Racing the Cadillac CTS-V in the World Challenge Series lets Cadillac put their cars where the action is. Racing improves the breed, and by racing a Cadillac CTS-V that is not only production based but very close to the production model Cadillac can directly translate lessons from the track to the street.
Here is a direct comparison from the CTS-V Coupe to the CTS-V Coupe Race Car:
CTS-V Coupe Road to Race Car Specification Comparison
Specification | CTS-V Coupe Road Car | CTS-V Coupe Race Car |
Body structure | Strategically placed high-strength steel in unibody construction | Reinforced production unibody with race-designed safety cage |
Weight | Curb weight 4,222 lbs. | Curb weight 3,200 lbs. with mandated competition ballast, 50/50 weight distribution |
Engine | 6.2L supercharged V-8 (RWD); 556 hp @ 6100; torque 551@3800 | 6.2L, 90-degree V-8 with aluminum block and heads; 460 hp @ 5400; torque 447@4400 |
Transmission | Six-speed manual | Sequential six-speed transmission, no lift shift |
Differential | Locking rear, 4.15 final drive | Limited-slip differential with 3.0 final drive |
Brakes | Brembo brakes six-piston front/four-piston, four-wheel ABS disc | Brembo brakes, six-pot front with 355 mm rotor, four pot rear with 328 mm rotor, race spec four-wheel disc |
Wheels | 19-in. aluminum alloy | BBS 12 x 18-in. aluminum rear wheels with 11 x 18-in. fronts |
Tires | Michelin Pilot Sport PS2 performance tires | Pirelli racing slicks, front 305/645 x 18, rear 315/675 x 18, series spec |
Steering | ZF Servotronic® 2,6 speed-sensitive, power-assisted rack-and-pinion; variable ratio | Steering, variable power-assisted rack-and-pinion |
Suspension | Front and rear independent with StabiliTrak electronic stability control system | Three-way adjustable dampers (shocks); front independent SLA, race-modified; rear race-modified independent multi-link |
Steering Wheel | Adjustable leather-wrapped with radio controls | Carbon fiber with six knobs and 12 buttons controlling everything from driver drink bottle to launch control |
Seating | Heated and ventilated driver and front passenger Recaro 14-way power-adjustable performance seats | Single Pratt & Miller-designed cool seat, custom-fitted to driver |
Safety | Driver and passenger side air bags, passenger air bag on/off switch, OnStar Automatic Crash Response, etc. | Pratt & Miller-developed side impact-reducing crush box, six-point driver restraint system with removable steering wheel |
Radio | 10-speaker Bose® 5.1 surround sound system; hard-drive device; AM/FM/RDS4/MP3/ DVD with USB audio connectivity and steering wheel controls and SiriusXM satellite radio | Motorola two-way radio with steering wheel-mounted press-to-talk button and single speaker connection to driver ear buds |
Slowing down for Racing the Cadillac CTS-V?
For some series and manufacturers, the race car has to be carefully tuned up to be competitive. For WCRacing, Cadillac restricts the CTS-V engine output from the 556 hp that the street car makes to 460 hp for the race car. Yes, when racing the Cadillac CTS-V Cadillac gives up almost 100 hp.
The racing engines are prepared by Katech. They use the same 6.2L OHV V8 as the street car, but don’t have the supercharger. As prepared they would make 520 hp, but are restricted to 460 hp for the series.
A big difference from the street car to make up for the power loss is weight. The race car hits the track at 3,200 lbs plus rewards weight. The street car weighs 4,222 lbs. In the World Challenge, winning drivers get rewards weight to add to their car for the next race. This helps balance the series even further during the season. You can see the rewards weight each driver is carrying by numbers on the windscreen.
The complete vehicle specification for the racing the Cadillac CTS-V can be found on the World Challenge site here.
Racing the Cadillac CTS-V
Cadillac is not afraid to throw down the gauntlet and put their cars on the track. Racing the Cadillac CTS-V even with the series restrictions can give a very good test ground for engineering improvements in the street cars. Racing the Cadillac CTS-V is also very entertaining.
Bravo Cadillac!