Cadillac CTS-V sets record lap time at the Nurburgring?

This Cadillac "super" sedan should be able to go a *lot* faster!
 
For comparison, a stock Subaru Impreza WRX STI spec C type RA (JDM) - 7:59.41
 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZPPXZGmfS9c
 
I may be wrong, but it only has a 276 hp 2.0L flat-4 powering it, folks! :o)
 
Also, an E46 M3 CSL (I think it's stock) can run around the 'Ring in 7:50.
 
http://www.supercars.net/PitLane?viewThread=y&gID=3&fID=0&tID=10073

And completely out of left field, here comes Cadillac.
 
That's quick.

oh common now suby. That sti, is a stripper model with a cheater engine. The offical spec sheet says 276hp, I've read it was actually close to 300, not only that, the JDM one came without things like A/C, power windows, air bags, sound deadening, etc.
 
and while the V spec caddy is faster, its no where near as hare core as sepc C type RA

Come on now?
 
Stripper model with a cheater engine?
 
Do you have a credible source on the engine power?
 
So those are fake HVAC controls and vents one shown in the video? I don't see any window roller levers, either. That steering wheel sure looks like a regular STi steering wheel with an airbag module, too. :gasp:

A few questions.
 
1) What is the current M5's official lap time?
 
2) Do you think BMW will sit still long as the next gen 5 Series is all new for 2009/2010? Ive heard rumours of a 5.5-6.0L V10 with 550+hp.
 
3) The Caddy should easily outrun the M5 in a straight line given the specs but is that the only advantage?
 
4) Do people realize that the end part of the Ring is pretty straight where all out power would knock a few seconds off?

hondacura4, the 2nd link I listed above (and here below again) has a good list of 'Ring times, the vehicle that posted it (and in many cases, its driver), and the source (some links may be dead).
 
http://www.supercars.net/PitLane?viewThread=y&gID=3&fID=0&tID=10073

i dont want to look like a hatter but look at those pics of the car running on the track.
thats dont looks like the final product.
Compare with the pics from the detroit saloon and that one on the NURtrack has lowered suspension,wider tires,bucket seats and looks like has a roll cage in the back too.
its that a test mule ?
The cts v will come with any of this acessorys?
Pliss someone look carefully to the pictures and give me some back up or info.
Or anyone could take this timelap with a bit of doubt.

http://www.autoblog.com/2008/05/07/2011-twin-turbod-bmw-m5-to-produce-550-hp/
 
BMW wont take this lightly!

2002 Honda NSX-R Nurburgring time attack.
 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DdGoFhs1pf4
 
Im not a big fan of Ring times as driver skill, track condition, traffic and other variables always have to be considered. Sure it gives one an idea of what the vehicle in question is capable of but.....

Why can't you guys give respect where respect is due?
 
SubyTrojan- would you give it a rest with these stupid Imprezas that are not for sale in this country? No one really cares about stripper one off track speciality models of a previous generation economy car. The CTS-V is a fully featured 4200+ lbs pound LUXURY SEDAN with a boat load of LUXURY features that is an all out performance BEAST.
 
HondaAcura.
 
"2) Do you think BMW will sit still long as the next gen 5 Series is all new for 2009/2010? Ive heard rumours of a 5.5-6.0L V10 with 550+hp.
  
3) The Caddy should easily outrun the M5 in a straight line given the specs but is that the only advantage?
  
4) Do people realize that the end part of the Ring is pretty straight where all out power would knock a few seconds off?"
 
BMW's response is over 2 model years away. The CTS-V is the king for now, period. Are you suggesting the CTS-V is only "better" than the M5 in a straight line? Rubbish. What does the 'Ring's layout have to do with anything? All cars use the same track so it's an even playing field. I never heard any such skepticism when the GT-R posted it's blistering lap time.

"What does the 'Ring's layout have to do with anything?"
 
Have you ever raced on a track? Certain layouts cater certain cars better than others. OTOH the NUR is probably the best overall track as it caters to just about every car as the tracks layout is so natural.
 
Given its specs, the CTS-V would be much faster on the back straight than the M5.
 
All I asked was if anyone thought the handling capabilities were pretty much a wash between the cars or if the CTS-V would have a significant advatnage here.
 
Im certainly not doubting the CTS-Vs capabilities Im just curious about its
capabilities.
 
"I never heard any such skepticism when the GT-R posted it's blistering lap time."
 
From me? Although this is a bit much to ask. Id prefer the cars (whatever they may be) to be on a closed track on the same day in the same conditions using the same driver. I call that an even playing field.

"Do you think BMW will sit still long as the next gen 5 Series is all new for 2009/2010? Ive heard rumours of a 5.5-6.0L V10 with 550+hp. "
 
The 5 series will not be new until 2010. The CTSV will have more than 550hp when its released in a few months and it will cost about $60k which is cheaper than the current M5. We all know GM can easily get up 638hp from the CTSV if they really wanted to so I doubt Cadillac is scared of the 2011 M5.
 
