[Press] Next Caddy CTSv To Nudge 500 HP

[Rob]

Next Caddy CTSv To Nudge 500 HP

While the new, 400-hp Cadillac CTSv sedan is still a half-year away from market, the resurgent General Motors division is already aiming its sights even higher as part of a planned mid-cycle update. The '04 CTSv will debut with the 5.7-liter LS6 under the hood, a version of the big V-8 currently powering the Chevrolet Corvette. In 2006, several sources tell TheCarConnection.com, an upgraded LS6 will grow to 6.0-liters displacement. And as for horsepower? "We haven't determined where that would take us yet," said one well-placed source. But Caddy knows where it needs to go if it sticks with plans to make the CTSv a credible contender to the likes of BMW's vaunted M models and the likes of Mercedes' AMG lineup. Where 400 ponies was long an industry target, 500 hp is the new benchmark. Well-placed sources expect a limited-edition version of the next Corvette, dubbed C6, to nudge past that magic number, and the CTSv is likely to follow close behind. For '06, both the base CTS and the V-Series version will get new, more lavish interiors. And Cadillac will add its computer-controlled MagneRide suspension, at least on the CTSv. Like all perform plans, insiders caution, future fuel-economy regulations could lead to a change in plans. -Paul A. Eisenstein

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Source: TheCarConnection.com

 

[ROCKETBLOCK]

There's so much info floating around out there that it will be interesting to see what shakes out in the end. Thanks for the very interesting post Rob. Your CAC rules!!!

 

[LongTimer]

Ditto!!

The gang at CAC is great and the info just keeps coming!

:bar

 

[CFour]

Looks like Corvette is turning out to be Cadillac's "parts bin" car. Sad indeed!

 

[96Holly]

Kinda scary for me....

I myself am a little nervious about this hi po Caddy. It's seems to be gitting a ton of attention. Is it taking away from the Vette? I don't know, just my opion....

 

[LongTimer]

The Caddy is a quality car - better quality than the "F" cars were - so it won't hurt the Vette's reputation. It will not compete in the same market segment as the Vette. I suspect that fewer vette sales will be lost to the CTS-V than were lost to the Camaro SS & Firebird.

The Cad is a 4 door sedan that is 300-400 lbs heavier than the vette. I have no problem letting the Cad ride along on the Vette coat tails. I see it as an opportunity for a larger budget for the vette engine develpoment team.

GM is investing big $$ in the Corvette name (i.e. C5R racing team). I have no problem if they try to get a little mileage from the investment by using engines in a few quality cars. Now, if they start sticking Corvette badges on V6 Monte Carlos, then I'll be ****ed.

 

[CFour]

Re: Kinda scary for me....

I myself am a little nervious about this hi po Caddy. It's seems to be gitting a ton of attention. Is it taking away from the Vette? I don't know, just my opion....

I surly agree. The Corvette has been an exclusive car to Chevrolet for 50 years, now its just another GM platform with a coming bunch of siblings and its good points (engines) (suspension) shared with other divisions not in less HP versions as in the past but right out of the bay of the once exclusive Vette. I think this is going to be a downturn for Corvette. It would appear all the Corvette of the future will have is an exclusive look and become just another cookie cutter GM bag of parts. I think the reason Dave Hill was put on the C5 Corvette from Cadillac was to see how they could pilfer Corvette into the then in the tank Cadillac.

 

[Eric]

GM is investing big $$ in the Corvette name (i.e. C5R racing team). I have no problem if they try to get a little mileage from the investment by using engines in a few quality cars.

Agreed, this is nothing new. Engines that debut in Corvettes have always found there way into other cars with very few exceptions. This is just history repeating and if spreading the powertrain options means GM gets a little more respect it doesn't bother me one iota.

-Eric

 

[jimxo]

Corvette will always be the fastest GM production car regardless of who has more HP.

 

[CFour]

Nope Corvette will now be second fiddle in HP to the Cadillac a shame indeed.

 

[cavettefan]

I will have to weigh in on the side that sees the new developments regarding the CTSv as a positive. Do you really think that the Corvette will not get the new improved LS6 engine? As LongTimer observed, there will be a weight penalty carried by the CTSv. Also, do you think that LS1 engines in the Camaro and Firebird were really de-tuned? Or, were they just de-specified?

 

[Eric]

Also, do you think that LS1 engines in the Camaro and Firebird were really de-tuned? Or, were they just de-specified?

Me thinks you're onto something there. Having driven two LS1 Vettes and two LS1 F-bods, they both plastered me to the seat and hauled booty. Any difference was not discernable by me.

