American V-8 Power: 2004 Cadillac CTS V-Series
None of these bugs would keep us from signing on for one of the 3000-4000 Vs Cadillac plans to build, however. Take your choice between silver or black, but there'll be few other options available or required. Unfortunately, limited-edition cars have a sad history of nasty dealer markups, and we hope CTS-V buyers don't get victimized in this way.
2004 Cadillac CTS-V
WHAT'S HOT
· Ultra-high-performance with low-profile look
· Corvette-like braking, power, grip
· Strong value message for what it does
WHAT'S NOT
· Rubbery shift linkage
· Only two colors
· Historical threat of ZR-1-style markups
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Low-volume, high-performance niche products are expensive to develop and hard to execute well. Fortunately, Cadillac already had a terrific chassis at hand and a time-tested engine and transmission nearby. The BMW M/Mercedes-Benz AMG formula of simultaneously upgrading a car's performance, luxury, appearance, and desirability quotients suits the CTS.
We're impressed by this car and look forward to putting it through our instrumented tests. Assuming it comes in at the projected $50,000-$53,000 price, it'll offer tremendous performance for the dollar in a roomy, five-passenger package that can be driven daily. The CTS-V will prove a good match for other 400-horse players like the Jaguar S-Type R--and a great racer when it hits the professional sports-car trail next season. But you didn't hear that one from us.
| 2004 Cadillac CTS-V |
| Base price | $51,500 (est) |
| Price as tested | $53,000 (est) |
| Vehicle layout | Front engine, rwd, 4-door, 5-pass sedan |
| Engine | 90° V-8, OHV, 2 valves/cyl, cast-alum block and heads |
| Displacement, ci/cc | 345.7/5665 |
| Horsepower @ rpm | 400 @ 6000 |
| Torque @ rpm | 390 @ 4800 |
| Transmission | 6-speed manual |
| Curb weight, lb | 3833 |
| 0-60 mph, sec | 4.7 (factory est) |
| EPA mpg, city/hwy | 17/26 (est |
| On sale in U.S. | December 2003 |