While the Cadillac CTS lends itself more to boulevard cruising and rap videos than racer, we decided to track test it because there is a decent amount of oomph under the hood. On paper it also competes with some high performance machinery from BMW and Audi and we wouldn?t hesitate at blasting those offerings around the track so why not?

First impressions last and, barring the ?Puff Daddy? alloys, the CTS makes a good visual strike. Best part is the how the hard-edged crease lines and guillotine-like grille make the Caddy look like it?s about to chew up and spit out anything in its way. Designers also get points for maintaining Caddy traditional vertical taillights and by slapping a small GM badge on the back edge of the front fender.

Ship lost at sea?

Despite using wood-look trimmings, soft leather and a good level of finish, the appearance of the materials is a little more kitsch than VIP. We often bitch about the Germans being a little on the dull side but I reckon the CTS needs a bit of a tone down. Where the desired VIP character comes across strongly is in the ride department.

In good ol? American iron tradition the CTS wafts over undulations and the cabin is quiet and comfortable. This comfy ride started the debate as to whether or not the CTS would be an agile competitor or a ship lost at sea.

I plonked my foot and exited the pit lane with some gusto. The 0 to 100km/h sprint takes slightly longer than claimed, given our high altitude, but it is fairly strong. As usual the out lap was taken fairly casually as I checked for, and chased the local bird life off the track. Through the Bus Stop, line up a slow-in-fast-out Bungee and go.

Inside the car you can faintly hear the V6 working. This caught me out a bit as I felt I was going slower than I really was. I realised this as I lined-up turn 2 (Sweep) and found the front end washing out because of excessive entry speed. This was then exaggerated as the body keeled over and through more force towards the outside of the track. Nashua, Sunset, Clubhouse and the Esses were much the same with body roll taking all my concentration as the weight transfer really livened up the car.

My first fast attempt at the Mineshaft had me wondering if the door mirrors would scrape like a superbike's exhaust canister? they didn?t. Despite the sloppy feeling ride the CTS actually negotiates the corners really well.

A lap later I was confident that I had enough track room to let the car understeer out the corners and I hadn?t got sea sick so gave it a full go. The car responded decently and put a lap time up that doesn?t see it blushing alongside the Germans. With an overly assisted feel, the CTS steering feedback isn?t near the class leading Beemer. Brakes too were a bit numb, but they were up to the task in terms of stopping and against all our predictions didn?t overheat.


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