You can barely detect it. When you wood the throttle, there's an infinitesimal pause — not even a single heartbeat — as if the car is trying to wrap its electronic brain around the consequences of what you just commanded it to do.
Instantly, all hell breaks loose. An entire Nextel Cup field thunders through your eustachian tubes and across your frontal lobe. The scenery turns all jiggly and your mouth can only utter words that start with the letter F.
The rear tires don't just haze, they pour smoke. Have you seen a space shuttle launch? Yeah, like that. You don't even need to bother deactivating the traction control since the avalanche of power completely overwhelms the system, leaving it unable to do much more than feebly flicker an orange light. Just like any other sedan you'll line up against, it doesn't stand a chance.
This is lunacy. This is the 2010 Hennessey V700 Cadillac CTS-V.
Born in Texas
Before we get ahead of ourselves, it helps to know with what we're dealing. Hennessey Performance Engineering is headquartered in the land of big steaks and bigger belt buckles and has a satellite office in Southern California.
One fine spring day, owner John Hennessey tossed us the keys to a 2010 Cadillac CTS-V equipped with the company's V700 performance upgrade. His daily driver, in fact.
John Hennessey is a self-admitted horsepower guy. His V700 package focuses on drop-kicking you down the road as fast as humanly possible, and as such his car doesn't wear cricket-shaving bodywork or have an aftermarket suspension that pounds your nads into pudding. John says that as long as his cars handle no less capably than stock, he's happy.
How To Assemble a Nuclear Weapon
You already know that the Cadillac CTS-V is one of the world's most potent sport sedans, delivering 556 horsepower from its supercharged 6.2-liter pushrod V8. And when boost is involved, silly power is never far away.
The V700 package is all about mass flow, which it accomplishes through revs and breathing modifications. New greasy bits include a lumpier cam and ported, big-valve heads equipped with higher-rate valve springs that allow the redline to be bumped up by 400 rpm to 6,600. The Caddy LSA engine's bottom end remains stock.
By simply flexing your right ankle, you can actually compress the space-time continuum.
Turned a bit harder via a smaller pulley, the stock supercharger delivers 13.5 psi peak boost pressure (up from 10 psi stock). There's a larger intercooler to aid in dissipating the additional calories to which said blower subjects the intake air. A revised engine calibration makes the most of these bigger lungs by remapping the fuel and timing curves and bumping up the fuel cut.
When you open the hood, the only real cue that this isn't a stock CTS-V is the big-bore cold air intake. Look carefully and you can spot the stainless headers that replace the more restrictive stock exhaust manifolds, which in turn feed 3-inch exhaust mid-pipes and two high-flow catalytic converters.
Hennessey reckons his supercharged V8 kicks out 707 hp and 717 pound-feet of torque, as measured at the crankshaft.
Gewgaws in Hennessey's Cadillac are few. Embroidered headrests and a dash plaque are there in case you missed the rumpity-rump idle, which is largely muted from inside the cabin. A few blacked-out details, a vented hood and a curious ass-up stance round out the visuals. (We'll get back to that ass later.)
Making Numbers
The result of all these mechanical machinations is that if you stand on the gas at any engine speed, you had better be paying attention. This thing has enough grunt to heave Mount Baldy into the Pacific.
That's not just bluster, either. When we brought the V700 to the dyno, it spanked out 636 hp and 656 lb-ft to the wheels on 91 octane, which is California's best premium pump gas. We also clocked the Hennessey V700 to 60 mph from a standstill in 4.2 seconds (3.8 seconds with 1 foot of rollout like on a drag strip), about a half-second quicker than stock.
Keep in mind that hooking up this much power through two street tires is a fruitless exercise in any car. Fun, smoky and yet fruitless. Such traction-limited launches make 0-60 times an inappropriate yardstick of mega-powerful two-wheel-drive cars like this one.
Quarter-mile performance is a far better indicator of acceleration. The last stock CTS-V with manual transmission we tested ran the quarter-mile in 12.5 seconds at 115.3 mph, and the V700 does an 11.6-second quarter-mile at 127.6 mph.
Think about that for a second. This is not sport sedan territory; it's the realm of supercars — a Corvette ZR1 is barely quicker or faster with its 11.5-second quarter-mile at 128.3 mph, and that car tears your face off.
Out and About
The V700 is a cinch to drive, too. Aside from a surging idle as you roll to a stop, there are no tuning glitches that really upset its drivability. Likewise, the stock suspension is remarkably at ease with the whopping power increase, never squatting excessively or pummeling its bump stops.
Just before our handling tests at the track, the Caddy's stability control became sentient and refused to be switched off. Still, the V700's resulting 68.6-mph slalom speed and 0.87g skid pad result actually isn't far behind the 69.2 mph and 0.89g performance of the last stock CTS-V we tested on this same surface.
If you're keen to maintain the stock CTS-V's handling balance, you might want to pass on Hennessey's biggie-size, sexy-as-hell 20-inch forged wheels and associated staggered-fitment Michelin PS2 tires. Basically, the issue is understeer.
