New Cadillac CTS-V Kicks Ass
The forthcoming Caddy CTS-V should make a few German uber-tuners sit up and take notice. ("Ja, those crazy Americans!") According to GM powertrain engineers and product guys, the CTS-V will holster a detuned version of the Corvette ZR1's engine. While cast pistons will ensure the new Caddy won't out-horse the new Chevy (Heaven forbid), the V will use the same mondo-supercharger motorvating the ZR1. Both cars will also boast a "competitive driving mode" whereby drivers can tell the electronic nannies to chill. (Good luck with that.) While the CTS-V gets the latest Magnaride suspension system, it won't handle like the ZR1 (duh!). But with launch control activated, Mr. Magnaride will enable weight transfer to the rear, just like an old-school muscle car. To keep the driver behind the wheel during all these gymnastics, the V gets Recaro seats– which aren't heated and cooled like the regular chairs. One more thing: CTS-V production will only be limited by market demand, of which there should be more than a little.
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We're all working off the same, single photograph but I have to agree; the CTS-V looks like a riced-up Lexus.
jfsvo: cast pistons have less horsepower potential, that's it. Please don't worry! There is absolutely nothing wrong with the CTS-V's engine design if you keep the stock supercharger pulley and stick with upgrades like exhaust headers and a dyno tune. The ZR1, however, has forged slugs that will easily accept a smaller pulley, tune, WhippleCharger, etc. In what ways is it detuned? Less boost? Lower compression ratio? Less timing? The CTS-V has the same engine (block, heads, injectors, supercharger) with different intercooler plumbing (more real estate under the hood). I didn't ask about the pulley diameter between the ZR1 and CTS, sorry. Expect exhaust tuning and computer calibrations to make up the lion's share of power loss between the two.
Check out the photos of the CTS-V at MotorTrend. They are much more flattering than this one. This should be a superb vehicle, period. Curb weight is ~4200 lbs. The same as my 94 Roadmaster!! Holy crap!!