New CTS-V appears to be a beast

[Darkanion]

Like I said previously, any vehicle I've ever been in and intentionally "punched it" I've always turned off the traction control, DUH!

Vehicles like the Cadillac will not have any problem's competing with a BMW by any means.

Customers who buy either simply could care less about the other!

Track driving? Sure! You turn that shit off.

With over 600 hp, though, I have NO faith that GM will have the traction control setup to properly handle the occasional stabs to "get out of someone's way" without it also acting like it stabbed the brakes on you "because you were going too fast."

When I mash the gas on the Z4, it just GOES. It doesn't make you feel like you're doing something wrong. It doesn't retard the timing or any of that crap. It. Just. Goes.

Which is what it should do.

You don't know how the system on the new V's will be setup and neither do I. We'll just have to wait & see.

Unless GM comes a long way on those systems, though, I'll never buy a "performance" GM product. I plan to go do a test drive or two of the ATS-V's when they hit the streets in the spring. Hopefully, I will be pleasantly surprised. I'm not going to bet on that, though.

Would I drive a V to work every day? No. But, I would want to be able to drive it to work in the rain and not feel like I had my hand slapped a half dozen times getting there.

 

[Darkanion]

I expect the V's to have the Vette's different modes for the nannies instead of the on and (mostly) off like the rest of GM's. I don't remember what they call them but if I remember there's the normal granny mode, a track type mode that only intervenes when you've really fucked up, and a full off (maybe a few in between too).

I hope so. I'll try to find out when at least the ATS-V hits the streets.

But, if the rest of the Cadillac line is supposed to compete with BMW, et al., the rest of the product line's systems need to be upgraded, too. That is actually more my point than what the V will or won't have. If Cadillac wants to claim to be the benchmark of the world, they need to upgrade more than just the V's.

 

[mr_bots]

I expect the V's to have the Vette's different modes for the nannies instead of the on and (mostly) off like the rest of GM's. I don't remember what they call them but if I remember there's the normal granny mode, a track type mode that only intervenes when you've really fucked up, and a full off (maybe a few in between too).

I hope so. I'll try to find out when at least the ATS-V hits the streets.

But, if the rest of the Cadillac line is supposed to compete with BMW, et al., the rest of the product line's systems need to be upgraded, too. That is actually more my point than what the V will or won't have. If Cadillac wants to claim to be the benchmark of the world, they need to upgrade more than just the V's.

Just out of curiosity, did you try different drive modes in the ATS test drive to see if it changed the TC/SC reactions any?

 

[Darkanion]

Just out of curiosity, did you try different drive modes in the ATS test drive to see if it changed the TC/SC reactions any?

Nah, I test drove it "as it came." Overall, I felt the car was ok, but unimpressive.. especially for the price they're asking. I wasn't specifically "testing" the TC. It wasn't until recently that it dawned on me that I hardly EVER turn off the TC in the Z4 but I turn it off in the Accord probably half the time when I get behind the wheel.

Somethin' ain't right about that.

In the spring, I plan to go test drive a few things. I'm not at all unhappy with what I have. But, I am curious how different cars stack up against one another. The ATS-V Coupe and the M4 Coupe, in particular.

If I find something I like a lot better than the Z4, I may trade it in .. or at least start keeping my eyes open for a used, low miles version of whatever that other car may be.

 

[1BADSS396]

GM's tuning flat out sucks. It's far too conservative. Even their "Supercar" C7 Z06 that just came out is already getting heavily criticized for being conservatively tuned.

It's their way of keeping their drivetrains from blowing up. Yes, GM knows how to make power, but they do not know how to transmit that power from the engine to the wheels with a robust drivetrain. So, they nanny-fy the hell out of it so it lasts...or they can deny warranty for those who prefer to have it operate like it should and have it tuned properly.

As for no manual? Yes autos may be quicker and DCT's even quicker yet. But many people who are not chasing that last .05 second want the driving experience a MT provides. I am one of those...I dont give a **** if the auto is a tick quicker, I will NEVER buy a sports car with an auto.

and as for no AWD option? that is just plain

 

[ksblacksilvy]

Wait what's traction control???

This car looks awesome, although the closest I'll probably ever get to driving it is watching it on Top Gear or something.....

 

[Darkanion]

Wait what's traction control???

It's something that shouldn't have to be turned off and shouldn't interfere with normal, even spirited driving, but most auto manufacturers use it as a reactionary tool, rather than as a participatory, proactive implementation of throttle application and traction delivery.

It shouldn't be that damn hard for the engineers to figure out "hey, we only have 'x' amount of traction at the tires in the best of circumstances. Delivering 100% throttle from a stop with the TC on isn't going to work. Let's give them as much as we think we can and adjust from there." NOT... "Oh, you want it all, HERE you go! Oh, wait! The TC is on, let me screw up your driving experience by making you feel acceleration and then a massive let-off/let-down and then make you wonder if/when the power is ever going to come back!"

And, yes, you can learn to get the most out of those systems with proper throttle delivery. My point is that the electronic systems should be designed in such a way that you don't have to "learn" how to get the most out of them. It should be like an iProduct. It should "just work."

 

[dietz4ibanez]

GM's tuning flat out sucks. It's far too conservative. Even their "Supercar" C7 Z06 that just came out is already getting heavily criticized for being conservatively tuned.

It's their way of keeping their drivetrains from blowing up. Yes, GM knows how to make power, but they do not know how to transmit that power from the engine to the wheels with a robust drivetrain. So, they nanny-fy the hell out of it so it lasts...or they can deny warranty for those who prefer to have it operate like it should and have it tuned properly.

As for no manual? Yes autos may be quicker and DCT's even quicker yet. But many people who are not chasing that last .05 second want the driving experience a MT provides. I am one of those...I dont give a **** if the auto is a tick quicker, I will NEVER buy a sports car with an auto.

and as for no AWD option? that is just plain

They do need AWD! Unfortunately at the moment, the Vett is probably the first car to see such a system and it might be 3-5 years before AWD Corvettes hit the dealers.

Sent from my XT1254

 

[cRiPpLe_rOoStEr]

Also no AWD.

Not sure if that would be such a strong sales argument over the German rides, but of course it would be a cool option.

Regarding transmissions, a manual would probably not be a strong seller, and an automated DCT would make more sense than a conventional automatic due to its more direct coupling.