The Cadillac CTS-V has done so many things to show that it is not just another American muscle car with four-doors. It’s proven to be a supercar that can compete directly with the BMW’s M3 and M5, Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG and the Jaguar XFR. So it’s only suiting that Cadillac would build a coupe version that directly competes against BMW’s M3, which comes in coupe, sedan and convertible.
With a supercharged 6.2-liter V8 making 556hp and 551lb-ft of torque, the CTS-V is an absolute star, there’s no doubt about it. 0-60 times have been posted at around 3.9-seconds, and you may even remember the 7:59 Nürburgring lap time that made Cadillac king of The ‘Ring in terms of high performance sport sedans. It was the first sedan to ever crack the 8-minute mark. Let’s hope that the coupe is even faster and better.
You wouldn’t expect the Cadillac CTS-V coupe to be much, if at all, different than the CTS-V sedan, but it actually is. One would expect it to be just a V coupe… But it’s not. Standard is GM’s Magnetic Ride Control, similar to that on the Corvette ZR1. Also, there are no door handles; like the C6 Corvette, it has touch pad door openers that you slip your hand into.
Press Release:
o New CTS Coupe design combines with V-Series performance
o 556-hp (415-kW) supercharged 6.2L V-8
o Six-speed manual or six-speed automatic with paddle shift control
o Magnetic Ride Control and Brembo brakes
o New Saffron interior trim accent color
o On sale in early summerDETROIT – Cadillac today announced the 2011 CTS-V Coupe, which debuts at the 2010 North American International Auto Show in Detroit. It combines the new CTS Coupe’s dramatic design with the 556-horsepower (415-kW) supercharged V-8 engine from the CTS-V sedan. The result is a luxury sports coupe aimed at driving enthusiasts.
“The CTS-V Coupe marries our most potent and sophisticated technology with our most dramatic production design,” said Bryan Nesbitt, Cadillac general manager. “This combination of visual and technical attributes is designed to create a very compelling choice for luxury sports car consumers.”
The CTS-V Coupe begins production this summer. Its suite of technical and performance elements includes Magnetic Ride Control, racing-bred Brembo brakes and an available automatic transmission with paddle-shift control.
The V-Series Coupe includes a unique grille that doubles the car’s air intake volume, an important enabler for its high-performance capabilities. It is also visually identified by a raised center section of the hood that provides clearance for the supercharger, as well as specific front and rear fascias. Like the CTS Coupe, its exhaust is centered inside the rear fascia, but with unique twin outlets. The car rolls on 19-inch cast aluminum wheels, available in either painted or polished finishes, and Michelin Pilot Sport 2 performance tires.
The CTS-V Coupe’s rear track is nearly an inch wider than the CTS-V Sport Sedan, adding to the car’s aggressive stance and enabling an extra measure of handling capability. The current CTS-V Sport Sedan has quickly established itself among the world’s highest performing luxury sedans, becoming the first production four-door on street tires to break the legendary 8-minute barrier at Germany’s famed Nürburgring. The new V-Series Coupe’s sleeker shape and slightly lower mass ensure a similarly high level of performance.
Inside, the 2+2 cabin combines performance and luxury. A new Saffron interior trim color is offered, with contrasting microfiber seat inserts, door trim inserts and stitching on the upper trim areas.
Form follows function
The CTS-V Coupe’s design is a clear visual statement of the technical precision and performance intent of the car.
The Coupe has the same wheelbase as the CTS-V Sport Sedan, but its overall height is about two inches (51 mm) lower and its overall length is two inches (51 mm) shorter.
Key design features include:
* Classic hardtop styling, with no conventional B-pillar
* Touch-pad operation for the doors removes the need for conventional door handles
* Faster windshield angle (62.3 degrees) and a nearly horizontal backglass enable an aerodynamic profile
* Signature vertical lighting, highlighted with LED light pipes
* Signature center high-mounted stop lamp functions as a rear spoiler
* Aerodynamic roof-mounted antenna for OnStar and XM Satellite RadioSupercharged powertrain
The CTS-V Coupe employs the LSA 6.2L supercharged V-8 engine also found on the CTS-V Sport Sedan. Rated at 556 horsepower (415 kW) and 551 lb.-ft. of torque (747 Nm), it is the most powerful engine offered in Cadillac’s history and propels the CTS-V Coupe from 0-60 mph in 3.9 seconds.
