Lutz told Automobilwoche that the V-Series will boast 400 hp and cost $35,675.

This is a revelation, if only because I've never seen a current CTS that stickered much bellow $35K. With the package that includes Stabilitrak, they cost $37K+.

Unless there is major downward movement in CTS prices, or the CTSv is a "stripper," this price is incredible. It would be interesting to know if Lutz was refering to European pricing. If so, there is a possibility that that GM decided to use the practice of "price dumping" to lure consumers to the virtually unknown Cadillac brand.

Anyway, if a CTSv will come with standard Stabilitrak and decent leather seating for $35,675, I'd consider it. The only thing holding me back is the dual-mass flywheel, something that has caused a few irritations for M5 drivers. If there was a free slushbox thrown into the equation, I'd make the jump.

 

Let me just be the first to say, that if the CTS-V comes in at $35k, i'll be the first to sell my 95 corvette and buy one.

 

Sorry its taking so long! The video file i got from GM is 1.7 gig!!!

Its literally full screen, HD quality stuff here. I need to find a way to shrink it down to something more managable..

 

I have loved the CTS's styling the moment i saw the thing and now finally a confirmed 400hp LS6 under the hood of the V! Give it up for Cadillac! if this thing is priced right, theres gonna be alot of shell-shocked BMW and Mercedes owners out there in the next year.

 

The 35k for hte CTSV is not out of hte question, didnt they say they want to move the CTS to more high volume buyers at the mid to high 20's? as the entry Caddie, and upsell? Kinda like the the Camaro was for hte vette. the CTS can be for the Sevilles, and Devilles.

 

Id imagine they could move the CTS down price once the STS's Sigma redesign comes out, but thats not until 2005, right? Either that or they're trying to draw a lot of attention to themselves for future product launches (STS, DTS, XLR).

 

Add another feather to CTS's cap....

CTS was one of five new 2003 models to recieve the highest crash rating.

http://www.caranddriver.com/xp/Caran..._dai_crash.xml

Glad to see this aspect was not overlooked.

 

I remember some suggestions to that effect. If Cadillac could put all of the equipment from a $37K loaded CTS as standard on a base $30K+/- base CTS, they'd have a competitive product. However, I don't remember any Detroit carmaker ever cutting a MSRP. Considering that the CTS has exceeded the admittedly modest sales expectations of Cadillac, I still don't see it happening.

On the other hand, if Cadillac wanted to move the volume of CTS sales from the current 40,000/year to 100k, such a move might be conceivable. Offer a base 3.6 liter CTS for $28k, and the LS6 CTSv for $36K. Under those circumstances, Cadillac might take a huge lead in the sub-luxury market.

Of course, insurance rates would skyrocket because of all the accidents caused by flying pigs.

 

Wow, great thread!

I wanted to weigh in on the price issue. I would be pleasantly surprised if GM priced CTSv below 50K, but I think high 50s is actually closer.

Based on the way GM has priced similar vehicles (Corvette, SSR, Silverado SS, GTO, XLR), CTv can't be anywhere near 35K. It would simply knock down the whole house of cards.

I think I'll watch it unfold from the sidelines after I buy a used (and quicker!) C5 in the mid-$20Ks.

 

My friend’s dad has a dark blue loaded 5 speed cts. This car is probably the best car gm has to offer for the money. I had the privilege to drive it and the car is a flawless machine. He has had it for 8 months now and there is absolutely nothing wrong with it. I'm not surprised that it is one of the safest cars on the road. It has 8 airbags. My prediction is that the ctsv is going to be the car of the year.

 

50K seems really high for the car. My guess is 10k more than the v6 CTS. So... 40K starting 45K nicly equiped. The GTO Is a 2 year only car that had to have changes made for a 2y ear run in a hurry. The car is also imported. 34K is right for the car. If it were made here and was going to have a 5 year plus run I thtink it could start in the high 20s. We nees a mid 20s rwd screamer.

 

I only have one negative comment about the CTS-v so far...only colors are black and silver!!!!

I was waiting to see what BMW was doing with the 5 series and what Caddy was doing with the CTS-v. However, if GM only offers the CTS-v in those two colors then they have made my decision for me! Please don't forget that the person purchasing this car doesn't necessarilly care if the car does 12.8 or 12.9 in the 1/4 mile...this is a luxury sedan.

I am more concerned with luxury interior items and sedan comfort in a high performance vehicle. I would LOVE to buy american...I truly wish that Caddy will have other colors!!!

 

I've never understood why a "limited edition" performance model has to make do with 1 or 2 color choices. Personally, I hated the one color policy for the 1994 Impala SS and 2002 Marauder. Black is just a horrible color to keep clean in the winter, and every scratch shows up. Even the choice of a silver CTSv isn't that great, especially since GM has never managed to make an attractive silver car. It's funny how a silver Bimmer looks cool, but a silver Caddy looks dull and dead.

I wouldn't say that paint color would stop me from buying a CTSv, but some custom paintwork would occur soon after I took delivery. Sure, you'd have to question the logic of spending $3-5k on repainting a perfectly good new car, but you'd also have to question the logic of GM spending millions in development dollars and a car and giving it two color choices. Heck, black and silver aren't even colors.

Of course, my whining could be sillenced if they offered "bright rallye red" on the CTSv.

 

They'll need to offer some sort of yellow close to what the M3 is or was if they dont offer it anymore. Every M3 I see is either blue or yellow.

 

Hey, I loved Millenium Yellow when it premiered on the Corvette in 2000. Then, they used the same paint on Cavliers, Sunfires, Aztecs and Monte Carlos. Yuck! Now I cringe everytime I see a Z06 in the color.

I can agree that the M3 has had some stunning color options, but the interior options have been wilder yet. Ever seen a silver M3 (or Z8) with red leather. Even the 2001 3-series sedans had this nice combo available. Then, they replaced the red interior hue with chocolate brown - yuck - on all non-M3/Z3 models.

Oddly enough, color choice plays a major role in an emotion driven automotive purchase. A few years back Lancia offered 16 standard color choices on their base model, and 100(!) optional choices under an option called Kaleidos. I'd gladly take 116 choices on any car - there must be at least one decent one. However, at Ford and GM, paint must be a more expensive development item that powertrains. We see the same paint pallet on every GM car. For the last few years, "pewter" has been the universal color choice on everything from Cadillacs to Corvettes.

How about some variety, some choice?