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Cadillac CTS 3L V6 vs BMW 328 3L I6

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A lot of focus last week on the CTS-V Challenge with the Cadillac CTS-V racing vs the BMW M3 and M5.  That was a terrifically fun event.  But where the rubber meets the road between BMW and Cadillac is how their front line sedans and cross-overs compare, since this is where the sales are.  The CTS-V, M3, and M5 are all terrific, but none of them will sell in big numbers.

The BMW 3 Series is the 328, with a 230hp, 3L V6 starting at $34K, and the 335 with a 3L Turbo for 300hp starting at $41,675.

The Cadillac CTS comes in base model with a 270 hp 3L Direct Injected V6 starting at $36,730, and a 304hp 3.6L Direct Injected V6 starting at $44,365.

So, let’s compare the 3L CTS with the BMW 328.

You can see a side-by-side comparison by stat by an independent firm (Polk) on the Cadillac site here.

Big picture:

  • Both are sporty.
  • The Cadillac is roomier, the BMW is lighter.
  • They cost about the same, equally equipped.  Real world prices on the CTS may be somewhat less than the BMW.
  • The Cadillac has a longer warranty.
  • Cadillac quality and reliability has been higher than BMW quality and reliability in initial and 4-year surveys.

Speaking of the Engines, how do they compare?

The 3.0L direct injected DOHC V6 in the CTS is a new engine called the LF1.  It is a new, efficient member of the Premium V6 family that the other Cadillac V6, the LLT 3.6L Direct Injection engine belongs to.  The graph below shows the engine dyno for the Cadillac LF1 3L V6:

Cadillac likely could have gotten a bit more HP out of the 3L engine, but it was clearly tuned for a very flat torque curve.  That provides for ready acceleration in real-world use.

The BMW 328 makes 230 hp from an inline 6 cylinder:

Our inline six engine offers smooth power, greater acceleration and 200 lb-ft of torque at at 2750 rpms. A number of pioneering technologies make it possible. An electronically controlled water pump helps increase power output. Our patented Valvetronic system offers better fuel efficiency. And to save weight, we used a groundbreaking innovation that BMW was the first to use in a production car – an engine block made of a lightweight composite magnesium/aluminum.

BMW Engine Video

The engines appear to have a similar peak torque, although the Cadillac is 15% higher.  The Cadillac also enjoys 17% more Horsepower.

Bruce, Are you Media?

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At the recent Cadillac CTS-V Challenge there was plenty of time during the day to network and visit with other attendees.  Even for an introvert like me, this was a bonus of the day, and I met several interesting people.

Normally the conversation would go “Introduction / Reason for being here? / Discussion”.   So, my side of the conversation might be

“Hi, I’m Bruce Nunnally from Caddyinfo.com”.

“Yes, we’re a Cadillac enthusiast website that provides information and discussion about Cadillacs”.

One Gentleman asked me, “So you’re Media?”

to which I haltingly replied, “Well, I don’t think of myself as Media”

Gentleman: “But you are.”

Which of course, got me to thinking about the whole Media issue.  The entire Cadillac CTS-V Challenge was a ‘new media’ event.  This was not a Motor Trend, Car & Driver, Road & Track Event.  This was Jalopnik and TTAC and Bloggers and Twitter event.  Lots of us were Tweating along the way,  and shooting photos right out to a website or right to a twitter photo service so that readers could see the event happenings close to real time.  This was a Media 2.0 Event.  TV, Speed Channel and CNN is the exception — they were the classic Media at the event.

Not only could I get info out to the web, I could also keep up with what the other participants were commenting about the event in real time.  So the Event definitely had the beginnings of augmented reality.

Media.  I don’t think I WANT to be Media.  To me Media represents a paradigm of unilateral communication.    The town cryer yelling out the news, with no participation from the crowd.   I want a dialog with my readers.  Just as I enjoyed the networking opportunity at the CTS-V Challenge event, I want to have a chat with other Cadillac enthusiasts or other car nuts just because we share a love for the automobile.  Interactivity and conversation, not publishing via whatever media and a mute audience with no means to respond.

But maybe that is Media 2.0 — commentary that invites access, discussion, and interactivity.

After Action Report: Cadillac CTS-V Challenge

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An eclectic collection of car nuts gathered at the Monticello Motor Club today with a short list of competitive vehicles.  Several Cadillac CTS-Vs, a BMW M3, a BMW M5, a Mitsubishi Lancer Evo, a Jaguar XF, and an Audi RS4 were present.

CTS-V

CTS-V

The final results:

We had lunch with Michael Cooper’s Dad and brother and his friend.  Michael’s time was very good.  He has had some previous racing experience and did a great job in the competition.  He had the low time for a while, and it looked like the M3 might take the upset.  Later in the day he did get a chance to drive the CTS-V on the track, but did not get a competitive, timed lap in the V.    Ari Straus, the Monticello Motor Club Manager, estimated that head to head with the same driver the M3 is probably 2 seconds slower at Monticello than the CTS-V.  Yes, the M3 is good — but not as fast around the track as a CTS-V.

Overall John Heinricy set the low time, (besides a “Mystery Driver” who took some timed laps but is not mentioned in the official score), but as impressive is that one of the CTS-V Engineers, Aaron Long, also had a very good time.  Love it when the product guys know how to use the product well.

The host, Monticello Motor Club, did an excellent job.   The facility is a world-class racing venue.   Parking was effortless, space was good, area for lunch, viewing, and presentations was good, display area, shop, wifi for guests.  Telemetrics on the vehicles fed a clear laptime board by driver by lap that made it easy to keep up with progress across the groups of drivers.  Food and drinks were out everywhere.  Lunch was well prepared, served quickly, and everything tasted great.

The Cadillac hosting team was tremendous.  Check in at the entry gate was no problem.  Check in at Registration was easy, including waiver of liability and mandatory wristbands.    The entire GM and Cadillac team including Bob Lutz and everyone in attendance were open and accessible.  The event flowed so well that it appeared effortless for the hosting team.

The CTS Coupe was present.  This product cannot get to market fast enough.

CTS Coupe Prototype

CTS Coupe Prototype

Also the CTS Sport Wagon was there

CTS Sport Wagon

CTS Sport Wagon

Flickr Photostream

What can one conclude about the whole event?

  • Cadillac stepped up and sponsored a successful event to show that the CTS-V can compete with anybody in its class.
  • The competitors all did very well, everyone stayed safe, and no cars were damaged in the contest.
  • I had a great time, and met some very interesting people.  Truly, if you love cars this was THE place to be today.
  • Monticello Motor Club is a terrific venue.  It may not be within your means, but if it is, I highly recommend it.
  • Get a bunch of car lovers together, regardless of their favorite marque, mix in racing and competition, and you have a fun day.
  • Join us in the Caddyinfo Forum thread for ongoing discussion, or comment below.