Jalopnik’s Un-American Race Against General Motors

by Joe Coscarelli | 10:20 am, September 11th, 2009

» 8 comments

2009 Cadillac CTS-V We may not be the biggest car experts on the road, but everyone can appreciate a good old-fashioned duel. So when we heard that the car blog Jalopnik‘s Road Test Editor had accepted a challenge from General Motors bigwig Bob Lutz to race against the brand new Cadillac CTS-V, our interest was piqued. In honor of GM’s new ad slogan “May The Best Car Win,” Lutz made what was likely a rhetorical challenge to any driver willing to face their factory sedan against the new Cadillac. But Jalopnik’s own Wes Siler called his bluff and offered to pit a Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG against Lutz at Mazda Laguna Seca Raceway in California.

Now, you may be wondering where the blogosphere territory occupied by Jalopnik and Mediaite overlap, and we do admit that we’re a bit cerebral to fully appreciate the visceral nature of high-performance vehicles. But we find the site’s passion compelling and with it as a guide, have come to appreciate car culture a bit more. Plus, we share other interests, such as… Megan Fox! But common ground aside, that doesn’t mean we can’t continue to engage in some friendly online competition, and as cool as it is that they’re taking on The Man, we’re still rooting for General Motors.

After all, this isn’t just about Cadillac and Mercedes — this is our country we’re talking about and this contest represents the Automobile Olympics: the United States vs. Germany. Not to mention, that Lutz — who came out of retirement to help save GM — is doing this himself. At age 77! And along with collecting fighter jets, he’s also a blogger in his own right, posting just yesterday about the GM challenge on the company’s FastLane Blog.

As for pure speed — it doesn’t take Jeff Gordon to appreciate that, so believe us when we say that we’re keeping our eyes peeled for the logistical details of this showdown and are looking forward to the race. Beyond blog rivalry — and with an all-American character like Lutz — we hope Jalopnik gets smoked.

Photo of Lutz via Jalopnik from the New York Times

Bob Lutz, Cadillac, GM, Jalopnik, Megan Fox, Mercedes-Benz, Rachel Sklar, Wes Siler

Rachel Sklar

I endorse this post.
Facebook User

Oh, believe me. Jalopnik hopes they get smoked too. They know they’re outmatched and outgunned — why else would you bring an AMG C63 to a fight with a CTS-V? It doesn’t stand a chance — but I think the world needs to SEE that. It’s one thing for Lutz to scream that he’ll take on any comers. It’s quite another to actually do it, and Jalopnik has given GM the chance to show the world what we already know — that Cadillac is building cars that are as good or better than anyone else in the world. In just two generations of cars they’ve leapfrogged all the progress Lexus has made in 20 years. (And I’m a euro car fan, so it’s high praise for Caddy indeed.)

We, the auto intelligentsia, know it. Now it’s time the rest of the world knew it too.
Rachel Sklar

I love this comment. I might copy-paste it onto Jalopnik and pretend I was smart enough to think of it.
Facebook User

Maybe not the best plan in the world, since I comment under “Deartháir II” over there, and would probably call you out.
Rachel Sklar

Haaaaaaa. I wouldn’t actually DO it. Just daydream about making them all wonder how I suddenly learned about cars.
http://www.facebook.com/people/June-Kato/825873344 June Kato

Hey, since when did a duel become unamerican? Hatfield and McCoy is as american as it gets, buddy!

While you are at it, why not mention it’s unamerican to hold a duel at a “mazda” circuit?

Really, this is interesting. It’s win-win situation for GM.
http://www.facebook.com/people/Martin-Pruszynski/508012319 Martin Pruszynski

BMWs M3 sedan would be about the only thing that can challenge it, but the CTS-V isn’t the problem with GM and never has been, it’s a world class car. The problem with GM lies in cars like the Chevrolet Aveo and Cobalt (and all their european models) and Pontiacs like the Vibe and G3. I’m sure Jalopnik would like nothing more than for GM to become a success again, but it will take more than stunts like this.

Un-american’s a bit harsh isn’t it?
http://www.facebook.com/people/Joseph-Grencho/1491173429 Joseph Grencho

I hate to mention it but Bob Lutz standing in front of a Czech jet hardly seems American either.
I agree with Martin, the economy cars coming out of GM leave a lot to be desired and I really wish they didn’t can the Pontiac G8. They have a dreadful habit of discontinuing cars right when they’re getting good.