Caddy CTS-V Conquers Four-Door 'Ring Record

by Edward Niedermeyer

May 13th, 2008 5:07 AM

caddy cts v conquers four door 8216 ring record

Nissan's GT-R recently raised some eyebrows by lapping the famed Nürburgring Nordschleife in a tidy 7 min 29 seconds, just barely missing the record held by the Pagani Zonda F. And now Cadillac, once known for its bewinged boulevardier behemoths, has stepped into the Green Hell. Caddy's 542 hp CTS-V emerged with a 7 min 59 second lap time, a feat claimed as the best ever for a production four-door car. Of course, everyone knows production-spec cars are strictly for suckers. So what's the fastest four-door to ever lap the 'ring? According to Wikipedia's list of Nordschleife times, it's a BMW X5 LM: a limited edition sport ute with a Le Mans racer V12 shoved under the hood. Back in 2005, that bad boy clocked a 7:50 lap. For reference, the CTS-V's 7:59 is the same as a Viper SRT-10, Carrera 997S, R33 Skyline GT-R, and STi Spec C. Quite what all this has to do with luxury cars is not clear, but it's good to be King. Isn't it?

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4 of 22 comments

Nick on May 12, 2008
the lap was also not done by a professional race drive but an excecutive with the GM performacne division. Nice to see that some of their excecs still know how to drive. Look for him to be forced into early retirement. Most companies, not just GM, are good at that. All joking aside...wicked sedan.

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Captain Tungsten on May 12, 2008

That GM executive was John Heinricy, multiple SCCA National Champion in all sorts of cars with big V8's driving fat rear tires.....

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Golden2husky on May 12, 2008

In my opinion Cadillac is on the right track to be an American BMW or Audi and not follow the more sedate path of Lexus. Either path is difficult but GM is actually making great strides with Cadillac. The DTS can carry the flag for the remaining traditional buyers, but following the performance path with engaging products will differentiate Cadillac from old school American luxury, which really should be Buick. So, kudos for Cadillac. Just keep the GM Cheapness department at bay. Everything the driver touches must be of top quality. If you have to charge another $100 bucks, do it. It is always disappointing to read about how great the car is but how this or that is cheesy. GM, hold the cheese please and keep Cadillac on this track. Set your sights on Audi...even if you get to 9/10's of that goal you have succeeded...

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Whatdoiknow1 on May 13, 2008
The DTS can carry the flag for the remaining traditional buyers, but following the performance path with engaging products will differentiate Cadillac from old school American luxury, which really should be Buick The problem with this line of reasoning is that only GM automotive fans will buy this arguement yet for the most part will NEVER buy a DTS! Before GM can assign a marketplace role to a product they need to have consumers to buy it! The fact of the matter is, for the price a DTS hase very limited appeal and value. Come on, the DTS is a freakin livery cab/ rental car and the entire Buick brand is also rental fodder. Cadillacs problem is that it has forgotten what American luxury actually is/was. When the majority of Americans shop for a luxury car that first and foremost priority is "luxury" NOT sport. Caddy will NOT win this game if their cars are faster and handle a curve better than a lexus but feel less luxurious on the inside and out compared to a Lexus (Lexus is just a general example). IT IS EASY TO MAKE A CAR FAST! Not so to make a serious luxury car. Cadillac can use all the wood, leather, and chrome they want but if they do NOT get their act together about how they ASSEMBLE their cars they will continue to be an also ran selling cars that look like crap in 3 years and are all but worthless.

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