556 Horses - Cadillac style! (2011 Cadillac CTS-V)
Posted: Fri Jan 13, 2012 8:00 pm
2011 Cadillac CTS-V
Couple weeks ago I got to take home a Cadillac CTS-V for a week. This is the first time I've had the chance to drive this car for any decent amount of time. It's also the one car (apart from the Corvette ZR-1) that I have been unable to properly drive since I began working for GM. Here are my thoughts, in no particular order... Let's start with pictures!
Don't mind the smudges on the center stack - this car have been around the block a few times, and the interior kind of showed it...
Performance
Let's start off with the biggest draw to this vehicle - the monster under the hood. Powering the CTS-V is a supercharged V8, pushing 556 hp and 551 ft-lbs. This thing is an absolute beast. The acceleration is unlike anything I've driven before (with the exception of the Corvette Z06, which had very similar abilities to exceed the speed limit with nothing more than a sneeze). Paired to the engine is a 6 speed, short(ish) throw manual transmission. I'm still not a huge fan of the manual transmissions that they put in the CTS series. They just feel, off... but I can't quite put my finger on it. I did get used to it after a week, at which point it didn't become as much of an issue. The throws on the trans are precise, and pretty short. There is a good deal of mechanical feedback through the system, which I liked, because it provided needed assurance the correct gear had been selected. Miss-shifts (especially down shifting) tend to break the tires free, which is scary if you're not expecting it. The car goes like hell - no problems getting to speeds that will easily get you in trouble. At about 4000 RPM, the exhaust note becomes significantly more aggressive, and all hell breaks loose. Making a perfectly rev-matched 6-3 downshift can lead to a permanent smile on your face. Under normal highway driving, there's no need to take it out of sixth - ever. All of this is pretty much what you'd expect from this car. Massive power leading to massive speed.
The handling on this is just as incredible. The suspension if firm, no doubt about it. However, combine that with the fact that it's wearing 285 series Michelin Pilot Sport PS2 summer tires, and this car will devour any corner you throw it at. Most of the week presented damp road conditions, so the general shenanigans were kept to a minimum, but when the limit is passes, the car likes to snap. I imagine it would be fairly easy to control, but dance around the limit, and it can be twitchy and catch the unassuming driver off guard. I would love to take this to a track and see what it can really do. The suspension has a touring mode, and a sport mode. On the road, all I could really tell by selecting sport mode was the ride got a little harsher. I wasn't able to drive anywhere that the benefits of sport mode could be seen.
Braking was also awesome. In each of the four corners are large Brembo rotors with equally large calipers. This car stops - fast. This came in handy when a lady decided that red lights don't apply to her, and turned in front of me.
Style
The new direction that Cadillac has been going with their styling seems to be met with mixed reviews. Some love it, some hate it. I'm in the love it camp. The harsh angles and aggressiveness really add to what the CTS-V is all about. The big wheels and tires, and flared wheel arches give it a wider stance that makes it look a bit pissed off. I'm not a huge fan of the mesh grill - I much prefer the large slats of the standard CTS. Personal choice.
The interior is on par with the rest of the CTS line-up. No much difference there. I believe there is a bit more faux-suede, along with the option of Recaro racing seats (which this one didn't have). Other than that, it's standard Cadillac kit. I like it.
Comfort
This is where my biggest gripe comes in. If I'm gonna buy a Cadillac, I want it to ride nicer than this. Yes, yes, I know, fastest production sedan in the world... blah, blah, blah. It's not supposed to be as comfortable. But I want it to be. It performs great in every way, but I don't want to feel every little bump while driving a Caddy. Yes, I'm being pedantic here, but I'm just being honest. The seats were very comfortable, but could have used a bit more side-bolstering. The back seats, however, are disappointingly cramped. Ride and handling is about compromises. This one sways towards handling. It's not terribly firm, but grandpa with the bad back might have a thing or two to say about it.
The interior is also very well-equipped. It has pretty much everything you would expect to find on a Cadillac. One of my personal favorites is the dual moon roof!
Practicality
When all is said and done, it's a 4-door sedan. It behaves as such. I went to the grocery store with it, everything fit. There are no compromises on usability. Plenty of storage space in the cabin, and plenty of room in the trunk. It's as practical as a sports sedan can be.
Fuel Economy
It has none. This is what comes to mind... (sorry about this)
FOSE?
Chicks dig superchargers.
Conclusion
For $70k you can have a well-equipped, 4-door, ridiculously fast Cadillac. For what it is, I think it's fantastic. However, I'm not sure I'd buy one. I just can't get over the fact that it's a Cadillac. I'm not saying Cadillac is bad - I love them, I just expect a Cadillac to be more luxury and less savagery. This absolutely delivers on what it was designed to do, but it's not what I want a Cadillac to be. If I'm going to buy something that is stupid fast, I'm gonna buy something that is supposed to be stupid fast. If I want luxury, I'll buy luxury. I feel this blurs the edges too much. Plus, I think the same amount of fast fun can be had for a lot cheaper.
