2009 Cadillac CTS-V: Caddy gets a ZR-1 Sedan

February 12, 2008 Omar Rana

The 2009 Cadillac CTS-V will hit the roads in the fourth-quarter of 2008, giving the BMW M5 and the Mercedes-Benz E 63 AMG a run for their money with its 550 horsepower engine. According to an article in the new Road & Track issue, the Cadillac CTS-V shares major components with the new Chevrolet ZR-1 such as the supercharged 6.3 liter small-block V8, except with a smaller Eaton compressor.

Other elements that the ZR-1 and the CTS-V share are the 6-piston Brembo front brake calipers with 4-pistons in the rear. Both get GM’s new Magnetic Selective Ride Control technology which helps the rear axle remain planted during acceleration and helps suppress axle movement when cornering on broken or uneven pavement.

So will the CTS-V handle better than the M5? Well combined with the Magnetic Selective Ride Control technology and the new Performance Traction Management (which builds on Cadillac”s StabiliTrak system), the CTS-V is sure to handle well. PTM monitors and controls wheel slip to assist in stopping or slowing the car and regulates torque delivery to instantly match the available tire grip for maximum acceleration.

Pricing is key for the CTS-V if it wants to steal market share from the M5 and the E 63 AMG. We’re hoping we’ll get some pricing info at the 2008 New York International Auto Show.

2009 Cadillac CTS-V Gallery: