2009 Cadillac CTS-v will get 600hp
Next CTS-v gets 600-horse supercharged V-8
What’s good for the Blue Devil is good for the Cadillac CTS-v. The next-generation muscle-Caddy, which is expected in the 2009 model year along with the quicker-than-Z06 Chevrolet Corvette, also will get the supercharged LS7 7.0-liter powerplant. While the Blue Devil, which will be named Z07, will have about 700-horsepower (”Trend,” June), expect the engine to be detuned somewhat for the CTS-v to about 600 horses.
That’s still well above the competition’s numbers. The BMW M3 and Audi RS4 come in at 420 horsepower, and the Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG looks to be about 503 horsepower, same as the CLK63 AMG Black Series that made its debut at the New York show.
On paper, the Z06’s 505-horsepower, 7.0-liter has enough grunt to give the CTS-v the edge over its European rivals. But the naturally aspirated Z06 engine is said to lack enough low-end torque for a car of the Cadillac’s weight. The Z06 weighs just over 3200 pounds; the new CTS-v is likely to tip the scales at about 3600.
Expect themes from the current Cadillac CTS-v to carry through to the new model, including stiffer springs and shocks, meaty Brembo brakes, a quicker steering ratio, fender blisters, and lower front and rear deck spoilers, a mesh grille, and nicely bolstered front seats.
Spy photographer Chris Doane caught the 2009 Cadillac CTS-V in testing. So far, we’ve seen several shots of “ordinary” 2008 CTS test cars. These are the first images to date of the high-performance V-series variant. The prototype has a huge bubble in the hood, performance wheels, wide tires, unique (larger) exhaust pipes and — our photographer swears — an obvious “supercharger sound.”
According to spy Brenda Priddy, one of the most dependable sources claims the
CTS V Series will be powered by a 4.6-liter non-supercharged V8, while others insist — as the photos seem to show — a supercharged V8 is in store for the hot CTS. Some sources even claim this car will share the “Blue Devil” Stingray’s supercharged V8 — which could explain why these two vehicles have been spotted in the same general area.
Horsepower estimates have also been all over the board, but it’s safe to assume the CTS-V will have somewhere between 550-600 hp. Production should start in the fall of 2008, according to Priddy, with an annual run of 7500 V Series units is expected.
The CTS (C-Series Touring Sedan) is a mid size entry level Luxury car made by General Motors for the Cadillac brand. It was introduced as the replacement for the Cadillac Catera in 2003.
Designed by Wayne Cherry, the CTS uses edgy styling that Cadillac calls “Art and Science”, which was first seen on the Evoq concept car. The CTS is credited with rejuvinating the Cadillac brand, and possibly saving it from extinction, as Cadillac sales fell in favor of imported luxury brands such as Lexus and Mercedes-Benz. Although Cadillac tried to capture a younger buyer base in the 1990s, the CTS was the first of these new models that was successful as Cadillac’s other attempts at luring in younger buyers, such as the Catera and Allante, were unsuccessful. The CTS’ success is credited to its appearance in The Matrix Reloaded.
The 2008 CTS was unvelied at the North American International Auto Show. it borrows styling cues from the Cadillac Sixteen concept car, and is scheduled to go on sale in December.
First Generation (2003-2007) Introduced in 2002 for the 2003 model year, the CTS rode on the new rear-wheel drive GM Sigma platform. It was a return to rear-wheel drive, as well as being the first Cadillac with a manual transmission since the 1988 Cimarron. It replaced the mid-size rear-wheel drive Catera. The CTS was nominated for the North American Car of the Year award for 2002. The CTS is built at GM’s Lansing Grand River plant in Lansing, Michigan. The CTS was assembled in China in 2006, but assembly was discontinued shortly thereafter due to poor sales in that market. The CTS in China is now an exported model once again.
Originally powered by a 3.2 L LA3 V6 producing 220 hp (164 kW), the CTS received a 3.6 L DOHC V6 with variable valve timing in 2004, producing 255 hp (190 kW) and 252 ft·lbf (342 N·m) of torque. The 3.2 L engine went out of production in 2005, when a new 2.8 L version of the DOHC V6 debuted in an entry-level version of the CTS. In Europe, the 2.8 L replaces the previous entry level 2.6 L.
The CTS originally offered either a 5-speed 5L40-E automatic transmission or 5-speed Getrag 260 manual transmission. The Getrag was replaced with an Aisin AY-6 6-speed for 2005.
The redesigned 2008 CTS debuted at the 2007 North American International Auto Show.
Second Generation (2008-Present)
Production 2008-
Layout Front-engine, rear-wheel drive/Four-wheel drive
Platform GM Sigma II
Engine(s) 3.6 L LY7 V6 (258 hp)
3.6 L LLT V6 (302 hp)
Transmission(s) 6-speed 6L50 automatic
6-speed Aisin AY-6 manual
Wheelbase 113.4 in (2880 mm)
Length 191.6 in (4866 mm)
Width 72.5 in (1841 mm)
Height 58 in (1472 mm)
On April 2, 2006 in a 60 Minutes interview with Bob Lutz, part of a prototype Cadillac was revealed to audiences. The car appeared to take design influences both inside and out from the Cadillac Sixteen concept from 2003. Prototype models caught testing at the N?rburgring in Germany also carry many of the design features from the car showcased in April nearly unmasked. Spyshots from the N?rburgring prototypes also show that the car will still have a manual transmission. The CTS will also have an all-wheel drive option.
At the North American International Auto Show in January 2007, GM introduced the all-new CTS that will go on sale as a 2008 model. The base model will feature a 3.6-liter variable valve timing V6 with 258 hp and 252 lb-ft of torque. A second version will be offered, a new 3.6-liter direct-injection V6 VVT engine with approximately 300 horsepower and 270 pound-feet of torque using regular unleaded gas. A six-speed manual transmission will be standard on all models. The six-speed Hydra-matic 6L50 automatic transmission will be optional. Also on-demand all-wheel drive will be offered with both engines when equipped with an automatic transmission.
The new model is wider and longer, measuring 191.6 inches (4766 mm) long, 72.5 inches (1841 mm) wide and 58 inches (1472 mm) in height. Wheelbase is unchanged at 113.4 inches (2880 mm), but with a wider front/rear track of 61.8 / 62.0 inches (1575 / 1585 mm).
Like its predecessor, the 2008 CTS is offered with rear- or, new for 2008, all-wheel-drive. Some suspension, braking, and steering improvements from last year’s CTS-V have been added to the standard CTS.
Nine-spoke, 18-inch wheels surround larger high-performance brake calipers and rotors.
Side air extractors are located forward of the front doors.
Optional features include iPod integration, swiveling headlights, Bose premium audio, and remote start.
According to a recent issue of Motor Trend, a coupe and station wagon version of the CTS may be produced and sold in the USA, although GM feels that they may be more successful in Europe. Also, an American model of a Cadillac based on the soon to be Saturn Astra may be in the USA as well in Sedan or 4-door hatch form.
The 2008 CTS will be going into production during the summer with a late August/early September release in order to directly compete with Mercedes-Benz’ all new 2008 C-Class being released around the same time frame according to Cadillac dealers on the east coast.
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