Cadillac CTS-V Coupe: Back Seats Are For Poor People

Cadillac's an old man's brand full of floaty, slow, soft luxury cars. Screw that. This is the Cadillac CTS-V Coupe — packing a supercharged 6.2-liter V8 with 556 HP, a six-speed manual, and not-enough-room for full-sized rear-seat passengers. Screw 'em.

Perhaps you're of the opinion passengers are a burden more than a benefit, offering only trite small talk and body odor. In your worldview, a coupe is a far superior conveyance to a sedan and thus the the Cadillac CTS-V Coupe is now the greatest single thing ever to wear a wreath and crest. It has the same 6.2-liter LSA V8 as the sedan packing 556 HP and 551 lb-ft of torque, the same 3.9 second 0-60 MPH time, the same magnetic ride system, the same manual transmission and paddle shifted auto, the same wheelbase and it only weighs about 18 lbs less. In short, it's everything the CTS-V is with an aversion to passengers. The point here is conspicuous consumption. It's a Cadillac, and screw reason. It's unreasonably fast, it's badass, and the proles can go to hell.

Welcome back Cadillac.

ART AND SCIENCE: CADILLAC PREMIERES 2011 CTS-V COUPE
- New CTS Coupe design combines with V-Series performance
- 556-hp (415-kW) supercharged 6.2L V-8
- Six-speed manual or six-speed automatic with paddle shift control
- Magnetic Ride Control and Brembo brakes
- New Saffron interior trim accent color
- On sale in early summer

DETROIT – Cadillac today announced the 2011 CTS-V Coupe, which debuts at the
2010 North American International Auto Show in Detroit. It combines the new CTS
Coupe's dramatic design with the 556-horsepower (415-kW) supercharged V-8 engine
from the CTS-V sedan. The result is a luxury sports coupe aimed at driving enthusiasts.

"The CTS-V Coupe marries our most potent and sophisticated technology with our most
dramatic production design," said Bryan Nesbitt, Cadillac general manager. "This
combination of visual and technical attributes is designed to create a very compelling
choice for luxury sports car consumers."

The CTS-V Coupe begins production this summer. Its suite of technical and
performance elements includes Magnetic Ride Control, racing-bred Brembo brakes and
an available automatic transmission with paddle-shift control.

The V-Series Coupe includes a unique grille that doubles the car's air intake volume, an
important enabler for its high-performance capabilities. It is also visually identified by a
raised center section of the hood that provides clearance for the supercharger, as well
as specific front and rear fascias. Like the CTS Coupe, its exhaust is centered inside the
rear fascia, but with unique twin outlets. The car rolls on 19-inch cast aluminum wheels,
available in either painted or polished finishes, and Michelin Pilot Sport 2 performance
tires.

The CTS-V Coupe's rear track is nearly an inch wider than the CTS-V Sport Sedan,
adding to the car's aggressive stance and enabling an extra measure of handling
capability. The current CTS-V Sport Sedan has quickly established itself among the
world's highest performing luxury sedans, becoming the first production four-door on
street tires to break the legendary 8-minute barrier at Germany's famed Nürburgring.
The new V-Series Coupe's sleeker shape and slightly lower mass ensure a similarly high
level of performance.

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.

Form follows function
The CTS-V Coupe's design is a clear visual statement of the technical precision and
performance intent of the car.

The Coupe has the same wheelbase as the CTS-V Sport Sedan, but its overall height is
about two inches (51 mm) lower and its overall length is two inches (51 mm) shorter.
The two models share only the instrument panel, console, headlamps, front fenders and
grille.

Key design features include:
 Classic hardtop styling, with no conventional B-pillar
 Touch-pad operation for the doors removes the need for conventional door
handles
 Faster windshield angle (62.3 degrees) and a nearly horizontal backglass enable
an aerodynamic profile
 Signature vertical lighting, highlighted with LED light pipes
 Signature center high-mounted stop lamp functions as a rear spoiler
 Aerodynamic roof-mounted antenna for OnStar and XM Satellite Radio

Supercharged powertrain
The CTS-V Coupe employs the LSA 6.2L supercharged V-8 engine also found on the
CTS-V Sport Sedan. Rated at 556 horsepower (415 kW) and 551 lb.-ft. of torque (747
Nm), it is the most powerful engine offered in Cadillac's history and propels the CTS-V
Coupe from 0-60 mph in 3.9 seconds.