Hennessey's rear tires are wider than stock, which helps grip (and, crucially, traction) but only at that end of the car. Those 305/35R20 rears are also taller than stock, which increases body rake and foists more load onto the 255/35R20 front tires. This makes for a pushy car in all cornering circumstances. Even trail-braking aggressively at corner entry isn't enough to snuff the inevitable understeer.
At least you always have the option of summoning power oversteer at will — lots and lots of power oversteer. The V700 may not be the best-balanced handler out there, but hustling it around is still huge, stupid fun, even if most of the giggles happen between the turns, where the V700 instantly inhales huge gulps of tarmac. By simply flexing your right ankle in the V700, science has shown that you can actually compress the space-time continuum. It's a trick that never gets old.
The Cost of Speed
Hennessey's V700 conversion will set you back just shy of $20 grand including installation, and there's a one-year/12,000-mile warranty on the package. You supply the CTS-V.
We can't think of anything else with four doors that can touch the sheer thrust of the 2010 Hennessey V700 Cadillac CTS-V. If you need to persuade your significant other that this is the right way to approach your next sport sedan purchase, maybe try pitching the value angle. After all, it worked for John.
The manufacturer provided Edmunds this vehicle for the purposes of evaluation.
Add A Comment »
tchris says:
05:37 PM, 06/04/2011
It is funny that some people are comparing the CTS-V with the GT-R. I own both. I have modified both... the CTS-V has a 9.55" lower pulley, CAI, headers with high flow cats and x-pipe, ECM/TCM tunes, and aux. heat exchanger (about 550rwhp),... the GT-R has a resonated mid-pipe, COBB stage 2 generic 93 octane tune and HKS drop-in filters (about 480rwhp). From a roll, the CTS-V is the much faster car....but that isn't surprising given that I put at least twice as much money into the CTS-V. The GT-R's AWD makes the car easy to launch....even without using launch control I have recorded 0-60 in 3.30s, 0-100 7.11s and 11.30 1/4 mile times on my vbox. Handling wise, the GT-R is so responsive...it has enormous handling limits. The CTS-V steering feels like it has much more play just off center...but gives a good firm feel after that. The CTS-V's MRC is extremely competent at dampening both sporty driving and more comfortable when you want it. The GT-R's ride is harsh by comparison. I prefer the Recaro seats in the CTS-V. The cars are so completely different that provide a very nice contrast.
I have owned products from SVT, SRT, BMW M, Audi RS, and MB AMG...and the CTS-V really does a great job competing with any of them from a vehicle dynamics perspective.
Hennessey is kind of over-priced by comparison to some of the other CTS-V vendors out there. The V700 uses the supercharger pulley instead of the lower pulley. Doing the supercharger pulley is cheaper, but you can't really put it back to stock... and it spins about 5% slower than my 9.55 lower pulley. The performance mods of the V700 can be sourced for under $10K.
Tom
chasnme says:
03:26 PM, 05/18/2010
Response to traind:
How ironic you claim not to have the time to "Forum" argue, and that bickering is beneath you, but then you offer a lengthy passive aggressive soliloquize engaging in that behavior. If you were offended by someone's statement be a man and come out with it, unless you are actually 13. Cadillac invented and defined the luxury car market for the middle class long before Bavarian Motor Werks and Mercedes ever considered the idea. Cadillac was the benchmark by which all others were measured, and I surmise a great deal of comparative engineering occurred when BMW and Merc designed cars to break into that market. If Cadillac hadn't faltered through the first oil embargo and financial crisis of the 80's BMW and Merc would never have survived to become as dominant as they were. They aren't dominant anymore.
I never said Cadillac was the oldest car company. Read more carefully next time and understand the context of someone's statements before commenting. Unless you enjoy looking like a buffoon.
ronyaricarta says:
01:43 PM, 05/17/2010
I like the CTS V and think that it is an amazing car but, one of the things that would concern me is reliability, which is one thing Cadilac is not known for. If the reliabity proves is there than maybe my next car will be one but until then I'm sticking with my M45S.
lions208487 says:
07:38 AM, 05/13/2010
I agree with stingray454: I respect a GTR just as I would an E63 AMG or an M5, but one thing needs to be noted and that's the CTS V beat out both in comparison tests. The numbers don't lie, and the Caddie is one bad machine and at a price that with some hard work I can own myself. I test drove one and it was amazing. I have never felt the comfort and power of any machine they way I have with the CTS V. I was one of the lucky few that was invited to test drive it when it first came out... Thanks GM for putting me on that list, much appreciated.
The difference with this GM product, is that when you buy one, you keep it for a very long time, but with a BMW or Mercedes, you are ready to trade it in after the lease is up. I say lease, cause I haven't known one owner of any BMW or Mercedes product that gets tired of the maintenance involved with owned a German engineered product. Even VW is in the middle of a class action law suite because of maintenance repairs that involve several Audi vehicles and that's another reason why the smart buyer would pass up an RS4 to purchase a caddie. I owned a 2003 Audi, and though it was a blast to drive, I couldn't get rid of it fast enough once I had to pay all the repair costs.
traind says:
06:59 AM, 05/13/2010
This is a great car produced in a difficult time for GM. John has modified it well by all regards. I do wonder if you really need all that power in a heavy sedan though. If you are going to spend $30k upgrading, why not do it on a car better served for the racetrack? Of course, John has made his living for many years doing just that for track oriented cars. I'm sure the core engine upgrades here are also offered on the ZR1 and customers must be asking for upgraded CTSVs.
