Tuesday 13th May 2014

Caddy bids farewell to CTS-V

500 cars in valedictory limited edition before new V Series CTS arrives

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We've something of a soft spot for the Cadillac CTS-V round here. The shock of discovering from the first UK drives that it Wasn't That Bad was a pleasant surprise, all the more so with the availability of a manual gearbox. And an estate. Of course it makes plentiful smoke (insert Harris video here) but there was a degree of sophistication to the CTS-V also; Brembo brakes, magnetic dampers and some Nordschleife testing. In a Cadillac!

Make smoke, hide this

There's the thing with this generation of CTS-V. Flawed yes, but also possessing some real quality that enabled it to pass muster against European rivals. It looked pretty cool too, even if the coupe had a hint of Notre Dame hunchback to it.

So ahead of the next CTS V Series next year Cadillac has announced a run-out special edition. Using the same supercharged V8 as the old Corvette ZR1, it would have been nice to see the final CTS match that car's 647hp. Alas we're stuck with the measly 564hp found in every other CTS-V. Spoilsports.

Available in Black Diamond (for $700), Crystal White or Phantom Grey, the CTS-V is just a cosmetically enhanced special rather than indulging in any R26.R-style madness. So the interior gets some red accents, microfiber [sic] suede for the wheel and gear knob plus 'Midnight Sapele' wood adorning the dash. Outside the wheels are in satin graphite, the brake calipers red and the grille in a 'dark finish'. Menacing.

This prefers go rather than show

This CTS-V will go on sale in the US from the summer at a price of $72,195 (£42,845). The only option listed is a sunroof; why not at $700? Cadillac's chief marketing officer Uwe Ellinghaus promises this car "is a stepping stone to the next-generation V-Series, which will move to the next level with more dynamic design and technical sophistication". This time around we really are quite intrigued by that prospect.

 

[Source: Autocar]

[StefanVXR8]

I've always pretty much liked the angular lines of the CTS-V, a different alternative to the Camaro and indeed the Vauxhall VXR8 that all share the same underpinnings.

My money would go on the new VXR8 GTS though, same performance and handling with the friendlier RHD.

Stef

[anonymous-user]

I have always had a soft spot for these as they are kind of a half way house between a muscle car and a super saloon

[Fetchez la vache]

Is this the first ever PH post to not have a link in the classifieds?
Hardly suprising as the only time I've seen one is at the motor show.

Love the estate

[bobberz]

Shame to see it go. They're fantastic cars. Bonkers power in an estate with a six speed manual?! Unfortunately, not any more. The new one won't come in an estate version and won't have a manual available.

[angelicupstarts]

StefanVXR8 said:

I've always pretty much liked the angular lines of the CTS-V, a different alternative to the Camaro and indeed the Vauxhall VXR8 that all share the same underpinnings.

My money would go on the new VXR8 GTS though, same performance and handling with the friendlier RHD.

Stef

Are you sure they have same chassis ?
I know vauxhall vxr8 is built in Melbourne , OZ ...on Holden Monaro chassis and parts

But rather positive the caddy is built on sigma chassis in America

Don't think sigma chassis and monaro / vauxhall chassis are the same

Are they ?

[LuS1fer]

I've always wanted one of these. My ideal car in so many ways. Just keep their used value rather too well.

[StefanVXR8]

angelicupstarts said:

Are you sure they have same chassis ?
I know vauxhall vxr8 is built in Melbourne , OZ ...on Holden Monaro chassis and parts

But rather positive the caddy is built on sigma chassis in America

Don't think sigma chassis and monaro / vauxhall chassis are the same

Are they ?

The VXR8 is most definitely NOT built on the Monaro chassis at all. The VXR8 is based on the Holden Commodore which was a $1 billion AUD clean sheet design.

All modern cars (performance variants) share the same engines, drivetrain, suspension (magnetic dampers) etc. They are common GM components regardless of which country, I'm not talking about the platform, just the components etc.

The Commodore and Camaro share the Zeta platform, and you're right the Caddy VTS is on the Sigma.

Stef

Edited by StefanVXR8 on Tuesday 13th May 18:00

[LuS1fer]

What is a farwell anyway? Is it like a farewell?

[soad]

LuS1fer said:

What is a farwell anyway? Is it like a farewell?

Well spotted.

