Regardless of who made the pistons and electronics, it was American engineers who designed this engine and the car. American GM engineers went to Mahle and said “build me pistons to the following specs.” Mahle didn’t give GM a set of pistons and design an engine for them. And for every foreign sourced part of the CTS-V, I can name 3 American sourced parts. No car is 100% American, or 100% German, or 100% Japanese anymore in today’s global economy. Which is a good thing – the end result has been better cars.

It’s similar to what Boeing is doing with the 787. While there are suppliers all around the world building components for the plane to make it happen, it is a Boeing design, and Boeing’s American engineers that are designing the plane, engineering the specs, doing the testing, and telling the suppliers what they need to build.

Global best practices.

I suppose then, by an extension of such absurd logic… the Honda Accord and Toyota Camry are fantastic American cars, being as they’re built in Ohio, Kentucky, and Indiana … right?

moto-racer – you’re WRONG once again. When are you going to stop posting nonsense? Stick to facts, or STFU.

The development and engineering of this car was done almost entirely by Americans. The fact that it uses some parts from various suppliers all around the world does not make it a European car. All cars built today use parts from all around the world. There are Chinese made parts in BMW and Mercedes – does that make them Chinese cars instead of German? I think not.

BTW – the electronics and engine management were done by Delphi – U.S.

As far as the car goes… all I can say is – Wowzers! Mind-boggling performance aside, that interior is gorgeous… Anyone who puts this car down does so out of nothing but blind, irrational hatred.

Lighten the car some, with better steel so as to use less of it and some carbon fiber. Allow for a more aggressive suspension and this Sedan should be well into coupe territory.

Keep pushing.

And YES, the Nurburgring is the standard to rate all the aspects of a car. Not just turns and straightaways, but also going up and down. If you want a more controlled test, say with the same drivers and such, look at CnD’s Lighning Lap.

It’s just funny that some people will take some manufacturer’s times with more credence, but when it’s a company they have disdain for, they’re automatically doubtful. Cadillac didn’t have the ‘ring all to themselves… I’m sure if they were really blowing smoke, someone from the track would have called them on it.

Any way you look at it, it’s an awesome machine… so why not give just a little credit when and where it’s due.

What about the civic Si? Heard it does a sub 7:30 ring lap time. I say we dismiss the Ring as a measure of performance for any cars we dont like but trumpet fast lap times for GErman and Japanese cars (not that many ever hit the Ring) we do like.

Nurburgring times should be used as an overall performance proxy, but not solely used as the only performance or purchase criteria. It should be used in conjunction with 0-60, 0-150, skidpad g’s, slalom speed, braking performance, etc., to get an overall idea of what the car can do.

I think if you bought a car only on its Nurburgring time, you would be making a mistake. There’s much more to a car than just ‘ring times.

its a stock car. Why could GM release lap times from a non stock car? Use some common sense. Furthermore if you bothered to check out the link GM said a video will be released so you can see the performance for yourself. It is beyond insane for people to dismiss this by suggestng that GM is making up numbers. I cant wait to see how people try to discount the ZR-1s Ring time in a few weeks.

For those who are ignorant, it should be noted that the first CTS was tested at the Ring so its not like Cadillac is new to this. They have been developing cars and SUVs over there since the intitial CTS.

“Of course, on that same list, a Subaru WRX STi did 7:59 too. Not going to have the Luxury of the Caddy, but will definitely humble a lot of vehicles out there.”

that is not the standard Sti we have here in America. That is a special edition that is missing “luxuries” like AC and sound deadening according to what I have read. IN addition, it was never sold in the US. The standard Sti is unlikely to beat a CTS-V on the ring. Even AWD cant overcome a 250hp deficit.

ps. Again, America–**** yeah!

But hey, at least GM now is making Caddys that people under 65 may want to drive.

However, I noticed those times are really unofficial. In other words, after reading about how the Cobalt SS Turbo did 8:22 and the Mazdaspeed3 did 8:39, the Mazda time is them having to avoid not running over other cars and motorcycles. Oh, and the drivers said it was their first time on the track. Well, they did do 10 laps though.

GM and others should make a point to say whether this was done without other drivers on the course, weather conditions, temperature, etc.

Of course, on that same list, a Subaru WRX STi did 7:59 too. Not going to have the Luxury of the Caddy, but will definitely humble a lot of vehicles out there.