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Cadillac Throws down the Gauntlet, Lutz: "We're the fastest in the world"

komododave submitted on 1/15/2008 Official Bell & Ross Timestamp: 2:32:53 PM

45 user comments | Category: Misc News | Source: | SOURCE: blogs.edmunds.com

Tag Links: Cadillac Throws down the Gauntlet, Lutz: "We're the fastest in the world"

Lutz reveals in an interview that the new CTS-V will be the fastest sport sedan in the world, besting the M5's quarter mile time of 12.

7 seconds and the S65 AMG's time of 12.6 seconds. If this is true, Cadillac will score big in the minds of sport sedan lovers all over the world. Next up? The fastest luxury coupe maybe with a CTC-V?

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Cadillac Throws down the Gauntlet, Lutz:

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— komododave (View Profile)

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Not only this, but I am pretty sure they are working hard or maybe even have a Ring time that bests these two cars. Maybe they are waiting for the new RS6 Ring time announcements, just in case they need to beat that time by pushing it a bit harder.
— jasaero (View Profile)

Posted on 1/16/2008 11:21:43 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 4

and this is on a de-tuned motor...if they decided to change the pulleys on that supercharger, all hell breaks loose!
— r15mohd (View Profile)

Posted on 1/16/2008 11:29:29 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 3

Not really a detuned motor. The LS9 of the ZR1 has a lumpier came, bigger/longer SC, and BEAFED up internals to make it's extra power. A very spendy black edition with that LS9 and some ceramic brakes, and lots of composite body panels would be cool though!
— jasaero (View Profile)

Posted on 1/16/2008 11:34:49 AM | | Votes: 2

They forgot about the new RS6...
— S4cabriofoxone (View Profile)

Posted on 1/16/2008 11:34:10 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 0

The AWD is going to have to make up for the power to weight ratio though. The new RS6 is awesome also, but has enough extra weight it still has a power to weight disadvantage to this car. Particularly to the Manual version of the CTS-V. Not sure AWD will make up for that. Also the launch control and new rear drivetrain on this new CTS-V could make the AWD a moot advantage anyway.
— jasaero (View Profile)

Posted on 1/16/2008 11:37:39 AM | | Votes: 2

The RS6 Avant is significantly heavier than this car (it's about 4500lbs), but the sedan should weigh a good 200lbs less. With ~600hp, it shouldn't have any trouble beating the CTS-V in acceleration or speed.

Another ace they could have is DSG. I have no idea what they've been doing with it lately, but I'm still waiting for them to implement it in something other than the A3 or TT.
— S4cabriofoxone (View Profile)

Posted on 1/16/2008 1:56:00 PM | | Votes: 0

yeah but the CTS-V old version with 400hp is faster than the 420hp V10 S6, the 550i with 360hp and E550 with 380 are from V8 engines are just as fast, and have gotten faster times than the S6, so there is certainly a weight issue with the A6 that can be seen especially in the lower versions where the V6, and V8 are not really comparable to anything in the segment performance wise except maybe the S80.....
— bmwdrvr (View Profile)

Posted on 1/16/2008 2:03:18 PM | | Votes: 3

I will agree that the RS6, when and if, it finally comes in Sedan form could be the first car to knock the CTS-V off of the worlds fastest/quickest throne IF the CTS-V does in fact post verifiably better numbers than the M5 and E63. I just think though that even in sedan form the AWD RS6 is going to be a bit heavy to be consistently quicker than the CTS-V.
— jasaero (View Profile)

Posted on 1/16/2008 2:16:15 PM | | Votes: 2

If someone were to tell me that Cadillac would have a car that competes this well against vehicles of this caliber, I would have thought they were crazy. They are all amazing. What a great time to be an auto enthusiast, regardless of manufacturer you prefer!
— Shredmo (View Profile)

Posted on 1/16/2008 11:43:37 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 6

^ If someone were to tell me 10 years ago...
— Shredmo (View Profile)

Posted on 1/16/2008 11:44:36 AM | | Votes: 3

I agree 100%!! It wasn't until I saw info and pictures on the first CTS that I started look differently at Cadillac. The pictures of that Car had me pretty convinced Caddy was turning over a new leaf. The first CTS-V info made me a true believer they weren't messing around, even though it was a bit short many areas.
— jasaero (View Profile)

Posted on 1/16/2008 12:23:37 PM | | Votes: 5

I hope they succeed, but I’m, afraid that the new CTS-V will cost more than the New M3!

