Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2013 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[CTS-V Challenge driver and M3 owner Michael Cooper gets pat on the back from BMW]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/12/14/cts-v-challenge-driver-and-m3-owner-michael-cooper-gets-pat-on-t/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/12/14/cts-v-challenge-driver-and-m3-owner-michael-cooper-gets-pat-on-t/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/12/14/cts-v-challenge-driver-and-m3-owner-michael-cooper-gets-pat-on-t/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Michael Cooper and his Cadillac CTS-V-challenging BMW M3 - click above for high-res image gallery

This guy. So, some of you no doubt remember the Cadillac CTS-V Challenge. If you don't, here's a refresher: General Motors vice-chairman Maximum Bob Lutz challenged any journalist to bring a CTS-V competitor to California's Laguna Seca where the 77-year-old Lutz would mop the floor with he/she and whatever fancy-pants, Euro sedan they done brung. Of course, the event got moved to New York's Monticello Motor Club, and to guarantee that the Cadillac didn't lose, GM brought in a backup pilot, John Hienricy, the company's noted hot shoe engineer and race car driver. And then every other manufacturer (Mercedes-Benz, Jaguar) decided not to play into GM's marketing ploy, and withdrew their cars' support.

To be frank, we here at Autoblog toyed with the idea of throwing our hoon-hat in the ring, but after Heinricy became Cadillac's ace in the hole, we figured the whole challenge was unwinnable (we've driven with Mr. Heinricy - he's that good). While it would no doubt have been fun, totally playing into General Motor's hands like that (by also losing), well, not so much. Luckily, privateer Michael Cooper and his BMW M3 wasn't in on our conference call.

Mr. Cooper showed up to the Caddy Challenge and laid down a 2:50.424, beating not only Bob Lutz's 2:56.321 in the way more powerful CTS-V, but our pals Lawrence Ulrich (2:53:026) and Jack Baruth (2:51:153), both of whom were driving the big supercharged Caddy. Not surprisingly, Heinricy blew the doors off of every single person, ripping off a 2:46.560. Probably while flossing. But let's not overlook young Michael Cooper, who with 142 less horsepower and a boatload less torque to work with came in less than four seconds behind John (ringer *cough* ringer) Hienricy.

BMW was so taken by Mr. Cooper's feat of good driving that they reportedly invited him down to their North American headquarters in New Jersey and gave him a BMW Performance Multifunction Steering Wheel. How else to thank the guy that tossed such an effective monkey wrench into GM's marketing plans? BMW installed the wheel in Cooper's M3 while he was given a ride in a special BMW Performance enhanced 335i Sedan. So, one more time, a hearty Autoblog congratulations to Michael Cooper and his Cadillac CTS-V challenging BMW M3. The one with the fancy new steering wheel.


Gallery: Michael Cooper's BMW M3


[Source: BMW Blog]

CTS-V Challenge driver and M3 owner Michael Cooper gets pat on the back from BMW originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 14 Dec 2009 17:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2009 BMW M32009 M32009BmwM32009M3BMWBMW M3BMW M3 SedanBmwM3BmwM3SedanBob LutzBobLutzCadillacCadillac CTS-VCadillac CTS-V ChallengeCadillacCts-vCadillacCts-vChallengeJohn HienricyJohnHienricylutzMaximum Bob LutzMaximumBobLutzMicahel CooperMicahelCoopermonticellomonticello motor clubMonticelloMotorClubMon, 14 Dec 2009 17:29:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19278377/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2009/12/14/cts-v-challenge-driver-and-m3-owner-michael-cooper-gets-pat-on-t/19278377/article-detail.xml 19278377 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/12/630bmw_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/12/630bmw.jpg <![CDATA[Cadillac CTS-V Challenge: Follow along on Twitter]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/29/cadillac-cts-v-challenge-follow-along-on-twitter/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/29/cadillac-cts-v-challenge-follow-along-on-twitter/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/29/cadillac-cts-v-challenge-follow-along-on-twitter/#commentsFiled under: , ,



If you're looking for live updates from the Cadillac CTS-V Challenge, a variety of spectators are tweeting from the Monticello Motor Club. Get the lap times and more information by clicking here to follow along on Twitter.

