Vette LS2 for Monaro

[anonymous-user]

Just read this story about uprated car on the Pistonheads home page. Not sure it's one I'd buy myself but 400bhp for £37,000 in a properly engineered modern car sounds like an absolute steal. Remains a mystery to me why GM use the Northstar in the XLR. LS1/LS2/LS6 are remarkable engines even if there aren't cams on top.

[c4koh]

5USA said:

GM use the Northstar in the XLR.

With the exception of the CTS-V, I think that the Northstar engine is favoured if possible for the Cadillac, as it's the Caddy's "crown jewel".

Quad-cam as it is, with variable valve timing, it's also technically exquisite for the precious Caddy, more so obviously than a push-rod small block.

Since the engine and the Northstar system are integral to the Cadillac brand, I think that's why they're using it... Anyway, if you wanted a sports car, you wouldn't be buying an XLR in the first place I suppose.

My other car - apart from my ZR1 - is a '99 Caddy STS, and I have to say that the Northstar engine is a really pretty, very smooth engine (although why the redline is at 6500rpm I don't know )

[Lus1fer]

The reason Cadillac use the Northstar is obvious to anyone who has driven a Z06. The Z06 is quite obviously a sports car engine. Gruff and powerful, refinement is not it's strong suit which is why the CTS-V is often described as a hot rod. Using the LS6 would simply dilute sales of the Corvette as it would be the same car in a different dress. The idea is that the sporty Corvette competes with the Porsches and so forth and the Caddy competes with the softer, more refined up market brands like Merc SL's and BMW convertibles.

The CTS-V is a stop-gap and the next CTS will have a softer design and will use a supercharged Northstar, not least because there is no room to convert the CTS-V to rhd whereas it may be possible with the Northstar installation.

Which brings me to the LS2 Monaro. Undoubtedly an improvement but still not in the same league as the LS6 which would still make me favour the Caddy over the Holden. The reason is gleaned from reading a thread conbcerning the C6 vs C5 Z06 where it seems the Z06 will haul and keep hauling whereas the LS2 has softer programming that means it doesn't rev as well at the top end. I may be alone here but I also think the CTS-V knocks spots off the Monaro in the styling department. I'd rather have a challenging design than a bland one.

>> Edited by Lus1fer on Thursday 16th December 18:34

[anonymous-user]

I think the engine is the best part of a Vette and much about C6 and XLR in Europe is going to depend on pricing. In $US price order,
Merc SL500 $86,000 £72,000
Jag XK8 $75,000 £50,000
Caddy XLR $75,000 £?????
BMW 645i $70,000 £50,000
Porsche 911 $68,000 £64,000
Vette C6 $45,000 £45,000
Monaro/GTO $33,000 £37,500

Looking at price alone it's hard to see what the Vette is competing with and you're left to wonder who in their right mind is going to pay a big price for the "refined" XLR when you can get the BMW or Jag in RHD for £50k and the Merc in RHD for £72k. Selling Cadillacs in UK looks a loser to me unless they're cheap. Depreciation is likely to be just as vicious as last time around whatever the new price so there may be bargains ahead. Jury's out on Monaro.

[c4koh]

5USA said:

Depreciation is likely to be just as vicious as last time around whatever the new price so there may be bargains ahead.

I hope so! I bought my STS for 11K, 3 years old, which compared to the 40K originally spent by the previous owner, was great for me!!

Similarly, if we can get the same from an XLR, then I'd have one: it is a very pretty car, it's a Cadillac (I only buy cars from the General!), and it is different from the SLs and Beemers we see all and every day...