I have spoken with a couple of people who've indicated that they've read in local newspaper articles here that an '06 CTS-V with an LS2 + automatic is about to hit the market. This only seems practical, simple and logical, given the drivetrain's EPA certification in the C6.
Can anyone here confirm/deny this?

Best regardSS,

Elie

It would make sense since GM does have both a 4 speed and a new 6 speed auto certified with the LS2 engine . The prior LS6 was never certified with a auto , therefore 6 speed only in the 04-05 CTS-V

I thought they had to be certified for the chassis as well...no?

I dunno! But I gotta think that putting an automatic in the CTS-V and getting it into the showrooms with enough fanfare and publicity would (at least) quadruple its sales!! I used to own a Taurus SHO (running fast, ducking very low! ) and when the auto was finally introduced on that car in '93, that's about what happened to the sales #'s. Too little, too late, however. for that one.

Best regardSS,

Elie

If that's the case, wouldn't it be smarter to just wait for the 07 or 08 CTS? (Whichever year the new ones come out)

Indeed it would....which is why I question this move, and don't think it will happen if that is the case...

FWIW, as a Cadillac dealer, I have not recieved any word or indication that the 2006MY CTS-V will be recieving an automatic as of 12/06/05. I wouldn't be surprised if they did, but no indication here yet.

Making an auto available for the CTSv's LS2 makes perfect marketing sense....and so starts the watering down of another performance package.

id say give it paddle shift system (not buttons, actual paddles like in Ferraris) NOw thatd be fun.*


*Not as much fun as a manual

You know, all this talk of paddle shifters, manumatics, etc., if it doesn't have a clutch, I'd rather just keep it in DRIVE.

Someone that works for me tells me her boyfriend pretends he's shifting a "stick" on his automatic vehicle by using his waterbottle as a shifter.

Manumatics, IMO, are barely one step better.

I don't know. I see it fitting of Cadillac to offer a manumatic auto in it. Notice how BMW has autos in their performance models, don't they?
Now as for a Z06 or other dedicated car, I can see why you'd wanna leave it only manual trans.

One of my co-workers has an '04 Mazda 6i with a manumatic. He keeps proclaiming how they're the way of the future, that true manual's days are numbered. Every time I point out how manual-shift mode adds no MPG, performance or cost benefit, he points to how over time the trickle down of systems like those on Ferraris and the new M5 (with paddle shifters and no clutch) will be the way of the future.

And I keep reminding him that when that happens, give me a call. Until then, manumatics are for posers as far as I'm concerned. I wish my GP had a stick. I wish my fiance's GA had a stick. Neither car offered them. If I bought a car like a G6 or a Cobalt (or better yet, a "G8" with an LS2/M6!!), it would have to have a true stick.

I've never subscribed to the theory that a "real" performance car must have a manual transmission. Why does rowing a stick automatically make it a better car? Maybe it's a Freudian thing ...

Modern automatics are simply better for most driving situations. On many cars a stick has no performance advantage. On many cars a stick has no fuel economy advantage. Most manuals are more costly to maintain.

Yes a manual can be more fun at times. And it's nice to be able to hold a gear in some situations (something a paddle-shifted slushbox can also do). But I don't think it's fair to say that an automatic-equipped car is automatically second-rate compared to a standard transmission. Especially in a Cadillac.

According to the Vette sites, the new A6 trannys are tough as nails. The 6l80e is smaller and lighter than the 4l80e. It is also stronger with a much higher torque rating. Apparently, they're built by Borg Warner, which is about as good as it gets. Their clutch-on-clutch technology is supposedly top of the line and the programming ability of these trannys is untouchable. Everyone, including myself, is eagerly awaiting retrofit kits for our vehicles.

I understand the shifting comment though, but I am holding out judgement until I give them a try. The problem with the automatics in the C5 is that there was never an aftermarket shifter made for them. We pretty much have to put it in "D" and step on it. Not much fun.

While it might "water down" the image, you can still get teh 6sp manual for thoes who want it. and the 6spd auto for thoes who just want the image.
As for certification, 6spd is already set for the STS-V. I figured that since the XLR-V was certified, thats how the C6 got it....why couldnt it trickle down from STS to CTS?