTS-V I wrote about in Street Machine are showing us rather than a road car, or a development mule for the C6 Vette - mores the pity.
We will be road testing the 2004 CTS next month so driving impressions will be revealed in due course...
PS LuS1fer - you made some good points about GTO v M3.
We will be road testing the 2004 CTS next month so driving impressions will be revealed in due course...
PS LuS1fer - you made some good points about GTO v M3.
My mate has an HSV. I'm not a BMW fan but the M3 has something that other BMW's lack which is the power to back up the ability. Sadly, although I don't mind the HSV, I just can't get excited about it or even want one. No matter how good it is, it just lacks that presence and that sense of occasion. I think my brain has a serious mental block and just regsiters "Omega".
I know that's unfair but that's reality! I don't think anyone will ever confuse the Cadillac with anything else and that's good, ugly or not. Besides, black SUITS ugly!
I know that's unfair but that's reality! I don't think anyone will ever confuse the Cadillac with anything else and that's good, ugly or not. Besides, black SUITS ugly!
Yup, the racing CTS V seems to be a go.
www.autoweek.com/cat_content.mv?port_code=autoweek&cat_code=motorsportsnews&loc_code=index&content_code=01177784
Apparently, the CTS-V is already out. One was put up on eBay, with starting bid of around $51K, failed to meet reserve. Maybe no one knew about it yet.
Looks like one M3 owner has already had a confrontation:
http://bimmer.roadfly.org/bmw/forums/e46m3/forum.php?postid=4348713&page=4
Regarding the Nurburgring lap times, it's best to wait for an independent test (usually done by Sport Auto magazine) of a production model. While it's true that the 'Ring favors high hp cars (exceptional-handling cars like the M3 CSL or Donkervoorts/Caterhams excepted), that aspect is largely left out of the equation as the CTS-V has more or less the same hp as the M5. For it to be anywhere near the time set by the M5, let alone (an admittedly marginal) two seconds quicker, is quite a feat for any Cadillac. Such a thought would not have crossed anyone's mind, say, 5 years ago.
But remember, there's a new M5 coming out in a year or so...uh oh.
www.autoweek.com/cat_content.mv?port_code=autoweek&cat_code=motorsportsnews&loc_code=index&content_code=01177784
Apparently, the CTS-V is already out. One was put up on eBay, with starting bid of around $51K, failed to meet reserve. Maybe no one knew about it yet.
Looks like one M3 owner has already had a confrontation:
http://bimmer.roadfly.org/bmw/forums/e46m3/forum.php?postid=4348713&page=4
Regarding the Nurburgring lap times, it's best to wait for an independent test (usually done by Sport Auto magazine) of a production model. While it's true that the 'Ring favors high hp cars (exceptional-handling cars like the M3 CSL or Donkervoorts/Caterhams excepted), that aspect is largely left out of the equation as the CTS-V has more or less the same hp as the M5. For it to be anywhere near the time set by the M5, let alone (an admittedly marginal) two seconds quicker, is quite a feat for any Cadillac. Such a thought would not have crossed anyone's mind, say, 5 years ago.
But remember, there's a new M5 coming out in a year or so...uh oh.
Guibo,
A very nice post...
I read through the Beemer thread, and this fellow replied in a nice, typical BMW-type way:
(jms was the user)
"Certainly a monster, but I'll wait for the test reports before declaring it an M3 killer. Initial reports found a fast car with a rubbery shifter and the usual lousy GM running gear. Sounds about right for the General's iron. When the regular CTS came out it was touted as a major 3 series competitor. We saw how far that went. Having seen a few of them, I'd never trade any BMW for a CTS. So excuse my skepticism, but I've heard it all before. I don't doubt it is fast, but I sincerely doubt it will have the refinement, build quality, or feel of the M. If you're racing one of these on the street, you're already in trouble anyway. It's hard enough for me to resist swatting away all those sillly WRX's with the baloney sausage mufflers."
... oh, how very nice.
But, to be fair, I also enjoy swatting away all those silly Beemer drivers with the baloney M stickers ;-) with my ZR1...
A very nice post...
I read through the Beemer thread, and this fellow replied in a nice, typical BMW-type way:
(jms was the user)
"Certainly a monster, but I'll wait for the test reports before declaring it an M3 killer. Initial reports found a fast car with a rubbery shifter and the usual lousy GM running gear. Sounds about right for the General's iron. When the regular CTS came out it was touted as a major 3 series competitor. We saw how far that went. Having seen a few of them, I'd never trade any BMW for a CTS. So excuse my skepticism, but I've heard it all before. I don't doubt it is fast, but I sincerely doubt it will have the refinement, build quality, or feel of the M. If you're racing one of these on the street, you're already in trouble anyway. It's hard enough for me to resist swatting away all those sillly WRX's with the baloney sausage mufflers."
... oh, how very nice.
But, to be fair, I also enjoy swatting away all those silly Beemer drivers with the baloney M stickers ;-) with my ZR1...
M3's are there to be swatted and I'm still waiting to be swatted back!
I also like the bit about being blown away and suddenly it's not just 400hp, its "420hp easily" because of a "less restrictive exhaust". Er..why would that be then when they built the C5 around the LS1/6 and had to shoehorn the LS6 into the Caddy to the point where they can't fit in RHD - not exactly conducive to a free-flow set of headers is it?
Could it be that perhaps the BMW isn't as powerful as they claim? Or is this just the "excuse".
I also like the bit about being blown away and suddenly it's not just 400hp, its "420hp easily" because of a "less restrictive exhaust". Er..why would that be then when they built the C5 around the LS1/6 and had to shoehorn the LS6 into the Caddy to the point where they can't fit in RHD - not exactly conducive to a free-flow set of headers is it?
Could it be that perhaps the BMW isn't as powerful as they claim? Or is this just the "excuse".
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