Detroit Preview: 2011 Cadillac CTS-V Coupe Unveiled

After much anticipation, Cadillac has finally announced all the details of the new 2011 CTS-V Coupe. The high-powered version of the new CTS Coupe, which debuted at the LA Auto Show, is powered by the same supercharged 6.2-liter V8 found in the CTS-V sedan, with an incredible 556-hp at 6100 rpm and 551 ft-lbs of torque at 3800 rpm. That’s enough to propel the 2+2 seater to 60 mph in an incredible 3.9 seconds.

But the CTS-V Coupe is so much more than a straight line performer, following in the Michelin PS2 tire marks of the V sedan – the first production four-door to run a sub eight minute lap time at Germany’s famed Nürburgring. In fact, the V Coupe should lop off a few more seconds thanks to a rear track that is one-inch wider than the sedan. With the same wheelbase as the four-door, the V Coupe also gets a lower center of gravity thanks to an overall height that is roughly 2-inches (51mm to be precise) lower. The front and rear overhangs are even shortened, with an overall lengh that is also reduced by 51mm.

Other performance highlights include 19-inch wheels and some massive brakes with high-performance Brembo six-piston front calipers with 15-inch rotors and four-piston rear calipers with 14.7-inch rotors. And helping out in terms of delivering a performance oriented (or comfort oriented) ride are GM’s amazing Magnetic Ride Control shocks, which monitor the road every millisecond and adjust shock pressure. First used on Corvettes, this technology is now used by the likes of Ferrari. For the CTS-V Coupe, Cadillac offers the shocks with two pre-sets, Tour and Sport, so a driver can set the car for their preferred driving mode.

As for how the car looks, well, Cadillac certainly didn’t disappoint. The CTS Coupe’s sleek profile gets a very masculine V treatment including some impressive big grilles up front, as well as a massive bulge in the hood to make room for all that engine. The overall look of the car is undeniably like the CTS, however, Caddy designers only carried over the headlights, front fenders and grille from the sedan, along with the instrument panel and center console on the inside.

Now the only thing left to do is drive it, and if it’s anything like the sedan, the V Coupe will absolutely walk all over its German competition.

The new CTS-V Coupe will make it’s world debut at the 2010 Detroit Auto Show on January 11th and is set to go on sale in early Summer.

Official release after the jump:

For release: Jan. 5, 2010, 12:01 a.m. EST

ART AND SCIENCE: CADILLAC PREMIERES 2011 CTS-V COUPE
– New CTS Coupe design combines with V-Series performance
– 556-hp (415-kW) supercharged 6.2L V-8
– Six-speed manual or six-speed automatic with paddle shift control
– Magnetic Ride Control and Brembo brakes
– New Saffron interior trim accent color
– On sale in early summer

DETROIT – Cadillac today announced the 2011 CTS-V Coupe, which debuts at the
2010 North American International Auto Show in Detroit. It combines the new CTS
Coupe’s dramatic design with the 556-horsepower (415-kW) supercharged V-8 engine
from the CTS-V sedan. The result is a luxury sports coupe aimed at driving enthusiasts.

“The CTS-V Coupe marries our most potent and sophisticated technology with our most
dramatic production design,” said Bryan Nesbitt, Cadillac general manager. “This
combination of visual and technical attributes is designed to create a very compelling
choice for luxury sports car consumers.”

The CTS-V Coupe begins production this summer. Its suite of technical and
performance elements includes Magnetic Ride Control, racing-bred Brembo brakes and
an available automatic transmission with paddle-shift control.

The V-Series Coupe includes a unique grille that doubles the car’s air intake volume, an
important enabler for its high-performance capabilities. It is also visually identified by a
raised center section of the hood that provides clearance for the supercharger, as well
as specific front and rear fascias. Like the CTS Coupe, its exhaust is centered inside the
rear fascia, but with unique twin outlets. The car rolls on 19-inch cast aluminum wheels,
available in either painted or polished finishes, and Michelin Pilot Sport 2 performance
tires.

The CTS-V Coupe’s rear track is nearly an inch wider than the CTS-V Sport Sedan,
adding to the car’s aggressive stance and enabling an extra measure of handling
capability. The current CTS-V Sport Sedan has quickly established itself among the
world’s highest performing luxury sedans, becoming the first production four-door on
street tires to break the legendary 8-minute barrier at Germany’s famed Nürburgring.
The new V-Series Coupe’s sleeker shape and slightly lower mass ensure a similarly high
level of performance.

Inside, the 2+2 cabin combines performance and luxury. A new Saffron interior trim color
is offered, with contrasting microfiber seat inserts and stitching on the upper trim areas.

