Quote:
Originally posted by lakefire
well, actually the CTS is bigger than the M5 in almost all dimensions...yet it is also lighter. the only reason it's in the 3 series category is because of the cost. they will sell the CTSv @ $50k compared to the M5 of $78k.
the 2005 CTSv will come out with 500 hp also.  horsepower wars. woowee!
the Caddy was tuned on the famous Nurenburger (spelling) track in germany and a m5 test car driver was given the keys to the CTSv and pulled a faster time on the track than he could ever w/ the m5.
|
I don't know where you got that last bit of information. But tested on the Nürnburg ring says absolutely nothing. I could test a Fiat Panda there. It is the results that are important and Cadillac refuses to tell the European press what those results were. So you'd understand if i'm a bit skeptical about those claims. Also the Nürnburg ring was drastically redesigned over the last few years and the old and new track are not comparable time wise.
I agree that the CTS is bigger, however that doesn't decide really what class it is in. It is in the 3 series class mainly on price. But just compare the caddy (or any American car) to a BMW 3/5 or Mercedes C/E in terms of build quality and you'll know what the price difference is based on. Also the Germans keep their value. While a Caddy is totally depreciated in about three years or so
According to the Dutch press it has a hard time competing with the C-class and the E-class is in every way superior to the CTS. Since Holland doesn't like the Germans (WW2
) you can assume that the tests are as objective as can possibly be. However nothing can be 100% objective.
I have read several tests about the Caddy being measured against the 3 series/C class/A4 and the 5/E/A6. All the tests I have read all conclude that it is the best Caddy to date. Which basically means, best for European preferences. All the test drivers were pleasantly surprised with the handling and manouverability(spelling?) But still is no match for the Teutons.
I do have some personal experience with BMW and Mercedes. I own a 2002 BMW 5 series, my father owns the new E-class, the only car talked about here I haven't driven is the Cadillac. I drove a Seville STS once, but as I understand it the CTS is totally different and based on a Opel platform. Opel is a budget car brand in Europe. So it doesn't boast a lot of confidence.
Unfortunately it is a bit difficult to compare between the cars for us, because an American 5 series/E class is pretty different in terms of suspension settings to their European counterparts. So handling on the different continents will be very different.
I am actually quite interested in the CTS, not really to buy. But it is GM's hope to get a foot in the door in the European car market. They want to make their American brands more popular, something which they have failed to do for years. So I really am curious to see how it turns out. Personally i'd like to see it on our roads, something different for a change.