Thursday, July 21, 2005

Cadillac CTS-V



Puntiki: Powered by the GM 5.7L LS6 V8 engine, this Caddy will do 0-60 MPH in 4.6 seconds which is faster than the 4.8 seconds it took the previous generation BMW M5 to get there. It has a Tremec 6 speed manual transmission, and I forgot to say 400HP.

I think that Cadillac has really upped the ante in the last few years. Not only does this car compete with the Europeans in performance, handling and quality, but it is priced just north of $50,000 in the USA which is a bargain. The advertisements on the television over here use Led Zeppelin for the music, conjuring up memories of the muscle car days, and they ( Cadillac ) have really created a niche in the market.

It looks a bit different, and it takes a bit of getting used too, but I like it and knowing GM there will be a 450-500hp version out soon. I would like to get in one of these cars, turn the traction control off, and do donuts in front of the Lexus store.


Pablo: I always thought Cadillacs were a bit OTT. But this car deserves to be a bit OTT. Clearly it is a much more agressive yet smarter muscle car - an assassin in a Hugo Boss suit, if you will. We will never see these cars in NZ, which is a shame because I think that Cadillac is clearly a brand that America ought to be proud of. I don't know much about this car, but I do like the shape and lines - it's unapologetically different from Japanese and European designs, and in some ways is as daring as the Audi A6 (previous shape). Some people hated it initially, but I grew to like the shape so much I ended up getting one.

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

The size is right, the price could be a plus, the badge has potential, but the, um, different look will polarise (and you think the Bangle-based Bimmers were 'unique') those who can afford to buy this, and from initial reviews I've read, the plastics need an improvement in quality. But, hey if this car proves to be a quality product (i.e., reliability and dependability), it'll have its share of loyal fans. Else, just another American effort which would miss the mark.

Rob Good said...

Cadillac is having a serious comeback which is great, as I have been a fan of the brand since I was about 2 years old. Plastic is alwas a problem for yankee cars in comparison to the Germans, but teh car is still of great quality and reliability. PLUS It is FAST.

Mike J. Stark said...

Too me it looks too much of a modern type executive car, possibly a high end company car
Looks nice tho - haven't heard much about the interior but the write ups don't at all dis it from what i've heard.

Rob Good said...

Yes there is a plethora of rear wheel drive beauties coming out of USA now. They made the previous STS in right hand drive, so expect it in the new one. The 1969 addy had a 500ci 8.8L v8 powering the front wheels.....

Anonymous said...

Dion says..

Bet it drives nice, however I have just one concern about the shape.
Looks like they have glued the car together down the centre.....