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Whereas the Corvette and Camaro could also be GM's longest-lived efficiency icons, Cadillac has eaten greater than its share of the GM motorsports pie over the previous 20 years. The road-going result’s the V: Efficiency collection that was born 20 years in the past and guarantees to proceed – hopefully not less than 20 extra. With electrification across the nook, we're looking on the internal-combustion heritage of the Cadillac V collection. To assume it began with only one mannequin.
2004 cts-v
The primary CTS-V was a slap within the face to European luxurious sedan sensibilities. Its overhead-valve, 5.7-liter (later 6.0) V8 was raucous and unruly within the firm of Germany's best overhead-cam choices, however the automobile was undeniably quick and, in contrast to earlier efforts at sporty Cadillac, it may zig alongside correctly. May have. Not solely that, nevertheless it established a key attribute that may outline future V-Sequence Cadillacs: its awkward form. Large enough to match the BMW M3 and Mercedes C63 pound-for-pound, however not sturdy sufficient to compete with Germany's midsizers, the CTS-V defies classification in some methods. Though it solely mattered in journal assessments, this legacy was handed on to smaller ATs.
The primary-generation CTS-V's 400 horsepower could seem modest by trendy requirements, however for the time, it was greater than sufficient to compete, and the V changed GM's rear-wheel-drive Sigma platform with a world-class status. Helped set up it as a efficiency chassis.
2005 STS-V
Earlier than touchdown on the V-Sequence components as we perceive it at this time, Cadillac made some arguments. STS-V was not misguided In actual fact Nevertheless it reveals how extensive a web GM tried to solid early on. Not like the CTS, the STS used GM's Northstar overhead-cam V8 with a top-mounted supercharger. It may need appeared extra refined than the CTS-V's LS V8 on paper (and had extra energy in addition), nevertheless it supplied no real-world benefit. The STS additionally lacked the smaller, extra responsive chassis of the CTS, and it by no means actually appealed to consumers.
2006 XLR-V
With regards to bizarre, the XLR-V is by far the most important outlier on this checklist. Not a Cadillac within the strict sense, however a Corvette chassis re-engineered to accommodate the identical supercharged Northstar V8 that was used within the STS. Just like the bigger sedans, the XLR-V was a little bit of a dud for shoppers. Provided that it supplied much less energy than the STS-V and was by no means supplied with a handbook transmission, it had nothing going for it apart from its wild appears to be like and conversation-starter packaging. A automobile and occasional hero, positive, however a monitor hero? Eh.
2009 cts-v
Now we’re cooking. The 2009 CTS-V was the primary of the actually brutal trendy V fashions and established the components as we perceive it at this time: massive compelled induction energy, athletic chassis and nearly no compromises. The '09 and up CTS-V packs a supercharger for a much more highly effective 550-horsepower output. Sure, it advanced (and spawned each a coupe and the aforementioned wagon), however so did its functionality. Now actually too massive to be taken significantly as an M3 or C63 competitor, it continued to problem the standard luxurious division, however nobody may refute its efficiency credentials. V was the true deal.
2014 cts-v
On the threat of sounding dramatic, the third-generation CTS-V was a case of two steps ahead, one step again. It was the primary CTS to run on the brand new Alpha chassis, which GM developed to additional enhance upon the whole lot the Sigma had executed. Alfa underpins the CTS, ATS, and sixth-generation Chevy Camaro and troopers on beneath each of Cadillac's Blackwings at this time. This one is a winner. However the 2014 CTS-V got here solely as a sedan and lacked a key ingredient for a lot of V consumers: a handbook transmission. Cadillac corrected this error with the CT5-V Blackwing.
This technology of CTS additionally spawned the V-Sport, which, like BMW's M Sport, supplied efficiency upgrades with out forcing consumers to decide to a full-blown V mannequin. This legacy continues within the CT4- and CT5-V, which are actually subordinate to the big-powered Blackwings in Cadillac's branding hierarchy, however we're getting a bit of forward of ourselves.
2016 ats-v
The primary new V-Sequence entry because the XLR got here in 2015 when Cadillac determined it could create a small sedan to compete with Europe's compact and subcompact sedans. Related in measurement to the BMW 3 Sequence, the ATS produced a 464-horsepower V mannequin that adopted within the dynamic footsteps of its bigger, V8-powered brother. Powered by a twin-turbocharged model of GM's 3.6-liter V6, it lacked the CTS-V's thunderous rumble, nevertheless it was no slouch within the corner-carving division. Each a coupe and sedan have been supplied, however the V was launched late within the ATS's life and solely lasted three mannequin years.
2016 CT6-V
The CT6-V was in some ways a duplicate of the 2006 STS-V, however whereas it could be simple to accuse GM of repeating the errors of its earlier non-luxurious midsize forays, the CT6-V was killed. Discontinued as a part of GM's bigger push away from the four-door phase. Sadly, this was additionally on the core of Cadillac's technique to take the posh battle again to the Europeans. It was the one automobile to return with an all-new, 550-horsepower, turbocharged overhead-cam V8 dubbed the “Blackwing,” and as a substitute of kicking ass and taking the title, its legacy is now restricted to the branding worn by the 2 vehicles. Is. These don’t have anything to do with the Blackwing V8 program. Oops.
2022 CT5-V Blackwing
Forgive us for counting backwards, however in our protection, it's Cadillac's fault. With its European technique out the window, GM determined to triage Cadillac's efficiency program and save solely what mattered to its dwindling American fanatic viewers. The CTS turned the CT5 however the branding hardly mattered; It's the identical automobile, proper right down to the 6.2-liter supercharged V8 underneath the hood. And sure, there’s a change once more. As V8 efficiency vehicles go, it's onerous to beat, particularly if you happen to want old school, rear-wheel-drive shenanigans slightly than the extra medical strategy supplied by Europe's AWD lineup .
Just like the earlier CTS, the present technology has a “V-Sport” model, however it’s merely referred to as the CT5-V.
2022 CT4-V Blackwing
Just like the CTS, the ATS was rebranded in acknowledgment of Cadillac's aspirations for continental conquest. Fortunately, beneath it's nonetheless just about the ATS, with only a fancier exhaust and some new methods up its sleeve. Like its greater brother, the CT4-V Blackwing continues to be supplied with a handbook transmission and a bit of extra energy than the small sedan it replaces, and sure, it's accessible completely in rear-wheel drive. If you’d like all-wheel drive, you'll must accept the usual CT4-V. Belief me, you don't wish to do that.
2023 Escalade-V
If the STS-V and XLR-V have been bizarre, that is downright loopy. Not like the CT4-V and CT5-V, the Escalade-V will get a Blackwing-grade engine. Nevertheless, in contrast to the sedan, you gained't be setting any lap information on this large beast. Its 682 horsepower makes it an absolute rocket ship on the freeway, however there are not any high-tech methods designed to show the Escalade right into a corner-carver. It turns gasoline into noise in celebration of straight-line feeling.
TBD: Grand Velocity
And thus we arrive at at this time's idea. We all know little or no concerning the opulent Velocity apart from our obscure notions of its measurement and the promise of Cadillac doing one thing V-like with it. What’s going to this imply in an electrified age? We’ll simply have to attend and see.