Cadillac CTS-V

Cadillac CTS-V
Overview
Manufacturer	General Motors
Production	2004–present
Assembly	United States: Lansing, Michigan (Lansing Grand River Assembly)
Body and chassis
Class	Mid-size (full-size as of MY2016) luxury car Small station wagon[1]
Body style	4-door sedan 5-door station wagon 2-door
Layout	FR
Related	Cadillac CTS

The Cadillac CTS-V is a high-performance version of the Cadillac CTS. The CTS-V series includes three body styles, all of which feature a pushrod OHV V-8 engine and a sport-tuned suspension. The four-door CTS-V sedan was introduced in 2004, and the CTS-V sport wagon and coupe were introduced in 2010 for the 2011 model year. The sedan competes in the North American consumer market against other high-performance luxury sedans and "echoes" their quality but is a more affordable option than competitors as the Audi RS6, BMW M5, and Mercedes E63 AMG.^[2][3][4]

First generation (2004–2007)

First generation
Overview
Production	2004–2007
Assembly	United States: Lansing, Michigan (Lansing Grand River Assembly)
Body and chassis
Platform	GM Sigma
Related	Cadillac CTS Cadillac STS-V
Powertrain
Engine	2004–2005: 5.7 L LS6 V8 2006–2007: 6.0 L LS2 V8
Transmission	6-speed Tremec T56 manual
Dimensions
Wheelbase	113.4 in (2,880 mm)
Length	191.5 in (4,864 mm)
Width	70.6 in (1,793 mm)
Height	57.3 in (1,455 mm)
Curb weight	3,850 lb (1,750 kg)

Chassis

The first generation CTS-V is based on the same rear-wheel-drive GM Sigma platform as is the base model CTS. The use of a V8 engine required a unique engine cradle distinct from the base CTS V6. Larger anti-roll bars and larger shocks were also added. The spring rate was significantly increased. The 2006-2007 update also included a stronger rear differential and half shaft design. Unique front and rear treatments also included mesh grilles over the front openings, a track-ready suspension, and 18×8.5 inch wheels inside of P245/45R18 Z-rated Goodyear Eagle F1 Supercar run-flat tires. Brakes were 13.97 in (355 mm) rotors in the front, with 14.37 in (365 mm) rotors in the rear - each with four-piston Brembo calipers on the front and rear wheels. In addition, GM badges were added on 2006 models. For performance enthusiasts, a high performance suspension package (RPO FG2) was available as a dealer installed option.

Engine

The CTS sedan is enhanced with GM performance parts like a GM LS engine V8 from the C5-generation Chevrolet Corvette Z06, as well as the Corvette Z06's six-speed Tremec manual transmission. The LS family of V8 engines share no common parts with the antique "small block" V8 Designed by Ed Cole and his team in the early 50's. The block design and head are all clean sheet designs and carry no parts or dimensions other than bore spacing with the old designs. This becomes apparent when comparing the differences between intake and exhaust manifold designs. The intake and exhaust ports are evenly spaced apart unlike the old "small block". From 2004 and 2005, the CTS-V came with the 5.7 L pushrod OHV LS6 engine producing 400 hp (298 kW) at 6,000 rpm and 395 lb·ft (536 N·m) of torque at 4,800 rpm. The 5 lb·ft (7 N·m) torque reduction of the CTS-V vs the LS6 used in the C5 Z06, was due to the exhaust manifold that needed to be used on the CTS-V. From 2006 to 2007, the previous LS6 engine was superseded by the new 6.0 L OHV LS2 engine as used in the base 2005 Chevrolet Corvette. The new LS2 engine was rated at the same 400 hp (298 kW) at 6,000 rpm with the peak torque of 395 lb·ft (536 N·m) at 4,400 rpm. While both engines offer the same HP and torque specifications, the LS2's benefit was a wider torque band, due to the higher displacement it offered.

