It’s no secret that Cadillac is hunting… hunting BMW and Mercedes-Benz to lure in their owners and sell them a prestige luxury vehicle. So it would only make sense that the brand offer features comparable to those of its rivals, like carbon ceramic brakes on ultra high-performance vehicles, for instance.
Over the years, Cadillac has resisted the carbon ceramic brake craze, instead electing to equip its high performance V-Series cars with very capable Brembo brake calipers and massive steel rotors. Today, full-fledged Brembo brakes are standard on the ATS-V and CTS-V. But does that go far enough?
As any race car driver would tell you, the redeeming qualities of carbon ceramic brakes are twofold: one, they are light and two, they provide consistent and reliable stopping performance at the track over and over again, without exhibiting brake fade — a term used to describe degrading braking performance usually caused by the worst enemy of braking systems — heat. Indeed, carbon ceramic brakes are very good at resisting heat, reducing rotating mass, and lasting longer than conventional brake systems thanks to a lightweight carbon ceramic compound material. And, as it stands, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, and Audi all offer carbon ceramic brakes as options on their vehicles.
It would be an oversight not to mention the fact that in almost every review and comparison test, Cadillac’s V Series vehicles with Brembo steel brakes exhibit better or equal braking performance compared to Mercedes-Benz or BMW vehicles with carbon ceramic units in both overall stopping distance and brake fade resistance — a quality that often surprises even those conducting the comparison tests. So from that point of view, carbon ceramic brakes wouldn’t necessarily improve the performance of Cadillac vehicles. What it would do is add on somewhere in the vicinity of $10,000 to the price of a vehicle. For example, BMW’s M Carbon Ceramic Brakes are a $8,150 option on the M3 and M4. But that might not be the point.
What might be is the fact that many buyers of sports cars of the prestige luxury caliber are looking for performance, but only if said performance is also delivered in a modern, high-tech, even “sexy” way. In other words, the “how” behind the performance can be more important than the “why”. That kind of logic reminds us of the reasons Cadillac used the Twin-Turbo 3.6L V6 LF4 in the ATS-V range, despite having access to GM’s highly-acclaimed 6.2L V8 LT1 that makes the same amount of power, has the same overall mass and placement dimensions as the LF4, while having the added (and subjective) attribute of sounding better. Instead, it seems that the high-tech and sexy image furnished by a Dual Overhead Cam six cylinder with two turbos won over that of a V8 with (not very sexy nor high-tech) pushrod technology, despite similar performance. Carbon ceramic brakes are right along the same line of thinking, and might be worthy of consideration given Cadillac’s quest to recapture sales volume, along with the hearts, minds and respect of the prestige luxury space.
And all that makes us ask: should Cadillac offer carbon ceramic brakes on its vehicles? Vote in the poll and then sound off in the comments just below.
Comments
Cadillac should definitely offer a ceramic brake package as an option for the ATS-V and CTS-V.
They can keep the steel rotor standard set up on the models, as they do a fine job, but if a customer is willing to pony up an extra $4000-$7000 for something that is not appreciably better so they can have some bragging rights then why not.
It would also add to the ATP for the model and Cadillac in general.
I certainly don’t see why not. Frankly, unless said driver will go to trackdays or AutoX, Carbon Ceramics are really a waste of money. However I’ve seen WAY too often middle-age rich ladies in Mercedes E63 sedans doing shopping then proceeding to drive 35mph in a zone marked 45mph.
With that mentality in mind, I wouldn’t mind that Cadillac would offer this option, but since the Brembo steel units are so good I really think the improvement is merely marginal (you’ll need really sticky semi-slick tires for them to be used to great effect) so I think it will serve more as a bragging tool than a true performance upgrade.
Exactly, it would just be for bragging rights.
BTW.. any performance car would benefit from sticky semi-slick tires.
i like what Sam said- I certainly don’t see why not
aahhaaaaaa stuped question to
Of course they should, as an option and an add on package for those Benz-BMW type fans who want the very best and willing to pay the $$ for it. It also removes a carbon ceramic brakes not available excuse from said Benz-BMW type buyer.
I’d say yes, but I think that’s not the only stuff Cadillac should be focused on. The German competitors do also have little things like self closing doors when it’d not closed all the way. Yes, Cadillac used to have it on the trunk of the deville but it’s not offered anymore. The German competitors do have the doors that does not stop at the 1 2 position. Some are even offering power liftgate on the lower end of their vehicles. Meanwhile, Cadillac is still being traditional with it and playing it safe. Now it’s not to say that being traditional is boring and all. But tradtional can be reliable. But there’s just too many people would like technological stuff.
As Tadge Juechter likes to say: “If we build it, will you personally buy it?”
No.
If the C7.R can drive with iron rotors, we don’t need carbon ceramic.
The carbon ceramic brakes are not about need because you are right the iron rotors used by the CTS-V do a fantastic job of reigning in all that speed, however there is a good part of the potential buyers of that calibre of car that want to be able to say they got the $6000 extra brake package that stops 2 ft. shorter than a conventional rotor set up.,
Just buy stickier tires or buy the rotors yourself. No need for GM to equip them and stock them for the 4 people who buy it.
Logic dictates that Cadillac should make carbon ceramic Brembo brakes available as an option for their V-Sport and V vehicles especially given that Cadillac President Johan de Nysschen wants Cadillac to be a premium brand and this is something that Cadillac needs to offer as other European brands offer it for their elite models.
Well there are some questions that need to be answered first. Can the Suspension handle the added stopping? There is a lot more force on the suspension than with the iron.
I have seen upgraded brakes go on other cars and ball joints fail and control arms break. Was this suspension designed to handle the ceramic or would they have to re engineer this for them at a cost they may never get back?
When this car was started I suspect it was never intended to have them or we would already have them. The people in charge now understand the need and may work them in with changes as we move to the CT4-CT5 models.
If they can just swap rotors, pads, brackets and calipers sure do it. But if you have to re engineer the whole thing so you can sell a few hundred sets I would wait till the next upgrade to the model.
Again this is something that may not be as easy as some like to believe it is.
Also we need to consider what Cadillac has planned. These cars are not going to remain as they are long. They may already have this factored in.
One thing the down voters need to consider on a car like this brakes are an integrated system. Not only do you need the strength but you also have to deal with the suspension, anti lock systems and stability control to work with the different system.
Dampers need to be adjusted also for brake dive and the un sprung weight differences.
Then consider how long till you update the car then. If it is 1-3 years you may as well do it for the next model. If it is for a model you plan on 5-6 more years then update it.
This is not a simple bolt on like so many aftermarket kits as this car is a collective unit of tunes systems that have to all work together.
Just somethings to consider as this is not just a simple yes or no here.
For sure any future models should have and will have this feature. As for this present models there are many questions that have to be asked and answered first.
I would expect the ATS to see major changes with in 2 years and the CTS in 3 as it is to reflect the new management’s needs as these cars are not their work as they inherited them and that is most likely why the brakes were not offered.