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Cadillac CTS-V Challenge throws down against the Germans

GM's Bob Lutz has thrown down the gauntlet to highlight the Cadillac CTS-V as a world class performance sedan, issuing an open challenge to best the Caddy's lap time around Monticello.


Lutz is so confident in the CTS-V's capability that he is willing to stake its reputation against any standard production sedan, with several US automotive outlets taking up the challenge already.

The rules are simple, challengers can choose any production sedan they like to take on the Cadillac, and will have five laps to post their best lap time.

This will then be compared to the lap time set by a GM professional driver in the Cadillac CTS-V to determine whether anyone has risen to the challenge.

There are no prizes or rewards for this challenge - only reputation is at stake and on paper it seems the safe bet is on the CTS-V.

“We have a lineup of vehicles that we think, if given a chance, can stack up with the best the rest of the automotive manufacturing world has to offer. One of the examples I cited was the Cadillac CTS-V, and I went so far as to challenge the journalists to find a stock production sedan on the planet that could outperform the CTS-V on the track. I proposed a track duel, “run what ya brung,” at a time and place to be determined.” said GM Vice Chairman Bob Lutz on the company’s blog.

With 415kW on tap from the 6.2-litre supercharged V8 engine, the CTS-V is capable of zero to 60mph in just 3.9 seconds.

Although straight line speed is not its only talent, with massive stopping power from the 6-piston front, 4-piston rear Brembo brakes and a Magnetic Ride Control suspension system which has earned it a lap time of 7:59.32 at the Nürburgring.

“As I said in the previous chat, we’re going to take away every last excuse people have not to consider our products. We know that some consumers still think Cadillac cars do not have the top-end performance they believe the German luxury cars have.“

The category is no short of challengers however, with obvious contenders like the Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG, BMW M5, Audi RS6 and of course the Mitsubishi Evolution X all eligible to take up the challenge.

It seems that the only contender which has Lutz worried is the Porsche Panamera Turbo S, mentioning that the Stuttgart flagship had reportedly eclipsed the Caddy’s Nürburgring lap time.

The Cadillac CTS-V Challenge is set to take place on October 29, 2009 at the Monticello Motor Club in New York.

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