Transmission

The only available transmission was the six-speed manual Tremec T56. The transmission used the skip-shift feature to conserve fuel during light loads by preventing drivers from using the second and third gears, and a dual mass flywheel to reduce "rattle" in no load conditions. The rear axle was a Getrag limited slip IRS unit with a 3.73:1 ratio.

Performance

General Motors states a 0-60 mph time of 4.6 seconds for the first generation CTS-V, with the quarter mile time estimated at 13.1 seconds at 109 mph, onward to a stated top speed of 163 mph. The 14 inch diameter Brembo brakes can slow the vehicle from 60 mph in 110 feet. The first generation CTS-V also posted a lap time of 8 minutes 19 seconds at Germany's famed Nürburgring Nordschleife, competitive with rivals such as the Mercedes-Benz E55 AMG, BMW M5, and Lexus IS-F.

Second generation (2008–2015)

Second Generation
Overview
Manufacturer	General Motors
Production	2008–2014
Model years	2009–2014 (sedan) 2011-2014 (wagon) 2011-2015 (Coupe)
Assembly	United States: Lansing, Michigan (Lansing Grand River Assembly)
Body and chassis
Class	Mid-size luxury car
Body style	2-door coupé 4-door sedan 5-door station wagon
Layout	FR[5]
Platform	GM Sigma II
Related	Cadillac CTS
Powertrain
Engine	6.2 L LSA V8 supercharged (gasoline)
Transmission	6-speed GM 6L90 automatic 6-speed Tremec TR-6060 manual
Dimensions
Wheelbase	2,880.4 mm (113.4 in)
Length	4,866.6 mm (191.6 in)
Width	1,841.5 mm (72.5 in)
Height	1,473.2 mm (58 in)
Curb weight	1,928 kg (4,250 lb)

Chassis

The second generation CTS-V is based on the new GM Sigma II platform. The rear-wheel-drive platform is the basis for the 2008 to present Cadillac CTS base model with which the CTS-V shares most of the body work. The suspension features coil springs front and rear. The front suspension is a control arm arrangement while the rear is an independent multi-link suspension. To improve the handling and comfort, the 2009 CTS-V uses BWI Group's MagneRide technology. The dampers, filled with magnetorheological fluid, are adjusted based on sensor readings that happen at 1 ms intervals.^[6] The sedan has four-wheel disc brakes similar to the first generation. The front brakes were increased in size to 14.96 in (380 mm) ventilated discs with six piston Brembo fixed calipers. The rear brakes are 14.37 in (365 mm) ventilated rotors with four piston calipers. Steering is speed-sensing hydraulic-assist rack-and-pinion. The steering ratio is 16.1:1. Tire sizes are 255/40ZR19 front and 285/35ZR19 rear on 19×9.0 inch and 19×9.5 inch wheels front and rear.

Engine

The powerplant in the 2009 CTS-V is a supercharged OHV 6.2 L LSA V-8, based on the LS9 V-8 from the Chevrolet Corvette C6 ZR1. It produces 556 hp (415 kW) and 551 lb·ft (747 N·m) of torque.^[7][8] The choice to use an Overhead valve (OHV) arrangement (also known as a pushrod engine) is unique in the luxury performance sedan market where competitors typically use dual overhead camshaft (DOHC) engines. The engine is produced in GM's Silao, Mexico engine assembly plant. The LSA engine has a bore and stroke of 4.06×3.62 inches (103.25×92.0 mm).^[7] The engine block is cast aluminum 319-T5 alloy with cast-iron cylinder liners. The crankshaft is forged steel using powdered-metal connecting rods. Pistons are high-silicon Hypereutectic Aluminum alloy replacing the forged aluminum used in the LS9 engine. The compression ratio is 9.1:1. The cylinder heads are based on the Corvette's LS3 head and are cast from type 356-T6 Aluminum alloy. The exhaust manifolds are cast iron. The supercharger is a twin four-lobe screw compressor-type unit displacing 1.9 L. It is Eaton's Twin Vortices Series (TVS) generating a maximum boost of 9.0 psi (62.1 kPa). Intake air is cooled with a water-to-air intercooler built directly into the supercharger unit.

