Cadillac CTS-V Battles Lexus GS F in Latest Episode of Head 2 Head
Road car vs. Track car
It's 2016, and no longer do you need a German car to hold a proper performance sedan competition. In the latest episode of "Head 2 Head," the Cadillac CTS-V takes on the Lexus GS F, and while the two cars may not have much in common, the comparison brings up an important question: Which is more worthy of the crown—the "road car" or the "track car?"
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It's not difficult to guess which one is the track car. The CTS-V packs 640 hp from its 6.2-liter supercharged V-8, or 173 more hp than the GS F's 5.0-liter V-8. The Caddy also benefits from 630 lb-ft of torque, up from 389 lb-ft in the Lexus. When taking the Cadillac around the track,Motor Trend'sresident race car driver Randy Pobst preferred the CTS-V to the Lexus.
But it's not without faults, and co-host Jonny Lieberman was quick to point them out. "There's a lack of involvement in this car," he said, also noting the car's unfortunately heavy steering. And what the Lexus lacks in power, it makes up for in its handling prowess.
By the end of the day, it was apparent this was going to be a tough call. Find out who wins—and how a 1985 Cadillac Fleetwood Brougham stretch limo performs around the Figure-eight—in the video below.
When I tell people I write about cars, the most common reply I receive is “Really?” I guess I never strike people as a car type as I drive down the freeway in the right lane going 60 mph in my old SUV. My gripes about driving in city traffic and fast drivers don’t help my case, either. For a time, the only cars I liked were old cars. Not old as in "classic" or "vintage," but as in well-worn. My first appreciation of cars came when I drove a very old Ford pickup. It wasn't perfect: I used a booster seat to reach the gas pedal, and the turn signal once fell off in my hand as I was learning to drive. But the thing I valued most was the memories. It took several years for me to truly become a "car person." Being a long-time writer and an avid reader has helped me develop a healthy curiosity and a desire to know how things work. This has made cars one of the most fascinating points of study for me because they are such intricate machines. I am interested in how cars can reach 200 mph, how they can run on hydrogen, and how they can drive and park on their own. I also enjoy learning how cars can solve problems whether it be in the form of reducing pollution, minimizing traffic, or helping people stay connected on the road. Yes, maybe I’m not a gearhead. Perhaps I’m a car nerd. Either way, I very much enjoy writing about cars and helping people stay in tune with the automotive industry. I wouldn't want to be writing about anything else. And don’t get me wrong: I know how to drool over a hot car. I am fascinated by the Tesla Model S, awed by the Lamborghini Veneno, and am hopelessly obsessed with the Audi R8.
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