How BMW Can Improve the M3 to compete with the Cadillac CTS-V

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The Cadillac CTS-V is the premiere “Track Car” for the V-series, having supplanted the STS-V. The M3 is the premiere track car for the BMW M Series. The CTS-V is actually the same size and has luxury fittings similar or exceeding the BMW M5. Cadillac is preparing a new, smaller-than a CTS vehicle called (perhaps) the ATS, which will directly compete with the BMW 3-Series. Nonetheless, for now track car to track car seems a reasonable comparison. So, how can BMW upgrade the next M3 to be able to compete with the current Cadillac CTS-V?

First, the BMW is down by 142hp, but also weighs in at 3,726 lbs, around 500 lbs lighter than the ~4,200 lb CTS-V. Generally speaking, 100 lbs is offset by 5 hp in acceleration times. So that leaves the BMW down by an equivalent 117 hp. The upgraded engine for the next generation M3, now being rushed to market, should put the M3 over 500 hp to catch up, which should make it competitive in performance times.

Confusingly, although the BMW M3 starts at $45K, equivalently equipped to the standard of the Cadillac CTS-V it is slightly more expensive, at $63K.

Vehicle
Advantage

Cadillac
Cadillac

CTS-V
BMW M3
Equipped Price Advantage Cadillac $62,845 $63,520
Horsepower @ RPM Advantage Cadillac 556@6100 414@8300
Torque @ rpm Advantage Cadillac 551@3800 295@3900
Final Drive Ratio Advantage Cadillac 3.73 3.85
Fuel Capacity Advantage Cadillac 18.0 16.6
Adaptive Variable Suspension Advantage Cadillac Standard Option Added
Powertrain Warranty Time (Months) Advantage Cadillac 60 48
Powertrain Warranty Miles Advantage Cadillac 100000 50000
Wheelbase (in.) Advantage Cadillac 113.4 108.7
Length (in.) Advantage Cadillac 191.6 180.4
Width (in.) Advantage Cadillac 72.5 71.5
Head Room (front) (in.) Advantage Cadillac 38.8 38.5
Universal Garage Door Opener Advantage Cadillac Standard Option Added
Front Heated Seats Advantage Cadillac Standard Option Added
Satellite Radio Advantage Cadillac Standard Option Added
Surround Sound Advantage Cadillac Standard Not Available
DVD Player Advantage Cadillac Standard Not Available
Navigation System Advantage Cadillac Standard Option Added
Fog Lights Advantage Cadillac Standard Not Available
Automatic Crash Response Advantage Cadillac Standard Not Available
Emergency Services Advantage Cadillac Standard Option Added
Crisis Assist Advantage Cadillac Standard Not Available
Stolen Vehicle Assistance Advantage Cadillac Standard Option Added
Remote Door Unlock Advantage Cadillac Standard Not Available
Roadside Assistance Advantage Cadillac Standard Option Added
Remote Horn and Lights Advantage Cadillac Standard Not Available
Turn-by-Turn Navigation Advantage Cadillac Standard Not Available
Hands-Free Calling Advantage Cadillac Standard Not Available
Vehicle Diagnostics Advantage Cadillac Standard Option Added
Low Mileage Discount Advantage Cadillac Standard Not Available

So, the next BMW M3 will have to have improved performance, and cost slightly less than the current model to compete with the current CTS-V. And even at that, BMW will have to hope that Cadillac doesn’t further tune the CTS-V, so the M3 can have a chance to catch up.

Cadillac Converj Catch-Up

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Lots of excitement about the updated rumor that GM has green-lighted the Cadillac Converj concept for production.  Let’s review some Converj info:

Cadillac Converj Concept Introduction at 2009 NAIAS

(Photo by John F. Martin for General Motors) (United States)

The Converj is a 4-seat, Cadillac Coupe with the Voltec powertrain similar to the upcoming Chevrolet Volt.  In the Converj the powertrain and battery capacity may be adjusted for Cadillac performance.

In production the Converj will likely be called something else, such as the ETS, for Extended-range Touring Sedan? in keeping with the current Cadillac naming convention.  This would also play to loyal Cadillac fans, who fondly recall the Eldorado ETC as a performance coupe.

General Motors Vice Chairman Bob Lutz introduced the Cadillac Converj electric luxury coupe concept at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, Michigan Sunday, January 11, 2009. The four-passenger vehicle will provide up to 40 miles of gas-and-emissions-free electric driving with extended-range capability of hundreds of miles.  The Converj will be an extended range electric vehicle, which means that it is primarily an electric car, driven by batteries.  For longer ranges, it also has a gas engine that can be used to drive the electric motor when the battery is low.

Bob Lutz said the Converj concept has production substance. “It’s a logical extension of our plan to reinvent the automobile,” he said. “It clearly shows what a Cadillac electric vehicle could look like, and clearly indicates that global luxury customers can have a car that has both strong design and electric propulsion with a total range of hundreds of anxiety-free miles”.

2009 Cadillac Converj Concept Computer Generated Image

This computer-generated image shows the internal power storage unit in the Cadillac Converj.  One of the features of the new Voltec power train is that it is so compact it leaves the rest of the vehicle design almost unlimited.

New GM Facility in Brownstown Township

Denise Gray, Director, Global Battery Systems Engineering, right, and Bill Wallace, Engineering Group Manager – Voltec Batteries, arrive at the new GM Subsystem Manufacturing facility in Brownstown Township Thursday, August 13, 2009. The facility will be the first high-volume automotive lithium-ion battery manufacturing site in the U.S. General Motors will invest $43 million in the site to produce battery packs for the Cadillac Converj, Chevrolet Volt and other extended range electric vehicles. Production will begin in the fourth quarter of 2010 to support the launch of the Chevrolet Volt. (Photo: Jeffrey Sauger/General Motors).

The Converj is probably a few years away from production.  The sooner the better I say!

Also see: Previous Converj coverage here at Caddyinfo.

Cadillac SRX is NOT the Saturn Vue

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I hear some chatter on the social networks that the Cadillac SRX seems the same as the Saturn Vue.   They are not the same, and I would like to explain how they differ:

1) Chassis:  The new Cadillac SRX is on an evolved Theta platform, sometimes referred to as a  premium Theta-Epsilon Chassis, and has a 110.5″ wheelbase.  The Vue is on the original Theta chassis and has a 106″ wheelbase.

Differences:  more premium components in the Cadillac, Cadillac is longer wheelbase for better ride and more interior space.

Cadillac SRX 2010 Chassis

Cadillac SRX 2010 Chassis

2) Powertrain: The new Cadillac SRX offers either a 3L Direct Injected DOHV VVT LF1 V6, or a 2.8L Turbo DI V6. The Vue offers a variety of engines, the 2.4L LE5 I4, 2.4L LAT I4, 3.5L LZ4 V6, 3.6L LY7 V6, or 3.6L LCS V6. 

Differences:  The two vehicles have different engine choices available; both of the Cadillac choices are more powerful, premium engines.

Cadillac SRX 3L V6

Cadillac SRX 3L V6

3) Exterior:  Visually the Cadillac SRX and the Saturn Vue share the same configuration of any mid-size SUV, or CUV. 

Differences:  The Cadillac SRX clearly shows modern Cadillac styling with sharper features, and a more formal, elegant appearance.

Cadillac SRX 2010

Cadillac SRX 2010

2009 Saturn Vue Red Line

2009 Saturn Vue Red Line

Conclusion:  The Cadillac SRX is on a different, premium chassis, offers different, more powerful engines, and looks visually different — more appealing than a Saturn Vue.

Next article:  “How Beyoncé is different from Bon Jovi” (kidding)