The video from the Cadillac CTS-V’s record setting 7:59.32 lap of the Nurburgring is now online. GM reminds us that this car is 100% stock down to the tires, and the only thing different from a production car is the added safety equipment.
From GM:
To clarify, the car had no performance or operational modifications outside of what we intend to offer in production. We did have a couple of customary safety precautions, as the first goal of our testing is always to keep drivers like John safe. The car had a harness bar upon which a 6-way racing safety belt system was mounted. We also had a fire supression unit on board. These things add a little bit of weight to the car, certainly not helping performance any. Stock tires, too.
GM is reporting that their new 550+hp Cadillac CTS-V has just lapped the Nurburgring’s North Loop in 7:59.32. That makes it one of, if not the fastest lap of any current production sedan. GM also mentioned that video footage of the record setting run will be available in the coming days.
For some perspective on just how fast a 7:59 lap of the ‘Ring is, here’s a run down:
The Cadillac CTS-V is now as fast or faster then…
7:59 - Chevrolet Corvette C6
7:59 - Porsche 997 Carrera S
8:01 - Bugatti EB 110 SuperSport
8:01 - Lamborghini Gallardo Spyder
8:01 - Nissan Skyline V-Spec R33 GT-R
8:02 - Mercedes CLK 63 Black Series
8:03 - Porsche 996 GT3
8:04 - Audi R8
8:05 - Ferrari 575 Maranello
8:05 - 2008 BMW M3 (E92)
8:05 - Mercedes CLK 63 Black Series
8:09 - Ferrari 360 Modena
8:13 - BMW M5
Edmunds puts on their thinking caps for a little speculation about the how much power the 2009 Cadillac CTS-V could make.
It will [make 567hp], that is, if GM Powertrain and Cadillac are underestimating the engine’s output as much as GM and Chevrolet underestimated the output of the related LS9 motor that powers the 2009 Corvette ZR1. At its launch at the Detroit auto show this past January, Chevrolet was careful to note that the LS9 would make “at least 620 horsepower.” The final figure, announced last night is 638 hp. That’s a 3 percent increase. How could Chevrolet be so wrong? Willfully, that’s how.