-Eric

 

[mad47]

I have enjoyed the comments so far, and feel compelled to add my thoughts. It seems to me that Corvette has suffered in getting the attention it deserves within GM because of its relatively small volume and niche market. Now that the Caddy segment of GM has a "dog in this hunt" as we like to say down south, I think it will only help Corvette and other performance oriented GM segments get more resources within GM to continue developing the kind of automobiles we all love to drive. If the price is to share some Corvette magic with other GM cars, so be it. I would rather give a little, and get a lot more resourses to build world class Corvettes improving every year to meet the competition.

 

[JBsC5]

Look at the power to weight ratio: 2950lbs/505(6-1) vs 3850lbs/500 (~7.7-1)

505 for the 2950 lb C6 Z06..500 for the much heavier CTS v series..probably closer to 3850 lbs..

Combining resources has always been the Corvettes strength and sharing with Cadillac will just make the cost of developing Americas greatest sports car even less...

I recently saw the V series CTS at the NY show...

Its a winner ! & that was with the 400hp ls6! GReat car four door sports sedan for 50 grand

 

[CFour]

The HP number is what bothers me. Cadillac will for a while at least have more then the C6. Thats terrible! As for the Camaro LS1 vs the Corvette LS1 they are one in the same. There is a slight HP difference only because of slightly more restrictive plumbing.

 

[cavettefan]

CFour, how do you figure that the CTSv will have more HP than the Corvette? Don't you think that the upgraded LS6 will be released to both the Corvette and Cadillac simultaneously? I would imagine that depending on when the upgraded LS6 engine is available (lets say 2006 for discussion purposes), you will see an immediate introduction in the C6 as an "enhancement" - how about a Z07 model release? (Or, probably more likely, the C6 Z06....) Doesn't this start to look eerily like the C5 Z06 introduction?

After everything that I have read so far, I still have to stick with my original position - the additional resources from Cadillac will only help the Corvette.

 

[CFour]

Yes it will, but not in a 500HP version. C6 Corvette will not see a 500HP version for a couple model years yet. So if you want to test drive the next Zo6 you will have to do it at a Cadillac dealer first. Then when Corvette comes out with there version everyone will say Oh look they put the Cadillac motor in the Corvette.

 

[JBsC5]

1st will be the 400hp CTS Vseries @ 3850 lbs..then the january detroit display of the 3100 lb C6 with supposedly 425 hp..

Then the 505 hp C6 Z06 the following year weighing in at 2950..

Then the 3850 lb CTS V spec with 500hp..

Probably see the supercharged STS rear wheel drive v series coming in auto matic only with 450hp..around the same time...

Remember its power to weight..not just power so in the end the vette will be faster...brake better and handle better...

Holding cadillac back so it doesn't over power Corvette is the basic error GM used to make throughout its entire lineup and almost destroyed the company..

Look at AMG and M series..put the best dam motor in each and every car is the correct formula today...

No body care s the M3 can run with the 20 or 30 grand more expensive M5..

Same goes for the E55 and the SL55..The E55 is actually faster...U think the SL55 buyers care? I don't think so..although a 612 hp twin turbo V12 SL and S sedan is supposed to be available soon....This is some sick power..

At a certain point..it just doesn't matter..IMHO

 

[CFour]

Excuse me, were not talking BMW or M/B. We are talking Corvette. If Corvette becomes just another GM car with nothing exclusive to it but its name it will surly falter. The only reason Corvette has been around for 50 years is because of what it was, a "special" car nothing like any other GM model. Composite body panels (No Longer exclusive to Corvette) A single non shared Y platform (No Longer) exclusive suspension (No Longer) Always a HP edge of other GM products (now no longer) built in its own exclusive factory (no longer) shall I continue? When you take the "special" away it soon becomes just another GM branded model. The Corvette needs to be special and exclusive this is how it has survived the past 50 years. Once they start spreading Corvette all over the place its net worth goes down in my opnion. I would not be at all surprised if C6 becomes the last generation Corvette. Its slowly becoming less exclusive and more expensive. and that spells trouble.

 

[corvettecrazy]

i definately agree with Cfour, Gm is slowly killing what the company has been known for. I want to be able to drive the 100th anniversary when I get older (65) but if you were to ask me now I would have to say that I would never see that day. :cry :cry

Corvette needs to stay corvette and caddy needs to develop some of their own damn motors. I do not disagree with them sharing ideas but when you take everything but the looks and give it more power and call it something else that is down right wrong.

just my 2 pennies