Cadillac's All-New 2009 CTS-V Ready For Launch

DETROIT – The 2009 CTS-V, Cadillac’s 556-hp expression of ultimate performance and luxury, begins production this month with initial sales beginning around November 1. The latest in the brand’s V-Series of high performance models, the new CTS-V is intended to reach the top of the world’s most desirable luxury cars, at a starting price of $59,995 in the US market.

“The launch of the new CTS-V presents a compelling proposition for luxury and performance enthusiasts,” says Mark McNabb, North America vice president, Cadillac/Premium Channel. “The CTS-V is a strong statement about Cadillac design and technology and a new member in the club of the highest performing luxury cars.”

The CTS-V, based on Cadillac’s critically acclaimed CTS sports sedan, expresses the full extent of the brand’s dramatic design and technology. Designed to enter the stratosphere of the world’s fastest and most exclusive luxury sedans, CTS-V includes advanced performance technology such as a supercharged 6.2-liter V8 engine and Magnetic Ride Control, the world’s fastest reacting suspension.

The new CTS-V comes standard with a nearly complete collection of features, including a hand-crafted cabin, a 6-speed manual transmission and a Bose surround sound system with a 40-gigabyte hard drive with a USB port. In addition there are a few options available, including a new 6-speed automatic transmission with steering wheel mounted shift buttons, 14-way adjustable Recaro performance seats, microfiber interior accents and a large “Ultra-View” sunroof.

“Along with the new Escalade Hybrid, the CTS-V is a key aspect in Cadillac’s ongoing renaissance, with dramatic designs and very sophisticated technologies for luxury consumers,” McNabb said. “These two new high-tech Cadillac models pave the way for a series of new Cadillac models coming in 2009, including the upcoming CTS Sport Wagon and SRX Crossover.”

[GM]

We know the CTS-V has gone over well with even the most anti-American critical European journalists, like Jeremy Clarkson. Now, imagine a car with many of the CTS-V's sporting upgrades, but with a lower price, just as much torque, and much better fuel efficiency. They've been going crazy over BMW turbo diesels in Europe for years, so a Duramax CTS could finally be Cadillac's big push across the pond. But who knows, maybe the it'll never happen. [MotorTrend]

Obviously Clarkson grabbed the ZR1, Hammond got the keys to the CTS-V, and of course James May gets the outgunned Challenger SRT8. Pending the results of the show, we're assuming the ZR1 and CTS-V will be getting their just due on the world stage, while May will probably end up with the Challenger doing donuts and catching on fire. We have no idea when this episode will be hitting the airwaves, but when we find out it'll be pinned to our calenders. We eagerly await the metaphoric gymnastics Clarkson will be performing on the ZR1. Wonder how the Top Gear America guys feel about the British crew stealing their product thunder? (Hat tip to Paul!) [FinalGear]

Climbing into the CTS-V in New York’s northern suburbs, I was on a high. Just one week previously, I’d spent the day lapping GM’s Milford Proving Grounds in the best car ever made, the 2009 Corvette ZR1. The CTS-V promised to be more of the same; it uses a similar 6.2-liter supercharged engine, but here making a not-quite-as-ridiculous 551 lb-ft and 556 HP (to the ZR1’s 604 LB-FT and 638 HP). Also present are similar electromagnetically controlled shocks, promising both a smooth ride and, more importantly, mind-bending handling. Those numbers lead to a 0-60 time of just 3.9 seconds, that 191 MPH top speed for the manual transmission version (the only model I drove) and combine with that suspension to deliver a ‘Ring time of 7:59.32, making it the fastest production sedan in the world.

My ability to restrain my inner demons lasted all the way from White Plains across the Tappan Zee Bridge, a notoriously poorly assembled pile of broken concrete and steel plates that masquerades as the main route over the Hudson north of the city. Cruising down the right lane of the congested highway during rush hour, trying hard to preserve both my license and my life while dicing with trucks and crazy bitches from New Jersey, there’s little to indicate the CTS-V’s potential. The engine is quiet, the Tremec six-speed is smooth and the dual-plate clutch (similar to the ZR1’s) is light. The ride’s also seriously impressive; I prefer the controlled-but-firm nature of European performance car suspensions over the soft and squishy nature of most American cars. And the CTS-V satisfies my Euro snobbery not just with its suspension, but in the interior too. In V trim it gains glossy piano-black highlights, supportive and comfy suede Recaros, a suede steering wheel and a suede gear lever. Know how awkward most current BMW interiors are and how cheap most current Mercedes feel? The CTS-V is better. Seriously. I never thought I’d say that about a Cadillac.

