2009 Cadillac CTS-V Uncovered

[jetsetter]

Any speculation about the styling of the 2009 Cadillac CTS-V can now be laid to rest thanks to our exclusive spy photos. Snagged during a photo shoot of the upcoming Cadillac super sedan, these shots reveal a CTS V-Series with a dramatically revised front end, bigger wheels and tires and a few modest changes out back.

Gone is the egg-crate grille that gives the standard CTS such a distinctive look up front. In its place is a two-piece trapezoidal mesh grille much like the setup on the original CTS-V. We suspect the mesh design does a better job of feeding fresh air to the engine, as Cadillac has boasted about borrowing the design of the standard CTS's grille from the Sixteen concept.

Although the airdam on the CTS-V is certainly aggressive, it doesn't appear as though it's much lower to the ground when compared side by side with that of the standard CTS. This could be due to the fact that there's no bump strip at the bottom of this prototype piece, a detail that could be added to the production cars.

The shape of the airdam is continued all the way around the car by extended rocker sills and a reshaped rear fascia. It's more subtle than we expected, although the car already has fairly aggressive bodywork to begin with. Even the hood bulge is pretty sedate, as it blends in perfectly with the rest of the original hood creases.

Of course, the big question still remains: What's under that hood? Our best sources have been telling us to expect a normally aspirated LS7 V8, but a recent interview with Cadillac General Manager Jim Taylor seems to confirm the other most talked-about option — a supercharged 6.2-liter V8. Either way, the 2009 CTS-V will have roughly 525 horsepower, a figure that will put it slightly ahead of direct competitors like the Audi S6, BMW M5 and Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG.

Taylor also confirms that the 2009 Cadillac CTS-V will offer the choice of a manual or automatic transmission — both six-speeds. This should help broaden the appeal of the CTS-V, which has been a sales disappointment so far. Look for the official unveil of the 2009 Cadillac CTS-V at the 2008 Detroit Auto Show in January.

http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do...topanel..2.*#2

For those who are going to bitch, wait for the official photos. I like it but I want to see some higher quality photos.

[Prost264]

I like it, except for the nose, it looks like the grille needs to be bigger. Looks like an elephant sat on the front.

Now if only I could afford one..

[Elmo187]

good god it looks beastly! and it being powered by a detuned LS9 is even more awesome. oh and the Holden wheels......just makes it a bit more cool than it already was.

[thedguy]

Something don't look right about that front end

[Vette Boss]

Plenty of chicken wire on the front.. are they planning a hen night?

[Paul_The_Aussie]

one word to describe it.....GHASTLY

[Magnet]

Looks great, apart from the cheap and nasty DIY grille mesh they have going there.

[cdbob]

M5 is still way better

[No Boss]

Originally Posted by thedguy

Something don't look right about that front end

Amen to that... I dunno. It's just not there.

[TomCat]

Looks pretty good. Not sure about the shape of the lower grill. Kinda has that cheap import BS bodykit look to it. But oh well.

I'm sure the "chickenwire" "DIY mesh" grill will look better in person and in quality photos. Here is a few close up pics of previous V-Series grills:

[NAIDANAC A]

Originally Posted by cdbob

M5 is still way better

And what is the price difference?

[thedguy]

Originally Posted by NAIDANAC A

And what is the price difference?

And that is what still hurts Cadillac. They still have to rely on a (significant) price difference.

[TomCat]

Originally Posted by thedguy

And that is what still hurts Cadillac. They still have to rely on a (significant) price difference.

Comparing it to the M5 is a bit much though.

I'm sure the performance will be on par, but it will fall short in other areas, no doubt.
I think GM designed the CTS as more of a 3-series competitor with the CTS-V being an M3 rival, even though it looks like an unfair match up.

[Gman333-X-ferrari]

And the rear looks like a box.



Where's the design in there?

[TomCat]

Originally Posted by Gman333-X-ferrari

And the rear looks like a box.



Where's the design in there?

Could be worse. *cough*bangle*cough*

[Gman333-X-ferrari]

Originally Posted by TomCat

Could be worse. *cough*bangle*cough*

Good one. XD But madcow's not gonna be happy.

[Elmo187]

Originally Posted by TomCat

I'm sure the performance will be on par, but it will fall short in other areas, no doubt.
I think GM designed the CTS as more of a 3-series competitor with the CTS-V being an M3 rival, even though it looks like an unfair match up.

you can't compare the CTS to the 3-Series with the CTS being much larger than the 3-Series. Bob Lutz even made a joke awhile back about how the new CTS-V will blow the doors off the M5. what i read in the other thread about the new RWD platform called the Alpha, it might get used on the BLS' replacement. which is infact, 3-Series size.

i just can't wait to see the war get a bit better when the suspected twin turbo V10 M5 comes out after the redesign.

[argatoga]

Ugh, the grill is horrible. This is a step down in looks from the regular CTS.

[TomCat]

Originally Posted by Elmo187

you can't compare the CTS to the 3-Series with the CTS being much larger than the 3-Series. Bob Lutz even made a joke awhile back about how the new CTS-V will blow the doors off the M5. what i read in the other thread about the new RWD platform called the Alpha, it might get used on the BLS' replacement. which is infact, 3-Series size.

That's just exterior size though. Cadillac wanted a more luxurious entry level sedan, so they made theirs alittle more roomy. I see nothing wrong with that or the need to compare it with much much more expensive cars just because of it.

The M5 isn't all that great really. All sport sedans get compared to it, seems like. TopGear even compared the new Vauxhall to the M5, but that doesn't make them competitors.