2005 Cadillac CTS-V Review

Hold on tight if you're a passenger in the 163-mph Cadillac CTS-V, which is the fastest General Motors four-seater and Cadillac's attempt to build a car that can compete with some of the hottest foreign sports sedans.

The low-volume, well-equipped CTS-V is a bargain at $49,490, compared to rivals at such automakers as BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Audi -- not to mention high-performance Japanese sports sedans.

The rear-drive CTS-V has a 5.7-liter, 400-horsepower Chevrolet Corvette V-8 with tremendous torque. Being American, this Caddy is longer, wider, taller and heavier than many rivals and is the first model in Cadillac's new V-Series of "luxury performance'' vehicles. The "V'' denotes extra performance in the automaker's 21st-century alphanumerics.

This hot rod Caddy does 0-60 mph in a sizzling 4.6 seconds and steers, handles and stops like a world-class sports sedan. No surprise here, because even conventional 210-255-horsepower V-6 versions of the CTS, from which the CTS-V is derived, were developed on Germany's treacherous Nurburgring race track. The CTS-V got even sharper suspension modifications at that long, unforgiving track.

The standard CTS has edgy styling that appeals to the younger crowd that Cadillac has successfully been pursuing as part of its strategy to reinvent itself. The CTS-V has styling that some find even harder to love because of such things as a more aggressive looking front end.

For instance, compared with the standard CTS, there's a larger lower air intake and dual brake cooling ducts to ensure proper engine and brake cooling. They reside beneath a distinctive stainless steel wire mesh grille. Lowered rocker panels beneath doors provide a low-slung look, and there's oversized dual exhaust outlets.

Specially designed wheels allow extra cooling for the race-style Brembo brakes, although small "V-series'' fender emblems are purely cosmetic.

Most CTS-V design features are functional, if not pretty, because automakers put few unnecessary items on cars that can safely top 160 mph.

Only a six-speed manual gearbox is offered. It generally shifts OK, although it has rather long throws. A more precise shift gate would be welcome because a driver can get lost between gears and end up in the wrong one during quick downshifts. Also, engaging reverse gear can take a coupe of tries. The long-throw, rather heavy clutch gets tedious in congested traffic, but its progressive action allows smooth take-offs

Some 90 percent of buyers of the regular CTS opt for an automatic transmission, but Cadillac thinks most CTS-V buyers only want a manual gearbox. However, CTS-V has so much torque that a manual seems superfluous -- except to those who insist on such a transmission and a clutch.

Most Ferrari buyers opt for that car's clutchless manual transmission. But why not offer the CTS-V with an optional automatic transmission that has a manual shift feature, as is the case with most high-performance automatic-transmission cars? However, if a driver feels lazy, the potent V-8 allows an upshift from first to fifth gear in many driving situations. In fact, the shifter overrides a driver and does a one-to-four upshift in the interests of better fuel economy if initial acceleration is slow.

Fuel economy is an estimated 15 mpg in the city and 23 on highways, which prompts a $1,300 gas-guzzler tax. Premium fuel is recommended, but not required.

The CTS-V is a blast to drive hard, thanks to quick, modified steering, added structural rigidity, heavy duty driveline and high-performance shock absorbers, springs and stabilizer bars. There are also huge brakes, anti-skid and traction control systems and enhanced aerodynamics. The wide 45-series run-flat tires are on 18-inch wheels and have a tire-pressure monitoring system.

Safety items include front side air bags and head-protecting curtain side air bags.

Despite ferocious performance, the CTS-V is very civilized, with a quiet interior and suspension that provides a taut-but-supple ride.

Big front bucket seats have special inserts that help hold occupants firmly in place during spirited driving, but are comfortable during relaxed long-distance trips. The quiet, upscale interior has easily read white-on-black backlit gauges, nicely positioned controls and cupholders and large interior door handles. However, the old-fashioned foot-operated parking brake should be replaced with a hand-operated brake.

A high cowl reduces forward sightlines, but front occupants can sit high after adjusting the power, heated seats; overall visibility is good for the four tall occupants this Cadillac easily swallows. But the rear seat area should allow more stretch-out room, considering the 3,850-pound car's rather large size.

The large trunk has a low, wide opening and a lid with struts that pops up smoothly and well out of the way. Reclining rear seatbacks sit flat and considerably enlarge the cargo area.

The hood opens easily on a single strut to reveal easily reached fluid filler areas and an engine set well back to provide better weight distribution to enhance handling.

Cadillac once called itself "an American Standard for the World,'' and then encountered difficult times. The CTS-V is helping it regain its old status.

2005 CADILLAC CTS-V

PRICE
$49,490

LIKES
Fastest GM four-seater. Race-track handling. Posh. Fairly roomy.

DISLIKES
Hard-to-love styling. No automatic transmission. Tedious clutch effort. Should be roomier for its size.