Spy Shots: 2009 Cadillac CTS-V
by John Neff on May 30th 2007 at 11:36AM 
click above image to view more angles of the 2009 Cadillac CTS-V
Chris Doane risked considerable dampness to bring us back these spy shots of the 2009 Cadillac CTS-V. The development mule is lightly camoflouged, but on the frent end we can clearly see mesh replacing the new Cadillac grille that's currently making the rounds of the luxury brand. Down low there's a deep chin spoiler, but we suspect your eyes are gravitating to that massive bulge on the hood. It hides a supercharger that's integrated into the intake manifold of the CTS-V's new small-block "LSA" motor. Sources say at least 500 horsepower is a given for the car, though most expect that number to reach at least 515 to 525 hp so that the Caddy can remain ahead of a BMW M5 in a streetlight fight.
In the shot above, you can see just how wide those rear tires have to be to handle all that twist. Likewise, from the side, it's evident that enormous Brembo discs and a plethora of pistons will be required to slow down the new CTS-V. Word has it that General Motors also completely reengineered the rear end to eliminate the axle hop for which the current model is infamous.
Known internally as "GMX322 V S/C", the 2009 CTS-V will likely begin production in September of 2008 and reach a maximum of 7,000 units per year. While the standard CTS is poised to shake up the luxury car segment as the first American attempt to build an honest-to-goodness world-class car, the CTS-V, its performance brethren, is shaping up as a supercar in sedan clothing.
Click to here to view high-res versions of all our 2009 Cadillac CTS-V spy shots.
[Photos: Chris Doane for Brenda Priddy & Company]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Will 11:53AM (5/30/2007)
A question: Those tail lights are just add-ons for the test mule, right? To hide the factory tail lights under the camo? If not, ewww...
Also, in the first pic, the extended rear fender flare looks a bit out of place, as if tacked on. As the rear sheet metal curves inboard, the flares don't seem to carry that line, giving it a look similar to fender flares on a Ford Stepside F-150 at that angle. Weird.
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Dan 11:56AM (5/30/2007)
The mesh grill is likely a decoy, to be replaced with the "real" grill later on (although it looks pleasantly understated relative to the current Cadillac huge-ass grills). Interestingly, if you look at the side profile and ignore the camouflage in front, you could well be looking at anything (Hyundai? Toyota? Acura?). Perhaps to compensate for this, it looks like Cadillac is pushing a lot of, umm, personality into the front of the car.
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Brian 12:00PM (5/30/2007)
I can't wait. I will be one of first people to have one in my town when they come out. Cadillac definetly has the best bang for buck sports sedan on the market. Over 500hp for about $56k. Nobody can touch that.
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Brian 12:02PM (5/30/2007)
I can't wait. I will be one of first people to have
one in my town
when they come out. Cadillac definetly has the best bang for buck
sports sedan on the market. Over 500hp for about $56k. Nobody can
touch that.
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Brian 12:03PM (5/30/2007)
I can't wait. I will be one of first people to have
one in my town
when they come out. Cadillac definetly has the best bang for buck
sports sedan on the market. Over 500hp for about $56k. Nobody can
touch that.
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the marais 12:25PM (5/30/2007)
I saw a real next generation CTS (in white) driving on I-96 in Detroit a few weeks ago. The front grill is much more pronounced than the previous generation. I gave the dude driving it a nod, and he nodded back.
Excellent.
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Quattrofan 1:20PM (5/30/2007)
I can think of at least 3 cars in that price/performance range, this turd ain't on that list.
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Tim 1:27PM (5/30/2007)
quattrofan - grow up. This blog isn't here for your type.
jg 12:52AM (5/31/2007)
The limited edition checkered flag paintjob is atrocious. You can't make out any of the details up front.
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brimg87 11:30AM (5/31/2007)
jg, I hope you're not serious...
Manufacturers put that on vehicles that aren't released yet while they test them. They specifically hide the details on the car so you can't see them.
Quattrofan 1:51PM (5/30/2007)
Sorry, it was just a troll. Great car. NOT!
