2006 Cadillac CTS-V; Embrace your inner Corvette.

[91 s-10baja]

2006 Cadillac CTS-V authentic carbuzzard.com new car review

2006 Cadillac CTS-V
Embrace your inner Corvette.
By John Matras

Help! Help me, doctor! I’m a Corvette trapped in a Cadillac’s body!

Velcome to the analyst couch das famous Austrian automotive psychoanalyst Doktor Sigmund Zikspeed. Park yourzelf und tell me vhat der problem ist.

You’re not that German guy on the Dodge commercials, are you?

Nein! I am not Cherman. I am Austrian!

OK, sorry, OK. Well, Doc, it’s like this. I’m a Cadillac, a 2006 Cadillac CTS-V. And Cadillacs are supposed to be big and luxurious. You know, soft riding and all that. For old people.

Well, look at me, doc. Does this look like a banker’s three-piece suit? Or worse, funny golf pants?

Hmmm, vhat ist all das schtuff anyvay?

Ok, well, up front I have what they call a “unique front fascia.” It means as a CTS-V, I don’t look like the other members of the Cadillac CTS family. There’s an integrated splitter, a fancy front spoiler kind of thing. It has brake ducts that direct cool air to the front brakes. They’re the real thing, doc. They do what they say.

And see my stainless steel mesh grilles above and below my front bumper? Yeah, they help cool my engine compartment. But they make a Cadillac CTS-V look different, as do the aero rocker design and the rear end with the little spoiler on it. Sure, it’s not a boy racer wing, but when I’m parked next to another Cadillac CTS, I look different and I hear people talking. Look, even 2.5 inch exhaust! Dualies!

Iz zat zo?

Yeah. And there’s more. Because I’m a 2006 Cadillac CTS-V, I have a 6.0-liter V-8 LS2 engine. That’s the same engine as a Corvette, with 400 horsepower and 395 lb-ft of torque. All aluminum, too. Overhead valves, but who needs frou-frou overhead cams with power like that?

C’mon, with high profile cam profile for more airflow, revised valves and stiffer valve springs, and a high-flow intake manifold and high-flow fuel injectors? Special high-strength pistons, too, for durability when I’m really twisting out the power.

They tell me that, as a Cadillac CTS-V, I can do 0-60 in 4.6 seconds, the quarter mile in 13.1 seconds at 109 mph and have a top speed of 163 mph.

Verrrry interrrresting.

And look inside, Doc. That’s a manual gearshift. We haven’t had a manual gearbox in the Cadillac family since the early Fifties. And not just any manual transmission, a Tremec T56, to handle my output, plus a dual mass flywheel. Less noise and vibration that way. And I have a bigger 70mm prop shaft to handle the power.

A Cadillac CTS-V like me has a different instrument panel, too. See, satin chrome rings around each gauge. White lettering on black dials. Satin chrome on the shift knob, door pulls and door handles. They even lowered the center console to get it out of the way of shifting.

Hmmmm, you haff more to say?

Well, just that as a Cadillac CTS-V, I have special sport-tuned steering and suspension, 18-inch alloy wheels with Goodyear Eagle F1 W-rated P245/45R18 tires. And Brembo disc brakes, Doc. Look, 4-wheel vented, 4-piston front and rear, and performance brake pad compound.

I zink I am getting das idea, but I vill haff to do zum testing.

Zoom testing?

Ja, zum testing. Ve schtart mit turning on der Cadillac CTS-V engine. Ach! Wie donner. Der heavy duty starter und das big chuff mit der first cylinder und den das big rumble. But to go mit it do you haff das blitzen?

Go ahead and try first gear, Doc, but remember my 3.73:1 final drive—for better acceleration.

Hmmm, der schifter ist heavy und der klunk going into first gear makes. Und der double-clunk between das gears. But der Cadillac CTS-V goot ist to driving around das town, too. No bump-de-bump of das olden high performance Yankee V-8. Does haff das on-off feeling of high compression/tight transmission performance car. I zense pent up emotion, ja?

Uh, what?

Follow you around das donner does. Idle, accelerate, cruze on das highway.

What’s “donner,” Doc?

Das is tunder. Like der reindeer, Donner und Blitzen. Tunder and lightning.

Oh, thunder and lightning.

Ja, chust vhat I said. Now show me vhat can you do. Ach du lieber! Das ist goot. First gear und der second gear und now I am going sehr schnell. Und der next gear, zu schnell. Ach. Vas ist deese?

What’s that?

I make das hard launch and das rear end hops. Some inability to make das goot connections you haff?

Zen let’s try der crooze on das highway. Ah, donner again. Not loud, but you alvays haff it. Verrrry impressive though. Seventy-five miles per hour is 2000 rpm, lazy but stout burble.

On der gollywiggling road, you are too much. Vell schnubbed but zu schnell. A Cadillac CTS-V like you needs your space. I zink you be happy on das race track.

Is it because I was raised by a General?

I zink I begin to underschtand das problem. I zee cognitive dissonance. You look like a Cadillac—ja, sporty dressed Cadillac—but drive like a Corvette. Und you cannot reconcile deese differences.

Yeah, Doc. That’s what I told you. That’s why I came.

Vell, I see nozhink wrong mit you, my dear Cadillac CTS-V. I know there ist ozzer Cadillacs like you now, das STS-V and XLR-V. But zum therapy vould be good for you.

Zoom therapy?

Come back next veek. Und, ach, come mit der full tank of benzin.

Benzin?

Gazoline to you. Premium. I help you learn to live mit der Inner Corvette.

Philbert J Thrombockle comments: Oh, my, we’re cute with this review, aren’t we? Oh, well…
Just a few comments on the 2006 Cadillac CTS-V.

