Test Drive: 2009 Cadillac CTS-V
Posted at 2:15 PM / March 24, 2009
In these days of economic turmoil and uncertainty in Detroit, the staff here at PlanetLSX knows one thing for sure...Cadillac has a great new flagship hotrod in the stable with the second rendition of the CTS-V. If you are an avid GM fan, you already know about the 556 HP, supercharged, ZR1 Corvette derived LSA V8. You probably also know about the Nürbürgring-tuned suspension and chassis. The thing you may not know about the 2009 Cadillac CTS-V is that the level of refinement injected into this car during its complete redesign is absolutely mind-numbing. The result of this redesign is a car with a Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde personality, a broad-shouldered muscle sedan on steroids, with a buttoned-down schoolboy side whenever the principal may be watching. For the first time in its history, Cadillac has a premium sports sedan that proves to be formidable competition for the Germans in any driving condition, from an all-day track thrashing, to a golf outing with a potential client. With what we've seen on the news in recent months, this world-beater could not have come along at a better time for the home team.
Sliding into the front seat of the big Caddy brings almost an overwhelming sense of class that most are not accustomed to. The first order of business is quite possibly to look around and ensure you climbed into the right car. Sure enough, you're in a Cadillac, or at least that's what the V emblem embroidered into the seat is telling you. Paying such close attention to the quality, fit, and finish of the interior, you almost don't notice how well the supportive side bolsters of the seats wrapped themselves around you. You were too preoccupied running your hand over the beautiful stitching that lines the upper dash. Finding the perfect seating position takes mere seconds. With the key fob anywhere inside the car and a foot on the brake, the ignition turns, and the engine roars to life. The exhaust note at idle is amazingly smooth, a deep-rumble that is quite noticeable, albeit tuned down some from the uproar created by the first generation CTS-V. Cruising at a normal pace down the road with the windows up, conversation over the exhaust and road noise couldn't be easier. There is no straining to hear the person riding shotgun. The ride is compliant in a word, if not a little stiff. You know you're in a world-class sports car, but with numerous suspension stiffness settings, the car never pounds on you. The V seems to know what you want, exactly when you want it. Thrown into a corner with a little gusto, the car grips tenaciously, all the while staying extremely flat.
Drop the pedal anywhere near the floor, and you are greeted with a sensory overload. The 4200 lb Cadillac builds boost very quickly, instantly rushing forward, pushing you firmly into the seat back while the Michelin Pilot Sport PS2’s grasp for a hold on the road. Shifts in an automatic car are quick and firm. The mild exhaust note turns into a beautiful roar, and you feel every single horsepower beating on your chest. In an 6-speed automatic car, with tire spin limited by traction control, 4.3 quick seconds go by and you are at 60 mph. Forget something 1/4 mile behind, and you're only 12.5 seconds from being back to get it, with the only problem being that you would be doing 115 mph when you get to it. Yes, that's quicker than both the V10 BMW M5 and the Audi RS4. For those who are keeping score, add another point to the Caddy's growing tally.
A car as quick as this Cadillac could quickly force its pilot to become very popular with local law enforcement. To help avoid seeing the red and blue lights, Cadillac equips the big sedan with wonderfully massive 14.4" vented rotors and Brembo calipers, 6 pistons up front and 4 in the rear. Stomp on the brake pedal, and it feels like you deployed a parachute. GM says the car will stop from 60 mph in around 103 feet. An optional "track" package allows you to do just that for hours, without so much as a hint of fade.
Parking the V and climbing out, you can't help but walk around the car a few times, admiring its lines. Cadillac has sculpted a car that looks as good as anything else on the road. The lines are muscular, with big, wide fender flares, huge wheels, and a not-so-subtle power bulge atop the hood telling you this is obviously not your run of the mill CTS. The car's shape says "American muscle," while oozing class at the same time. You don't know which part to believe, and your test drive only confused the issue further. Cadillac designed this car to do everything well, and instead it does everything almost perfectly. Nothing about this car disappoints, not its interior, and certainly not its performance. Kudos GM...You didn't just connect on this one, you landed a knock-out punch.
