Autoblog

Click above to view video after the jump

The message was somewhat short and therefore cryptic: "This is video we shot of the CTS-V driving some hot laps at the GM Proving Grounds in Milford, MI." Our curiosity sufficiently piqued, we clicked the link and watched the vid. What we saw was the new 2009 Cadillac CTS-V being manhandled around Milford. With a running commentary by the driver, the new mid-size supersedan can be seen blasting around Milford at quite alarming speeds. The deep bellow of its 556-hp supercharged 6.2L LS9-derived LSA V8 is amazing. The video is perhaps not as inspiring as the 7:59.32 run around the Nordschleife, but is still quite the spectacle. Actually, it might not even be as exciting as our own video of a recent ride in one at Milford, but it's always fun to see the CTS-V move in a way that belies its bulk and reminds us that American automakers really can build world-class cars. Check out the full 3-minute YouTube video after the jump.


[Source: GM]

Just in time for the weekend, we bring you episode #97 of the Autoblog Podcast. Our cast of characters rotates once again, with Jeremy Korzeniewski joining Chris and Sam to discuss such wide and varied interests as motorcycles, high performance Cadillacs and hybrids. The podcast was held up by some behind the scenes technical issues, and there's still a slight issue with Jeremy's feed, so don't be alarmed when you hear a glitch or two. We've now made it to four solid weeks of podcast action for everyone; thanks for listening, and tune in next week!

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click above for a new high-res gallery of the 2009 Cadillac CTS-V

This week the Cadillac communications crew invited a group of media out to General Motors' Milford Proving Ground for a special preview of the new second-generation Cadillac CTS-V. We first saw the CTS-V last January at the Detroit Auto Show and more information has been dribbling in the intervening time period. A few weeks back, GM's resident speed demon engineer John Heinricy took a production spec CTS-V to an all-time lap record of 7:59.32 for a production sedan at the Nürburgring, and this week Cadillac revealed the official SAE certified power numbers for the super-Caddie at 556 horsepower and 551 pound-feet of torque.

When we got to Milford our handlers took us out to a tent by the Lutz-ring test track where we found three CTS-Vs and various displays of the hardware contained within. Heinricy was on hand as well to tell the tale of the "fast lap" last month. For those who may not have been paying sufficient attention over the past 6 months, the CTS-V is GM's answer to all those German uber-sedans like the Mercedes E63 AMG, Audi RS4 and RS6 and, of course, the one that started the madness, the BMW M5. Read on after the jump to learn more about what makes this Caddie so special and what it was like to go for a ride.

BONUS: Four videos after the jump, including burn-out runs from both inside and outside the new 2009 Cadillac CTS-V.


Photos Copyright ©2008 Sam Abuelsamid / Weblogs, Inc.

While Cadillac busies itself with a 2-door version of the new CTS sedan, the folks over at Coach Builders, Ltd have been busy taking their tops off. The boulevardier CTS gets an insulated, hydraulically-powered roof fitted with a heated glass rear window and cloth headliner. The top also comes in several colors. Judging by this pic, it also looks like a fair bit of work has gone into making the car look good with the top down. No word on what happens to trunk space, however.

It'll cost you more than a few quarters -- $19,000 gets the job done in eight weeks -- but that's the price of exclusivity, right? It's also employs a manual release, but these things happen when you're a style pioneer. We'd like to see pics of the car with the top up, because we wonder if this could be the first cloth-topped Caddy truly fit for the younger set.

[Source: Inside Line]

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]

Click the image above for more high-res pics of the CTS-V

If you had your heart set on dropping big-time coin to own the first next-gen Cadillac CTS-V, you're already too late. CTS-V numero uno was auctioned off Thursday at a charity benefiting prostate cancer, and amazingly the 550 hp monogrammed sledgehammer was actually a bit of a bargain. Cigar entrepreneur Cano Ozgener dropped a reasonable $75,000 to become the winning bidder, which is likely a bit more than the CTS-V will cost at the dealership, but a heck of a lot less than other serial number ones that have sold over the past couple years. Hit the jump for more details on the auction in GM's press release.


[Source: GM]

Click above to view video

The 2009 Cadillac CTS-V appears to have the power and performance to take on the best that Germany has to offer, and GM's marketing team is just itching for the chance to brag about it. Following the jump is a two minute long tribute to the most powerful production Cadillac ever built. If we're not mistaken, this is the same video that was shown right before the car was driven onstage at the Detroit Auto Show last month. Built on a bass-heavy sound track, the CTS-V intro video is a series of close-ups followed by power slides and quick track cuts, with graphic after graphic boasting about the many virtues of Caddy's 550-hp sedan. Considering the total package, we'd brag too. Thanks for the tip, Zeyad!


[Source: YouTube]

click above for more shots of the Cadillac CTS-V in the wild

The mouthwatering new Cadillac CTS-V is an absolute celebrity in the American automotive industry. But while we got an eyeful of the supercharged super-sedan at its unveiling in Detroit, as any Hollywood buff could tell you, it's one thing to see a celebrity on stage and quite another to meet one out in the real world. That's the experience some lucky fans got when the new CTS-V rolled by what appears to be a Corvette gathering in Florida Scottsdale, AZ. It would appear to be an appropriate assembly to show off the super-Caddy, powered as it is by a 550-hp derivative of the supercharged V8 in the new Corvette ZR1.

As you can see from the pictures in the gallery, this CTS-V was wearing glossy black V-shaped, split-5-spoke Cadillac rims, a beautiful metallic silver paint job, Michigan plates and, oddly, some camouflage over the rear bumper. Why GM felt the need to hide the rear end of a car already released is beyond us. Thanks to pat_ernzen for the images.

UPDATE: The photographer let us know the car was shot at Scottsdale Pavilions shopping center, a weekly Saturday night car show in Scottsdale, AZ where people just bring their cars out.

[Source: Desert-Motors.com]

With this one, we're going to let the video speak for itself. In brief, the owner of a CTS-V decides to add a Garrett turbo and apparently makes several other changes underhood at the same time. Then he invites his Gallardo-owning buddy over to film the first startup of the car, which wears the vanity plate, VETEATR. CATEATR might be more appropriate. Just watch and you'll understand. Note that there's some profanity near the end, so if you're at work, don your headsets or keep the volume low. The running commentary once the Caddy gets started is simply classic.

[Source: Culture Garage]

Click image for high-res gallery

Last week, we sent you over to Inside Line to see the undisguised 2009 Cadillac CTS-V as it wound its way down the road for some photographers leading it in a Buick Enclave. Today, we've obtained the hi-res shots ourselves, and have them all lined up in the gallery below for your enjoyment. Recapping the news from last week, you'll see that the V-Series CTS sports a full body kit, a sizable power dome, smaller mesh grilles that are reminiscent of the previous-gen CTS and an updated wheel/tire/brake package. While the lack of the new-style grille is disappointing -- it's really the car's calling card -- there has to be a good reason GM did this. As Inside Line said last week, there are two schools of thought regarding what engine lurks under that dome. Initially, the assumption was that the CTS-V would get the LS7 from the Corvette Z06. Recent talk seems to favor a supercharged 6.2L V8 making 525 horses or so. If it's indeed the latter, perhaps the large lower intake is there to feed an intercooler. That's one possible explanation for the rather drastic grille change compared to the standard car. We won't need to wait much longer to find out the real skinny, anyway, as the Detroit Auto Show is fast approaching. Until then, have fun with the new eye candy.