Of course, all this only remains a factor if you’re driving slowly. Shift down a gear, switch the suspension into Sport mode, turn off the traction control and switch Stability to “Competitive mode” and you’re ready to drive fast. There aren't many passing opportunities along Route 9 West, but with ridiculous amounts of power and torque everywhere, that rapidly ceases to be a problem. Views of the Hudson over my right shoulder disappear as speed focuses my vision into a tunnel. Driving the CTS-V fast, on the road, you rapidly forget that you’re driving a big luxury car. Its movements are precise, yet untroubled by cracked pavement or pot holes. Hit one at speed while cornering and it scarcely upsets the car, never once punting it sideways. That I can say this about a car that will light the rear tires up merely by flooring the throttle in fourth gear is kind of mind-boggling.

Later in the day, out on the track, the rev limiter ceases to be an issue. Here, free to concentrate on your own driving instead of others’, it’s easier to keep the big engine in the middle of its torque curve, which peaks at just 3,800 RPM. The power becomes almost secondary to the cornering, which at high speed is controlled and grippy, while slower corners move the balance over to sideways. Compared to the ZR1, The CTS-V has to carry 836 LB more through the corners on narrower versions of the Michelin PS2s. Prone to initial understeer, it only takes some right foot to step the tail out into a controllable slide, so the experience is somewhat less controlled than driving a ZR1, and a fair bit slower, but equally fun in its own unique way. Cadillac had to order me out of the CTS-V at the end of the day, after four hours of continuous lapping.

By now, you’ve probably guessed that I really, really enjoyed driving the Cadillac CTS-V. It offers a new level of capability for performance sedans on the track, but especially on the road. In both environments it’s amazing fast, but also exploitable. Think of it as a ZR1 that you can drive people around in, that looks way classier and that you’ll actually be able to push to its limits, and you won’t be far off. Cadillac inevitably compares it to cars like the BMW M5 and Mercedes E63 AMG, but starting at “around $60,000” it’s considerably cheaper; with a 0-60 time of 3.9 seconds it’s considerably faster and it’s also considerably more involving. I’d compare it to the more closely priced BMW M3 Sedan, which may have a slight edge on precision, but is also shy 142 HP and 256 lb-ft, while the CTS-V only weighs 474 pounds more. With this car and the ZR1, General Motors now makes two of the fastest, most exciting and just plain best performance cars. Ever. And yes, the 2009 Cadillac CTS-V does epic burnouts, too.

Last year at Detroit, in addition to the Cadillac CTS Coupe concept, GM debuted the new production CTS-V sedan, which will go on sale before the end of the year. Given that, as well as what we've heard from our sources, it's highly likely we'll see the CTS-V Coupe get its sheet whipped off at Cobo Hall in January.

We expect power to come from the same supercharged LSA as the new Cadillac CTS-V sedan, pumping out 556 HP and transferring 551 lb-ft of torque to the wheels through a Tremec TR-6060 6-speed manual or an optional paddle-shifting 6-speed automatic. Expectations are for the 0-to-60 and quarter mile times to be slightly faster than the V sedan due to a lower mass and better aerodynamics.

As with the V sedan, the Coupe will carry the same Magnetic Ride Control suspension to help it set blistering lap records at your favorite track. Stopping power is provided by Brembo in the form of six piston calipers in the front with a four piston setup in the rear and rolling hardware comes in the form of 19-inch wheels wrapped with Michelin Pilot Sport 2 summer tires.

When the CTS-V Coupe rolls off the Lansing Grand River Plant next year expect to snatch one up from your local Cadillac dealer for somewhere around $60,000. That is, if you can get one for MSRP. M3, RS4 and C63 drivers beware.

Some say he has a tattoo of a Saleen S7 on his rear end. Others tell us he was born with a penchant for oil rather than his mum's milk. All we know is he's called the Auto Insider and he's always ready to provide the scoop from the other side of Eight Mile.

