Followup: The truth about the 2009 Cadillac CTS-V

[GMusa]

Followup: The truth about the 2009 Cadillac CTS-V



Rumors continue to swirl about the 2009 Cadillac CTS-V. The perpetual rumor of the CTS-V getting the LS7 motor from the Corvette Z06 is still, and has always been, false. What's more, recent rumors about an all-whell-drive option for the CTS-V are also untrue, Leftlane sources say.

The motor you'll find under the hood of the 2009 CTS-V will be GM's LSA motor. The LSA is a 6.2L, smallblock V8 with a supercharger. The LSA has an intercooler integrated into the intake manifold. Prelim specs have it at 500 horsepower and with a choice of manual or automatic transmissions. The final horsepower number could now be as high as 525 or 550. At least one very credible source says paddle shift will also be an option.

The other popular rumor involves an all-wheel-drive setup. While the regular CTS has optional AWD, the CTS-V will be strictly rear-wheel-drive, source say.

Spy photos show that the CTS-V will feature Michelin Pilot Sport 2 tires. While it wasn't clear what size the front tires are, the rear tires will be 285 series on 19 inch wheels. The '09 will continue to utilize a massive set of Brembo brakes up front and in back.

Recent comments from GM at the SEMA show indicate that Recaro seats may show up inside the CTS-V.

GM's Bob Lutz was recently quoted saying the 2009 CTS-V "will be at a power level only described as unexpectedly high." Then referencing the current BMW M5, Lutz said the CTS-V “will suck the doors off” the competition if the next M5 isn't significantly better.

After driving a prototype, Lutz said "flat-out incredible. I’ve never driven anything like that.”

In the past, the current CTS-V has suffered from "wheel hop" problems. The 2009 CTS-V will feature a completely re-done rear end with a much better rear axle. Sources say this has eliminated the wheel hop issue altogether.

Production on the new CTS V-Series will start in September of 2008, and will be limited to about 7000 units annually. Internally, GM is referring to the car as "GMX322 V S/C."

www.leftlanenews.com

[GMusa]

500hp seems alittle too low. 550hp would be a lot better!!

[61BelAir]

Originally Posted by GMusa

500hp seems alittle too low. 550hp would be a lot better!!

We have a CTS in our shop right now and it feels pretty strong with the V6. I can only imagine what 500HP is gonna feel like!

[BigAls87Z28]

If it sucking the doors off, it will have a lot more then 500hp.

[mgescuro]

Originally Posted by GMusa

500hp seems alittle too low. 550hp would be a lot better!!

The closer the CTS-V is to 550HP, the better it will be sustaining longevity and competition against the German super-sedans.

[61BelAir]

Originally Posted by BigAls87Z28

If it sucking the doors off, it will have a lot more then 500hp.

Its possible that the engineers put it on a diet like they did with the Z06. Titanium this, magnesium that, unobtanium whatchamacallits. I wonder how much the M5 weighs in at? If the V-Series has gone on a diet, its possible it could blow the doors off the M5 with 550HP.

[megeebee]

An automatic will be available???

Good.

I'd have a V right now if there was an auto available. Manuals are fine for weekends, but when I'm workin' I don't have time to to do the heel-n-toe dance in the hilly town I live in.

I think they will sell more V's because of this, too.

[mgescuro]

Originally Posted by 61BelAir

I wonder how much the M5 weighs in at? If the V-Series has gone on a diet, its possible it could blow the doors off the M5 with 550HP.

The 2008 BMW M5 weights in at 4,012 lbs.
CTS4 weighs in at 4,200 lbs (3,845 lbs for RWD).
Current CTS-V weighs in at 3,850 lbs.
2007 CTS weighs in at 3,509 lbs.

I think CTS-V will need more than 500HP to even be competitive with M5.
Hopefully CTS-V will have some aluminum or carbon fiber trickery somwhere. It can't be fat!!

[F14CRAZY]

Back in my day, "the car" in high school was everyone's mom's Monte Carlo SS, circa 2001. And those were fast, with like 210 hp

[63GrandSport001]

Originally Posted by mgescuro

The 2008 BMW M5 weights in at 4,012 lbs.
CTS4 weighs in at 4,200 lbs (3,845 lbs for RWD).
Current CTS-V weighs in at 3,850 lbs.
2007 CTS weighs in at 3,509 lbs.