Form follows function
The CTS-V Coupe’s design is a clear visual statement of the technical precision and
performance intent of the car.

The Coupe has the same wheelbase as the CTS-V Sport Sedan, but its overall height is
about two inches (51 mm) lower and its overall length is two inches (51 mm) shorter.
The two models share only the instrument panel, console, headlamps, front fenders and
grille.

Key design features include:
– Classic hardtop styling, with no conventional B-pillar
– Touch-pad operation for the doors removes the need for conventional door
handles
– Faster windshield angle (62.3 degrees) and a nearly horizontal backglass enable
an aerodynamic profile
– Signature vertical lighting, highlighted with LED light pipes
– Signature center high-mounted stop lamp functions as a rear spoiler
– Aerodynamic roof-mounted antenna for OnStar and XM Satellite Radio

Supercharged powertrain
The CTS-V Coupe employs the LSA 6.2L supercharged V-8 engine also found on the
CTS-V Sport Sedan. Rated at 556 horsepower (415 kW) and 551 lb.-ft. of torque (747
Nm), it is the most powerful engine offered in Cadillac’s history and propels the CTS-V
Coupe from 0-60 mph in 3.9 seconds.

The LSA engine features an intercooled Eaton supercharger system, premium
aluminum-alloy cylinder heads and numerous details designed to ensure it makes its
power as quietly and smoothly as possible. The supercharger, for example, has a
unique, four-lobe rotor design that enhances quietness while also optimizing the
performance parameters of the engine.

A pair of six-speed transmissions is offered in the CTS-V Coupe: a Tremec TR6060 six-
speed manual with a dual-disc clutch and a Hydra-Matic 6L90 six-speed automatic with
paddle-shift control. Performance Algorithm Shifting is part of the 6L90’s programming
and provides a performance-oriented shift pattern during sustained high-performance
driving. As with many Cadillac models, the driver needs only to slide the shifter into the
manual “gate” to put the transmission into that more aggressive mode.

The paddle shift control requires no shift lever movement. Steering wheel thumb controls
allow immediate and quick tap up/tap down gear selection.

Magnetic Ride Control
The V-Series reaches elite levels of road-holding performance, but also maintains the
poise of a luxury car in “regular” driving conditions. The technical enabler of that dual-
mode driving character is Cadillac’s landmark Magnetic Ride Control. It is standard on
the CTS-V Coupe and is the world’s fastest-reacting suspension technology. It uses
shocks controlled by advanced magneto-rheological technology, rather than mechanical
valves, to greatly accelerate response time and precision.

Electronic sensors at all four wheels literally “read the road” every millisecond, making
constant adjustments to damping to create virtually instantaneous and extremely precise
control of body motions. This is of particular benefit for a high-performance car because
it helps keep the car very composed during hard cornering, acceleration, braking and
other dynamic maneuvers.

The Magnetic Ride shocks also enable a broader range of damping control to optimize
the ride and handling for all driving conditions. In the CTS-V Coupe, an extra measure of
control is offered, with two selectable modes (Tour and Sport), enabling the driver to
tailor the suspension for grand touring or more spirited performance driving.

Braking and tire systems
CTS-V includes sophisticated braking and tire systems, in partnership with two
companies renowned for high-performance technology: Brembo and Michelin. Brembo
brakes are at all four corners and include powerful, six-piston calipers in the front and
four-piston calipers in the rear.

Slotted and vented rotors enable strong initial braking force while optimizing heat
resistance and eliminating fade. The brake rotors from Brembo employ a “dual-cast”
technology that combines cast iron and aluminum, resulting in excellent performance
and weight reduction. CTS-V also includes an electric parking brake, enabling more
legroom for the driver, key for high-performance driving

Michelin partnered with Cadillac engineers to develop its acclaimed Pilot Sport PS2
summer tire for CTS-V and its exclusive 19-inch alloy wheels. The tires support high
levels of grip in track conditions, while also affording good performance on the road.

Interior amenities
Recaro performance driving seats are optional in the CTS-V Coupe and provide
excellent support for spirited driving. These 14-way adjustable performance seats
include pneumatic bolster controls in the seat cushions and backrests.

The CTS-V Coupe also includes an exclusive new Saffron color option for the interior,
providing a contrasting color accent carried on the seat inserts, as well as the stitching,
which highlights the craftsmanship of the instrument panel, center console, door trim and
seats.

The steering wheel, seat inserts and shifter are covered in microfiber, providing the
luxurious character of suede without suede’s inherent drawbacks of difficult care and
moisture sensitivity. These accents are standard, elegant to the touch and help support
high-performance driving.

