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I guess I've been a Cadillac fan for as long as I can remember. Even after imports had supplanted the aspirational status of this all-American luxury brand, I still held a fondness for history. For over 100 years Cadillac has maintained a reputation of innovation and luxury. Cadillac pioneered the first successful electric starter, the automatic transmission and in 1930 introduced an awesome V-16 in a quest to join the elite level of Rolls Royce, Packard, Duesenberg and Pierce Arrows. So it is only natural that this year Cadillac stuffs one of the most powerful production engines into their youthful 2005 Cadillac CTS-V. This 5.7 Liter V8 producing 400 horsepower and 395 lb-ft torque makes you forget that just recently Cadillac was considered car for the elderly. While an AARP card was not required to drive a Cadillac, for many years it sure seemed to go with the driver. Cadillac understood that it must change and appeal to a younger generation leaving for Mercedes Benz and BMW. The CTS was created just for that demographic. Entry MSRP for the base CTS without additional options start at $32,395. However popular options often drive the CTS over the $40,000 mark. While the standard CTS is a worthy competitor for many of the imported luxury sedans, it remains uninspiring. A standard CTS with its 3.6 Liter V6 produces an adequate 255 horsepower but will certainly not inspire passion. However the "V" Series is a horse of a different color. The 2005 CTS-V with a modified Corvette LS6 engine is one of the most exciting vehicles available at any cost. Hurling the 3800-pound CTS-V from zero to sixty miles per hour in less than 4.6 seconds gives this vehicle true world-class performance. Unlike a traditional Cadillac, this car talks back. Speaking through each gear of the Tremec T56 6-speed transmission this CTS-V communicates clearly its ability and desire to blow your socks off. Imagine shifting from second to third gear at seventy and getting a scratch. Raw power is great but controlled power is better. Huge 4-piston Brembo Brakes set on 14" rotors result in impressive stopping control. Outstanding handling in both competition mode and daily driving make this a safe and stable environment. I like the edgy knife like design of the Cadillac CTS. It is unlike all of the other European and Asian designs that seem to blend together. The CTS-V is even more distinctive as the stainless steel mesh grill is jewelry to this luxury race vehicle. In addition to the unique grill, lower front and rear fascias are functional design elements communicating performance. The interior is a comfortable environment to indulge your automotive fantasy. Suede styled insets in the leather seats are comfortable and keep you firmly planted even when the g-force meter on the dash says that you just pulled .91 in the corner. The 2005 Cadillac CTS V is a thrill to drive. It is a completely different experience than the standard CTS. With an engine and transmission at home in a Corvette but stuffed into this luxury sport sedan from Cadillac there is little not to like. The most annoying feature was that the transmission encouraged 2nd gear skipping at normal driving. This feature designed to increase fuel efficiency was distracting. Cadillac's navigation system, standard on the CTS-V, remains less than intuitive and certainly not ready for prime time. Including the "Gas Guzzler tax" and optional sunroof, my test vehicle was priced at $52,495 including destination. With more horsepower and faster than either the Mercedes Benz CLK 55 AMG Coupe or the BMW 545i, Cadillac has succeeded with building a vehicle that will compete with the best of the luxury performance imports. The Cadillac brand is back. Younger, stronger and back to the roots of automotive innovation, Cadillac has a whole new generation to win over. This 2005 Cadillac CTS-V is a huge step in becoming the brand that people can again aspire to own.
2005 Cadillac CTS-V
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©2003 - Stan Risener