RE: New 640hp Cadillac CTS-V launched

RE: New 640hp Cadillac CTS-V launched

Monday 22nd December 2014

New 640hp Cadillac CTS-V announced

Caddy spreads some festive cheer with a new supercharged V8 saloon. Does 200mph...



Not so long ago, the fastest Lamborghini you could buy had 640hp. It was the Murcielago LP640, one of the last big, bad supercars and something you will always be able to reference as pretty damn quick. Four years after that car went out of production and Cadillac has announced a four-door saloon with the same power. And another 150lb ft.

Spoiling for a fight. Now
Spoiling for a fight. Now
Alright, so that's not exactly true. The new CTS-V's 630lb ft peak is only 143 up on the Lamborghini. But what an incredible set of statistics for a super saloon, Cadillac proudly stating in the press material that the 6.2-litre supercharged V8 has more power than the Mercedes and BMW equivalents. The CTS-V isn't limited either, meaning 200mph is achievable. It goes to show how mad the market currently is that the Charger Hellcat is meant to be quicker. Race?

As with previous V-Series Caddys and the latest ATS-V, a lot of effort has been dedicated to ensure it's more than just a drag strip hero. The V is 25 per cent stiffer than the standard CTS, the suspension is 'uprated for quicker response' and 'increased lateral control' with the third generation of GM's Magnetic Ride Control dampers as well. Performance Traction Management, as seen in the Corvette Stingray, is standard on the CTS-V, catering to that apparently insatiable demand for driver configurability. Brakes are by Brembo, with 390mm six-pot fronts and 356mm four-piston rears.

That scoop is functional at least
That scoop is functional at least
Need more spec? Good. The eight-speed 8L90 automatic is the only gearbox option, and power reaches Michelin Pilot Super Sport tyres through an electronic limited-slip differential. A Performance Date Recorder is also fitted so your oversteer heroics with the above can be shared. Did we mention 200mph?

That bonnet scoop may be a little ostentatious but it does serve a purpose, removing hot air from the engine and and reducing lift at speed. It's also carbon fiber [sic] which will reduce weight a little over the front axle. Wider arches accommodate lighter, stronger 19-inch wheels and that rear spoiler is 'aero-optimized'. There's no mistaking it for anything but a fast Cadillac, is there?

Cadillac says the CTS-V will be launched in late summer 2015. Obviously there's very little possibility of it ever being available in the UK but hats off to Cadillac anyhow. It's got 640hp and does 200mph for crying out loud! Merry Christmas.





 

Author
Discussion

X5TUU

Original Poster:

11,908 posts

186 months

Monday 22nd December 2014
quotequote all
hmmmmm first impressions from the nose pic are GTR-ish looks ... not that that's a bad thing IMHO

ludicrous power to put down and bet its a hoot to hoon about it ... shame US freeways are low limit and full of dips and potholes

R8VXF

6,788 posts

114 months

Monday 22nd December 2014
quotequote all
So the American's finally get a version of the HSV GTS. About time too. Looks like it is specced to the W507 package offered by WPP.

GTEYE

2,092 posts

209 months

Monday 22nd December 2014
quotequote all
Gloriously irrelevant, but ultimately still irrelevant at the end of the day.

Still glad they did it though

anonymous-user

53 months

Monday 22nd December 2014
quotequote all
The world needs more cars like this!

Timbola

1,956 posts

139 months

Monday 22nd December 2014
quotequote all
It looks the nuts, especially in darker shades.

AngryPartsBloke

1,436 posts

150 months

Monday 22nd December 2014
quotequote all
R8VXF said:
So the American's finally get a version of the HSV GTS. About time too. Looks like it is specced to the W507 package offered by WPP.
The Gen F is based on the VF Commodore which is an entirely different platform. How is it a 'Version of' it?

In fact the Gen F as the LSA and I'd assume that being a new Model this CTS V will have one of the new Gen 5 LT engines.

glasgowrob

3,232 posts

120 months

Monday 22nd December 2014
quotequote all
stupidly powerful 4 door saloon driving the back wheels, whats not to like.

irish boy

3,523 posts

235 months

Monday 22nd December 2014
quotequote all
Always been fascinated by these and think I would take a chance on one over a used m5 etc. The last gen used the same super charged engine as the zr1 corvette but they rarely/never come up for sale in the uk.

Nors

1,291 posts

154 months

Monday 22nd December 2014
quotequote all
glasgowrob said:
whats not to like.
Keeping it in rear tyres?

vz-r_dave

3,469 posts

217 months

Monday 22nd December 2014
quotequote all
Nors said:
glasgowrob said:
whats not to like.
Keeping it in rear tyres?
You mean keeping it RWD? Seriously?

R8VXF

6,788 posts

114 months

Monday 22nd December 2014
quotequote all
AngryPartsBloke said:
The Gen F is based on the VF Commodore which is an entirely different platform. How is it a 'Version of' it?

