CTS-V Challenge opened up to any would-be Caddy killers
2009 Cadillac CTS-V – Click above for high-res image gallery
May the best car win. So says General Motors' Bob Lutz, and he's willing to put his Pilotis where his mouth is... so to speak. On a conference call last month, Maximum Bob challenged any journalist to a duel with the Cadillac CTS-V, and, not surprisingly, the mantle was picked up right quick by the boys at Jalopnik.
Rules? Sorta. Any stock production four-door sedan is reportedly eligible to go up against the Big V, and the drivers will be lining up against the clock on October 29 at the Monticello Motor Club in Monticello, N.Y. While Jalop's Wes Siler was originally slated to go up against Lutz in a Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG, that car has since been switched out in favor of the Jaguar XFR (earning the ire of TTAC in the process).
Here's the best part: Anyone who happens to own a new comparable sport sedan, such as a BMW M3 or M5, perhaps a Mercedes-Benz AMG sedan or the Audi S4 (not to mention the Mitsubishi Evolution), is welcome to submit themselves for consideration to take part in the festivities in New York. We're not sure how the participants will be selected or exactly what the racing will entail, but if you're interested in throwing your hat into the ring, click here. For what it's worth, we've driven the CTS-V around Monticello, and we figure the smart money is on the Daddy Caddy.
Gallery: Review: 2009 Cadillac CTS-V
[Source: CTS-V Challenge]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 4)
LoneWolf 9:07AM (10/14/2009)
Best Cadillac since 1959
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Dave 3:42PM (10/14/2009)
What was good about the 1959 Caddy?
The hideous tailfins? The solid rear axle?
Sal Collaziano 6:16PM (10/14/2009)
Head-turning design, Dave.. Head-turning design. :) Back then, Cadillac's were considered the Standard of the World. They were the biggest, most luxurious, powerful luxury cars you could buy - without spending crazy amounts of money on a Rolls Royce...
Sal Collaziano
http://www.cadillacforums.com
blogee9 1:02PM (10/15/2009)
The world already knows the CTS-V is quicker around a track than M3, M5, AMG C, AMG E, RS4, RS6, Lexus F......etc.
Shouldn't GM work on changing customer perception on other large volume products?
Because, I don't think GM can make/sell enough CTS-Vs to save them.
I do understand the halo effect of one great product, but stil...
Francis 9:09AM (10/14/2009)
We can only hope that Wes'll kick that septuagenarian's ass all over the track. (yes' i'm one of the Jalopnik proletariat)
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Danimal 9:12AM (10/14/2009)
TTAC is an awful website. They blast Jalopnik for selling out and being "an arm of GM’s PR machine" yet they have Bing advertisement right in the middle out their "journalism."
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Tricky dicky 10:26AM (10/14/2009)
+1, TTAC are a bunch of pathetic mongoloids who feed their insular readers Jonestown kool aid while trying so hard to be relevant - but sadly end up looking like whiny bitches.
They are the equivalent largely of a conspiracy theory auto website..
If that NERD Robert Farago shows up there hopefully he doesn't fall on his ass like he did here in a top gear tryout.. AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qCB4jY0-e6I
Hi I got the SXXT kicked out of me as a kid now I play a tough guy on the internet.
My_SS_RX8 12:04PM (10/14/2009)
I don't know about the reasons of others, but I quit reading TTAC because it became so political, parochial and self important that it just stopped being fun or informative. I felt sorry for a guy who can't occasionally laugh at himself.
Wes 9:14AM (10/14/2009)
Doesn't Autoblog have a 4 door Alero to throw in the mix?
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Tourian 9:49AM (10/14/2009)
or an old Taurus SHO.
Francis 10:09AM (10/14/2009)
or the Crown Vic they used in the 24 hours of LeMons.
Shamdiddly 9:14AM (10/14/2009)
LOLZ. Not saying he's any good, however, you know Bob had his own custom race circuit put in at the proving grounds in Michigan? I've not seen him drive, however, I have seen him buzz the proving grounds in one of his fighter jets.
This will be good. : )
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Lar7789789 9:10PM (10/15/2009)
Yea but is this a clever marketing stunt? I mean part of this is advertising right? This is what the "new" GM has to resort to to hype its cars?
Wow, My Grandfather who always owned and loved Cadillacs since the 50's would find it outright crazy that they are putting in a big inch 6.2 liter engine with a supercharger no less into the Luxury cars of the world.
Wow, how have times changed.
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Derek 11:03AM (10/14/2009)
6.2L is only 378cid. From 1959 to 1979 ALL Cadillacs had engines larger than that, topping out at 500cid / 8.2L. Even in those days Cadillacs were never slow cars if the driver had the desire.
notYou 12:14PM (10/14/2009)
"This is what the "new" GM has to resort to to hype its cars?"
What's wrong with them saying "We've got the best car, bring what you got and give us your best shot" - and saying it to anyone who wants to take a shot?
While it's a little unheard of, I like the above board, publicly accessible, real world, take all comers gamesmanship. They aren't hiding in a golden tower somewhere and fighting competitors with gimmicky billboard ads - they are out on the tarmac with actual production product in hands-on head to head competition, for all the world to see.
What's wrong with that?
John H. 8:48PM (10/19/2009)
Cubes aren't everything.
You know, my 1970s Ford Country Squire station wagon (with the wood paneling, no less) had a 400 cid engine...
Inspired 9:16AM (10/14/2009)
Not a fan of Lutz, but I hope he kicks TTAC's butt.
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Das Borgen 9:42AM (10/14/2009)
this
MTU 5.0 9:28AM (10/14/2009)
I loves me some CTS-V. :)
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eurodud91 9:21AM (10/14/2009)
I think the RS6 would give the caddy a run for its money. its just a shame they don't sell them in the states ( the 2010 model at least). Perhaps an E63 amg? But that caddy is one hell of a car, it'll deserve every win of this challenge.
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