Cadillac is betting that the 2004 CTS-V, with a stick shift and a modified Corvette V-8, can help the automaker shake its stodgy image.
The car, due early next year, will be the first in a series of high-performance, limited-edition models that Cadillac will market under the V-series label.
V-series cars will be aimed at high-performance Mercedes-Benz AMG and BMW M models.
The CTS-V is "about making people notice that we are not the Cadillac we used to be," says Jim Taylor, vehicle line executive for GM's luxury cars.
Other enhancements
Besides more power, V-series models will have enhanced brakes, suspension and steering. The CTS-V's exterior will be distinguished by a stainless-steel mesh grille and restyled front and rear fascias that improve engine and brake cooling.
GM promises 0-to-60 mph acceleration in less than five seconds for the CTS-V and a top speed of more than 155 mph.
Cadillac expects to produce 2,200 CTS-Vs for the 2004 model year and cap production at 10 percent of CTS production for 2005 and beyond.
The rear-drive 2004 XLR two-passenger retractable hardtop and the next generation STS sedan, which bows in 2004, will get V-series versions.
But the performance models will bow about 12 to 18 months after the base cars go into production. Production also will be capped at about 10 percent of a model's production.
Combined CTS, XLR and STS V-series production is estimated at 6,500 annually. For comparison, Mercedes-Benz sells about 8,000 AMG vehicles in the United States.
While pricing has not been announced, Cadillac will follow the lead set by Mercedes-Benz and BMW, a GM source says. Those automakers price their performance models approximately $10,000 to $15,000 above the base vehicle in a model line.
GM's Performance Division is responsible for creating performance vehicles from production models for Cadillac and other GM brands. The CTS-V is the first performance car created by the division.
Under the CTS-V hood will be a reworked Corvette Z06 5.7-liter V-8. The Cadillac version has 400 hp and 380 pounds-feet of torque mated to a transmission not seen at Cadillac since 1940: a manual. The six-speed manual Tremec transmission features an advanced flywheel to reduce noise and vibration.
The Corvette Z06 V-8 has 405 hp and 400 pounds-feet of torque.
While Cadillac is taking the risky step of offering only a manual transmission, the automaker says 50 percent of Europe's performance sedans and coupes sold in North America are sold with a manual transmission.
"Naturally, more volume would come with the automatic, but we had limited resources" and time, Taylor says.
To fit a larger automatic transmission into the car, GM would have to cut a portion of the car's frame and bend the firewall.
"Whenever you get into metal changes, it's a big deal," Taylor says. "That's the issue. So we decided to play our chips on the manual first and circle back and maybe in a couple years put in an automatic."
The CTS-V's suspension was designed by several engineers who race Corvettes, says Stieg Ingvarsson, product manager of V series/Motorsports. They "pushed us to Nuerburgring testing, which has been very, very beneficial not only for the CTS but especially for this car."
'Industry days'
Germany's famed former racetrack is used by that country's automakers for testing during what are known as "industry days." Mercedes, BMW and Audi were testing vehicles at the same time Cadillac was tuning the CTS-V.
"All the other teams were out there clocking lap times, and they know you are gong full bore," Ingvarsson says.
While the V series will be extended to several of Cadillac's new cars, no decision has been made on whether the automaker's SUVs or the 2004 SRX sport wagon will get the performance treatment.
"That is actually up for debate," Taylor says. "If you take the real purist performance view of this, you ought to stay with sedans and roadsters. Even BMW, when they looked at their X5, they put in a nice upgraded engine, but they didn't give it the M stance."
While pricing has not been announced, Cadillac will follow the lead set by Mercedes-Benz and BMW, a GM source says. Those automakers price their performance models approximately $10,000 to $15,000 above the base vehicle in a model line.
YES!! A $40,000-$45,000 CTS-V will be sitting in my garage, a $50k plus one WILL NOT!
Quote:
... mated to a transmission not seen at Cadillac since 1940: a manual.
LIARS!!! Everyone represses the memory of the little
Me I think the Cimmaron was a nice Cadillac; my Mom had one and liked it except for a suspension thump she couldn't get rid of.
I'm also perfectly happy that Cadillac is making luxury trucks, if people want to buy luxury trucks. Pays for more development of luxury cars in my book.
I actually prefer the common platform Cadillacs in some ways -- specifically that performance parts are more common for them. You can get two different blowers that I know of for the Escalade, and we are still waiting for a Northstar supercharger. As soon as the CTS-V hits the street there will be performance parts available for it -- the LS6 has very nice aftermarket support.
The original line on the "... not since 1940" I think was that the CTS-V is ONLY available as a manual. The Cimmaron was available as and auto or manual. You'd have to go back to 40 to find another Cadillac that did not OFFER automatic.
I must admit, I never new the Cimmaron was available with a manual. I know I never saw one.
But just to set the record straight, Cadillac didn't make the Cimmaronn, nor does it make the Escalade. They just have their respective manufacturers "tart" them up and throw Cadillac badges on them. Just another example of "badge engineering".
The problem with sharing platforms with Chevys is that you will always be constrained to a price point within some modest increment above the Chevy price tag, and that's not the territory Cadillac should be in if they're going to live up to their goals.
The Cimarron was not a bad car. It was a so-so car - a Cavalier with leather upholstery. It was, however, grossly underpowered in its original form, and it was always grossly overpriced. And, because there wasn't sufficient content in the car to justify that pricetag, it was a very poor Cadillac.
The LS6 is very definitely the right engine for the CTSv, above and beyond the fact that it just works, because Cadillac needs that Corvette 'halo' for their performance models.
The bellhousing and transmission setup in the CTSv is closer to the Camarobird or the Australian Holdens - it may, in fact, borrow most of the hardware from one of those applications. Any word whether the CTSv has an hydraulically-operated clutch?
