V-Series Challenge participants announced, no surprises inside
2009 Cadillac CTS-V - Click above for high-res image gallery
In less than a week, Bob Lutz will be joined by a few automotive journalists and a handful of regular Joes at the Monticello Motor Club in New York to race some fast sedans around a fast track to see if anything with four doors can outrun a Cadillac CTS-V. Sounds like fun. But, after reading through the preliminary list of applicants The General has accepted, it's looking more and more like the cards are stacked heavily in GM's favor.
The three participating journalists include Jalopnik's Wes Siler, who will be racing Lutz in a Jaguar XFR; Jack Baruth representing The Truth About Cars and freelancer and New York Times contributor Lawrence Ulrich. We have no idea what the latter two journos will be piloting, but we do know that four private car owners will bring along their personal contenders: a BMW M3, a BMW M5, an Audi RS4 and finally, a, um, Cadillac CTS-V.
According to GM's Cadillac Notes Blog, there's room for a couple more contestants... and we're really hoping that someone (preferably someone with track experience) steps up to the plate with a Porsche Panamera and something with AMG written across the decklid to turn this into a proper sampling of potential spoilers.
Gallery: 2009 Cadillac CTS-V
[Source: Cadillac Notes]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
Dude 6:37PM (10/23/2009)
I was going to race Lutz in a dump truck (it is a GMC!)
http://www.equipmentready.com/upload/products/jumboauto/large/10430_PIC1.jpg
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LaserRed38 10:37PM (10/23/2009)
Well if this is the car that will be used, then yeah I'm sure every car submitted as a competitor will be "out-classed"...take a look at the cage and slammed stance from the coilovers. Wouldn't suprise me if GM swapped in a smaller pulley for the sc too.
Jerry 6:39PM (10/23/2009)
GO BOB!
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arinze 6:45PM (10/23/2009)
Panamera Turbo anyone????
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Shamdiddly 8:34AM (10/24/2009)
That would be awesome! Just as long as Porchephiles concede that "twice" the car (at least in price) should be able to beat the CTS-V hands-down, since it is a lowly American "sports" car.
Personally, I would love for GM to take all comers and just see where the CTS-V ranked among the world's list of supercars/sedans. Competition is good - and I don't see losing to a Panamera as a defeat - but as good, old-fashioned product rivalry.
Funny - it used to be Mustang/Camaro/Firebird/Baracuda, and now it seems it is CTS-V/M5/Panamera/M3/ et cetera.
I think that's pretty damned cool. :)
John H. 10:13PM (10/24/2009)
Go Bob?
Go Chris!
"Chris has recently bought a CTS-V, and wants to learn more about his car’s capabilities."
*This* is the guy to watch. He's got a bone-stock CTS-V, with basically no real racing experience on his resume. It will be very interesting to see how he squares up against the rest. I really hope he doesn't wreck.
zamafir 6:48PM (10/23/2009)
dude the CTS-V is going to spank 'em. That poor poor RS4, so awesome when new, so long in the tooth now.
I tought autoblog was bringing something with real power?
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Dude 6:53PM (10/23/2009)
I was joking... at least partly.
I firmly believe that the CTS-V is a very, very fast car - in the hands of someone who isn't 3,000 years old.
I think that's why Lutz brought in the "ringer" with Heinricy.
Still a great PR stunt and power to Bob for pulling it off.
zamafir 7:13PM (10/23/2009)
for sure, we already know it's quicker than an M5, i think the weak link could have been bob, but this thing is a lot slower than his jet, better leave it to the tamed race driver.
Matt 9:20PM (10/23/2009)
Definitely, the RS 4 is outmatched here (as is the M3, IS-F, C63, E39 M5, etc)...but it still looks hot and turns more heads than that Caddy ever will. Sorry, just facing the facts!
doc b 4:09PM (10/24/2009)
Kudos to Matt,
I recently drove a CTS-V. It is an awesome car. But nothing about the car made me "want" it. Dunno, hard to describe.
I "wanted" an M3 or RS4 or C63 AMG. IS-F.....meh. The RS4 won out, despite not having the fastest lap splits, because the only track i ever put it on is I-45. Plus the Leiberman review put me over the top.
I keep waiting for america to make a saloon I want. (I very much desire the Karma, does that count?)
But unless someone bring something with AMG or Brabus written on the back, the CTS-V will dominate this particular competition.
audi_arena 5:06PM (10/24/2009)
The RS4 is our customer. He has almost NO track experience... he's been to 1 track day and the car is bone stock. We suggested DOT-spec streat legal tires but he wasn't willing to spend the extra coin.
Perhapse Johan de Nysschen should challange him in his 2009 RS6.
audi_arena 5:10PM (10/24/2009)
^By "him" I meant Lutz. I'd love to see the head of GM and the head of Audi of America duke it out in thier own personal daily drivers.
James_604 6:49PM (10/23/2009)
C63.....anybody ! !!! Please apply !
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Xa 7:14PM (10/23/2009)
i agree with this statement.
zamafir 7:14PM (10/23/2009)
the c63 doesn't stand a chance.
zamafir 7:18PM (10/23/2009)
also, can we get an IS-F in there. Just to prove the F has no issues besting the established players.
racewithferrari 8:11PM (10/23/2009)
Someone should import Audi RS6 to US.
Fooman 9:26PM (10/23/2009)
@Zamfir
As an Owner of an e46 M3 and being allowed to track an ISF... the ISF is outclassed here, sure it sounds amazing, and has great seats, but massive massive understeer. I will admit it sounds OMFG amazing.
Valentino Amoro 9:57PM (10/23/2009)
The C63 is outmatched although it's pretty close. Lap times between the new GT500, M3, M5 and the C63 are similar across comparisons I've read, with the CTS-V leading by a small margin.
For example, see the C&D lightning lap or Motor Trends Best Drivers. Attached.
http://www.caranddriver.com/features/08q4/the_lightning_lap_2008-feature?cid=320
http://www.motortrend.com/features/performance/112_0910_2009_best_drivers_car/index.html