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May the Best Car Win, in Action
October 13, 2009
Filed Under Bob Lutz, CTS-V, Monticello
By Bob Lutz
GM Vice Chairman

Last month, during a discussion with journalists about our “May the Best Car Win” marketing campaign, I was trying to get across just exactly what that theme means. And what it means is, of course, just what it says.

We have a lineup of vehicles that we think, if given a chance, can stack up with the best the rest of the automotive manufacturing world has to offer. One of the examples I cited was the Cadillac CTS-V, and I went so far as to challenge the journalists to find a stock production sedan on the planet that could outperform the CTS-V on the track. I proposed a track duel, “run what ya brung,” at a time and place to be determined.

Well, that time and place has been determined. The guys at Jalopnik.com were the first ones to respond to the challenge, quickly and most enthusiastically, but I suspect there will be more. We’ll be having a full racetrack challenge October 29 at the Monticello Motor Club in Monticello, N.Y., not far from the New York City area.

And I put the challenge out to you. If you own a car comparable to the Cadillac CTS-V (a 4-door production stock sport sedan) and you want to match up against me and the Cadillac, you can join us at Monticello. Follow the link here to fill out an application. From the list of applicants we’ll select several challengers to join us for the V-Series Challenge.

As I said in the previous chat, we’re going to take away every last excuse people have not to consider our products. We know that some consumers still think Cadillac cars do not have the top-end performance they believe the German luxury cars have. The development objective of the 556-hp Cadillac CTS- V was to create the world’s best high-performance sedan. In final testing, the car lapped the legendary Nurburgring in 7:59.32, fastest ever for a production sedan (recently eclipsed, reportedly, by Porsche Panamera). In other words, we believe we have achieved our goal of building the world’s fastest sedan, but I look forward to putting that theory to the test…. and may the best car win.

Here is the website:

http://www.ctsvchallenge.com/

 

ooh.... have fun east coast ppl!

 

Dayam...that would have been fun to compare... to the east coast guys! Go get em!

 

I would love to watch -- there should be some really nice cars out there... I saw on the CTS-V webpage -- it already beat the M5.

Bad thing for the CTS-V is the price is expensive compared to the competition cars that are 2nd hand. For a fraction of the price - I rather get a used E55 or E63 -- heck even a M3 or M5 despite the I-drive and interior.

Basically seems like this new car is a bit late -- it is barely beating cars that were designed +4 years ago. Still should be awesome thou.

Pease update on the meet results--

 

To bad they are not doing this on the west coast! People like myself and Max would love to take a shot and beat the CTS-V atleast in a drag race anyway! We both have the CTS-V beat in ET & Trap Speed.

 

CTS-V is a fine car.. handles, brakes, and goes plenty fast.

But the attitude that "I paid less and can beat you" is very annoying.

 

I'm not sure that is the attitude they're trying to display. I can understand what Cadillac is trying to do, especially since people are tight with money these days. Why pay more for "less" car; seems to be the type of attitude that I gather they're trying to display.

 

I think this will be an entertaining event for those located in the New York city area. I look forward to reading about it.

 

WOW I was in monticello yesterday !! That is 126 miles away from my front door. I think its a sign. I have a stock E55. It would be interesting to compare. I'm actually going to think about this.

 

Do it for me bro, cause I think you have a shot at beating in a drag race!

btw if you go tell them to head out west cause Max and I have a A$$ whoopin waiting on them

 

Well I thought about it and made up my mind. I signed up and wil be waiting for a call from these guys .

 

CTS-V will own any sedan out there stock vs. stock.

 

I have a healthy E55 as a few you of you guys already know. I dynoed at 411rwp on a dynojet and have done repeated runs with a few forum guys. Hopefully I will get a call from them. I hope they don't think I'm too young (24).

 

Beating my E55 is not going to be a walk in the park for the CTS-V.

 

True.

But it will still win. At least you will have the sexier car.

I owned a E55 for awhile, and I have driven 3 CTS-Vs. They are faster.

 

I think they are faster as well. It should be interesting to see how much faster. The V is 5 years newer so 1 car length won't make me feel so bad.

 

Good luck. You do realize that this is not a straight line drag race. It is a proper track where they will compare laptimes.

Of the current 4 door AMG's, I think the C63 with full Performance Pack is the only 4 door that has a chance of giving the CTS-V a run for its money on a track when it comes to laptimes. The only problem is that a stock C63 is "underpowered", and the E63/55 likely can't keep up in the handling department in the corners.

On the BMW side, the E90 M3 has a chance, and so does the current E60 M5, although the CTS-V will likely outrun both of them too on a track.

The big factor that GM is gambling with is driver skill. If there is a really experienced person driving a C63 or M3/M5, then there is a chance.

 

 

This has to be driving AMG and BMW M absolutely NUTS!

GM is brilliant on this because they are 100% in control of the brand image they are trying to project. BMW and AMG have no control at all. They are at the mercy of any fool who wants to run.

You do not see AMG or BMW jumping up to do this because anyone can make a cheaper faster car "in the same class". Cadillac is not bad, but it is NOT a BMW or AMG.

Their terms and conditions are set up such that no other auto manufacturer would ever participate. They control all the media. If a driver beats them but has a couple laps that look like crap, those will be in the media.

AMG and BMW must be barfing on this. Audi must be thrilled they don't have anything close so they don't have to be considered.

AMG and BMW brand image in the hands of amatures. GM must be laughing their *** off.

As for thoes who think their E55 would beat that car on a track!! No way. The C63 P30 or E63 P30 are the best chance. Proabably the 2010 E63 would be closest. If it was a drag strip, then yes, I tip my hat to my torquey 55 brothers.

 

If I were to buy a CTS-V, I would have the front bumper replaced with the normal CTS bumper.

Something about the CTS-V just looks off...Maybe it is the anemic wheels, and ride height.



The E55 is leagues away in appearance.

 

Anyone called the "STIG" yet to drive their car for them? Is that cheating? Most races are won by the driver, not the car.

 

I beg to differ, I'll take on any stock CTS-V out there period! (in a straight line) My ET's are better (based on the times published and seen on video) and I even edge it out in trap speed department as well. All E55's weren't created equal. The best CTS-V has run that I have seen is 12.3@117, my last time out at the track and my worst run (ET wise) was 12.3 but I did it at 119.22

 

This is a road course. You Loose.


As for the question of the Stig, they can bring their own professional driver.

 

I would be amazed if they didn't bring their own driver.

 

Of course they will! They will have a driver that has logged more hours in a new cts-v than anyone else!