It's ON... Bob Lutz: Bring what stock sedan you have, and race me and the CTS-V

[MikeMike]

By Bob Lutz
GM Vice Chairman

Last month, during a discussion with journalists about our ?May the Best Car Win? marketing campaign, I was trying to get across just exactly what that theme means. And what it means is, of course, just what it says.

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.

Well, that time and place has been determined. The guys at Jalopnik.com were the first ones to respond to the challenge, quickly and most enthusiastically, but I suspect there will be more. We?ll be having a full racetrack challenge October 29 at the Monticello Motor Club in Monticello, N.Y., not far from the New York City area.

And I put the challenge out to you. If you own a car comparable to the Cadillac CTS-V (a 4-door production stock sport sedan) and you want to match up against me and the Cadillac, you can join us at Monticello. Follow the link to fill out an application. From the list of applicants we?ll select several challengers to join us for the V-Series Challenge.

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 development objective of the 556-hp Cadillac CTS- V was to create the world?s best high-performance sedan. In final testing, the car lapped the legendary Nurburgring in 7:59.32, fastest ever for a production sedan (recently eclipsed, reportedly, by Porsche Panamera). In other words, we believe we have achieved our goal of building the world?s fastest sedan, but I look forward to putting that theory to the test ? and may the best car win.

http://fastlane.gmblogs.com/ar...car_win_in_action.html

This will be fun!

now name your cars...

I'll suggest the Panamera Turbo as the sedan with the best chance.

 

[Q]

Originally posted by: MIKEMIKE

By Bob Lutz
GM Vice Chairman

Last month, during a discussion with journalists about our ?May the Best Car Win? marketing campaign, I was trying to get across just exactly what that theme means. And what it means is, of course, just what it says.

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.

Well, that time and place has been determined. The guys at Jalopnik.com were the first ones to respond to the challenge, quickly and most enthusiastically, but I suspect there will be more. We?ll be having a full racetrack challenge October 29 at the Monticello Motor Club in Monticello, N.Y., not far from the New York City area.

And I put the challenge out to you. If you own a car comparable to the Cadillac CTS-V (a 4-door production stock sport sedan) and you want to match up against me and the Cadillac, you can join us at Monticello. Follow the link to fill out an application. From the list of applicants we?ll select several challengers to join us for the V-Series Challenge.

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 development objective of the 556-hp Cadillac CTS- V was to create the world?s best high-performance sedan. In final testing, the car lapped the legendary Nurburgring in 7:59.32, fastest ever for a production sedan (recently eclipsed, reportedly, by Porsche Panamera). In other words, we believe we have achieved our goal of building the world?s fastest sedan, but I look forward to putting that theory to the test ? and may the best car win.

http://fastlane.gmblogs.com/ar...car_win_in_action.html

I'll suggest the Panamera Turbo as the sedan with the best chance.

Wonder where you got that from?

I agree anyhow, and it better damn well win for 2x the price.

 

[MikeMike]

actually got it from another forum.. the M5 loses... MB wont provide any sedans for this...

 

[Q]

Originally posted by: MIKEMIKE
actually got it from another forum.. the M5 loses... MB wont provide any sedans for this...

No not the article, I meant your prediction -- trying to say you just picked the car that is reportedly faster...nevermind it was a lame joke that didn't turn out well.

 

[RedRooster]

He'll just hire one of the Andretti boys to drive his while the rest get driven by shlub journalists. Game over. haha

But no, it's a terribly impressive car, and if I had that kind of scratch it'd be right up on the list with an AMG of some sort.

 

[JDub02]

I'm sure one of the ridiculous AMG mercedes can take it. but there's nothing in the CTS's price range that's even close.

if i had the disposable income, i'd love to have the new CTS-V. incredible car.

 

[MikeMike]

BTW, the CTS-V driver will be, Bob Lutz himself...

 

[andylawcc]

Originally posted by: MIKEMIKE
BTW, the CTS-V driver will be, Bob Lutz himself...

i can see Ford shows up in a Escort i4 and run right into him.

 

[MikeMike]

Originally posted by: andylawcc

Originally posted by: MIKEMIKE
BTW, the CTS-V driver will be, Bob Lutz himself...

i can see Ford shows up in a Escort i4 and run right into him.

They wont be wheel-wheel racing..