[willisit]

The Corvette ZR1's LS9 is not the same as the LSA in the Caddy and Camaro ZL1. Similar, sort of, but not the same. Common mistake I believe!

[angelicupstarts]

StefanVXR8 said:

The VXR8 is most definitely NOT built on the Monaro chassis at all. The VXR8 is based on the Holden Commodore which was a $1 billion AUD clean sheet design.

All modern cars (performance variants) share the same engines, drivetrain, suspension (magnetic dampers) etc. They are common GM components regardless of which country, I'm not talking about the platform, just the components etc.

The Commodore and Camaro share the Zeta platform, and you're right the Caddy VTS is on the Sigma.

Stef

Edited by StefanVXR8 on Tuesday 13th May 18:00

Ah right , got it now
Cheers

[underphil]

The coupe really looks good when you see it in the metal

[BULLITT Rich]

The Camaro and the Monaro share the same chassis I think

[edinph]

I recently saw one of these outside the Royal Mirage Dubai wrapped in carbon fibre! (Assume it was a wrap anyway) and it looked superb! Sounded pretty awesome too.

[gremlin666]

edinph said:

I recently saw one of these outside the Royal Mirage Dubai wrapped in carbon fibre! (Assume it was a wrap anyway) and it looked superb! Sounded pretty awesome too.

A Caddy in Carbon Wrap in Dubai!!! The epitomy of good taste? lmfao!

Don't really understand why GM bother with Caddys in Europe. NOT ONE sold in the UK last year apparently. Surely they'd be better off just badging one of the stretched Epsilon II platform Caddys or the Bewick LaCrosse as a Vauxhell/Opel. I know the market has changed a bit over the past decade, but they did shift a fair few Senators and 'Migs back in the day. Also, the LaCrosse is supposed to be a pretty decent car, with Euro-standard dynamics and build quality. Caddy as a brand, just sums up everything that's bad about American cars. Well whatever. They wouldn't have to sell very many Vauxhall (LaCrosses) to top last year's Caddy total of ZERO!

[StefanVXR8]

BULLITT Rich said:

The Camaro and the Monaro share the same chassis I think

Oh no they don't!

The Camaro (current version) shares the platform with the VE Commodore, it's known as Zeta and cost in excess of $1 billion AUD. It was a brand new clean sheet design.

"Launched in 2006 after GM's 2003 abandonment of their last European rear-drive sedan, the Opel Omega, the VE is the first Commodore model designed entirely in Australia, as opposed to being based on an adapted Opel-sourced platform. Given this and high public expectations of quality, the budget in developing the car reportedly exceeded A$1 billion. Underpinned by the new Holden developed GM Zeta platform, the VE features more sophisticated independent suspension all round and near-even 50:50 weight distribution"

The Camaro is actually technically more Australian than American...............

"Following the development of the Zeta architecture and because of its position as the GM global center of RWD development, GM Holden in Australia led the final design, engineering, and development of the Camaro. Production of the coupé began on March 16, 2009.............."

Stef

[ReaperCushions]

underphil said:

The coupe really looks good when you see it in the metal

Agreed, easily the winner of the range (unless you want to carry stuff). Where I live (US) there are loads of the coupes around, I think they did a lease deal recently. Most are the hybrid model, but they have an awesome presence.

[StefanVXR8]

ReaperCushions said:

Agreed, easily the winner of the range (unless you want to carry stuff). Where I live (US) there are loads of the coupes around, I think they did a lease deal recently. Most are the hybrid model, but they have an awesome presence.

I think it looks great, I remember seeing a full size billboard image of it as I was walking through the MetLife building in NYC a few years back and it looked fantastic, haven't been fortunate to see one in the flesh.

Stef

[XJ Flyer]

The worrying thing is what is meant by 'technical sophistication' for the next generation.I wouldn't like to bet on it not being yet another case of downsized automation instead of the big pushrod supercharged V8 and manual box formula.In which case it all depends on the definition of 'technical sophistication'.

[XJ Flyer]

bobberz said:

Shame to see it go. They're fantastic cars. Bonkers power in an estate with a six speed manual?! Unfortunately, not any more. The new one won't come in an estate version and won't have a manual available.

Which just leaves the question what happens to the engine options.No surprise if it's smaller V6 only to go with the auto only trans.

Edited by XJ Flyer on Wednesday 14th May 00:35