Topic: First Drive: 2016 Cadillac CTS-V

[Autos_Editor]

Thunderous.
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[dirtyjeffer]

i like it. 

[aquadorhj]

i can see myself owning this one.


not ATS-V,  but this one....  i can.

[OliverD]

I'd rather a previous gen CTS-V wagon with a stick.

Now that the CTS-V is auto only I can't see myself choosing it over something like an RS7 or E63.

[aquadorhj]

I'd rather a previous gen CTS-V wagon with a stick.

Now that the CTS-V is auto only I can't see myself choosing it over something like an RS7 or E63.

i know, i normally would agree with that sentiment, but, still i think i like CTS-V better than RS7 for sure, and possibly even E63.

if we concede that it's a luxury super cruise missile, then i don't necessarily need a manual for it.

but ATS-V, i can't see myself getting, ever, over its competitors.

[Noto]

This was underscored for me when the LT4’s cooling system kicked itself into overdrive while I was standing beside the front fender, the fans screaming through the Cadillac’s hood vents with the piercing quality of an air raid siren.

That's something I'd love to hear!!

And great conclusion - I agree that engineering-wise, Caddy prob couldn't have made it a better car...but the question is, how do you change perception?  The insane-looking front end won't be the one to do it. 

[aquadorhj]

This was underscored for me when the LT4’s cooling system kicked itself into overdrive while I was standing beside the front fender, the fans screaming through the Cadillac’s hood vents with the piercing quality of an air raid siren.

That's something I'd love to hear!!

And great conclusion - I agree that engineering-wise, Caddy prob couldn't have made it a better car...but the question is, how do you change perception?  The insane-looking front end won't be the one to do it.

consistency.

a traditionally weak point for GM (except the 'consistently making crap car' part).

they occasionally make good cars, but they need to keep at it, and the perception with follow, and i think they are on track as far as product goes.

this is the 3rd generation of CTS, improved in every way over its predecessor and i think it shows how it is continuously improving.

as long as they don't go all stupid and change its name i think they have a shot at being recognized

[Noto]

...actually, changing the names may do the company well.

[SKYMTL]

I love the fact that they didn't go with those wussy integrated tailpipes like so many other manufacturers are doing. 

Another aspect I like here are the DRL's.  Caddy has such distinctive styling for those and they really stand out. 

You can hear the roar in this video:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tVaRA1veYWM  pay no attention to the dude's "I'm sitting on a booster seat" driving position. 

[OliverD]

but ATS-V, i can't see myself getting, ever, over its competitors.

I appreciate everything Cadillac has done with the ATS-V. It sounds like a phenomenal car. But if it was my money, I wouldn't hesitate to buy an M3.

[Fobroader]

This thing is oh so sexy!!!! I would love to daily drive one of these things. Amg who, M what?? 

[Northernridge]

Yup, nice. Needs to be assessed in context of its competent alternatives though.

Is there pricing on the GS-F yet? I bet it's similar to a little less expensive and down on power to the CTS-V

The E63 and M5 are $10-15k more expensive with similar performance which takes you back to the Cadillac vs Germans value-or-not argument.

Then there's the RS7 and CLS63 which are a price tick higher for their fancier design.

I think Jaguar also has a speedy version of its mid-sizer too.

So, it's not that the CTS-V isn't amazing but you have to so no to a lot of good cars to say yes to the Cadillac.

[carcrazed]

Yup, nice. Needs to be assessed in context of its competent alternatives though.

Is there pricing on the GS-F yet? I bet it's similar to a little less expensive and down on power to the CTS-V

The E63 and M5 are $10-15k more expensive with similar performance which takes you back to the Cadillac vs Germans value-or-not argument.

Then there's the RS7 and CLS63 which are a price tick higher for their fancier design.

I think Jaguar also has a speedy version of its mid-sizer too.

So, it's not that the CTS-V isn't amazing but you have to so no to a lot of good cars to say yes to the Cadillac.

Can't disagree to a single point.  Those are a LOT of good machines to choose from.. a friend is looking to replace his M5.. I was gonna suggest RS7, but he's looking at Bentley or something in that range. 

[Northernridge]

Looks good in red! Everyone's first drive review is pretty stellar.

[NormT]

The Eaton blower is too small and similar to the Corvette and being able too compete with turbocharged cars like E63, RS7, and Panamera. Supercharger companies like Magnuson are see 100 HP gain on the C7 with their bigger blower.

Plan on Henessy to twin turbo charge them!

[mixmanmash]

The Eaton blower is too small and similar to the Corvette and being able too compete with turbocharged cars like E63, RS7, and Panamera. Supercharger companies like Magnuson are see 100 HP gain on the C7 with their bigger blower.

Plan on Henessy to twin turbo charge them!

Yep.  I'd love to get my hands on a Hellcat and do a twin turbo setup in place of a supercharger.

That said, I've still been seeing reports of LT4's failing and it is not the oil filter...  Also, lots of reports that the cooling system can't keep up, especially under track conditions.

[bone]

I like it very much and would certainly buy it over its competitors. I only buy North American vehicles, not because I'm patriotic, but because they have always provided the best value for the money. The CTS-V is representative of my purchasing criteria.

[BHunting]

Another huge bonus with the CTS-V over the Hellcat is traction.  On the street, the Hellcat just spins.  The CTS-V had amazing grip even in Touring mode with no launch control.

[revalations]

The Eaton blower is too small and similar to the Corvette and being able too compete with turbocharged cars like E63, RS7, and Panamera. Supercharger companies like Magnuson are see 100 HP gain on the C7 with their bigger blower.

Plan on Henessy to twin turbo charge them!

Yep.  I'd love to get my hands on a Hellcat and do a twin turbo setup in place of a supercharger.

That said, I've still been seeing reports of LT4's failing and it is not the oil filter...  Also, lots of reports that the cooling system can't keep up, especially under track conditions.

Of over 9000 LT4's delivered less than 1% have had engine issues. A very small percentage yet very well 'advertised'

A quote from a recent article I read on the Z06 engine failure....

" As a mechanical device, an engine will always have the potential to develop problems, so how does the Z06 compare with other vehicles? According to British-based warranty company Warranty Direct, which studied data of 50,000 consumer policies, Honda had the best track record of engine failures, with a failure rate of 0.29 percent – that’s 1 in 344 cars. The worst brand on their list that exists in the American market was Audi, with a 3.71 percent failure rate. Aside of the sample difference used by an honest-to-goodness study versus a writer and a calculator, it appears that the bellyaching is simply Internet hype"

[Northernridge]

This is an interesting article about Cadillac adjusting its pricing strategy. The CTS-V is priced about $10k USD less than the M5 and AMG E63 allegedly indicating a deliberate shift away from pricing parity with the Germans. The quote at the end is good, something about Cadillac as a challenger brand striving to provide more for less instead of the same for the same.

http://www.autonews.com/article/20150811/BLOG06/308119998/cts-v-sticker-reflects-shift-in-cadillac-pricing