400hp Cadillac CTS-V
Wait a minute! A 400-hp Cadillac? CTS? Yes, and it’s a Caddy honed at the ’Ring by Morris and other Performance Division engineers. The CTS V-Series—GM’s first product to benefit from the work of the in-house garagistes—is about to strafe the sport-sedan world. Let us say this loud and clear: With the Cadillac CTS V, GM has proven it can make a performance sedan sing and dance, and be competitive.
The CTS V is Cadillac’s answer to BMW’s M3, Audi’s S4 and Mercedes-Benz’s C32 AMG ultra-high-performance sedans. It is the most powerful production Cadillac ever, and the most fun to drive by a long shot. The car signifies Cadillac and GM’s commitment to meet the Europeans head-on in the most important slice of the sport-sedan segment. You don’t last long in this league if you can’t wring world-class performance from your hardware. Right away. There’s no partial credit given, no marks for effort, and GM knows it.
With intake and exhaust systems designed specifically for the Cadillac, the car’s 5.7-liter, all-aluminum, pushrod V8 is the same LS6 used in the Corvette Z06. The output lost relative to the Corvette appli-cation is minor, with 400 hp at 6000 rpm and 395 lb-ft of torque at 4800 rpm (this is a 5 hp and 5 lb-ft loss at the same revs). The only transmission offered is a slightly modified version of the Corvette’s Tremec T56 six-speed gearbox (the 1-4 skip-shift remains), which works with a clutch-type limited-slip differential and 3.73:1 final drive to drill power to the road. Performance Division officials say the V can spin its 245/45R-18 Goodyear Eagle F1s to 60 mph in 4.6 seconds, and we have no reason to doubt the claim. World-class territory for sure.
Even when you know the CTS V has been dialed-in for track use, there is a need to adjust your personal information processor; you just don’t expect to go this fast in a Caddy. The test session confirms the point when you look at the VDO instrument cluster as it indicates 140 mph (there are still 22 mph to go before you top out). With each stab at the throttle, you feel the LS6’s ruthless torque coarse through its meaty prop- and half-shafts, and you know you shouldn’t go any faster. But of course you do. This chassis makes you susceptible to the suggestions of that little devil on your shoulder (he looks like Morris): “Go ahead,” he whispers. “Do it.”
2004 CADILLAC
CTS V-SERIES
ON SALE: January 2004
BASE PRICE: $45,000 (est.)
POWERTRAIN: 5.7-liter, 400-hp, 395-lb-ft V8; rwd, six-speed manual (Most likely under-rated)
CURB WEIGHT: 3833 pounds
0-60 MPH: 4.6 seconds (mfr.)
Top Speed: 162mph
Quote
j/k
