AH1W-COBRA

america has got to climb out of a hole so deep they might as well dig another six inches and let the ocean from japan fill it and float them out.they have to gain our trust back! DESIGN,EFFICIENCY,LONGEVITY,.im not gonna believe gm until i have to eat a big SH** sandwich of envy.i dont see it happening soon. bones

SeattleBum

I'm not really sure what your statement here is...it has NOTHING to do with your original comment I quoted:

Seems like you just like to change the subject to suit your ever-changing point.

beemaze

Here's my take on the '09 CTS-V:

Although it's not nearly as sexy as the C63 and has little relative snob appeal, it may be faster in the drag racing and performance (i.e. LSD) department than the C63. Given the current state of the U.S. economy (i.e. recession) - better deals on the CTS-V are to be had - especially when it comes to a lease.

Since I plan on dumping my C55 the middle of this year and entering into a new lease agreement regardless of the next brand I buy, the CTS-V has sparked my interest.

Decisions, decisions.......

Improviz

I looked at a new CTS recently, and I was *stunned* at the interior quality and layout. I didn't have a chance to drive it, but it is a beautiful piece, is very well equipped and thought-out and from what I've heard, it drives fantastically, has a great ride, is very quiet, etc. so I'd assume that it's a great value in more than the speed department.

In fact, this is the first GM-built car in about ten years that I would give serious consideration to purchasing (not the -V, but the regular one; kind of easing out of the high-perf market for my next ride!). As an added bonus, it burns regular gas (don't think the -V will, though), which saves around 10% on fuel bills...

GBlansten

4300 pounds is too much avoirdupois for me to take.

The C63 at 4000 bothers me but isn't a deal breaker.

Improviz

Well, its weight is more in line with the CLS55/E55 (which are also supercharged), and so is its interior space...it's considerably larger than a C Class, and so weighs more accordingly.

But yeah, the C63 will be the lighter car.

GBlansten

I agree with that. The CTS is a larger car with a price more in line with the C-class and 3-series.

I wouldn't consider it because of that issue and by necessity its weight.

I do agree with others who think the interior represents a nice step forward.

SeattleBum

The manual trans will weigh 4200, the auto 4300lbs. It's a larger car that barely weighs more than the C63 and the US-version RS4 (which both weigh about 4000lbs).

Cylinder Head

iTrader: (1)

Let's not forget that the new CTS is designed to compete with the likes of the E-Class and 5-Series. It's really not in the same class as the C anymore. It is not the CTS of yore, they have moved the model upmarket. Likewise with the STS, which will be targeting the 7-Series now. Price-wise they may be comparable, but I like the interior on the CTS many times more than the C-class interior.

BTPower

My take on the CTSV after seeing it at the NAIAS is that it is trying too hard. I LOVE the power plant but the exterior wants to be noticed too much and since I don't find it attractive, that's not a good thing.

Kudos to GM for offering such a beastly four door though....

SeattleBum

I've heard pretty reliable rumors that the STS is being discontinued. It is too close in size to the current CTS. The CTS will take it's place and Cadillac is going to introduce a smaller entry-level car to replace the CTS market.

Carl Lassiter

M5 weighs 4,012lbs, per the BMW brochure. Includes driver, 90% fuel and some luggage. FYI, that's only 100lbs more than the M6

BenzBoy12

As far as it not being able to hit 60 in less than 4, why not? I mean, really, are you telling me that 550 hp and 550 lb. ft. with a 6 spd. is not enough to move a 4k lb. vehicle this quick? that makes no sense. Hell, if an E63 can do it in 3.9 (check the 211 forum, its there), why shouldn't a lighter car with about 85 more tq. and ~50 more hp be able to do it in a couple tenths less? Believe it or not, the super lite Z06 is probably going to be slower to 60, because it weighs about as much as a paper clip, and this makes it super hard to hook up, kinda like the AMG 65s, like how an SL65 took .2 longer than a much less powerful 600 due to wheelspin.