The LSA engine features an intercooled Eaton supercharger system, premium
aluminum-alloy cylinder heads and numerous details designed to ensure it makes its
power as quietly and smoothly as possible. The supercharger, for example, has a
unique, four-lobe rotor design that enhances quietness while also optimizing the
performance parameters of the engine.

A pair of six-speed transmissions is offered in the CTS-V Coupe: a Tremec TR6060 six-
speed manual with a dual-disc clutch and a Hydra-Matic 6L90 six-speed automatic with
paddle-shift control. Performance Algorithm Shifting is part of the 6L90's programming
and provides a performance-oriented shift pattern during sustained high-performance
driving. As with many Cadillac models, the driver needs only to slide the shifter into the
manual "gate" to put the transmission into that more aggressive mode.

The paddle shift control requires no shift lever movement. Steering wheel thumb controls
allow immediate and quick tap up/tap down gear selection.

Magnetic Ride Control
The V-Series reaches elite levels of road-holding performance, but also maintains the
poise of a luxury car in "regular" driving conditions. The technical enabler of that dual-
mode driving character is Cadillac's landmark Magnetic Ride Control. It is standard on
the CTS-V Coupe and is the world's fastest-reacting suspension technology. It uses
shocks controlled by advanced magneto-rheological technology, rather than mechanical
valves, to greatly accelerate response time and precision.

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 car because
it helps keep the car very composed during hard cornering, acceleration, braking and
other dynamic maneuvers.

The Magnetic Ride shocks also enable a broader range of damping control to optimize
the ride and handling for all driving conditions. In the CTS-V Coupe, an extra measure of
control is offered, with two selectable modes (Tour and Sport), enabling the driver to
tailor the suspension for grand touring or more spirited performance driving.

Braking and tire systems
CTS-V includes sophisticated braking and tire systems, in partnership with two
companies renowned 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.

Slotted and vented rotors enable strong initial braking force while optimizing heat
resistance and eliminating fade. The brake rotors from Brembo employ a "dual-cast"
technology that combines cast iron and aluminum, resulting in excellent performance
and weight reduction. CTS-V also includes an electric parking brake, enabling more
legroom for the driver, key for high-performance driving

Michelin partnered with Cadillac engineers to develop its acclaimed Pilot Sport PS2
summer tire for CTS-V and its exclusive 19-inch alloy wheels. The tires support high
levels of grip in track conditions, while also affording good performance on the road.

Interior amenities
Recaro performance driving seats are optional in the CTS-V Coupe and provide
excellent support for spirited driving. These 14-way adjustable performance seats
include pneumatic bolster controls in the seat cushions and backrests.

The CTS-V Coupe also includes an exclusive new Saffron color option for the interior,
providing a contrasting color accent carried on the seat inserts, as well as the stitching,
which highlights the craftsmanship of the instrument panel, center console, door trim and
seats.

The steering wheel, seat inserts and shifter are covered in microfiber, providing the
luxurious character of suede without suede's inherent drawbacks of difficult care and
moisture sensitivity. These accents are standard, elegant to the touch and help support
high-performance driving.

The car's integrated center stack is trimmed in Obsidian black 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 extend to the V-Series. They include a 40-gigabyte hard drive,
advanced navigation system with a deployable screen and Bose digital surround audio,
as well as factory-installed Bluetooth phone integration, all standard features on the V-
Series.

About Cadillac
Cadillac has been a leading luxury auto brand since 1902. In recent years, Cadillac has
engineered a historic renaissance led by artful engineering and global expansion. More
information on Cadillac can be found at media.cadillac.com.