Transmissions

There are manual and automatic transmission choices. The manual is a Tremec TR-6060 six-speed transmission with a short-throw shifter, twin disk clutch and dual-mass flywheel. The 6L90 automatic is a paddle shift conventional (planetary gearing and torque converter-based) automatic six-speed.^[9]

CTS-V sedan

Cadillac CTS-V sedan

Production of the CTS-V sedan began in the summer of 2008 in the Lansing, Michigan GM plant. Total production of the CTS-V for the 2009 model year was approximately 3,500 out of approximately 59,716 CTS model production.^[10] The 2009 CTS-V has a base price of US$59,995, and was available for purchase as of November 1, 2008.

Standard features include: leather seats, lateral acceleration gauge, 19-inch aluminum alloy wheels, Michelin Pilot Sport PS2 tires, a built-in 40GB hard drive to store music, and LED flash tracers to tell the driver when to shift.

Options include polished wheels, sunroof, navigation system and, for the first time, Cadillac offers 14-way adjustable performance Recaro seats.

Official 0-60 mph time for the second-generation CTS-V is 3.9 seconds, while the quarter mile is run at 12.0 seconds at 118 mph (190 km/h).^[11] These numbers were duplicated by Road and Track magazine (0-60 in 3.9 seconds for the automatic and 4.1 seconds for the manual).

Coinciding with the release of General Motors' Viability Plan, the automaker has disbanded its High Performance Vehicle Operations team, the crew responsible for the line V-series Cadillacs, the Chevrolet Cobalt SS, the HHR SS, and the V8 version of the Colorado. According to Vince Muniga, a spokesman for GM, "All high-performance projects are on indefinite hold. The engineers are moving into different areas of the organization, and they will work on Cadillacs, Buicks, Chevrolets and Pontiacs." Muniga went on to say that there are no plans for high-performance versions of upcoming plans, but once GM is in a better financial position, the team could be reinstated.^[12]

For the 2010 model year, GM badges were dropped from near the doors, although earlier models still had the badges.^[13]

CTS-V Coupe

Cadillac CTS-V coupe

Cadillac CTS-V coupe

The CTS-V Coupe debuted at the 2010 North American International Auto Show in Detroit, and entered production in summer 2010 as a 2011 model.^[14] It has the same 556 hp (415 kW) engine and transmission choices as the CTS-V sedan. The CTS-V Coupe features unique centered twin exhausts, a larger grille for air intake, and an optional "saffron" interior trim color. Like the CTS-V sedan, it comes standard with 19-inch aluminum wheels, Brembo brakes, and Magnetic Ride Control.^[15]

CTS-V Sport Wagon

Cadillac CTS-V Sportwagon

When asked in 2009 about the possibility of a CTS-V wagon, the GM Vice Chairman at that time, Bob Lutz, replied, "... should sufficient demand materialize, there is no reason why we couldn't do a V-Series wagon, and I would be standing in line for one, just ahead of you."^[16] GM decided to move forward, introducing a 5-door sport wagon body style to the CTS-V vehicle line at the New York International Auto Show on 29 March 2010.^[17]

The CTS-V wagon shares the 556 hp (415 kW) engine and 6-speed manual or automatic transmission, Magnetic Ride Control, Brembo brakes, 19 inch aluminum wheels and performance tires and a dual-airflow grille also used in the CTS-V sedan and coupe. The United States Environmental Protection Agency lists the 2014 CTS-V Sport Wagon as the least fuel efficient small station wagon on sale in the United States with a combined EPA fuel economy rating of 14 mpg_‑US (17 L/100 km; 17 mpg_‑imp).^[1]

Performance

General Motors states a 0-60 mph time of 3.9 seconds for the CTS-V Sedan and 4.0 seconds for the CTS-V Coupe and Wagon.

