2011 Cadillac CTS-V Coupe Preview

Jeff Youngs | Dec 31, 2010

FAST FACTS

High-performance variant of all-new, 4-passenger
Joins , STS-V and XLR-V in Cadillac's high-performance V-Series portfolio
Classic hardtop styling with no B-pillar; touch-pad operation for doors means no traditional door handles
Same wheelbase, but 2 inches lower and shorter than CTS-V Sedan
Shares only the instrument panel, console, headlamps, front fenders and grille with the CTS-V sedan
Rear-wheel drive
556-hp, supercharged 6.2-liter V-8 engine
Standard 6-speed manual transmission
Available 6-speed automatic transmission with driver shift control and steering-wheel-mounted shift buttons
Magnetic Ride Control suspension
Unique grille, front and rear fascias and twin-outlet exhaust
Raised hood to accommodate supercharger
19-inch aluminum wheels, available in either painted or polished finishes
High-performance Brembo brakes and Michelin Pilot Sport 2 tires
Rear track nearly an inch wider than CTS-V Sedan's
0-60 mph in 3.9 seconds, according to the manufacturer
Available new Saffron interior trim accent color
Steering wheel, seat inserts and shifter covered in microfiber
Available 14-way-adjustable Recaro sport seats
Integrated Bluetooth capability
40-GB hard drive for storing music files and re-playing live radio broadcasts
Pop-up navigation system
Bose digital surround audio system
Scheduled to arrive in Cadillac showrooms in early summer of 2010

Introduction

First introduced in 2004 as a performance version of the Cadillac CTS Sedan, the CTS-V Sedan was designed to compete against sports sedans like the BMW M5, Mercedes-Benz E55 AMG and Volvo S60 R. The CTS-V Sedan was later joined by the supercharged STS-V and XLR-V in 2006, creating a trio of V-Series models capable of 0-to-60 mph acceleration in under 5 seconds, as well as enhanced overall performance and luxury features. An all-new, second-generation CTS-V Sedan featuring a 556-hp, supercharged 6.2-liter V-8 engine and offering a 6-speed automatic transmission debuted for the 2009 model year.

Now, hot on the heels of the 2011 Cadillac CTS Coupe introduction, GM's luxury division has announced it will build a high-performance, V-Series variant of the new Coupe, to arrive in Cadillac showrooms in early summer 2010. Sharing the same 556-hp, supercharged 6.2-liter V-8 engine as featured in the CTS-V Sedan, the new CTS-V Coupe becomes the latest offering in Cadillac's high-performance V-Series portfolio.

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Design

The 2011 Cadillac CTS-V Coupe is based on the all-new CTS Coupe, itself based on the CTS Sedan. In fact, the CTS-V Coupe has the same wheelbase as the CTS-V Sport Sedan, but its overall height is about two inches lower and its overall length is two inches shorter. And, similar to the CTS Sedan and Coupe, the CTS-V Coupe features a crisp, aggressive exterior design.

Sharing only the instrument panel, console, headlamps, front fenders and grille with the CTS-V Sedan, the CTS-V Coupe offers its own unique design elements. These include no B-pillar in the classic hardtop styling; a windshield that's laid at a faster angle for a sleeker profile; unique brake-cooling vents; slim-profile outside mirrors; hidden door handles featuring proximity remote opening; diamond-cut rear fascia with center-outlet exhaust; subtle fin-profile LED taillamps with light pipes; and a rear spoiler integrated into the center high-mounted stop lamp. Features unique to the V-Series Coupe include a grille that significantly increases the car's air intake volume, a raised center section of the hood that provides clearance for the supercharger, and specific front and rear fascias. Like the CTS Coupe, its exhaust is centered inside the rear fascia, but with unique twin outlets.

Inside, the 2+2 cabin combines performance and luxury. A new Saffron interior trim color is offered, with contrasting microfiber seat inserts and stitching on the upper trim areas. Recaro performance driving seats are optional in the CTS-V Coupe, and the 14-way-adjustable seats include pneumatic bolster controls in the seat cushions and backrests. The steering wheel, seat inserts and shifter are covered in microfiber, providing a suede-like look and feel. The CTS-V Coupe's center stack is trimmed in Obsidian black material that is also applied to the center console and door trim.