[Edmunds]

Editor-in-Chief

The CTS-V earned a convincing victory over the RS 4 in this week's Showroom Showdown. In general, style and the horsepower seemed to trump AWD and "German engineering." But my favorite quote was by Tony87: "Even if the Caddy was made in some mexican sweat shop. I'd rather have a burrito than a plate of sauerkraut, and i'm german." According to the UAW, the CTS is built in North America. Stay tuned for another match up next week.

2009 CTS-V: CADILLAC'S ULTIMATE EXPRESSION OF PERFORMANCE AND LUXURY

DETROIT - As the new CTS sport sedan earns accolades and new owners, Cadillac takes the next leap forward by premiering the 2009 CTS-V, the brand's ultimate expression of performance and luxury.

Launching in the fourth quarter of 2008, the all-new CTS-V intends to combine the serious performance of an elite sports car with the poise and elegance of a prestigious luxury sedan. Part of Cadillac's acclaimed V-Series of high-performance models, CTS-V delivers an estimated 550 horsepower (410 kW). More than just power, CTS-V also includes a comprehensive suite of technical and design enhancements, including Magnetic Ride Control, an industry-first Performance Traction Management program and the addition of a new automatic transmission with paddle-shift control.

"The CTS-V represents the full extension of our design, technology and performance capabilities," says Jim Taylor, Cadillac general manager. "The V-Series takes the award-winning CTS sport sedan and elevates it to a position within the club of the world's most exclusive and capable cars."

As an all-new version of the CTS sport sedan was prepared for 2008, Cadillac engineers and designers began to scheme a new CTS-V that would reach much higher in terms of performance and luxury. Through the original CTS-V, Cadillac proved it could develop a very potent, high-performance sedan. The challenge for the 2009 model was enhancing every aspect in a comprehensive manner, along with reaching higher performance limits.

Several key technical and design elements combine to transform the already highly capable CTS into the new V-Series. Like the existing CTS, the V-Series is the product of an intensive development process across North America and Europe, including famed test tracks and millions of miles of road. Supporting Cadillac's ongoing global expansion, the 2009 CTS-V is planned to be offered outside North America for the first time, including exports to Europe, the Middle East and Asia.

Sophisticated technical enhancements

The 2009 Cadillac CTS-V features the world's fastest-reacting suspension technology, Magnetic Ride Control (MRC). It uses shocks controlled by electro-magnets, rather than mechanical valves, greatly accelerating response time. 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 sedan, helping to keep the car very composed during hard cornering, acceleration, braking and other dynamic maneuvers.

MRC technology first appeared on the Cadillac STS performance sedan and has been used on some of the world's most celebrated cars, including the Chevrolet Corvette and a select few European sports cars.

Enabling the precise control expected in a high-performance sedan, the CTS-V features Performance Traction Management system, borrowed from championship racing teams. This technology uses advanced electronics to manage engine torque for optimal traction during acceleration. In situations such as acceleration from a stop or exiting corners, Performance Traction Management regulates torque delivery for the best possible launch.

Performance Traction Management uses the same sort of electronics as stability control programs such as Cadillac's StabiliTrak system, but applies it in a different manner. Rather than monitoring and controlling wheel slip to assist in stopping or slowing the car, PTM regulates torque delivery to instantly match the available tire grip for maximum acceleration.

CTS-V also includes sophisticated braking and tire systems, in partnership with two companies renown 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. Michelin worked with Cadillac engineers to develop its acclaimed Pilot Sport 2 (PS2) summer tire for CTS-V and its 19-inch wheels.

And, of course, there is the matter of power. It has increased nearly 35 percent for the '09 CTS-V, via a new 6.2L LSA supercharged V-8 engine generating an estimated 550 hp (410 kW) and 550 lb.-ft. (745 Nm) of torque. The engine delivers this power with remarkable refinement. A sixth-generation Eaton supercharger minimizes the added noise previously associated with supercharged engines, and tightly controls intake air temperature for optimal performance.

Transmission choices include either a six-speed manual or an exclusive, six-speed automatic with steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters. It is the first automatic offered on the CTS-V.