Couple weeks ago I got to take home a Cadillac CTS-V for a week. This is the first time I've had the chance to drive this car for any decent amount of time. It's also the one car (apart from the Corvette ZR-1) that I have been unable to properly drive since I began working for GM. Here are my thoughts, in no particular order... Let's start with pictures!
Don't mind the smudges on the center stack - this car have been around the block a few times, and the interior kind of showed it...
Performance
Let's start off with the biggest draw to this vehicle - the monster under the hood. Powering the CTS-V is a supercharged V8, pushing 556 hp and 551 ft-lbs. This thing is an absolute beast. The acceleration is unlike anything I've driven before (with the exception of the Corvette Z06, which had very similar abilities to exceed the speed limit with nothing more than a sneeze). Paired to the engine is a 6 speed, short(ish) throw manual transmission. I'm still not a huge fan of the manual transmissions that they put in the CTS series. They just feel, off... but I can't quite put my finger on it. I did get used to it after a week, at which point it didn't become as much of an issue. The throws on the trans are precise, and pretty short. There is a good deal of mechanical feedback through the system, which I liked, because it provided needed assurance the correct gear had been selected. Miss-shifts (especially down shifting) tend to break the tires free, which is scary if you're not expecting it. The car goes like hell - no problems getting to speeds that will easily get you in trouble. At about 4000 RPM, the exhaust note becomes significantly more aggressive, and all hell breaks loose. Making a perfectly rev-matched 6-3 downshift can lead to a permanent smile on your face. Under normal highway driving, there's no need to take it out of sixth - ever. All of this is pretty much what you'd expect from this car. Massive power leading to massive speed.
The handling on this is just as incredible. The suspension if firm, no doubt about it. However, combine that with the fact that it's wearing 285 series Michelin Pilot Sport PS2 summer tires, and this car will devour any corner you throw it at. Most of the week presented damp road conditions, so the general shenanigans were kept to a minimum, but when the limit is passes, the car likes to snap. I imagine it would be fairly easy to control, but dance around the limit, and it can be twitchy and catch the unassuming driver off guard. I would love to take this to a track and see what it can really do. The suspension has a touring mode, and a sport mode. On the road, all I could really tell by selecting sport mode was the ride got a little harsher. I wasn't able to drive anywhere that the benefits of sport mode could be seen.
Braking was also awesome. In each of the four corners are large Brembo rotors with equally large calipers. This car stops - fast. This came in handy when a lady decided that red lights don't apply to her, and turned in front of me.
Style
The new direction that Cadillac has been going with their styling seems to be met with mixed reviews. Some love it, some hate it. I'm in the love it camp. The harsh angles and aggressiveness really add to what the CTS-V is all about. The big wheels and tires, and flared wheel arches give it a wider stance that makes it look a bit pissed off. I'm not a huge fan of the mesh grill - I much prefer the large slats of the standard CTS. Personal choice.
The interior is on par with the rest of the CTS line-up. No much difference there. I believe there is a bit more faux-suede, along with the option of Recaro racing seats (which this one didn't have). Other than that, it's standard Cadillac kit. I like it.
Comfort
This is where my biggest gripe comes in. If I'm gonna buy a Cadillac, I want it to ride nicer than this. Yes, yes, I know, fastest production sedan in the world... blah, blah, blah. It's not supposed to be as comfortable. But I want it to be. It performs great in every way, but I don't want to feel every little bump while driving a Caddy. Yes, I'm being pedantic here, but I'm just being honest. The seats were very comfortable, but could have used a bit more side-bolstering. The back seats, however, are disappointingly cramped. Ride and handling is about compromises. This one sways towards handling. It's not terribly firm, but grandpa with the bad back might have a thing or two to say about it.
The interior is also very well-equipped. It has pretty much everything you would expect to find on a Cadillac. One of my personal favorites is the dual moon roof!
Practicality
When all is said and done, it's a 4-door sedan. It behaves as such. I went to the grocery store with it, everything fit. There are no compromises on usability. Plenty of storage space in the cabin, and plenty of room in the trunk. It's as practical as a sports sedan can be.
Fuel Economy
It has none. This is what comes to mind... (sorry about this)
FOSE?
Chicks dig superchargers.
Conclusion
For $70k you can have a well-equipped, 4-door, ridiculously fast Cadillac. For what it is, I think it's fantastic. However, I'm not sure I'd buy one. I just can't get over the fact that it's a Cadillac. I'm not saying Cadillac is bad - I love them, I just expect a Cadillac to be more luxury and less savagery. This absolutely delivers on what it was designed to do, but it's not what I want a Cadillac to be. If I'm going to buy something that is stupid fast, I'm gonna buy something that is supposed to be stupid fast. If I want luxury, I'll buy luxury. I feel this blurs the edges too much. Plus, I think the same amount of fast fun can be had for a lot cheaper.
. The wagon is pretty cool, but I don't like wagons, so it's the sedan for me. WANT 