They need to offer some value in order for the car to succeed. I dont think caddy plans on pricing the car aggressively.
— LexSucks (View Profile)

Posted on 1/16/2008 12:07:46 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 0

Huh?? That would be aggressive as it is the size and class of an M5 more than an M3.
— jasaero (View Profile)

Posted on 1/16/2008 12:18:43 PM | | Votes: 3

i doubt this car will be more than M3, the last one was the same price as a loaded 335i at a low 50,000 the new one cant be more than 60-70,000
— bmwdrvr (View Profile)

Posted on 1/16/2008 2:04:40 PM | | Votes: 0

Lutz has heard of the RS6, right?
— VISO (View Profile)

Posted on 1/16/2008 1:35:16 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2

Well, technically this is true. For now.

Audi has not even released the RS6 sedan yet, let alone its top speed.

We can rest in the fact that the RS6 Avant is the fastest wagon in the world. For now.
— S4cabriofoxone (View Profile)

Posted on 1/16/2008 1:57:38 PM | | Votes: 3

A wagon vesion of the CTS (CTW?) is already in the works and I see no reason for Cadillac not to give it the V treatment.
I also agree with previous statements in that the RS6 will be a beautifull beast as well, but will probably be heavier with the AWD system. It'll probably have more advantage in twisties and wet stuff though.
— komododave (View Profile)

Posted on 1/16/2008 3:36:22 PM | | Votes: -2

They only thing they need to do is get rid of that cheap looking grill. The regular grill on the new CTS looks much better. This looks aftermarket.
— M35MT (View Profile)

Posted on 1/16/2008 1:37:32 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 0

Audi who? Lexus who? BMW what? Witness the new King of Performence!!!! Don't forget that engine can still be tuned to kick out some more horsepwer.

Lutz = an American Patriot, love this guy.
— no1listensanyway (View Profile)

Posted on 1/16/2008 2:46:15 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -3

Come back in six months when the V whoops your p***y M5, I dont think you will be laughing then.

Lutz is responsible for the revival of not only GM but American Manufacturing in General. He proved to the world onces again that we can produce world-class products. Your clearly too much of a close minded idiot to see that. Go be a jack ass somewhere else.
— no1listensanyway (View Profile)

Posted on 1/17/2008 2:06:07 PM | | Votes: -1

nolisten ... what are you smoking? The M5 is currently the fastest 4 door sedan on the market. Until Cadillac actually has proof, then who are you crapping. Anyone can say they have the fastest, but until it is actually proven then all you have a just some words by a GM executive. I remember that the New CTS was supposed to be the car to dethrone the 3-series in the sports sedan segment. How exactly did that pan out? lost in all the comparisons. Some think it should compare with the 5-series since it is almost as big, but why bother. Isnt he the same person that helped market the XLR? How well is that doing?

Mr. Lutz, who are you crapping?
— BMW4me4ever (View Profile)

Posted on 1/17/2008 7:00:15 PM | | Votes: 2

The CTS does not compete with the 3, A4, C. Nor does it compete directly with the 5, E, A6. It is kinda it's own niche with power to rival an M5 but at the cost of a little higher than an M3 I think.

Can't wait for all the videos on youtube of people with these blowin away M5's. But I bet Clarkson gives it a crappy review like he always does, typical Brit.

You all talk about the power and AWD in the RS6, but you keep forgetting the CTS-V has MRC, magnetic ride control. Something you only find on ultra-luxo, exotics like Ferrari's. So handling advantages may be nil with this techonology and that beast under the hood.
— Whelan (View Profile)

Posted on 1/16/2008 3:27:58 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -1

ok! lol
— pacotacolol (View Profile)

Posted on 1/16/2008 3:33:42 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -1

What's to imagine? The 550 horses are real.
— pushrod27 (View Profile)

Posted on 1/16/2008 5:48:22 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2

550 horses are real ... but him imagining that the CTS-V will best the M5 is clearly a vision. Where is the proof, aside from a GM executive saying so? I am worth 100 billion. Just because I said so, doesnt make it true.
— BMW4me4ever (View Profile)

Posted on 1/17/2008 7:04:56 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1

Can't wait to hear the choking sounds as all the GM nay-sayers start eating crow. Nevermind all the speculation as to what this car competes with...The CTS-V and the new ZR-1 Corvette set new world class benchmarks for performance, value, and sheer bang for the buck. Pony up, kiddies...the line at the dealer starts behind me!
— Horsehide (View Profile)

