Spy Shot: Cadillac CTS-V engine bay
by John Neff on Jun 15th 2007 at 5:26PM 
click image above to enlarge
Don't get excited, as this shot of the 2009 Cadillac CTS-V's open engine bay reveals next to nothing. What we can see is a beefy cross brace that looks to be the tallest component of the engine. The crossbrace is probably what's necessitated the hood bulge we've seen in so many spy photos of the 2009 Cadillac CTS-V. Aside from that, a strategically placed piece of insulation hides what's below the brace, which allows us to continue speculating what motor will be moving this beastly sedan.
GM product planners have no doubt had a good chuckle over all the claims made about what engine the 2009 CTS-V will use. Motor Trend stated with authority that the CTS-V would get a detuned 600-horsepower version of the Corvette "Blue Devil" SS's 700-hp supercharged LS9 V8. The instant that claim was published, however, other inside sources were deriding it as completely bogus. Another possibility is to use a supercharged version of the 2008 Corvette's new LS3 V8. Last, but certainly not least, is the option of dropping the 505-hp 7.0L LS7 V8 from the current Corvette Z06 into the CTS-V. We think one of the two latter options is more likely, with the LS7 from the Corvette Z06 making the most sense because it would require the least amount of investment. What do you think? We're sure someone out there knows something and just isn't talking.
[Source: KGP Photography]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Tyo 5:49PM (6/15/2007)
The 7.0L makes the most sense. it already exists, everything else thats been mentioned is not already available in a production car right now.
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Atlanta Andy 6:01PM (6/15/2007)
It's disappointing if it wouldn't be a 600 hp V-8. That would be wholly unnecessary, but that number put the CTS-V at a big high over the BMW M3 and Audi RS4. The problem now is that any 450 or 500 hp engine Caddy comes out with will be seen a big step below what was expected.
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Dave 5:55PM (6/15/2007)
Sounds like a good place to debut the Ultra V8:
http://www.motortrend.com/features/auto_news/2007/112_0702_gm_ultra_v8_engine
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Brian 6:01PM (6/15/2007)
From the looks of the intake tubing, I would say it would be the LS7 out of the three possible engines mentioned. I would think the placement of the supercharger would place intake tubing elsewhere.
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Zaphod Beeblebrox 6:28PM (6/15/2007)
The LS9 will end production by the end of the 2009 model year. It's also a handbuilt engine, making it extremely unlikely.
The CTS-V will likely have betwen 600 and 650 hp and cost > $70k...
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Robert Hammen 6:29PM (6/15/2007)
Make that LS7, not LS9 (Friday afternoons FTMFL).
F451 8:48PM (6/15/2007)
If anything I request that the CTS-V exhibit a bit more overall refinement. And that Bob Lutz retire. Thank you.
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Devin 10:54AM (6/16/2007)
I agree that the CTS needs to be very well refined and also needs to handle like or better than a BMW, but Bob Lutz retire. He's practically the only one who pushes cars like the CTS -V. The zeta program might not have even been successful had he not pushed for it so hard. He got cars here like the Solstice and Sky, and he is working on bringing the uber Cadillac sedan based on the sixteen concept. The worst thing for us would be for Bob Lutz to retire.
El Calor 11:50PM (6/15/2007)
I don't see the detuned Z07 motor going in the V, but maybe there's a chance!!
http://www.vseries.net
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Dustin 2:14AM (6/16/2007)
No argument that it's going to be a monster, but the design needs an overhaul. The current is tired.
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Devin 11:08AM (6/16/2007)
I think that whatever it is, it will be upwards of 500 hp (and not just 505). Lutz has been touting this vehicle as kicking the M5's ass, and the M5 is upgrading to about 525 hp next year, so i'm betting the CTS-v is gonna top that number.
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narcszm 1:39PM (6/16/2007)
Maybe it's the new 4.5L Duramax diesel. How cool would that be?
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Roger 4:47PM (12/04/2008)
The shape and height of the crossbrace is physical proof that Motor Trend (July 2007, p.18) was correct in its claim that the next CTS-V will be powered by a detuned LS-9, but incorrect in its claim that the LS-9 is a supercharged LS-7. Automobile magazine (July 2007, p.42) has a far more compelling case that the LS-9 will be a supercharged LS-3, given the fact that GM will have to maintain a warranty on these powerplants while complying with tougher emission standards.
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