UPDATE: Top lap times after the jump. We'll continue to update with the best times if you're Twitter-averse
UPDATE 2: Lutz pulls off a 2:58:072 lap on his first run
UPDATE 3: Lutz' best time is 2:56:321. Hired guns and factory hotshoes up next
UPDATE 4: John Heinricy posts a 2:46:560 in the CTS-V
UPDATE 5: Final times added to the list below the fold
UPDATE 6: Video of "The Challengers" added.

Continue reading Cadillac CTS-V Challenge: Follow along on Twitter

Cadillac CTS-V Challenge: Follow along on Twitter originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 29 Oct 2009 13:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cadillaccadillac cts-v challengeCadillacCts-vChallengechallengects-vThu, 29 Oct 2009 13:57:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19215431/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2009/10/29/cadillac-cts-v-challenge-follow-along-on-twitter/19215431/article-detail.xml 19215431 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/10/x09ca_ct002-620op-1256838628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/10/x09ca_ct002-620op-1256838628.jpg <![CDATA[V-Series Challenge participants announced, no surprises inside]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/23/v-series-challenge-participants-announced-no-surprises-inside/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/23/v-series-challenge-participants-announced-no-surprises-inside/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/23/v-series-challenge-participants-announced-no-surprises-inside/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

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]

V-Series Challenge participants announced, no surprises inside originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 23 Oct 2009 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2009 Cadillac CTS-V2009CadillacCts-v2010 cadillac cts-v2010CadillacCts-vBob LutzBobLutzcadillacCadillac CTS-Vcadillac cts-v challengeCadillacCts-vCadillacCts-vChallengeCTS-Vcts-v challengeCts-vChallengelutzmonticellomonticello motor clubMonticelloMotorClubFri, 23 Oct 2009 18:30:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19207898/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2009/10/23/v-series-challenge-participants-announced-no-surprises-inside/19207898/article-detail.xml 19207898 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/10/cadillac-cts-v-ring_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/10/cadillac-cts-v-ring.jpg <![CDATA[Cadillac CTS-V Challenge nets 120 applicants, Heinricy to stand in for Lutz if needed]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/19/cadillac-cts-v-challenge-nets-120-applicants-heinricy-to-stand/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/19/cadillac-cts-v-challenge-nets-120-applicants-heinricy-to-stand/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/19/cadillac-cts-v-challenge-nets-120-applicants-heinricy-to-stand/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

2009 Cadillac CTS-V - Click above for high-res image gallery

We knew when General Motors opened up the CTS-V Challenge to any and all Caddy killers the response would be impressive, and according to Cadillac spokesman Nick Twork, it's been just that.

Around 120 people applied for a chance to take on Bob Lutz in the CTS-V sedan later this month, but that doesn't mean we'll be seeing dozens of would-be contenders lining the Monticello Motor Club in New York on October 29. Twork told InsideLine that his team is currently whittling down the applicants based on the rules (an unmodified sedan similar in capabilities to the CTS-V) and while "about three-quarters of them were in the spirit of the contest... there were some like, 'I've got a Porsche GT3 RS blah, blah, blah.'"

We should expect between five and ten participants in total, and just in case, John Heinricy, pro racer and former GM engineer, will be on hand to, "be used at the discretion of Mr. Lutz." Read: if you're a professional racer, you're going to be tangling with someone of similar caliber.

All the entrants should be picked out by tomorrow, so if you applied for a chance to take on Lutz (or more likely, Heinricy), expect a confirmation (or denial) within the next few days.


Gallery: 2009 Cadillac CTS-V


[Source: InsideLine]

Cadillac CTS-V Challenge nets 120 applicants, Heinricy to stand in for Lutz if needed originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 19 Oct 2009 20:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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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]

CTS-V Challenge opened up to any would-be Caddy killers originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 14 Oct 2009 08:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2009 Cadillac CTS-V2009CadillacCts-vamgbob lutzBobLutzcadillacCadillac CTSCadillac CTS-Vcadillac cts-v challengeCadillacCtsCadillacCts-vCadillacCts-vChallengeCTScts vCTS-Vcts-v challengeCts-vChallengeCtsVjag XFRjaguar XFRJaguarXfrJagXfrlutzXF-RXFRWed, 14 Oct 2009 08:57:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19194812/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2009/10/14/cts-v-challenge-opened-up-to-any-would-be-caddy-killers/19194812/article-detail.xml 19194812 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/10/cadillac-cts-v_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/10/cadillac-cts-v.jpg -1 2