Posted on 1/16/2008 7:30:53 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -2

I like BOB lutz a lot if Cadillac had been building cars like this 15 years maybe we would not buy so many BMW and Mercedes. The key is for Cadillac to keep on building exciting products 10 years from now.
— Larry (View Profile)

Posted on 1/16/2008 7:44:10 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2

hmm....i was just beginning to like the new M3...till this came along. picking out a car isnt easy these days
— KZ258 (View Profile)

Posted on 1/16/2008 8:03:13 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2

they've come a long way. a few years ago, i was happy just to see a rwd Cadillac: the catera.

jeremy clarkson will have a much tougher time picking on the new cts.

— 1995e34 (View Profile)

Posted on 1/16/2008 10:02:43 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 0

Can't wait for the new CTS-V. Looks like a beast. It looks like Caddy is stepping it up. Great job. Still, I would pick the M5 over any car anyday.
— M1k3 (View Profile)

Posted on 1/16/2008 10:27:54 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 0

I would like to see an article saying the new Audi RS6 will have 600hp? I heard rumor going around with 570-580 hp but NOT 600hp.

The new Cadillac CTS-V is definitely heating up the competition for sure.
— Lexus (View Profile)

Posted on 1/17/2008 2:36:16 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 0

Is this much power really needed? Especially in a 4 door family sedan.

And RS6 is a limited edition model. Audi normally makes it available near the end of A6's life cycle. It's a special model so it making huge power makes sense. Regular sporty model is S6.

At least this is true here in Middle East. I remember when i bought my 2005 Audi RS6 ABT 505BHP,(Here in UAE there are two official Audi dealers, Al Naboodah and Ali and Sons) only Ali and Sons had a few.

They told me it's a very special model, and there is no booking/ordering or choosing options like that. They had 9 or 10 RS6 and 2 ABT equipped to choose from. And they all were German specification models and not Gulf.

All in all i mean RS6 is a very unique type of car. It's very limited and expect it to be nearly 30K to 40K over this caddy.

btw i think this type of crazy BHP wars should end, how about the fuel efficiency of this caddy?

500BHP is the max required in a 4 door at least for the next 10 years, but better fuel economy year after year.

JUGNU
— JUGNU (View Profile)

Posted on 1/17/2008 7:34:56 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1

So every AMG product is overkill? So the M5 and M6 are overkill? If I can get nearly 425 horsepower in an american sedan that costs 40k (charger) then I want a lot more bang for my buck in a top end luxury sport sedan.
— komododave (View Profile)

Posted on 1/17/2008 2:22:44 PM | | Votes: -1

What is cadillac smoking? This is all just heresay until they have actual numbers to back up their claim. The BMW has blazed the quarter mile in 12.25 seconds per car & driver and road and track. The new M3 4 dr sedan should be a little quicker with their Dual Clutch transmission ...

Until Cadillac can prove it with figures, then this means nothing. Plus Audi has a RS6 due to arrive.

— BMW4me4ever (View Profile)

Posted on 1/17/2008 12:47:42 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -3

I'll probably be sorry for saying this but.....
Everyone is so quick to accept Lexus performance numbers on the LF-A and IS-F when lexus is the only one who has tested them. Why can't Caddy be tellng the truth as well?
I think there are a lot of people on this site who need to learn to respect other car companies even if they don't like them. I don't like toyota, but I respect them as a company.
meh...I don't feel like rambling.
— komododave (View Profile)

Posted on 1/17/2008 2:19:47 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -1

This is cool and all, but I'm sure everyone is thinking the same thing: horsepower isn't everything. Will the handling and braking be up to par, too?

I realize GM needs as many publicity points as it can get, these days, but a great car has to be great across many dimensions.

And the other nagging thought is...great halo car, but isn't everyone heading in the direction of hybrids, these days? So again, nice marketing ploy, but don't lose focus on making cars that'll actually sell in volume, because sales keeps the lights on.
— DW1968 (View Profile)

Posted on 1/19/2008 3:19:23 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1

Power does not equal quality. While it may pass everything but a gas station, it's still GM junk.
— racedogs (View Profile)

Posted on 1/25/2008 1:00:04 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1

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Cadillac Throws down the Gauntlet, Lutz: "We're the fastest in the world"

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