Accentuated design elements

The 2009 CTS-V extends Cadillac's acclaimed design language, both inside and out. The V-Series includes all the elements of the CTS sport sedan's well received cabin, while adding some elegant and purposeful accents.

V-Series will offer Recaro performance driving seats, providing excellent support for spirited driving and adding to the luxurious and purposeful interior. These new, 14-way adjustable performance seats include pneumatic bolster controls in the seat cushion and backrest.

A microfiber material is added to the steering wheel, seats and shifter, providing the soft feel and luxurious appearance of suede without suede's inherent drawbacks of difficult care and moisture sensitivity. These accents on the steering wheel, seat inserts and shifter are elegant to the touch and help support high-performance driving.

The car's integrated center stack is trimmed with a new Obsidian 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, including a 40-gigabyte hard drive, advanced navigation system with a "pop-up" screen and Bose digital surround audio, extend to the V-Series, as well as factory-installed Bluetooth capability.

The exterior of the new CTS-V amplifies the assertive stance and elegant details of the standard car, and communicates the car's remarkable capabilities. The dihedral Cadillac grille is larger to enable more air intake and features a satin finish. The raised hood encompasses the supercharged engine, and new front and rear fascias identify the vehicle as a V-Series. The car's 19-inch wheels enhance its stance on the road.

The founding member of the V-Series, CTS-V was initially offered in 2004 and sold primarily in North America through the 2007 model year. The supercharged STS-V and XLR-V were added in 2006 to make the V-Series an exclusive trio of models all capable of zero-to-60 acceleration in less than five seconds with enhanced overall performance and luxury features. [Source: GM]

550 horsepower/550lb-ft
6 speed manual or auto w/ paddles
magnetic ride control
recaro racing seats
4200lbs(man)-4300(auto)

Cadillac To Showcase Future Design And Performance Technology

DETROIT - Cadillac extends its ongoing design and technology momentum with tomorrow's debut of the Provoq Concept, a vision for a petroleum-free future of luxury transportation. GM CEO Rick Wagoner will present the Cadillac Provoq concept vehicle January 8 at the influential Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, beginning a showcase of Cadillac's future performance technology and design that will continue at next week's North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit.

The Provoq Concept continues Cadillac's remarkable heritage of landmark concept vehicles, this time in a vehicle free from petroleum fuel and emissions, the ultimate luxury. Provoq will make its world premiere at one of the world's leading technology showcases at CES, appearing again at one of the foremost automotive stages in Detroit on Jan. 14.

Cadillac accelerates into Detroit with another dramatic demonstration of its design and performance technology, the world premiere of the 2009 CTS-V. Cadillac's high performance V-Series represents the ultimate expression of the brand's performance and luxury, and the much-anticipated new CTS-V will include many significant technical and design enhancements aimed at placing it within the elite group of the world's most capable cars.

The 2009 CTS-V extends the momentum created by Cadillac's 2008 CTS Sport Sedan, which is earning wide acclaim from critics and consumers alike. Since September, CTS sales are up 59.5% in the U.S. CTS was recently named 2008 Motor Trend Car of the Year, headlining a long list of accolades that also includes positions on Car and Driver magazine's 10Best list and as a finalist for 2008 North American Car of the Year.

Also appearing in Detroit next week will be the Escalade Hybrid, featuring a fuel-saving Two Mode Hybrid system combining a gas engine with electric battery power. The Escalade Hybrid, beginning production in mid-2008, extends the desirability of the leading large luxury SUV.

"

The front camo does a reasonable job of concealing the hood bulge that accommodates the Corvette ZR1's 600-some horsepower supercharged 6.2-liter V-8's blower (for the CTS-V, the engine may be detuned to somewhere around 580 horsepower)"

The 2009 CTS-V will use the "LSA" motor. This is another new supercharged, small block V8. This new blown V8 will be good for at least 500hp. A number of 515-525hp may even be possible, and even higher numbers have been rumored.

The CTS-V will feature a supercharger integrated into the intake manifold. This is the same setup the upcoming Corvette SS / Blue Devil will have with its LS9 motor. However, while the Corvette SS motor will be hand built at the Performance Build Center in Wixom, MI, the Cadillac's LSA motor will be built in a conventional motor plant.