While I have little time for forum bickering (which usually sounds like a bunch of 13 year olds, and maybe is), I have to mention to the earlier post that, although Cadillac certainly has a rich history, Mercedes actually was the first car company and was involved in racing their cars from the start of racing. I'm not sure how that translates into Mercedes and BMW owing Cadillac for their existence??
e21beemer says:
06:05 PM, 05/11/2010
take that panamera turbo!
chasnme says:
12:47 PM, 05/11/2010
For whatever reason this comment was deleted so here's the toned down version.
SPGREYHOUND: Maybe if you were a little older and wiser you'd realize BMW, and Mercedes exist because of Cadillac! The only reason any BMW or Merc owner turns their noses up to a Cadi is because they believe since they foolishly paid so much more for their cars, it makes them inherently better. In their case THEY are the suckers born every minute. Granted it's been a long time since Cadi made anything relevant, but they have since atoned for their sins recently by building cars that absolutely dominate the Euros in EVERY WAY. Except of course resale value, I'll give you that. And like all IQ challenged who believe resale value even matters I offer this nullifying argument. Who cares about resale value when you saved $30 grand in the initial purchase! Higher resale wont compensate for over-paying. Of course if you think making something more sophisticated is actually an advantage it's clear you dont have the expertise to make ANY claims about engineering quality. I am an engineer and we try painfully hard to make our designs less sophisticated whenever possible. So there you go LESS SOPHISTICATED=BETTER ENGINEERED. And dont even start on styling, have you seen the new Mercs? They look like Hyundais:( The Cadis are pure sex, especially in silver metallic where they appear hewn from a solid block of raw steel. Absolutely gorgeous! If you dont think hardcore Euro consumers dont cross shop think again. I traded in my E39 M5 (bought used to save on depreciation) for a CTS-V and as long as GM continues to build cars like this I wont ever look back. The CTS is superior in every way. I'm not determined to remain associated with a group that drink tea with their pinkies in the air and go by the name of Todd, and Muffy.
stingray454 says:
10:42 AM, 05/10/2010
BTW, the comment about resale values isn't valid either: Recently, the M and AMG cars have had horrible resale value too. Even Edmund's Long Term M3 depreciated horribly, dropping over $20k in value in just 1 year, and they didn't even sell it. Look at 2 or 3 year old M5's, M6's - they lose 50% of their value or more in that time.
stingray454 says:
10:33 AM, 05/10/2010
@spgreyhound
"I must be getting jaded cause I find this car a little underwhelming, boring even."
That's because you're reading about these cars, and not driving them. I own a stock 2010 CTS-V, and it's anything but boring.
"A stock CTS-V is a competent car, lots of bang for the buck. Its a good value. But how many people really cross shop this with an M5 or an E63?"
PLENTY. The CTS-V forums are filled with people who came out of an M5 and E63. I personally know someone who traded in his E63 for a CTS-V. He also owns a Ferrari F360 Challenge Stradale, and a few other toys. Most of the previous M5 and E63 owners who bought a CTS-V wanted the best performing luxury sedan money could buy, and that happened to be the CTS-V. Many of them also wanted a more reliable, durable vehicle that was easier and less expensive to maintain than their M5 or E63. There were many M5 owners who wanted something with more torque, and who complained about the clunky and problematic gearbox on the M5.
"If you pull up to an M5 or E63 owner in a CTS-V they might say: "Nice." But I doubt they would envy you, even your performance. Moreover, they may think to themselves: "So what if you're faster and cheaper? My car is classier, sexier, better engineered, more sophisticated, more luxurious and will have better resale. Besides, your car exists because of mine."
Yeah, there are some poseur snobs who may think that. These tend to be the same guys that buy an M5 or E63 to compensate for something else lacking. I pity them.
Car enthusiasts like myself don't judge people and their cars that way. Envy isn't part of the mentality. Respect is. Car enthusiasts repect CTS-V's, respect M5's, respect E63's, and respect all other credible performance machines. I do. I purchased the CTS-V because it offered the best of what was most important to me, and I respect that what is important to me, isn't necessarily what is most important to other people. That doesn't mean I think the M5 or the E63 aren't impressive. I have complete respect for them. However, do I care if an M5 or E63 owner respects my CTS-V? Nope. Not really. I enjoy my ride, and enjoying my ride isn't dependent on M5 or E63 owner's opinion of my car.
badm says:
09:02 AM, 05/10/2010
You know something everyone needs to stop throwing rocks at each other M5 vs 63's & 55's vs V's Listen if you add 700 hp power to any car it going to be a "BEAST" period ,, What you drive is matter of personal Taste , let's have some respect " Thanks " Badm