While Cadillac has not yet announced final standard and optional features, the CTS-V Coupe is sure to offer many of the features available on the new CTS Coupe, including integrated Bluetooth capability, a 40-GB hard drive for storing music files and re-playing live radio broadcasts, pop-up navigation system, and a Bose digital surround audio system.

2011 Cadillac CTS-V Coupe

Hardware

The heart of any performance vehicle is its engine, and as the CTS-V Sedan has demonstrated, Cadillac V-Series models have lots of heart. Indeed, the new CTS-V Coupe is powered by a 556-hp, supercharged 6.2-liter V-8 engine (codename LSA) that produces 551 lb.-ft. of torque. Equipped with either the standard 6-speed manual transmission or the optional 6-speed automatic with steering-wheel-mounted paddle controls, GM claims the new CTS-V Coupe is capable of 0-60 mph in less than 4 seconds-enough to get the driver's heart pumping just as quickly as the CTS-V's. The new CTS-V Coupe's engine features an intercooled Eaton supercharger system, premium aluminum-alloy cylinder heads and, according to GM, numerous details designed to ensure it makes its power as quietly and smoothly as possible.

The new CTS-V Coupe's suspension features GM's Magnetic Ride Control (MRC), which uses shocks controlled by advanced magneto-rheological technology, rather than mechanical valves, to greatly accelerate response time and precision, according to GM (read more about MRC in the Technology section). The new CTS-V Coupe features Brembo brakes, with 6-piston calipers in the front and 4-piston calipers in the rear, with slotted and vented rotors. According to GM, the brake rotors employ a "dual-cast" technology that combines cast iron and aluminum, resulting in excellent performance and weight reduction. Connecting the new CTS-V Coupe to the road are Michelin Pilot Sport PS2 summer tires, wrapped around exclusive 19-inch alloy wheels.

2011 Cadillac CTS-V Coupe

Safety

Though Cadillac has yet to reveal a full list of standard and optional safety features for the 2011 CTS-V Coupe, the safety equipment list is likely to mirror that of the current CTS Sedan and Sport Wagon, which would include: dual front airbags; side-impact airbags for front-seat occupants; side curtain airbags; StabiliTrak stability and traction control system; and 4-wheel anti-lock brakes with dynamic rear proportioning and hydraulic brake assist.

The new CTS-V Coupe will also likely offer Automatic Crash Response, a feature of its standard OnStar telematics system (a free one-year subscription to OnStar services is included, but requires a monthly fee after the first year of ownership). With Automatic Crash Response, an OnStar advisor contacts the vehicle in the event of a severe collision. The advisor can communicate with vehicle occupants, summon emergency help to the scene, and pinpoint the vehicle's exact location as well as determine how bad the accident might be.

Other safety items that will likely be available as options include rear park-assist sensors, a reversing camera, and an adaptive front lighting system that helps the driver see around curves.

Technology

The suspension on the 2011 Cadillac CTS-V Coupe features GM's Magnetic Ride Control (MRC) technology, which the automaker pioneered and first applied to the Cadillac Seville STS in 2002. Since then, MRC availability has expanded to other models in GM's product portfolio, including the Chevrolet Corvette, Buick Lucerne and even the Cadillac Escalade full-size luxury SUV (Ferrari also uses MRC on its 599 GTB Fiorano).

In the CTS-V Coupe, the MRC suspension uses shocks controlled by electro-magnets instead of mechanical valves and its network of sensors works to "read the road" in millisecond increments, feeding the data to an on-board computer. This, the maker says, optimizes more precise damping control for better handling and ride for all driving positions. In the CTS-V Coupe, the driver can choose between two modes, Tour and Sport, for either grand touring or more performance-oriented driving.

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2011 Cadillac CTS-V Coupe Preview

Introduction

Design

Hardware

Safety

Technology

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