Automatic and manual transmissions will be available, and an optional paddle shift feature is also anticipated.

Production on the new CTS V-Series will start in September of 2008, and will be limited to about 7000 units annually. Internally, GM is referring to the car as "GMX322 V S/C."

In the past, the current CTS-V has suffered from rear-end problems. Specifically, wheel hop. The 2009 CTS-V will feature a completely re-done rear end with a much better rear axle. Sources say this has eliminated the wheel hop issue altogether.

The '09 will continue to utilize a massive set of brembo brakes up front and in back. While the wheels on this prototype are not production spec, the wider tires and larger exhaust pipes certainly are.

More Cadillac CTS-V Engine Bay Photos [World Car Fans]

Related:
Spy Photos: More on the Next Cadillac CTS-V; Spy Video: 2008 Cadillac CTS-V [internal]

Cadillac CTS-V Latest Spy Photos [World Car Fans]

Related:
Blue Devil Caddy: A 600-hp Cadillac CTS-V? [internal]

Yesterday, the Postfather hipped all us Jalops to the very real possibility that Cadillac's next CTS-V will come packin' 600 Horsepower. The collective response was, "Yawn, me want an M5." Then, ole Werty Wert put up a post about the new Shelby Super Snake with 725 fucking horsepower! The second response was actually, "yawn." Only our Canadian buddy Danio3834 came to both of these insane machines' defense. But I am not praising Danio. Why? Because I've heard him say too many times that he wouldn't pay for an M5 or an RS 4 because they don't have Chevy small blocks. And yes I'm half-Canadian, so according to the Provincial Fairness Act I can single him out. More to the point, we're all guilty to some degree of motorized fundamentalism.

In high school I remember the Chevy goons yelling "Fucked On Race Day" at the Ford goons. Which is why to this day I'm put off by both Chevelles and Mustangs. Before I was born, my folks moved from St. Louis to California and in transit my mother's Falcon didn't like the 14,000 foot elevation in the Rockies. My earliest memory of my father is him telling me how awful Fords are. And the first girl who ever broke my heart drove a red '65 Mustang Convertible. All that said, I'm probably going to stick the Shelby GT500 in the Fantasy Garage, because it is that friggin' awesome. But in the back of my mind... My mother tried a different approach. To this day she will not buy a German car because of the Holocaust. She can afford any car, but refuses to even look at the Germans. Luckily, I have memories of my father after we finished test driving a 740iL saying, "BMW didn't make ovens." How about you; where does your orthodoxy spring from? – Jonny Lieberman

[The Jalopnik Question of the Day runs and runs and runs. Do you have a question you want answered? Email it to tips@jalopnik.com with the subject line "QOTD"]

Related:
Blue Devil Caddy: A 600-hp Cadillac CTS-V?; The 725 HP Shelby GT500 Super Snake Can Be Yours For Just $72,000!; Question Of The Day: What's In Your Car? [Internal]

Hmm. Motor Trend is divining some automotive tea leaves, or smoking them. In the mag's latest tree scrape, they say a 600+ horsepower Cadillac CTS-V is on the way. Lock up your vice presidents of accounting, this one could be a psycho killer. It'll piggy-back, engine wise, on the upcoming super Corvette, whose blown V8 has been the subject of wide speculation. MT's calling for a supercharged version of the Z06's 7.0-liter LS7 producing 700 horses. That goes against the predictions of others, who've said Chevy will use GM's 6.2-liter, lest all that force-feeding of air rend the LS7 into an automotive Caligula. Whatever block it uses, the Caddy's kit would be detuned somewhat. This beast of a CTS, it's said, will appear in 2009, sporting flared fenders, Brembo brakes, an aero kit and tighter steering. Bob Lutz has already said the next CTS-V would "suck the doors off a [BMW] M5." Something like this could suck the bolts out of a Nimitz-class aircraft carrier. This should happen, even if it doesn't. – Mike Spinelli

Blown! Next CTS-v gets 600-horse supercharged V-8 [Motor Trend]

Related:
Spy Photos: 2009 Cadillac CTS-V [internal]

"Priddy reports that the new V will feature an engine currently called the "LSA," which is a new supercharged V-8 good for "at least 500 horsepower." This would be a significant upgrade over the current generation CTS-V's 405 horsepower (from a naturally aspirated 5.7-liter small-block V-8). For transmissions, Cadillac will apparently offer both a manual six-speed and an automatic with paddle shifters."