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Matt 1:54PM (5/30/2007)
Looks great. The more power, the better, so long as great handling/steering feel and stopping power comes with it. The 2009 E60 M5 is due for a 50-75hp jump from the 5.0L (or 5.5L) V10 so in order to win the stoplight match this baby better come packin'!
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mk 1:58PM (5/30/2007)
Nice tolerance of other viewpoints...
But, meanwhile, back on the topic...
"Sources say at least 500 horsepower is a given for the car, though most expect that number to reach at least 515 to 525 hp so that the Caddy can remain ahead of a BMW M5 in a streetlight fight. "
Now, I am not advocating horsepower limits, and good for GM, and all...
I just got pulled over and warned for 62mph (officer claimed 72, which is a flat lie, and why I wasn't written up.) in a 4-lane rural highway that was marked for 55mph, for some reason.
My little 300hp sport sedan will get to 60 in 5 seconds, and If I did that, I would get nailed with a nice big ticket.... not a warning.
Yet automakers still play the one-upmanship game, and auto-writers still talk about "stoplight fights"...
is that at all realistic? do people with M5s and CTS-Vs really drag race at public street stoplights? I highly doubt it.
Window sticker and bench racing bragging rights be what they are, but this illusion of luxury muscle sedans duking it out on the street is a bit much, and would probably not be tolerated by the constabulary, if they can't even overlook a few mph over the limit on the highway.
not to mention that most people who buy those sorts of cars have more sense than to jeopardize them in that way.
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Andrew 2:04PM (5/30/2007)
Qauttrofan - why the hate? FWIW, audi has NOTHING in the 55k range except a loaded S4.
Rule #1) Competition is a good thing.
Rule #2) Good competition is even better.
Rule#3) Good competition = better cars for everyone.
So regardless of whether you like the CTS or not, you should be happy that its renovation will cause other makers to improve their cars in return.
I think the new CTS will be a MUCH better competitor to the 3series, A4 and others in the segment.
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SilverAero 2:56PM (5/30/2007)
True that Andrew, when this comes out i'm sure there will be a motor trend cover shot with the words "Poor Man's M5" on it. This car will raise the bar in bargin perfomance.
Gooch 4:14PM (5/30/2007)
MK, if you *just* got your ticket, you have to realize that it is the end of the month and we're around a major holiday, when the cops are out in force...
... or you just ran into an officer who had nothing else to do but harrass someone with a nice car.
I am all for the horsepower war. I have the opportunity to drive a lot of different types of cars, and I have to tell you, there is nothing more terrifying than driving some low-torque four cylinder (like a Civic) and pulling out into the passing lane while traffic roars up at you at probably 20 mph more than what you're doing.
Then I'll get into a V6 Sonata and have no problems at all (not a real endorsement of the Sonata, but it has decent power in the midrange). Power has its place, and as history shows, absolute power also has its place -- at the top of the automotive range.
I'd love to get in a 500+ hp CTS-V and see what she can do. That power would ensure I can make it into holes in traffic when I need to, merge into tight spots, blow away dawdlers at lights, and spend less time in the other lane while passing on rural two-lanes.
What needs to be done is combine this power with economy. Active cylinder deactivation? Power-limiting strategies (ala M5/M6)? Tall gears for freeway cruising? Lean fuel mapping?
Keep the power coming, by all means.
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why not the LS2/LS7? 4:31PM (5/30/2007)
Axle hop/tramp just comes from having too much power and just the wrong amount of grip. Narrow the tires or reduce the power and it goes away.
Yeah, sure, some will say BMW's M5 doesn't have axle hop.
Yeah, well they solved it by making it impossible to turn off the traction control. In the M5 you can only set it to a competition mode, you can't turn it off. If you leave the traction control on in the CTS/Vette, it doesn't hop either.
The grille on this early version doesn't impress me.
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vic 7:16PM (5/30/2007)
^^^Left land news' story on these same pics says he rear end has been redone and eliminates all axle hop completely.
saysee 7:18PM (5/30/2007)
and by left land news, i meant left lane news.
MikeW 7:43PM (5/30/2007)
'Axle hop/tramp just comes from having too much power and just the wrong amount of grip. Narrow the tires or reduce the power and it goes away.'
The torque sensitive differential usually hurts, whereas a speed sensitive differential helps.
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