Anyone with a hot stock sedan up for a challenge?

[Al N.]

http://www.ctsvchallenge.com/about_the_challenge.php

 

You are going to take on Bob Lutz at Monticello. He's going to drive the CTS-V. You can drive any non-modded sedan in the same market segment as the CTS-V. I assume an Audi RS6 would count.

 

I'm probably going to go and spectate.

[Croc]

Interesting - entrants selected at the sole discretion of GM. That helps to stack the odds in Cadillac's favor.

 

As a small hijack - anybody ever been to Monticello? Do they allow spectators? This could be interesting...

[Kitcat]

When I was in the market for a "hot sedan" last year, I looked at the CTSV. But it was list cost+$5K dealer add on= $70K plus. And lots of dealer attitude. Now the same dealer is offering CTSV's for $18K off. There are 4 available for $54K. No attitude either.

[slngsht]

Looks like BMW took a crack at 'em and just fell short

 

http://www.bmwblog.com/2008/09/10/2009-cadillac-cts-v-vs-2008-bmw-m5/

 

I love the bias of the author...

 

The CTS-V came out and drove a 2:47.55 after some warming up. The M5 ran a 2:45.96 after some test laps. Then the M5 comes in and finishes the day with a 2:44.70. The CTS-V then struggles to get the fastest total lap before they had to wrap up the hour long test. The V raced to 2:44.23.

 

See that? 2:44.70 for the M5 and 2:44.23. John has been driving the car for a few years now. Bill hasn’t driven an M5 in four years, and rips the V a new one… The CTS-V has 56 more hp, 168 more lb-ft of torque, and just shy of 200lbs heavier. The M5 is just slightly slower with less. Isn’t that funny. Remember, the CTS-V also develops its 551lb-ft of torque at 3800 RPM versus the M5’s 383lb-ft of torque at 6100 RPM. Oh, and the V gets its 56 more hp at 6100 RPM versus the M5’s 500hp at 7750 RPM.

 

Cliff notes... CTSV vs M5... each driven by factory driver respectively (for GM, their test driver who set the record at the 'ring with the CTSV, for BMW, factory driver who is on their ALMS team).

CTSV turns better time... excuse excuse excuse, blah blah blah... translates to BMW rips GM a new one.

 

Gotta love bench racing.

[WestTexasS2K]

Saw a show on speed last night with the new Lincoln MKV twin turbo v6 racing up a mountain road in Colorado. All the cars were driven by Millen I think Rob Millen long time nissan racer Pikes Peak champion. The competition was the new Jag XF, BMW 550i, Mercedes 550, Maserati Quatroporte. It took second place. It was an interesting show. Looks like the big 3 are getting serious about showing how they compare against the Euro performance cars.