ChadKirchner.com

So, a couple of weeks ago, Bob Lutz of General Motors issued a challenge to automotive journalists, and private, independently wealthy individuals.  The challenge was to go to a race track, and challenge Lutz in a Cadillac CTS-v around the track.  I think this is a brilliant and stupid idea all at the same time.

The CTS-v is a fine, American car.  I am partial to the BMW ///M3, and I always will be.  But for $62,000USD the Caddy is a performance bargain.  With the wealthy and the snobby purchasing BMWs, Audis, and Benzes, the Cadillac is a good choice for someone who wants to drive something away from the norm.  And the BMW ///M3 does not bring the same level of performance to the table as the Caddy, and the Bimmer is more expensive.

2009 CTS-v (from Autoblog)So why is this a great idea?  I respect the "run what you brung" "put up or shut up" mentality that this challenge brings.  Other than the Porsche Panamera, and perhaps a couple of AMG branded Benzes, there is not much real competition for Caddy.  And opening the contest up to automotive journalists is always a good chance to see if the people that we read everyday have the talent to back up their automotive writing.

However, General Motors is selecting the competition from applicants.  So far, they have approved a BMW ///M3, a BMW ///M5, and a Jaguar XFR.  All of these vehicles are fine methods of transportation, but the ///M5 would be the closest to the performance of the CTS-v.  I do not necessarily approve of this practice, because General Motors will do everything that it can to stack the deck so that the CTS-v comes out on top.

And that is their perrogative when running a promotional campaign like this.  However, I really hope the Caddy loses.  I hope that the XFR (which I believe to be the unknown variable of the competition) smears the grin off of the face of the General.  Why?  Because this is not a true test of which performance vehicle will come out on top.  I guess that is what the automotive journalists do on a day-to-day basis, and I can see why no manufacturer would want to donate a loaner vehicle to this promotional cause by General Motors, but I think if Bob Lutz is going to issue a challenge, he should accept all comers.  It only seems fair.

I love the CTS-v.  I believe it is an excellent car.  I just hope that someone brings some strong talent to the table in a car that ends up surprising us all.