Whereas the Corvette and Camaro could also be GM’s longest-lived efficiency icons, Cadillac has bitten off greater than its share of the GM motorsports pie over the previous 20 years. The road-going result’s V: the efficiency sequence that was born 20 years in the past and guarantees to proceed — hopefully for no less than 20 extra. With electrification across the nook, we’re having a look again on the internal-combustion legacy of the Cadillac V sequence. To suppose 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 impolite within the firm of Germany’s most interesting overhead-cam choices, however the automotive was undeniably fast and in contrast to earlier makes an attempt at sporty Cadillacs, it may correctly zig. Not solely that, however it established a key attribute that may go on to outline future V-Collection Cadillacs: its oddball measurement. Too huge to match the BMW M3 and Mercedes C63 pound-for-pound however not beefy sufficient to compete with Germany’s midsizers, the CTS-V in some methods defied categorization. Whereas it solely ever mattered in journal checks, this legacy was handed all the way down to the smaller ATS.
The primary-gen CTS-V’s 400 horsepower could seem paltry by trendy requirements, however for the time, that was greater than sufficient to compete, and the V helped set up GM’s rear-wheel-drive Sigma platform as a world-class efficiency chassis.
2005 STS-V
Earlier than touchdown on the V-Collection formulation as we perceive it at the moment, Cadillac made a couple of segues. The STS-V wasn’t misguided per se however it illustrates how broad of a internet GM initially tried to forged. In contrast to the CTS, the STS utilized GM’s Northstar overhead-cam V8 with a supercharger slapped on high. Which will have regarded extra subtle than the CTS-V’s LS V8 on paper (and had extra energy in addition), however it did not supply any real-world benefits. The STS additionally lacked the CTS’s smaller, extra responsive chassis, and it by no means actually caught on with patrons.
2006 XLR-V
With reference to bizarre, the XLR-V is by far the largest outlier on this listing. Not a Cadillac within the strictest sense, however somewhat a Corvette chassis re-engineered to accommodate the identical supercharged Northstar V8 that was utilized within the STS. Like the larger sedan, the XLR-V was a little bit of a client dud. On condition that it provided much less energy than the STS-V and was by no means provided with a guide transmission, it had little going for it aside from its wild seems to be and conversation-starter packaging. A Vehicles & Espresso hero, to make sure, however a monitor hero? Eh.
2009 CTS-V
Now we’re cooking. The 2009 CTS-V was the primary of the really brutish trendy V fashions and established the formulation as we perceive it at the moment: huge compelled induction energy, athletic chassis and just about no compromises. The ’09 and up CTS-V packed on a supercharger for a much more potent 550-horsepower output. Yeah, it grew (and spawned each a coupe and the above wagon), however so did its competence. Now actually too massive to be taken severely as an M3 or C63 competitor, it continued to defy conventional luxurious segmentation, however no person may refute its efficiency credentials. V was the true deal.
2014 CTS-V
On the threat of sounding dramatic, the third-gen CTS-V was a case of two steps ahead, one step again. This was the primary CTS to trip on the brand new Alpha chassis, which GM developed to do every thing Sigma had completed, solely higher. Alpha underpinned the CTS, ATS and Sixth-generation Chevy Camaro and troopers on at the moment beneath each of Cadillac’s Blackwings. It is a winner. However the 2014 CTS-V got here solely as a sedan and lacked a important ingredient for a lot of V patrons: a guide transmission. Cadillac went on to right this error with the CT5-V Blackwing.
This era of CTS additionally gave delivery to the V-Sport, which, like BMW’s M Sport, provided efficiency upgrades with out forcing patrons to decide to a full-blown V mannequin. This legacy carries on within the CT4- and CT5-V, which are actually subordinate to the big-power Blackwings in Cadillac’s branding hierarchy, however we’re getting a bit forward of ourselves.
2016 ATS-V
The primary recent V-series entry because the XLR got here in 2015 when Cadillac determined it might construct a smaller sedan to compete with Europe’s compact and subcompact sedans. Sized equally to a BMW 3 Collection, the ATS spawned a 464-horsepower V mannequin that carried on within the dynamic footsteps of its bigger, V8-powered sibling. Powered by a twin-turbocharged variant of GM’s 3.6-liter V6, it lacked the CTS-V’s boisterous rumble, however it was no slouch within the corner-carving division. A coupe and sedan had been each provided, however the V was launched late within the ATS’s life and solely lasted for 3 mannequin years.
2016 CT6-V
The CT6-V was in some ways a throwback to the 2006 STS-V, however whereas it might be straightforward to easily accuse GM of repeating the errors of its earlier not-quite-luxurious-enough midsize foray, the CT6-V was killed off 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 combat again to the Europeans. It was the one automotive to ever ship with a brand-new, 550-horsepower, turbocharged overhead-cam V8 dubbed “Blackwing,” and somewhat than kicking ass and taking names, its legacy is proscribed to the branding now worn by two automobiles that don’t have anything in any respect to do with the Blackwing V8 program. Oof.
2022 CT5-V Blackwing
Forgive us for counting backwards, however in our protection, it is Cadillac’s fault. With its European technique out the window, GM determined to triage Cadillac’s efficiency program and salvage solely no matter made sense for its dwindling American fanatic viewers. The CTS grew to become the CT5 however the branding hardly mattered; it is the identical automotive, proper all the way down to the screaming 6.2-liter supercharged V8 beneath the hood. And sure, there is a stickshift once more. As V8 efficiency automobiles go, this one’s onerous to beat, particularly should you desire old school, rear-wheel-drive shenanigans to the extra medical method provided by Europe’s AWD lineups.
As with the earlier CTS, the present era has a “V-Sport” variant, however it’s simply referred to as the CT5-V.
2022 CT4-V Blackwing
Just like the CTS, the ATS was rebranded in acknowledgement of Cadillac’s aspirations for continental conquest. Luckily, it is nonetheless just about the ATS beneath, solely with a gnarlier exhaust and a few new tips up its sleeve. Like its louder sibling, the CT4-V Blackwing remains to be provided with a guide transmission and just a little extra energy than the small sedan it changed, and sure, it is solely accessible in rear-wheel drive. If you’d like 4 pushed wheels, you will must accept the usual CT4-V. Belief me, you do not wish to.
2023 Escalade-V
If the STS-V and XLR-V had been bizarre, this one’s simply insane. In contrast to the CT4-V and CT5-V, the Escalade-V will get a Blackwing-grade engine. In contrast to the sedans, nevertheless, you will not be setting any lap data on this large brute. Its 682 horsepower makes it an absolute rocket ship on the freeway, however there are not any high-tech tips designed to show the Escalade right into a corner-carver. It merely converts gasoline to noise in a celebration of straight-line sensation.
TBD: Opulent Velocity
And thus we arrive at at the moment’s idea. We all know little about Opulent Velocity other than our imprecise impressions of its form and Cadillac’s promise to do one thing V-like with it. What is going to that imply within the electrified period? We’ll simply have to attend and see.
