Click above for more high resolution shots of the 2009 Cadillac CTS-V
When the Cadillac CTS-V and Corvette ZR1 were introduced in Detroit, they both had nice, round horsepower figures that look good in a press release. Last week, GM restated the output of the ZR1, raising it from 620 ponies to 638, which is an increase of about 3%. Cadillac admits that they didn't want to overstate the final horsepower figure for the CTS-V either, so we're likely to see a similar press release from GM's luxury division in the near future. Given the fact that the 550 hp figure for the top CTS was likely a lowball figure, Inside Line used the same 3% understatement from the ZR1 to peg the CTS-V's real horsepower number at 567.
While Inside Line's 567-hp hypothesis was based on the fact that the CTS-V has the same basic engine as the ZR1, 567 is nothing more than a well-placed dart on the horsepower pinwheel. When we talked with GM's Ron Meegan, he pointed out that there were several differences between the two powerplants, including the length of the rotors in the Eaton Supercharger. While adding 3% to 550 sounds logical, there is likely more to it than that. But as is the case when making a guess, they may actually be right, too. Whether the final output is 550 or 567 hp or somewhere in between really doesn't matter, as anything in the 550 range represents an absolutely ludicrous tally that will surely catapult the CTS-V to the stratosphere of sports sedans. We can't wait to take one for a spin.
[Source: Inside Line]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
DJ @ Apr 27th 2008 8:09PM
Every insurance company underwriter in NA just read this article and adjusted premiums accordingly.
skeptic @ Apr 27th 2008 10:33PM
Yes - because 550 HP was completely reasonable. 567 HP is just over the limit of what insurance companies will raise premiums at. I am pretty sure that they actually consider 566 to be the limit of what is an economy car.
Thomas Brown @ Apr 27th 2008 10:47PM
I was actually thinking the same thing... most people think 550hp in a relatively light car is normal.... a corolla has a similar number doesn't it?
You are a tool... anything over 300 or 350hp is classified as "insane" by insurance people and you will get gouged nicely.
Gargamello @ Apr 27th 2008 11:52PM
True dat, he is a tool, and you will be burned by the insurance companies for buying this car, after you are burned by the finance companies, and the oil companies, and the dealership, and the tire companies, and basically everyone but yo mama.
All to overcompensate for a tiny tiny penis eh.
carbuzzard.com @ Apr 28th 2008 9:07AM
Gargamello, why is it that when people want to criticize performance car enthusiasts, they go straight for the male appendage analogy? I think that fixation says more about the critic than the enthusiast. Though speaking of which, the hood on that Alfa looks awfully phallic, doesn't it?
Mr. Oak @ Apr 28th 2008 11:19AM
Gargamello: Tiny by whose standards? I you comparing me to a donkey, I'd say yes. Compared to other mere homosapiens, I'm way up the "pecking" order. ....and guess what? I love cars. The more brutal the better.
I also like planes and boats and trains. I have loved all things mechanical ever since I was too young to know what the "real" purpose of a penis was.
Don't be like every other jackass that spew these idiotic cliches and generalizations. One's love for fast cars or big trucks has nothing to do with the size of their crank.
Darrell @ Apr 27th 2008 8:20PM
I personally think that posting something like that is a bad idea on GM's part. No one was expecting an 18 hp bump from the ZR-1's number. Reading this, most people will expect that number. I'd rather wait until GM gives me the number instead of an estimate based on what another car did.
Tragedy @ Apr 27th 2008 8:39PM
And the GT-R VSPEC still beats the ZR-1 on the 'Ring.
Ben @ Apr 27th 2008 11:04PM
You are so right. I so expected the CTS-v to get the same 18 hp boost, but since it is only projected to get a 17 hp boost, I am going to cancel my order right now. I NEED that 1 extra hp.....
dea911 @ Apr 27th 2008 8:33PM
did anyone else notice the choir singing on stage as the vehicle was being driven out???
that seems kinda wierd. wonder what it was liek to see that in person ha ha
Jason @ Apr 27th 2008 9:12PM
This car is the very definition of bad-ass.
oby @ Apr 27th 2008 9:50PM
Fuzzy logic controls everything at Clueless Motors, That's why they are, well clueless!
Kristovar @ Apr 27th 2008 11:22PM
Pretty sure it was Edmund's fuzzy math, not the General's... or Al Gore's for that matter...
Jeff @ Apr 27th 2008 11:38PM
You're not funny, get off the stage!
Jeff Johnson @ Apr 27th 2008 10:04PM
nice --- but I will keep my 2008 Z06 thank you very much.
Lets assume it does roll into a dealership with 570+HP. It's going to weigh a LOT LOT more then a Z06.
When I buy a 500HP+ car, I don't care about all the mega luxury items that this thing will have. And yes, I do have a Z06 sitting right below me in my garage.
I can see this caddy as being the compromise for the husband who's wife won't let them get a Z06 and has to have 4 doors "for the kids".
Bob Zeliff @ Apr 27th 2008 10:26PM
I don't think the 3% makes much difference. In any condition other than the track 550hp in a 4500lbs sedan is so fast and responsive 3%has no real meaning. You auto mag writers will have great time comparing it to the M5, Mercedes black etc.
A few lucky people will get to own and drive one.
The jealous ones will make snide comments.
Yar @ Apr 27th 2008 10:23PM
It's probably going to make more than 550, granted. But, it's going to be rated at 550/550 because the numbers are nice and round. Its already rated at 550+ on the Caddy website, and I personally like the '+', it adds character.
caddy dave @ Apr 27th 2008 10:55PM
Much like my old navy days.
The USS Enterprise. First nucleeeeler (rip on George Bush)aircraft carrier ahead of it's time. Capable of 33+ knots. Actual speed classified.
Gargamello @ Apr 27th 2008 11:55PM
Dude I'm all for ridiculing Presuhdent Bush but do it right: he pronounces it "nuke you lur", not nuke lee lur. And why does the speed of a carrier matter to anyone?? I thought they they sat 200 miles away from the their targets and sent fighter bombers in. You're just craptastic like a Chrysler reveal huh champ.
Yar @ Apr 28th 2008 1:13AM
Well I for one am NOT in favor on ripping on the President, so if you're going to do it please do it response to someone else's comment. Plus, what does it even have to do with anything?