Category Archives: CTS

Power versus MPG

Posted on by
2

In selecting my next Cadillac, I am drawn the to highest performance models available within my budget.  More is always better right?

My model for the ‘right’ 0-60 time for a sport sedan is 5.5 to 6  seconds this year.   Performance of cars as a whole changes over time, as automobile performance improves.

The current CTS DI 3.6L will do 0-60 mph in 6.3-6.5 sec.  The CTS should be below 6 seconds with 304 hp, but it also gained a bit of weight with added features, and has fuel economy minded gearing.  Yes I recognize that is kind of in the same range, but let’s assume for this discussion that quicker is important.  So the CTS 3.6L is just on the upper edge of my desired performance envelope, and is right in the right zone for MPG.

Now, the 2006-2009 STS-V with 469 hp will go 0-60 in around 5 sec, or as Cadillac measured in under 5 seconds.  However, this model gets 19 mpg highway compared to the CTS DI 3.6L V6 MPG of 28 MPG highway.

One compromise candidate is the 2005-2009 STS 4.6L V8, with the 320 hp VVT Northstar.  This sedan gets very close to 0-60 mph in 6 sec in most tests, and has fair fuel economy at 24 mpg highway.

The new Gen2 CTS-V with 556 hp supercharged 6.2L V8 will do 0-60 mph in under 4 seconds with a Cadillac test driver, or just over 4 seconds with a magazine writer driving.  The new CTS-V is still outside of my budget however, and also gets 19 mpg highway.

The 2006-2007 Cadillac CTS-V with 6L LS2 V8 engines would do 0-60 in under 5 seconds, and are rated at 24 mpg highway.  So these are interesting, but they will soon be out of warranty.  I like to keep my daily driver under warranty, so if there is an issue I can simply drop it off for service, pick up a loaner car, and be on my way.  These are also only available in manual transmissions.  A manual is okay for me, but is challenging for other members of my household.

So this thought process leaves me wondering if I should change my target from “as quick as possible” to “as quick as possible and still get more than 24 mpg highway”, or similar.

In this range that 5 mpg costs around $1000 per year given my mileage per year and average gas prices.  So would you pay $1000 per year for another 150 hp, or 47% more power?  I suppose over the 5 years I plan to drive the car that is less than the cost of a Supercharger or similar power adder.

How many MPG is more power worth to you?

In Pursuit of a Lighter Cadillac CTS

Posted on by
2

One of Cadillac’s plans for the next Cadillac CTS refresh is to make the CTS one of the lightest cars in its class.  One assumes they will do this through additional use of Aluminum, and high strength steel.  The advantage of high strength steel is that for the same properties a thinner, lighter piece can be used that has the same or better strength and durability.

There is a 2-3% improvement in fuel economy for every 100 kg (220 lbs).  So although the EPA cycle is complex, in general a 28 mpg CTS might break 30 mpg with the loss of around 500 lbs of weight from its 3,681 lb curb weight.  Obviously there is a limit to the fuel economy that can be gained in this manner, since Cadillacs one can safely say will always have some weight.  Cadillac’s goal of being the lightest in their vehicle class seems ideal.  This goal is one that will have to be revisited in the crowded markets Cadillac competes in.

Cadillac CTS Safety Cage

The Cadillac CTS currently uses Advanced High Strength Steels in strategic structural locations.  Advanced High Strength Steels (AHSS’s) are multiphase steels which contain martensite, bainite, and/or retained austenite in quantities sufficient to produce unique mechanical properties (transformation hardening).  AHSS’s exhibit an excellent combination of high strength and high formability resulting primarily from their high strain hardening capabilities. AHSS’s can be further classified by tensile strength; the ideal application for different tensile strength AHSS’s varies.

A recent study by Lotus Engineering confirms that a total vehicle, synergistic approach to mass reduction is feasible and could result in substantial mass savings with minimal piece cost impact.

I am very excited about the emphasis at Cadillac on weight management, as it will also make my favorite Cadillacs more nimble and athletic — when you lose weight you just FEEL better!

Cadillac CTS 1SF Performance Sedan brings Maximum Sport, Minimum cost

Posted on by
Reply

Cadillac offers the 2011 CTS Sedan in 3L V6 or 3.6L V6 models. For sports driving, we want the larger, more powerful 304 hp 3.6L engine.   The two 3.6L configurations are the 1SF Performance Model, and the 1SH Premium Model.  Although it is always tempting to order a Cadillac ‘with everything’, let’s look at what you get when you select all of the sport features — the performance engine, the maximum suspension — without any of the bells and whistles that reflect in the higher price of the Premium Model.

2010 Cadillac CTS

The Cadillac CTS 1SF Performance Model starts at

  • MSRP starting at: $41,565
  • Destination Freight Charge: $825
  • Colors & Options : $540
  • Total MSRP: $42,930

Now, the good news is that this includes  the Summer Tire Performance Package  with the 19″ Polished wheels with summer performance tires, HID headlamps, fog lamps, performance cooling system, sport performance suspension, limited-slip differential, and performance brakes.  The summer performance tire package also triggers the FE3 sport suspension.

What you don’t get

For true sports car appeal, these prices include the 6 speed manual transmission; the automatic is $1,300 extra.  The Recaro Sport Seats are a tempting, but they require that the Performance Luxury Package and a number of other options, including Automatic transmission be selected.   The Performance Model does not include the Navigation system, although you can add options that include it.  For weight savings stay away from the sunroof option.

Finding a car at the Dealer

When shopping for this car, focus on the 19″ wheels and the 1SF designation.  There is a RPO Y42 all-season tire Performance Package, and a RPO Y43 Summer Tire performance package; we want the Y43.  It is not clear from the guide if the Y43 forces one to go to the Automatic transmission from some reason, but if so it includes paddle shifters on the steering wheel.  Your Cadillac Dealer will be able to walk through the order system and advise.

Summary

Cadillac makes it fairly easy to home in on just the Performance options of the CTS by featuring these as a separate package.  The total price of $42,930 brings a well equipped CTS Performance Sedan for less than the starting price of a BMW 528i, the least expensive 5-series.  By focusing sharply on just the Performance options and keeping a tight reign on the urge to buy all the options, once can get a 3.6L CTS Performance Sedan for a great price out the door.