The famed Nurburgring in Germany has become the setting for speed these days. Many of the Manufacturers seem to be lining up to test their cars and vie for the “fastest car” title. The Ring used to be holy ground for Porsche and Ferrari but recently the Americans and the Japanese have started utilizing the Ring as their German proving ground.
This morning word came across the wire that Cadillac’s CTS-V has been lapping the Ring at just under 8 minutes. Truly a blistering time at Nurburgring and possibly the fastest time ever documented for a sport sedan.
Here are a few notable times from a few European cars as well as the Corvette Z06. It’s hard to believe that the new 2009 CTS-V is within a few seconds of a 2008 Z06.
7:59.32 — 2009 Cadillac CTS-V (John Heinricy, 05/2008)
8:13 — 150.43 km/h — BMW M5 (E60), 507 PS/1844 kg (sport auto 12/04)
8:09 — 151.66 km/h — BMW M6, 507 PS/1761 kg (sport auto 12/05)
8:06 — 152.59 km/h — Mercedes Benz SL55 AMG (sport auto 04/02)
8:02 — 153.86 km/h — Porsche 997 Carrera S, PASM setting “Sport”, (Walter Roehrl WHEELS 06/ 04)
7:56* – 155.80 km/h — Chevrolet Corvette Z06 ,company chief engineer Dave Hill (*mfr.)
Cadillac is nearing the completion of testing for the highly anticipated CTS-V, the limited-edition high-performance model based on the award-winning CTS sport sedan. John Heinricy, GM Performance Division executive and an acclaimed racing driver, piloted the CTS-V through its sub-8 minute lap. The car itself had no performance modifications outside of those planned for consumer production, which is scheduled to begin this fall.
Estimated at 550-hp, the CTS-V is at the moment going through the final stages of intensive testing and development. One of the realistic objectives of the Cadillac team is to make the CTS-V the world’s fastest production sedan, as a part of the overall goal to make the V-Series Cadillac’s ultimate expression of performance and technology. More updates will be released in the coming weeks as testing is finalized, including the car’s certified SAE power ratings, acceleration specifications and U.S.-market pricing.
Video documentation of the car’s breakthrough Nordschleife performance will be posted online in the coming days at . The eight-minute mark has long been recognized as a major Nurburgring milestone, reserved for race cars and the fastest exotic sports cars.
The new 2009 Cadillac CTS-V includes a suite of advanced performance technologies, including a new version of Cadillac’s acclaimed Magnetic Ride Control suspension and the LSA 6.2-liter Supercharged V8 engine. For the first time, the CTS-V will include the choice of a 6-speed manual or automatic transmissions, with the new automatic sporting steering wheel-mounted shift buttons.
Discuss the new CTS-V in the Cadillac CTS Forum.
Beautiful. A feat of American, world-class engineering. A benchmark in automobile history.
Awesome! Great review and a world class auto!
Proof people that Cadillac is one of the best autos ever , mercedes, bmw take care Cadillac is here to take what belongs to them, Audi… you are not qualified!
This proves nothing. One lap time, driven at different times, different weather conditions and tract temperatures, is like comparing apples and oranges. When GM puts the CTSV in a real race, like DTM or some other road course competition, that will be a real test. This is not. Cheer a “feat of American engineering” if you must, but you are fooling yourself.
Thanks for the great info. What do yout think of the CTS coupe coming out this summer?