Jaguar Pulls Out of CTS-V Challenge

Nonstop news has surrounded Cadillac and the CTS-V ever since Lutz challenged all comers to beat him in the CTS-V.  The CTS-V Challenge was born out of this and is set to take place this Thursday, October 29th at the Monticello Motor Club in New York.

In past articles on the CTS-V Challenge, we have reported various automakers turning down requests by journalists to attend the event.Jalopnik's Wes Siler originally planned to attend the event in a Mercedes, but was turned down. Jaguar was the only one to accept the challenge by offering a vehicle, the Jaguar XFR.

Now, they are pulling out, and that leaves no manufacturer representation of any kind at the event that we are aware of. In other words, there really is no other sports sedan that's manufacturer is confident can beat the Cadillac CTS-V around the track.

That includes sports sedans from Audi, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Porsche - you name it . No doubt the various automotive news outlets have been pestering the aforementioned companies for a loaner vehicle - and to no avail, they just don't want to participate.

GM's Bob Lutz has this to say about the recent news:

"I think it means that the European high-performance sedans are excellent, even superb cars, but quite possibly not ready for racing laps right out of the show-room. The CTS-V is not only quicker, but will, in totally untweaked, stock form, run hot laps at any race track until it runs out of fuel.

Transmission oil and diff oil temps are stable, engine oil temp doesn't go up, brakes get a bit more pedal travel, but don't fade. The street tires get a tad greasy, but handling and control remain excellent. "May the best car win"! (It wins automatically if the competitors won't show up!)"

After Jalopnik's original post announcing the pullout, Jaguar's PR guy Stuar Schorr expounded further on the decision in the comments section. Here's what he said:

"Ray, nice juvenile, but clever, use of the feline wordplay, but one correction on your missive. I said I was concerned that five hot laps without added brake cooling system could compromise the stopping power and thus create a safety concern for your driver. The car can handle it"

From a PR stand point, it should have been left to just Ray Wert's post rather then Jaguar writing a live comment. This makes the story bigger, turning it into Jaguar vs. Jalopnik vs. Cadillac.

I feel Jaguar's pain - this is turning out to be a PR mess for them when it didn't have to be. The XF and XFR are undoubtedly impressive vehicles in their own right. Should the XFR be used as a track day vehicle?  Probably not.  Comments aside though, Jaguar is being singled out when no other manufacturer is competing in the challenge either.

These kinds of decisions are made higher up in the company than the PR level. Stuart Schorr is just the one that has to deal with the public relations regarding the decision. Jaguar's legal and safety advisers reportedly are the ones that put a stop to the loan.  The automotive industry is complex!

In fact, I was just on the phone with Jaguar about a review of the standard XF for CarThrottle - the press fleet is tight right now but hopefully one can be available soon. That way, product being can be reviewed on the merits, and in ways actual owners will use. No racing - we promise!