 

[Dr. Detroit]

Production sedans with a chance:

Porsche Panamera Turbo 500HP/510TQ 4300lb curb weight AWD MSRP $135K
MBZ S65 604HP/738TQ MSRP $196K


Already been beat:
XFR
E63
M5
M3
C63

 

[ayabe]

I'm thinking a C63 AMG might be close, then again, maybe not.

Not sure if the new E class AMG is out yet.

 

[StageLeft]

Awesome. I think the car can hold its own. Is bob really driving? That could be a problem.

 

[overst33r]

Originally posted by: Fmr12B
Production sedans with a chance:

Porsche Panamera Turbo 500HP/510TQ 4300lb curb weight AWD MSRP $135K
MBZ S65 604HP/738TQ MSRP $196K


Already been beat:
XFR
E63
M5
M3
C63

S65 is a pig relatively speaking. Power to weight is in caddys favor, so is suspension tuning. The most competitive car MBZ offers is the E63 which they declined to provide cuz they knew it'd get raped.

 

[overst33r]

Originally posted by: Skoorb
Awesome. I think the car can hold its own. Is bob really driving? That could be a problem.

Apparently he's got some racing experience.

 

[ayabe]

Again, I think it's too soon to count out the new E63, it's not out yet, has a slight power bump, and a new suspension.

Can't find any weight numbers but power will be 518hp/463lb-ft.

Old model was 507/465 4035lbs which is lighter than the Caddy.

If they get the weight down to ~3800ish, might be close.

 

[ElFenix]

what about one of those ridiculously powerful evos from england?

 

[Don Vito Corleone]

Originally posted by: ElFenix
what about one of those ridiculously powerful evos from england?

Good point. The FQ-400 should, at a minimum, be able to hang with a CTS-V, and I would think it would best it in a track setting. Of course, they're not available in the US . . .

 

[thegimp03]

Originally posted by: Fmr12B
Production sedans with a chance:

Porsche Panamera Turbo 500HP/510TQ 4300lb curb weight AWD MSRP $135K
MBZ S65 604HP/738TQ MSRP $196K


Already been beat:
XFR
E63
M5
M3
C63

Sure, maybe the Porsche would have a chance (haven't really seen it's performance), but it's also 2x the amount of money, and the S65 is 3x the amount of money. Hell, for the price of the S65, I'd rather have a new CTS-V and a Corvette ZR1 with a few bucks left over.

 

[ChaosDivine]

I <3 the CTS-V. Setting my sights on one once I give up the 06LS.

 

[secretanchitman]

Originally posted by: Fmr12B
Production sedans with a chance:

Porsche Panamera Turbo 500HP/510TQ 4300lb curb weight AWD MSRP $135K
MBZ S65 604HP/738TQ MSRP $196K


Already been beat:
XFR
E63
M5
M3
C63

panamera turbo might do it, but i would bet on the S65 more. V12 604HP bi-turbo goodness!

 

[overst33r]

Originally posted by: secretanchitman

Originally posted by: Fmr12B
Production sedans with a chance:

Porsche Panamera Turbo 500HP/510TQ 4300lb curb weight AWD MSRP $135K
MBZ S65 604HP/738TQ MSRP $196K


Already been beat:
XFR
E63
M5
M3
C63

panamera turbo might do it, but i would bet on the S65 more. V12 604HP bi-turbo goodness!

You need to do more magazine racing!

The panamera is the fastest sedan evar!

 

[thegimp03]

Originally posted by: mariok2006

Originally posted by: secretanchitman

Originally posted by: Fmr12B
Production sedans with a chance:

Porsche Panamera Turbo 500HP/510TQ 4300lb curb weight AWD MSRP $135K
MBZ S65 604HP/738TQ MSRP $196K


Already been beat:
XFR
E63
M5
M3
C63

panamera turbo might do it, but i would bet on the S65 more. V12 604HP bi-turbo goodness!

You need to do more magazine racing!

The panamera is the fastest sedan evar!

But it looks like crap. At least the CTS-V and S65 have it beat on looks.

 

[Dr. Detroit]

Just did some mag reading and apparently the Panamera Turbo with Sport Chrono package has 586TQ.

0-60 4.0 Seconds
0-100 9.0 Seconds

 

[Kaervak]

What, no love for the Euro Audi RS6? 5.0L Twin Turbo V10 producing 571 BHP & 479LB-FT of torque with AWD. Yummy.

 

[sdifox]

Can't wait for the 3 year old off lease :laugh: