We mentioned it before, but we’ll mention it again: team Cadillac will kick off the 2013 Pirelli World Challenge Series this weekend on the streets of St. Petersburg, Florida. For those who want to watch Caddy (likely) demolish the competition, tune in to World Challenge TV.
We also have the 2013 Cadillac Racing season schedule that you can view. In the meantime, happy Friday!
Comments
That’s a couple of baaaad looking racers!
Go Cadillac, Go. Kick their butts.
I want to see Cadillac in the V8 Supercars. They (V8 Supercars) are coming to the Circuit of the Americas in May for the ‘Austin 400’, which has informally been dubbed “Australian Rules NASCAR”. Ford and Holden will obviously be there, as will Nissan and Merc/AMG.
Would be awesome to see Caddy get the CTS-V sedan another go at racing, or could be a good series for the ATS-V. V8 Supercars is only going to get more popular in North America, it is what NASCAR should be.
Alex when will GM bring these damn 8-speed transmissions to market on all their premium Vehicles? And I also hope that GM can offer an automated manual found in the Porsche 911 and Nissan GTR for the ATS-V, CTS-V, Z06 and the ZR-1 as an option. Look Alex, having more power is great, But My research have revealed that a less powerfull Lamborghini Gillardo actually whips the ZR-1 from 0-180mph by at least 3 seconds! All because our favorite Vette do not have one of these modern transmissions as an option.
Seriously, GM needs to employ these updated transmissions very soon, and not just introducing them on new models. Look man even Chrysler have 8-speeds on their vehicles, why the hell does GM take so long to respond to market trends to keep their vehicles competitive. Example: the ATS seems to be a good car, but lacks those 02 extra gears to adequately exploit that great V-6.
Hence with an 8-speed tranny the ATS should definitely perform better in terms of speed an mpg wise. Result! More of these sweet caddys will be park ta peoples houses rather than the dealership lots. when Alex when will GM arrive at the party.
GM is developing their 8spd in house to suit their needs best where as most other automakers are sourcing from companies such as Getrag or ZF (which is where Chrysler get’s theres).
Automated transmissions are just “triptronic” which GM has had for a long time. What you are likely think is dual clutch. Which yes is a good transmission, but it’s getting the point that those automakers dont even offer manuals anymore. Dual clutch are crazy fast, sure, but all heavy, which is the reason Koenigsegg doesn’t use them.
The Corvette is staying purist, they have a great new 7speed manual, which no doubt will get put in the ATS-V and next CTS-V
I have to agree with Valiance (above comment). GM seems to be on the lagging edge of inovation with their transmissions. These new emerging 8-speeds are becoming more common and in a diverse set of vehicles. Getting the engine up to its optimum RPM (more quickly) for the best fuel mileage, or more quickly into its ‘sweet spot’ for racing (combination of torque and RPM for acceleration) is unquestionably something GM must pursue.
lol I think it is so ironic that your screen name is ‘CVT’
Example, the Chevy Volt, made the internationl public take note that GM can be a be a technological force to recond with. So why the hell did the Malibu lagged the Accord, Camry ,Mazda 6 and the Altima in Mpg and 0-60mph and have the most powerful 2.5 excluding the Sonata? I love GM vehicles, but the damn company must stop letting every competitor from moving ahead of them, thus lowering their credibility and perception of all of they brands.
Look, if the malibu was performing up to par or above (0-60, an especially mpg) they would had more sales worlwide, despite slightly smaller rear seat room than its competitors. After all, the Malubu actually looks better than all of them especially the Camry, and I hear it drive better than all of them too. Of course I would not know, because I have never driven one, but besides the point, you all know that what I am saying makes sense.
However, you know what? My advice should mean something. Since I live in Barbados, And drive a blasted 2006 Ford focus that is currently giving me a few problems (thats all I can afford), it would be nice if you could send me a 2008 and up used company Malibu or Cruze preferably from your European division (right hand drive country). Or if it could only be left hand drive, I will make do with and Equinox or Malibu instead.
Seriously, who better to give you feedback about your vehicles than someone that drives them everyday. Just think about it!
Mazda6 is a lot less power and a lot less MPG
Altima uses a CVT so you’ll never see the power they claim and will dread your life
Same with the Accord as the Altima with a CVT
Camry is the only drivetrain that gets better MPG and uses a worth while automatic. But it has a slower 0-60.
@ Andrew…Ha…ha…yes my screen name is CVT. I live in Ontario Canada and the Ministry of Transportation here uses a 3-digit identifier to identify the model of the vehicle on the ownership document. In the U.S. you would call it the vehicle ‘title’ I believe. CVT identifies the Corvette. I have a 1998 Convertible. I also have a 2009 CTS-V, and interestingly it’s 3-digit identifier is CTV. In my haste to pen a name, CVT came to mind first – but I could have easily used CTV instead. The Caddy rocks! So does Cadillac racing!
I’m in Waterloo.. where on the green vehicle ownership permit is this 3 letter identifier? I don’t see it for my CTS or p.o.s Mazda6?
@ Andrew…It’s on the 2nd page/side where your signature is. It’s typed beside ‘Model’. I also looked at my ownership for my 87 Buick Grand National. It just says REG (presumably representing Regal). My guess is that yours says CTS. The Mazda might say something like MA6.
Saw race 1 in person! The CTS-V coupe are Vicious! You could hear them halfway around the track! the cars were consistent and setting a good pace. Surprising in the first race, The Volvos were running ahead of CTS-Vs – they were quick. the track definitely did the CTSs no favors. it’s a short track with lots of curves and chicanes, as well as being barely 2 lanes wide in many spots; passing was rare. Until later in the race when the pack thinned out, there wasn’t much if any position changing.
In GT class, he Audis and Volvos tied with 17 manufactures points each and Cadillac came in third with 10. In the GTS class Chevy well represented. It seemed like every other car was a 5th Gen Camaro and they were quick. Chevy got the top mfgr points for the weekend in GTS with Acura and Kia (yes Kia; a bad ass Kia Optima to be specific) rounding out second and third respectively.
@jzEllis Must have been great seeing the action in person! Those Vs are beasts in all respects of the word.
Our race recap:
http://gmauthority.com/blog/2013/03/cadillac-racing-places-fourth-fifth-in-2013-pirelli-world-challenge-opener-at-st-petersburg/