Set to debut at next month's Detroit Auto Show, the third-generation, 2016 Cadillac CTS-V will not only be larger and more lavishly equipped, but it will also deliver an awesome upgrade in performance.
The new supercharged 6.2-liter LT-1 V-8 will punch out a neck-snapping 640 horsepower and 630 pound-feet of torque. It will launch from 0 to 60 in a mere 3.7 seconds. It also becomes the first Caddy road car to ever break the 200 mph top speed barrier.
The new model includes an electronic limited-slip differential, a new Launch Control system, massive Brembo brakes, a track-tuned magnetic ride control system and optional Recaro racing seats.
The CTS-V gets a 50-percent increase in total front grille area, and cooling this new supercharged 6.2-liter needs every square millimeter of that space - there are no grille shutters, and adaptive cruise control is not available, because the radar unit would block too much air.
The carbon-fiber hood, protruded for engine clearance, features a big air extractor, as do the flared fenders. The rest of the styling flourishes are all similarly functional, including the front splitter and decklid spoiler that reduce lift on all CTS-Vs.
An optional carbon-fiber package extends the chin splitter and spoiler by about an inch each to provide measurable downforce at the officially quoted top speed of 200 mph.
Those parts are rendered in exposed-weave carbon fiber, as are the hood air-extractor vents and rear diffuser, Gurney-lip air deflectors in front of the front wheels, and side sill extensions that round out the package.
A special camera will help drivers avoid curbing that pricey front splitter. Other visual differentiators include side windows, Galvano low-luster brightwork around the grille, fender air extractors and 19-inch wheels in After Midnight black chrome.
The 2016 CTS-V has plenty of creature comforts, including an audiophile Bose sound system, 20-way adjustable power seats, 4G LTE WiFi connectivity, a wireless cellphone charger, etc.
The new model delivers a full 90 more horsepower than the new Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG, and 80 more than the latest BMW M5. If Caddy's stopwatch is accurate, it will also undercut the M5 by about 0.4 seconds, 0 to 60, although the E63 will cross the beam a tenth of a second earlier.
With the recent introduction of the ATS-V, Cadillac signaled its intent to expand the V-Series line-up, much as Mercedes, Audi and BMW have done with their own performance families.
The model gets a massive, 1.7-liter supercharger, titanium intake valves, forged aluminum pistons, cam phasing, and an active fuel management system. The engine is paired with a new 8-speed automatic, for now, several Cadillac insiders expressing their own interest in adding a manual transmission.
The 8-speed is actually 28 pounds lighter than the old, Gen-2 CTS-V 6-speed automatic. Cadillac has been on a weight-savings kick, a factor that is helping improve both performance and fuel economy.
The new CTS-V is expected to yield about 5 percent better mileage than the old model, 14 City, 19 Highway. For the moment, the company only plans to offer a rear-drive version of the CTS-V, though key competitors are expanding their all-wheel-drive performance lines.
The company had a tough year, despite solid reviews for the ATS and CTS models, U.S. sales have been done, though demand has surged in China and a handful of other overseas market.
0 comments:
Post a Comment