I think CTS-V will need more than 500HP to even be competitive with M5.
Hopefully CTS-V will have some aluminum or carbon fiber trickery somwhere. It can't be fat!!

I disagree, even if the CTS V comes in at 4,200 pounds as your comparo seems to be pointing at. You have to consider that the BMW M5 may have 507BHP it only makes 383ft-lbs and at 6,100rpms. The CTS V with its supercharged engine is likely to pack around if not over 500ft-lbs and its not going to be at over 6,000rpms. This means around town the CTS V as your driving at around 3,000rpms and punch it in both cars the CTS V will suck the doors off of the M5. Coming off of low speed corners the CTS V will slingshot out of them while the M5 if not high enough in rpms will seem to lag by comparison. Comparing 500BHP NA to 500BHP FI esp. when the NA motor is only 5.0L typically means a peaky high revving motor. You all of a suddenly need more then 500BHP in a 5.0L motor if you want to keep up with another vehicle thats identical but makes 500BHP and 500ft-lbs. You may pull the same at peak but everywhere else you are getting smoked.

[EldoFan]

Originally Posted by 63GrandSport001

I disagree, even if the CTS V comes in at 4,200 pounds as your comparo seems to be pointing at. You have to consider that the BMW M5 may have 507BHP it only makes 383ft-lbs and at 6,100rpms. The CTS V with its supercharged engine is likely to pack around if not over 500ft-lbs and its not going to be at over 6,000rpms. This means around town the CTS V as your driving at around 3,000rpms and punch it in both cars the CTS V will suck the doors off of the M5. Coming off of low speed corners the CTS V will slingshot out of them while the M5 if not high enough in rpms will seem to lag by comparison. Comparing 500BHP NA to 500BHP FI esp. when the NA motor is only 5.0L typically means a peaky high revving motor. You all of a suddenly need more then 500BHP in a 5.0L motor if you want to keep up with another vehicle thats identical but makes 500BHP and 500ft-lbs. You may pull the same at peak but everywhere else you are getting smoked.

I definitely agree with ya here.....and failed to take this into account before because I was thinking that GM would just go all out ('balls to the wall') by stuffing the LS7 or something under the hood.

[E. Haskell]

Either way it'll be fast. 500+hp and 500+ lb-ft for the win.

[racy]

Originally Posted by GMusa

Spy photos show that the CTS-V will feature Michelin Pilot Sport 2 tires. While it wasn't clear what size the front tires are, the rear tires will be 285 series on 19 inch wheels.

I find this extremely difficult to believe. 500-550 hp on a 285 tire with almost no sidewall doesn't make sense. The C6Z, with less HP ran 335s on the rear and had traction issues.

I run the same exact tire(19/285/30) on my 400rwhp C5, and first and most of second gear are worthless even if I drop the pressure to the low twenties and do a healthy burnout.

Based on the tire info, I'd say Leftlane news is getting this one wrong. Either the CST-V will have bigger tires, or it will be AWD.

There's also a third, more dreadful option. The ECU will eliminate a huge chunk of torque, and the Active handling/traction control will further emasculate the beast - ultimately, giving the driver the effective horsepower of a first gen LS1. In which case, you might as well get a V6, bolt on some headers, intake,exhaust and get a dyno tune.

[CD/BP]

Originally Posted by racy

Based on the tire info, I'd say Leftlane news is getting this one wrong.

Nope they're right. I've seen the prototypes, and the tires they have on, several times this year.

[E. Haskell]

Originally Posted by racy

I find this extremely difficult to believe. 500-550 hp on a 285 tire with almost no sidewall doesn't make sense. The C6Z, with less HP ran 335s on the rear and had traction issues.

The M5 has 500hp and uses those exact tires.

The AMG range also uses about the same sizes. E63 (507hp) - 265/35/18, CLS63 (507hp) - 285/30/19, CL65 (604hp/738lb-ft) - 275/35/20