Brett
05-05-03, 09:45 AM
This is from Automotive News:
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."
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."