The LSA engine features an intercooled Eaton supercharger system, premium aluminum-alloy cylinder heads and numerous details designed to ensure it makes its power as quietly and smoothly as possible. The supercharger, for example, has a unique, four-lobe rotor design that enhances quietness while also optimizing the performance parameters of the engine.
A pair of six-speed transmissions is offered in the CTS-V Coupe: a Tremec TR6060 six-speed manual with a dual-disc clutch and a Hydra-Matic 6L90 six-speed automatic with paddle-shift control. Performance Algorithm Shifting is part of the 6L90’s programming and provides a performance-oriented shift pattern during sustained high-performance driving. As with many Cadillac models, the driver needs only to slide the shifter into the manual “gate” to put the transmission into that more aggressive mode.
The steering wheel shift controls require no shift lever movement and allow immediate and quick tap up/tap down gear selection.
Magnetic Ride Control
The V-Series reaches elite levels of road-holding performance, but also maintains the poise of a luxury car in “regular” driving conditions. The technical enabler of that dual-mode driving character is Cadillac’s landmark Magnetic Ride Control. It is standard on the CTS-V Coupe and is the world’s fastest-reacting suspension technology. It uses shocks controlled by advanced magneto-rheological technology, rather than mechanical valves, to greatly accelerate response time and precision.
Electronic sensors at all four wheels literally “read the road” every millisecond, making constant adjustments to damping to create virtually instantaneous and extremely precise control of body motions. This is of particular benefit for a high-performance car because it helps keep the car very composed during hard cornering, acceleration, braking and other dynamic maneuvers.
The Magnetic Ride shocks also enable a broader range of damping control to optimize the ride and handling for all driving conditions. In the CTS-V Coupe, an extra measure of control is offered, with two selectable modes (Tour and Sport), enabling the driver to tailor the suspension for grand touring or more spirited performance driving.
Braking and tire systems
CTS-V includes sophisticated braking and tire systems, in partnership with two companies renowned for high-performance technology: Brembo and Michelin. Brembo brakes are at all four corners and include powerful, six-piston calipers in the front and four-piston calipers in the rear.
Large vented rotors enable strong initial braking force while optimizing heat resistance and eliminating fade. The brake rotors from Brembo employ a “dual-cast” technology that combines cast iron and aluminum, resulting in excellent performance and weight reduction. CTS-V also includes an electric parking brake, enabling more legroom for the driver, key for high-performance driving
Michelin partnered with Cadillac engineers to develop its acclaimed Pilot Sport PS2 summer tire for CTS-V and its exclusive 19-inch alloy wheels. The tires support high levels of grip in track conditions, while also affording good performance on the road.
Interior amenities
Recaro performance driving seats are optional in the CTS-V Coupe and provide excellent support for spirited driving. These 14-way adjustable performance seats include pneumatic bolster controls in the seat cushions and backrests.
The CTS-V Coupe also includes an exclusive new Saffron color option for the interior, providing a contrasting color accent carried on the seat inserts, door trim, as well as the stitching, which highlights the craftsmanship of the instrument panel, center console, door trim and seats.
The steering wheel, seat inserts and shifter are covered in microfiber, providing the luxurious character of suede without suede’s inherent drawbacks of difficult care and moisture sensitivity. These accents are elegant to the touch and help support high-performance driving.
The car’s integrated center stack is trimmed in Obsidian black material that is also applied to the center console and door trim. Just like every CTS, the V-Series includes a hand-stitched instrument panel, door trim and center console. Leading-edge infotainment features extend to the V-Series. They include a 40-gigabyte hard drive, advanced navigation system with a deployable screen and Bose digital surround audio, as well as factory-installed Bluetooth phone integration, all standard features on the V-Series.
About Cadillac
Cadillac has been a leading luxury auto brand since 1902. In recent years, Cadillac has engineered a historic renaissance led by artful engineering and global expansion. More information on Cadillac can be found at media.cadillac.com.