This is a car that makes as much sense as wearing driving shoes with a tuxedo, which makes sense if the tux is made from Nomex. Nevertheless, we had fun flogging it about even if we didn’t have access to a race track.

The car is well equipped for performance driving. The pedals are well spaced for heel-toe driving (if you don’t know what that means you won’t fully appreciate what this car can do), and the suede inserts in the seats aid seat bolstering in keeping the driver in place.

Unfortunately there’s no dead pedal for bracing yourself with your left leg. The Cadillac CTS has a pedal-type parking brake that’s completely in the way.

The CTS-V’s tachometer is oddly marked. The 6500 rpm hash mark is red (instead of white), but the red band doesn’t start until about 6700 rpm. It was made worse by what was either a slow tach or a low rev limiter. Shifts had to be made while the needle was well short of redline. That said, it’s good the engine has a rev limiter because the engine spins freely at the top end and would be easy to over rev.

Speaking of gauges, the CTS-V has a “g meter” that measures lateral acceleration. It should be over in front of the passenger. The driver is too busy at that speed to make sense of the numbers as they’re happening.

Kudos, however, for Cadillac’s traction/stability controls. Activation is subtle and the system doesn’t have to be turned off to get Cadillac CTS-V handling at its best.

Instrument panel light dimming is controlled by a slider in the overhead console. It’s the first time we’ve ever seen that.

And finally, the base price is $51,395, and you don’t need any options. That’s not a bad price, especially compared to psychotherapy. Particularly if you can get your health plan to cover it.

2006 Cadillac CTS-V authentic carbuzzard.com new car review 7/15/2006
http://www.carbuzzard.com/review.php?id=15339

[Quickening]

Hahaha, I guess no one can understand "Dr. Z".

[DuSpinnst]

The foot parking break is DUMB. They need to change it if they are going to keep offering the Manual!!!

[kenman923]

Yes. Good price for a 4 door Vette.

[91 s-10baja]

Originally Posted by DuSpinnst

The foot parking break is DUMB. They need to change it if they are going to keep offering the Manual!!!

I agree, when I first got mine, I can't tell you how many times I popped the damn hood trying to release the brake. Do you know how embarrassing it is getting out of your car to 're-latch' the hood. But I continued to do it!

[free_energy0]

The LS2 is too rough for this segment. Hot-rod gimmicks are fun for a while, but they'll need something better in the long term to compete with the best.

[CADILLACSIXTEEN]

This machine is simply amazing.

The next generation will rid all of the little quirks it has now, like the E-brake, etc.

The next CTS-V will be phenomonal

[Randle2I]

Originally Posted by free_energy0

The LS2 is too rough for this segment. Hot-rod gimmicks are fun for a while, but they'll need something better in the long term to compete with the best.

I have to disagree with that. The "hot rod" persona of the CTS-V is what sets it apart from its Audi, BMW, & MB counterparts. That massive rumbling V8 is the first thing that attracts customers to it. So while it may not be hi-tech enough for some people, it carves out its own niche by daring to be a "hot rod". I see no reason that it cant be sustained long term.

[vanshmack]

Originally Posted by free_energy0

The LS2 is too rough for this segment. Hot-rod gimmicks are fun for a while, but they'll need something better in the long term to compete with the best.

Rough? In what way? If you're talking NVH, you've obviously never driven an Gen III/Gen IV GM V8. It's one of the smoothest V8's in production.

[vw1610]

Those of you that have never driven one need to keep quiet. its an amazing car. i love it.

[Greg Burr]

Originally Posted by Randle2I

I have to disagree with that. The "hot rod" persona of the CTS-V is what sets it apart from its Audi, BMW, & MB counterparts. That massive rumbling V8 is the first thing that attracts customers to it. So while it may not be hi-tech enough for some people, it carves out its own niche by daring to be a "hot rod". I see no reason that it cant be sustained long term.

Agreed. It's comfortable in it's own skin and we like it that way.

[MrMax]

I've never driven one, but I personally don't want to hear about a Northstar powered CTS-V. Lets keep the edge it has and refine everything else.

[megan]

Originally Posted by free_energy0

The LS2 is too rough for this segment. Hot-rod gimmicks are fun for a while, but they'll need something better in the long term to compete with the best.

The LS2 is one of the finest engines made. Take one for a drive and you will see for yourself. The engine is a perfect fit for this car. All-American muscle.

[psece]

Originally Posted by Randle2I

I have to disagree with that. The "hot rod" persona of the CTS-V is what sets it apart from its Audi, BMW, & MB counterparts. That massive rumbling V8 is the first thing that attracts customers to it. So while it may not be hi-tech enough for some people, it carves out its own niche by daring to be a "hot rod". I see no reason that it cant be sustained long term.

Have to agree. There is nothing 'Me Too' about this engine. Character has a lot to do with sales and this car has character. I always wonder when people bring in the ambiguous word 'Hi Tech' if they are just trying bait. Maybe the person was being facetious.

[mbukukanyau]

Originally Posted by Randle2I

I have to disagree with that. The "hot rod" persona of the CTS-V is what sets it apart from its Audi, BMW, & MB counterparts. That massive rumbling V8 is the first thing that attracts customers to it. So while it may not be hi-tech enough for some people, it carves out its own niche by daring to be a "hot rod". I see no reason that it cant be sustained long term.

There is nothing electronic that a BMW has that an LS6 and LS7 does not have. The only difference is how valves are operated.
Plus the Small block is much more compact compared to foreign V8's..
So the CTS V has a small V8.
Imports have Big bulky V8's and V10s that cannot light a candle aganist LS series Engines.

In Its CTS V application it has a very muted Rumble, it makes less noise than a BMW 330Ci inline six when you stand near them when both are running...
But boy does it whack German imports off the line...