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2004 Cadillac CTS-V Road Test

This is a Cadillac?

I still shake my head in disbelief when kids give me the thumbs up as I drive by in a new Cadillac. When I was a kid, they were just so "uncool." But todays crested wreath brand is the epitome of cool, with edgy new styling, powerful V6 and V8 engines, manual shifters, rear-wheel drivetrains, superb handling dynamics and even a hardtop roadster thrown into the mix.

But the CTS-V Cadillac loaned me for the week might just be the coolest car of them all. Chrome mesh grille, racy ground effects, sporty interior, and most important a seriously tuned V8 under the hood mated to a 6-speed manual transmission.

Whoa! This is the same drivetrain that still sends shivers down my spine when I think

A seriously tuned V8 engine with racy exterior design elements to match, the CTS-V is the epitome of Cadillacs new "cool" image. (Photo: Shawn Pisio, American Auto Press)

back to a particularly enlightening afternoon spent in the mountain roads in and around Santa Barbara, California a few years back, behind the wheel of Chevys Corvette Z06. The LS-6 5.7-L V8 sounded sensational then, and it still packs enough of a rumble to turn the eyes of passersby.

That rumble is accompanied by outrageous acceleration. Is it as fast as an Audi

You name a European class competitor, and the CTS-V will beat it in 0 to 60 mph times. (Photo: Shawn Pisio, American Auto Press)

S4, BMW M3, or Mercedes-Benz C32 AMG? Yes, yes and yes, and then some. The S4 manages 60 mph from standstill in a respectable 5.5 seconds, while the M3 does significantly better at 5.1 seconds. The C32 AMG looks pretty decent at 5.0, but nowhere near as spirited as the CTS-V, which manages the feat in a mere 4.7 seconds. To put this into perspective, this is 0.2 seconds quicker than the Ford SVT Mustang at 4.9 seconds to 60, as well as Porsches 911 also at 4.9 seconds. Remember Acuras NSX? It

The CTS-Vs LS-6 V8 engine develops 400 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and a maximum of 395 lb-ft of torque at 4,800 rpm. (Photo: Shawn Pisio, American Auto Press)

could only manage 5.7 seconds to 60 mph.

Why such Euro crushing performance? Simple really. The LS-6 V8 develops 400 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and a maximum of 395 lb-ft of torque at 4,800 rpm, whew! Its mated to a heavy-duty Tremec T56 6-speed manual transmission that sends power down to the rear wheels via a 2.8-inch diameter prop shaft ending at a limited slip differential configured with a 3.73:1 final drive ratio. Thats a lot of zip.

OK, forward thrust isnt everything I know, but in

Not solely built for straight line speed, the CTS-V displays exceptionally agile handling in the corners. (Photo: Shawn Pisio, American Auto Press)

America at least sprinting away from a stoplight is a national pastime. Fortunately for the CTS-V, Cadillac has equipped it with agile handling to go along with its superb acceleration. Again, I kept shaking my head while giggling like a schoolgirl, "This cant be a Cadillac!" But it is a Cadillac folks, and what a sensational driver at that.

I couldnt help but take it up my usual mountain road, replete with long straights followed by ridiculously sharp hairpin turns, skidpad-like long sweepers and ruthless bumps mixed with horribly concave dips and dives where the pavement is eroding into the

The 4-piston calipers and massive Brembo rotors bring the Cadillac to a stop as fast as a Porsche 911. (Photo: Shawn Pisio, American Auto Press)

mountainside. What a blast! It doesnt take much to get a little oversteer out of the rear-drive setup, and those hairpins are ideal for letting the back kick out just a little bit.

Power comes on so strong when getting back on the throttle that its important to show the pedal some respect. But even if "smooth on, smooth off" isnt your personal mantra, the car is also wonderfully forgiving.

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