2011 CADILLAC CTS-V COUPE SPECIFICATIONS
Overview
Model:
2011 Cadillac CTS-V Coupe
Body style / driveline:
2-door sport luxury coupe, RWD
Construction:
unitized welded steel body with direct-mounted front cradle and rubber-isolated, multi-link independent rear suspension
EPA vehicle class:
midsize car
Manufacturing location:
Lansing Grand River Assembly, Lansing, Mich.
Engine
6.2L Supercharged V-8
Displacement (cu in / cc):
376 / 6162
Bore & stroke (in / mm):
4.06 / 103.25 x 3.62 / 92 mm
Block material:
cast aluminum
Cylinder head material:
cast aluminum
Valvetrain:
overhead valve, two valves per cylinder
Fuel delivery:
1.9L supercharger with intercooler; sequential fuel injection
Compression ratio:
9.1:1
Horsepower (hp / kW @ rpm):
556 / 415 @ 6100*
Torque (lb-ft / Nm @ rpm):
551 / 747 @ 3800*
Recommended fuel:
premium required
Maximum engine speed (rpm):
6200
EPA estimated fuel economy (city / hwy):
TBD
Transmissions
Tremec TR6060
Hydra-Matic 6L90
Type:
six-speed manual; fully synchronized with single overdrive
six-speed electronically controlled automatic overdrive with torque converter clutch
Gear ratios (:1):
First:
2.66
4.03
Second:
1.78
2.36
Third:
1.30
1.53
Fourth:
1.00
1.15
Fifth:
0.80
0.85
Sixth:
0.63
0.67
Reverse:
2.90
3.06
Final drive ratio:
3.73
3.23
Chassis / Suspension
Configuration
RWD
Differential:
limited-slip
Front:
independent SLA; 29-mm hollow stabilizer bar; elastomeric handling and ride bushings; 65-N/mm spring rate; Magnetic Ride Control with electro-magnetically controlled shocks
Rear :
independent SLA; 25.4-mm solid stabilizer bar; elastomeric trailing arm bushing; 90-N/mm spring rate; Magnetic Ride Control with electro-magnetically controlled shocks
Steering type:
power-assisted rack-and-pinion
Steering ratio:
16.1:1
Steering turns, lock-to-lock:
2.7
Turn circle (ft / m):
37.9 / 11.55
Chassis control:
four-channel StabiliTrak w/ brake assist
Wheels and tires
Wheel size and type:
front: 19 x 9-inch; forged alloy, 5-lug
rear: 19 x 9.5-inch, forged alloy, 5-lugTires:
Michelin Pilot Sport PS2
front: P255/40ZR19 96Y high-performance summer tire
rear: P285/35ZR19 99Y high-performance summer tireBrakes
Type:
four-wheel disc with four-channel ABS, hydraulic brake assist and dynamic rear brake proportioning
Rotor type and thickness (in / mm)
Front :
15 x 1.26 / 380 x 32, vented, co-cast
Rear:
14.7 x 1.1 / 373 mm x 28 mm, vented
Dimensions
ExteriorWheelbase (in / mm):
113.4 / 2880
Length (in / mm):
188.5 / 4789
Height (in / mm):
55.9 / 1422
Width (in / mm):
74.1 / 1883
Track (in / mm):
front: 61.8 / 1570
rear: 62.8/ 1597Curb weight (lb / kg):
manual: 4204 / 1907
automatic: 4237 / 1922Weight distribution (% front / rear):
54 / 46
Interior
Headroom (in / mm):
front: 36.9 / 937.5
rear: 34.6 / 879Legroom (in / mm):
front: 42.4 / 1078
rear: 35 / 890Shoulder room (in / mm):
front: 56 / 1424
rear: 50.9 / 1294Hip room (in / mm):
front: 54.5 / 1385
rear: 47.7 / 1212Capacities
Seating capacity (front / rear):
2 / 2
EPA passenger volume (cu ft / L):
86.6 / 2452
EPA trunk volume (cu ft / L):
10.54 / 298
Trailer towing maximum (lb / kg):
TBD
Fuel tank (gal / L):
18 / 68
Engine oil (qt / L):
6.3 / 6
Cooling system (qt / L):
12.42 / 11.75
*SAE certified.
Note: Information shown is current at time of publication.
-Josh
“Happy Motoring!”
[Source: GM]