Spied: 2009 Cadillac CTS-V [Winding Road]

Related:
Spy Photo: 2008 Cadillac CTS Spotted In The Wild! [internal]

We were going to tell you about an engine-and-exhaust package Katech developed for the Corvette Z06. Such a kit takes the LS7 mill from 505 hp to 600 hp without turbocharging. But tuning a Z06 is like wrapping bacon around filet mignon — unneeded and a bit gauche. However, we noticed that the just-north-of-Motown tuning shop will drop a 427-bomb under the hood of your Cadillac CTS-V. By our standards, that is tres-kosher. The company's K.spec package starts with a GM LS7 crate engine, to which are added forged pistons, custom cams, ported cylinder heads with reworked valves, a larger throttle body and forged connecting rods/crankshaft. Of course there's also a larger intake manifold and louder bigger exhaust system. All this tech is good for 550 hp. Not much of a power upgrade over the 525 hp 6.7-liter CTS-V we told you about a few years ago. But just think of the extra torque. How much for all this power? Sorry impoverished hoons, the raw engine goes for $23,000. – Jonny Lieberman

K.spec CTS-V [katechengines.com]

Related:
Katech's Hot Rod Cadillac CTS-V [Internal]

The footage is just average, but pay close attention to the soundtrack of this video on Edmunds Inside Line. That burble and sneer you're hearing is likely via the 7.0-liter LS7 the next CTS-V reportedly has under the hood. Sure, Caddy will likely market the next-gen CTS-V to enthusiasts as being "N rburgring tested," but they could just as easily run with the tagline "The New Cadillac CTS-V: Bringing Web Monkeys to Eargasm Since 2006." – Mike Spinelli

2008 Cadillac CTS-V looks and sounds like one serious sport sedan [Edmunds]

Related:
Spy Photos: Next-Gen Cadillac CTS-V [internal]

Spies appear to have bagged and tagged a test model of the next Cadillac CTS-V — obvious to a photog who can pick the whine of a supercharger out of the surrounding ambiance. The Car Connection notes the bubble on the hood, fat meats and more obviously performance-oriented exhaust as evidence of the test CTS's V-ness. So what of rumors of a naturally breathing CTS-V? Could this be a manner of CTS-VX, sharing a supercharged V8 with the Corvette Stingray (or whatever), which would mean a 600+ horsepower super Caddy? Now we're just getting crazy. – Mike Spinelli

Spy Shots: 2009 Cadillac CTS-V [The Car Connection]

Related:
Spy Photos: Cadillac Widebody Spotted [internal]

Cadillac announced today it would offer a free, promotional content pack for Project Gotham Racing 3 on Xbox 360. The package includes all the accoutrements needed to race Caddy's three high-performance V-Series models: the 400hp CTS-V, 469hp STS-V and 443hp XLR-V. What's more, gamers who can finish in the top 100 in any of the models on the virtual N rburgring Full F1 Circuit can gain "Cadillac Elite" status, which will probably entitle them to certain privelages (prizes, downloads and some such) at some undetermined point in the future. No word on the existance of any hidden vid-game easter eggs or, say, cheat codes for a 1964 Coupe deVille or 1979 8/6/4-powered Seville. Well?

Related:
Project Gotham Racing 3 Criticisms [internal]

An American Audi RS6? Edmunds Inside Line posted some shots of what could be the next Cadillac CTS-V, or at least one with a serious case of the wides. Caught recently at GM's Milford test facility, this CTS-V, in production-grade trim (no visits to the aftermarket toy shop) hints at a midcycle refresh of the model, due for a full redesign by decade's end. As writer Ed Helwig notes, a suspension upgrade to remove the current car's laziness in the corners, and the inclusion of the Corvette Z06's LS7 V8 would edge the CTS-V ever closer to the best the German brauh user offer, at a serious discount.

Wide-body Cadillac CTS-V could debut for 2007 [Edmunds]

Related:
Cadillac STS-V: Closer Still to the Autobahn [internal]