Performance Review: Cadillac CTS 3.6 V6 Sport 4d Auto - [2008]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Cadillac CTS Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Cadillac CTS 3.6 V6 Sport 4d Auto is the 6 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 2008. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 2008 Ariel Atom V8 500 and the 2008 SSC Ultimate Aero TT.This particular Cadillac CTS has a 3564cc Naturally Aspirated Petrol powerplant with 6 cylinders in a V formation.

Alternative Petrol V6's includes the 2014 Radical RXC 3.5 V6 Twin Turbo

The CTS shares its Petrol V6 engine configuration with the likes of the 2014 Radical RXC 3.5 V6 Twin Turbo and the 2015 Radical RXC Turbo 500 3.5 V6. If you're looking for other fast cars which share the CTS's Rear Wheel Drive, Saloon combination then how about the 1982 Fiat X1/9 1.5 8V or the 1965 Aston-Martin DB6 1965.

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 1829 kgs (4032 lbs) this makes the Cadillac CTS 3.6 V6 Sport 4d Auto in the same weight category as the 2023 BMW 3 Series M3 CS 3.0 Twin Turbo G80 or the give or take 50kg.

The Cadillac CTS shares the same bhp with the 2023 Porsche Cayenne Coupe E-Hybrid 3.0 V6 Turbo (300 bhp)

In terms of power the 3564cc 24V V6 engine produces 304 bhp (226 kW) @ 6300 rpm similar to the 2023 Porsche Cayenne Coupe E-Hybrid 3.0 V6 Turbo (300 bhp) or the 2023 Porsche Cayenne E-Hybrid 3.0 V6 Turbo (300 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated V6 throws out 273 lb-ft (370.1 Nm) @ 5200 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2023 Toyota Corolla GR Morizo Edition 1.6 Turbo (295 lb-ft) or the 2023 Toyota Corolla GR Circuit Edition 1.6 Turbo (273 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the Cadillac CTS you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 1967 Dodge Dart GTS Hardtop 6.3 V8 383 (191.2 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Cadillac CTS.

The Cadillac CTS has a Power to weight ratio of 166.2 bhp per ton and 149.2 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 2008 CTS competing with the 1967 Dodge Dart GTS Hardtop 6.3 V8 383 (191.2 bhp per ton) or the 2012 Renault Megane RenaultSport 2.0T 265 (191.0 bhp per ton).

Power to Weight(cont.):

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance, Torque. Use weight as well and you end up with - Torque per ton, with the Cadillac CTS generating around 149.2 lb-ft per ton. If you're curious as to what other cars have as much torque to weight then look no further than the 1993 Audi Coupe S2 2.2T Quattro (174.2 lb-ft per ton) or the 2012 Ford Fiesta ST 1.6 Turbo (174.2 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 5.80 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 6.0 secs, this made the Cadillac CTS 3.6 V6 Sport 4d Auto as fast as the 2021 KIA K5 GT 2.5 Turbo (5.80 secs) the 2020 Toyota Camry TRD 3.5 V6 (5.80 secs) the 2017 Seat Leon ST Cupra 300 (5.80 secs) the or the 2017 Seat Leon ST Cupra 300 DSG (5.80 secs). This Cadillac CTS 3.6 V6 Sport 4d Auto is also faster than the 2019 Ford Focus ST 2.3 EcoBoost Automatic Wagon (5.90 secs) the 2019 Ford Focus ST 2.3 EcoBoost Automatic (5.90 secs) the 2017 Hyundai i30 N Performance 2.0 Turbo (5.90 secs) the and the 2015 Seat Leon ST Cupra 280 (5.90 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the CTS and the 1995 Audi TT S 1.8T

When talking about the performance of the Cadillac CTS on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 14.82 secs @ 92.3 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 1995 Audi TT S 1.8T (14.75 secs), the 2017 Dodge Challenger GT 3.6 V6 AWD (14.75 secs), and the 2018 BMW X5 M50d 3.0 Turbo (14.75 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 2008 version of the Cadillac CTS 3.6 V6 Sport 4d Auto has a maximum speed of 155mph.

Top Speed of the 2008 CTS equals the 2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse 5.0 V8 (166 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 2008 Cadillac CTS 3.6 V6 Sport 4d Auto then how about the 2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse 5.0 V8 (166 mph), the 2022 Ford Mustang GT 5.0 V8 (166 mph), or the 2021 Ford Mustang Mach 1 5.0 V8 (166 mph).

Related Links:

2008 CTS Rivals List.

A Brief History of Cadillac

Car Comparison