The car’s integrated center stack is trimmed in Obsidian black material that is also
applied to the center console and door trim. Just like every CTS, the V-Series includes a
hand-stitched instrument panel, door trim and center console. Leading-edge
infotainment features extend to the V-Series. They include a 40-gigabyte hard drive,
advanced navigation system with a deployable screen and Bose digital surround audio,
as well as factory-installed Bluetooth phone integration, all standard features on the V-
Series.

2011 CADILLAC CTS-V COUPE SPECIFICATIONS

Overview
Model: 2011 Cadillac CTS-V Coupe
Body style / driveline: 2-door sport luxury coupe, RWD
Construction: unitized welded steel body with direct-mounted front cradle and
rubber-isolated, multi-link independent rear suspension
EPA vehicle class: midsize car
Manufacturing location: Lansing Grand River Assembly, Lansing, Mich.

Engine
6.2L Supercharged V-8
Displacement (cu in / cc): 376 / 6162
Bore & stroke (in / mm): 4.06 / 103.25 x 3.62 / 92 mm
Block material: cast aluminum
Cylinder head material: cast aluminum
Valvetrain: overhead valve, two valves per cylinder
Fuel delivery: 1.9L supercharger with intercooler; sequential fuel injection
Compression ratio: 9.1:1
Horsepower (hp / kW @ rpm): 556 / 415 @ 6100*
Torque (lb-ft / Nm @ rpm): 551 / 747 @ 3800*
Recommended fuel: premium recommended, not required
Maximum engine speed (rpm): 6200
EPA estimated fuel economy (city /
hwy):
TBD
Transmissions
Tremec TR6060 Hydra-Matic 6L90
Type: six-speed manual; fully
synchronized with single
overdrive
six-speed electronically
controlled automatic overdrive
with torque converter clutch
Gear ratios (:1):
First: 2.66 4.03
Second: 1.78 2.36
Third: 1.30 1.53
Fourth: 1.00 1.15
Fifth: 0.80 0.85
Sixth: 0.63 0.67
Reverse: 2.90 3.06
Final drive ratio: 3.73 3.23

Chassis / Suspension
Configuration RWD
Differential: limited-slip
Front: independent SLA; 29-mm hollow stabilizer bar; elastomeric handling
and ride bushings; 65-N/mm spring rate; Magnetic Ride Control with
electro-magnetically controlled shocks
Rear : independent SLA; 25.4-mm solid stabilizer bar; elastomeric trailing arm
bushing; 90-N/mm spring rate; Magnetic Ride Control with electro-
magnetically controlled shocks
Steering type: power-assisted rack-and-pinion
Steering ratio: 16.1:1
Steering turns, lock-to-lock: 2.7
Turn circle (ft / m): 37.9 / 11.55
Chassis control: four-channel StabiliTrak w/ brake assist

Wheels and tires

Brakes

Dimensions
Exterior
Wheelbase (in / mm): 113.4 / 2880
Length (in / mm): 188.5 / 4789
Height (in / mm): 55.9 / 1422
Width (in / mm): 74.1 / 1883
Track (in / mm): front: 61.8 / 1570
rear: 62.8/ 1597
Curb weight (lb / kg): manual: 4204 / 1907
automatic: 4237 / 1922
Weight distribution (% front / rear): 54 / 46

Interior
Headroom (in / mm): front: 36.9 / 937.5
rear: 34.6 / 879
Legroom (in / mm): front: 42.4 / 1078
rear: 35 / 890
Shoulder room (in / mm): front: 56 / 1424
rear: 50.9 / 1294
Hip room (in / mm): front: 54.5 / 1385
rear: 47.7 / 1212

Capacities
Seating capacity (front / rear): 2 / 2
EPA passenger volume (cu ft / L): 86.6 / 2452
EPA trunk volume (cu ft / L): 10.54 / 298
Trailer towing maximum (lb / kg): TBD
Fuel tank (gal / L): 18 / 68
Engine oil (qt / L): 6.3 / 6
Cooling system (qt / L): 12.42 / 11.75

*SAE certified.

Note: Information shown is current at time of publication.

Wheel size and type: front: 19 x 9-inch; forged alloy, 5-lug
rear: 19 x 9.5-inch, forged alloy, 5-lug
Tires: Michelin Pilot Sport PS2
front: P255/40ZR19 96Y high-performance summer tire
rear: P285/35ZR19 99Y high-performance summer tire
Type: four-wheel disc with four-channel ABS, hydraulic brake
assist and dynamic rear brake proportioning
Rotor type and thickness (in / mm)
Front : 15 x 1.26 / 380 x 32, vented, co-cast
Rear: 14.7 x 1.1 / 373 mm x 28 mm, vented