"Im not a big fan of Ring times as driver skill, track condition, traffic and other variables always have to be considered. Sure it gives one an idea of what the vehicle in question is capable of but....."
 
But what? Each manufacturer gets the best driver available to run the ring. I seriously doubt that GM's drivers are so much better than the drivers other manufacturers use that we should dismiss this accomplishment. I would assume that all reported times are documented on days when track conditions are ideal.
 
"BMW wont take this lightly!"
 
Thats fine but you cant generate a new engine overnight. It takes time to respond to this type of news and this type of car. Even if BMW can outdo this car with the next M5 they wont be able to touch it's price. I would take the CTS-V even if the new M5 is slightly faster based on cost savings.

"Given its specs, the CTS-V would be much faster on the back straight than the M5"
 
where are you getting that from? The M5 weighs over 200lbs less than the CTSV and has 507 hp. The main difference between the cars isnt power to weight ratio, it's torque. I dont know that we can say the CTS should be MUCH faster at this point. We can say that the fact that it may be faster while costing MUCH less is very impressive.
 
The layout of the track isnt why the CTS is posting these types of times. If anything, the fact that the RIng has so many turns means that its NOT about a car being able to blast down straights in order to get great times. GM and others use the Ring because they believe its a great measure of overall balance. The CTSV could only do what it's done with great balance. I dont see why that would be surprising considering what we know about the old CTS-V and the current CTS.

"Even if BMW can outdo this car with the next M5 they wont be able to touch it's price. "
 
Haha maybe its better to say they won't WANT to touch its price. This is BMW, afterall.

Suby I got my information from this car and driver story:
 
"... Type RA Spec C. RA stands for "Rally Applicant." ... stripped of luxuries such as a sound system of any kind, air conditioning, power windows, trunk trim, airbags, underbody coating, and other things—all in the name of weight reduction."
 
"But estimates of its true output are more than 300 horsepower"

That's not the same car, opfreak. That's an older bugeye (JDM ver. 7 STi). The car in the video that turned a 7:59.41 is a ver. 8 STi. Btw, the author of that article is one of IL's current Senior Editors. :o)
 
chavis10, don't h8. Appreciate! :o) The new CTS-V is an all-out performance "beast" with a time of 7:59 with the power and fixings it has? Um okay.

^ahh. clearer now.

"The new CTS-V is an all-out performance "beast" with a time of 7:59 with the power and fixings it has? "
 
Power and fixings? what are you talking about? It has a lot of power and huge wheels and brakes just like any other high performance sedan. You are full of excuses unless we are praising a Suburu.

550 hp coupled with a high performance suspension and brakes should translate into a *much* faster time than that, especially since John Heinricy is an AWESOME driver. Perhaps the car just isn't that fast on a track (compared to other luxury sport sedans). Straight line speed isn't everything.

Uh, I guess being faster than the BMW 5 Series is nothing then? Or are you calling the Beemer slow too?

"chavis10, don't h8. Appreciate! :o) The new CTS-V is an all-out performance "beast" with a time of 7:59 with the power and fixings it has? Um okay."
 
Nothing to hate on- I seriously doubt GM's engineers are worried about a track ready Impreza's time around the ring. Although I'm sure that Impreva cost almost as much as the CTS-V by the time they installed all of the "fixings" and removed the stereo and A/C.
 
"550 hp coupled with a high performance suspension and brakes should translate into a *much* faster time than that, especially since John Heinricy is an AWESOME driver."
 
I guess they should've solicited your driving skills for a quicker lap. Did you forget that this car weighs 4200 lbs?
 
"Perhaps the car just isn't that fast on a track (compared to other luxury sport sedans). Straight line speed isn't everything."
 
This car is superior than both of BMW's M sedans: superior interior, superior ergonomics, superior performance, superior value.
 
For the record, the car that set the record is bone stock and production ready. The only additional was a bar between the B pillars to anchor the racing harness.

Okay, guys. You all make excellent points. I'm just surprised it didn't go faster for what it offers.
 
I'm looking forward to seeing the videos on the Cadillac blog.
 
http://cadillac.gmblogs.com
 
Questions I still have are:
 
1) Was this lap official?
 
2) Was the lap done with a standing start, which is required for all official times?

Video is up!
 
http://www.brightcove.tv/title.jsp?title=1545122232
 
It looks like a standing start was *not* used. Therefore, the STI is faster than the CTS-V! j/k =Þ
 
Still, I give a ton of credit to John Heinricy and the CTS-V, especially since this was done with an automatic transmission.

Suby- what is your dream car?
 
PS- since the record setting car was an automatic- it's base curb weight was 4300 lbs. This isn't even including the extra weight of the fire system and extra safety gear.

My dream car would probably be a Formula 1 car. :o)

If someone were to give you your choice of any STREET LEGAL automobile, what would it be?