In fact the Gen F as the LSA and I'd assume that being a new Model this CTS V will have one of the new Gen 5 LT engines.
Bit of a muppet moment for me as was getting confused with the camaro sharing the GM zeta platform. Upon checking further, it probably uses the GM Sigma II platform which was designed to share components with the larger zeta platform and thus not "An entirely different platform".

You are right on the engine though upon closer inspection, the pulley arrangement at the front does look different to my LSA pulley arrangement.

Z28DUNC

155 posts

149 months

Monday 22nd December 2014
quotequote all
It's a slightly (10bhp less) detuned version of the new Z06 engine. Supercharged LT4.


AngryPartsBloke

1,436 posts

150 months

Monday 22nd December 2014
quotequote all
R8VXF said:
AngryPartsBloke said:
The Gen F is based on the VF Commodore which is an entirely different platform. How is it a 'Version of' it?

In fact the Gen F as the LSA and I'd assume that being a new Model this CTS V will have one of the new Gen 5 LT engines.
Bit of a muppet moment for me as was getting confused with the camaro sharing the GM zeta platform. Upon checking further, it probably uses the GM Sigma II platform which was designed to share components with the larger zeta platform and thus not "An entirely different platform".

You are right on the engine though upon closer inspection, the pulley arrangement at the front does look different to my LSA pulley arrangement.
I know The orginal CTS-V was Sigma II, I think this new one and the 6th Gen Camro will are the Alpha platfrom. Not 100% on that though.

Nors

1,291 posts

154 months

Monday 22nd December 2014
quotequote all
vz-r_dave said:
Nors said:
glasgowrob said:
whats not to like.
Keeping it in rear tyres?
You mean keeping it RWD? Seriously?
I never mentioned that! I just answered the question of an aspect about the car that might not be a pleasurable aspect.


365daytonafan

283 posts

184 months

Monday 22nd December 2014
quotequote all
X5TUU said:
hmmmmm first impressions from the nose pic are GTR-ish looks ... not that that's a bad thing IMHO

ludicrous power to put down and bet its a hoot to hoon about it ... shame US freeways are low limit and full of dips and potholes
Most states in the US have speed limits on their freeways that are the same or higher than UK national speed limits. They do lower the speed limit for freeways sections that run through towns and citys though.

jayxx83

504 posts

195 months

Monday 22nd December 2014
quotequote all
I can see these selling by the bucket load in the UAE. Currently out in Dubai on hols and haven't seen so much American muscle in such a small space. Chargers, Challengers, Camaro's, Mustangs, C7 Stingray, F150, Sierra pickups, they are everywhere! A Thursday night cruise down Jumeriah strip is automotive music.

R8VXF

6,788 posts

114 months

Monday 22nd December 2014
quotequote all
AngryPartsBloke said:
R8VXF said:
AngryPartsBloke said:
The Gen F is based on the VF Commodore which is an entirely different platform. How is it a 'Version of' it?

In fact the Gen F as the LSA and I'd assume that being a new Model this CTS V will have one of the new Gen 5 LT engines.
Bit of a muppet moment for me as was getting confused with the camaro sharing the GM zeta platform. Upon checking further, it probably uses the GM Sigma II platform which was designed to share components with the larger zeta platform and thus not "An entirely different platform".

You are right on the engine though upon closer inspection, the pulley arrangement at the front does look different to my LSA pulley arrangement.
I know The orginal CTS-V was Sigma II, I think this new one and the 6th Gen Camro will are the Alpha platfrom. Not 100% on that though.
According to Wiki(!) it looks like you are right on that http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GM_Alpha_platform

The LT4 engine looks interesting, would be interested in how the CVVT works through the pushrods though.

ikarl

3,730 posts

198 months

Monday 22nd December 2014
quotequote all
Absolutely brilliant.

It's amlost like the strange pictures of the year 2000 that were drawn in the 1920's - Who would have thought even 20 years ago that cars like this would actually be produced?!

Krikkit

26,500 posts

180 months

Monday 22nd December 2014
quotequote all
R8VXF said:
According to Wiki(!) it looks like you are right on that http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GM_Alpha_platform

The LT4 engine looks interesting, would be interested in how the CVVT works through the pushrods though.
Hotrod mag have it here: http://www.hotrod.com/how-to/engine/hrdp-1007-gms-...

Essentially it's a doddle - you only have to look after a single camshaft rather than 4 of a modern ohc.

R8VXF

6,788 posts

114 months

Monday 22nd December 2014
quotequote all
Krikkit said:
Hotrod mag have it here: http://www.hotrod.com/how-to/engine/hrdp-1007-gms-...

Essentially it's a doddle - you only have to look after a single camshaft rather than 4 of a modern ohc.
And easy to retrofit to an LSx series engine smile I think I might need to research this a bit more...