Quarter mile running as fast as 11.97 seconds at 116.9 MPH with a 60-foot @ 1.76 seconds.^[18]

Third generation (2016–present)

Third generation
Overview
Production	2015–present
Model years	2016–present
Assembly	United States: Lansing, Michigan (Lansing Grand River Assembly)
Body and chassis
Class	Executive car (sedan)
Body style	4-door sedan
Layout	Front-engine, rear-wheel drive
Platform	GM Alpha[19]
Related	Cadillac CTS
Powertrain
Engine	6.2 L LT4 V8 (supercharged gasoline)[19]
Transmission	8-speed GM 8L90 automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase	114.6 in (2,911 mm)
Length	197.6 in (5,019 mm)
Width	72.2 in (1,834 mm)
Height	57.2 in (1,453 mm)
Curb weight	4,145 lb (1,880 kg)

The third generation CTS-V includes a 6.2 litre 640 hp LT4 supercharged gasoline V8 engine, as the most powerful Cadillac ever produced to date. The third generation CTS-V is sometimes referred to as a four-door Corvette, because of its supercharged V8 from the Corvette C7 Z06 and a top speed of 200 miles per hour. It weighs 4145 pounds. The new 2016 Cadillac CTS-V model equipped with an 8-speed automatic transmission has been street tested with a best 0-60 MPH test time of 3.6 seconds.^[20]

Reception

Motor Trend Magazine has run three comparison tests (see July/October, and August 6 (first gen) issues) involving first the CTS-V vs. the RS4, then vs. the BMW M5 (July), and the Jaguar XF-R (October), with the CTS-V winning against the M5 marginally and Jaguar but losing to the Audi. Another comparison, involving the Mercedes E63 AMG, was set in January, the CTS-V lost to the E63 AMG on the basis of the E63 being more refined, sharper. Edmunds tested the 2009 CTS-V against the similarly priced Mercedes-Benz C63 and BMW M3 with the CTS-V winning in almost all (November 26, 2008). Road and Track tested the 2009 CTS-V against the Jaguar XFR on June 10, 2009 with the Cadillac winning. Car and Driver tested the 2009 CTS-V against the 2010 Jaguar XFR and 2010 Mercedes E63 AMG in November 2009 losing to the Mercedes. Top Gear (U.S.) track tested the 2011 CTS-V Coupe (1:27.4) and 2011 CTS-V Wagon (1:27.2) around their track with The Stig at the wheel, defeating sport cars like the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG and the Lotus Evora,^[21] with in the Season 2 episode 6 titled "The $500 Challenge." The CTS-V Wagon also beat the Ferrari California in an informal drag race in the same episode. The CTS-V was recognized in all the comparison tests for being the most affordable car by several thousands of dollars against all the others high-performance cars.

Awards

The 2009 CTS-V was added to the Car and Driver 10 Best Cars list.^[22]

Motorsports

The CTS-V in 2011 at Road Atlanta.

The CTS-V is raced in the SCCA World Challenge series. The first generation CTS-V sedan competed from 2004-2007, winning the manufacturer's championship in 2005 and 2007.^[23][24] Starting in 2011 the second generation V competed as a coupe, winning Cadillac back-to-back manufacturer's championships in 2012 and 2013.^[25][26] The 2011 coupe race car is built by Pratt & Miller.

Nürburgring record

The CTS-V sedan achieved a lap time of 7:59.32 at the Nürburgring Nordschleife, which was the fastest documented time for a production sedan on factory tires, until the Porsche Panamera Turbo clocked a time of 7:56 in July 2009.^[27][28] The vehicle was driven by John Heinricy during the attempt. The record breaking vehicle was sold in 2009 at the Barrett-Jackson Palm Beach auction.^[29]

Production numbers

References

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Cadillac CTS.

• Official Cadillac America Forum
• Official 2015 Discontinued CTS-V Coupe Webpage - United States
• Official CTS-V sedan official webpage - United States
• Official CTS-V performance official webpage - United States