KiwiRobbie

We already have that in Europe the BLS, which is a rebodied Saab 9-3. They have been out for about 12 months now and I have yet to see one, they actually look quite attractive.

jrcart

The BLS is not a North American model. The CTS is the current "entry level" player in the Caddy line-up. I will agree with you on some of your statement, but I dis-agree with a lot of your statement too! Yes, GM and the rest of the American auto makers are in a slump. They have had some brilliant machines over the past several years, and have several more on their way. The current Z06 and upcoming ZR1 have rattled a few cages in Stutgart, and Marenello. We have all heard the stories that Ferarri refussed to provide F430's to major US Auto magazines to use in head to head comparisons with the Z06 when it came out a couple years ago. They were affraid to get beat by a $80,000 supercar! I am the last person you need to talk to about American quality issues. I have replaced 6 rear ends on my CTS-V 4 of them came out of my own pocket as well as 2 transmissions paid for by your truely.

Can the US compete on a global market in regards to performance and reliability? I think the answer is yes, that is why I am giving them another chance by buying a new ZR1 this fall when they become available. Look at what Chevrolet has done over the past 10 years with the Corvette C5R and C6R's in ALMS and at Le Manns. They have beat all the big players at their own game. The knocked Dodge and Viper out of the series in the late 90's, the beat up on Ferarri, Jaguar, Aston Martin....the list goes on. I even heard that Porsche had plans to field a GTS entry earlier this decade but decided to scrap the program because they did not want to get beat by Chevrolet.

hkycoldrct

That CTS-V has value written all over it. 60K base and very similar motor to the ZR1 + the GM powertrain warranty! I can see alot of folks getting a call from their local MB salesman saying "the C63's are in" and the response being "thank you, I'll call you in September after the CTS-V's are in for a good comparison.

I laugh at all the "it weights" 4300 pound comments. The E55 ain't exactly light and with the supercharged 5.4 motor and it runs like a bat out of hell. Why make weight an issue with the Caddy?

I have an affection to the AMG line but it's not the only luxury performance car in the world. For motor junkies, the '08 and '09 model years offer a whole bunch of pretty awsome introductions. Even Hyundai has a pretty solid looking product in the Genesis. Who would have ever thought that?

Brabus C55

put the Dinan M3 tire size on the CTS-V-Monster & see how long those rear ends & tranny's last tires indeed!

Eurosport

GM could stuff 1000hp engine in the CTS and I still wouldn't buy it
that car is fugly

SeattleBum

My CTS-V is modded to near the specs of the upcoming CTS-V. I'm lucky if I can get enough traction to do 0-60 in the mid-4s. Like I said before, you can get under 4 sec to 60 IF you're running drag radials but it'll be difficult to put all that power down to the ground otherwise. I, for one, hope I'm wrong though!

DoctorV8

The new CTS-V will have the second gen Magnetic Ride that can adjust for launch mode, in addition to what Cadillac is calling Performance Traction Management.

It'll be interesting to see how this technology translates into track times!

W211 BEAST

I really hope this car doesnt drive as well as my E... I really dont want any reason to ever get rid of my car, and luckily for me, it doesnt look like MB is gonna be giving me a reason anytime in the near future.

Brabus C55

not to mention un-equal diameter half-shafts to reduce wheel hop.

according to a GM spokeman, the N-Ring times are startling ... of course no specifics

jrcart

I can name you one American product which is popular outside of North America...Harley-Davidson Motorcycles. A Harley is the ultimate status symbol in most European nations. Fact: Harley-Davidson sells more V-Rod's and Buells in Europe than they do in North America. The Buells are something like 5 to 1 Europe vs. North American sales.

W211 BEAST

Thats because the poeple here who want a sportsbike either get Ducattis or Hondas. But a Harley Davidson is like an AMG, everyone wants one.

Fifth Ring

That proves that image sells over technology, if the image is powerful enough.

There are a handful of US-made cars that have the technological sophistication and performance to sell in Europe. And don't forget that an increasing number of cars sold in the US are borrowed from European product lines.

American car makers have resisted investing in modernization because American buyers were loyal and naive.