Cadillac V series — BrandWiki

Cadillac V series

The Cadillac V series (stylized as V-Series) is a line of high-performance vehicles tuned by the General Motors Performance division for the Cadillac division of General Motors.

Introduced in 2003, the V-Series, along with its new 'Art & Science' design language, marked a concerted effort at Cadillac to initiate a brand resurgence, to address their high-performance competition and to attract a younger demographic. The first model was the 2004 Cadillac CTS-V, which itself became a successful seller and steered Cadillac in the new direction for the following decade.

Cadillac also participates in motorsport using the V series name. Their first V series race car was the CTS-V.R, a joint venture between GM Performance Division and Pratt & Miller race team, most famous for their role in GM's Le Mans-winning Corvette C5.R program. Three race cars have carried the V series name since then, most recently with the Cadillac V-Series.R sports prototype.

In 2009, the second-generation CTS-V sedan achieved a lap time of 7:59.32 at the Nürburgring Nordschleife, which was the fastest documented time for a production sedan on factory tires[1]—until the

Third-generation V series

The third-generation V series included the sub-brand's flagship, the CTS-V, and the compact ATS-V. Unlike the first and second generations, where the CTS-V was the biggest update for the V series, the third-generation was the first expansion attempt on the V brand by Cadillac. Typically, the V series served as Cadillac's top-of-the-line trim level, and that mainly was exclusive to the CTS since that's where it all started. However, with such buzz created by the second-generation V series, and the short-lived record for a sedan on a demanding racetrack, Cadillac wanted to build on that success with other models in their lineup. This led them to create the Vsport, where potential buyers interested in the V series could purchase a CTS with increased horsepower and sportier handling and bypass the 'comfort & luxury' trims by getting an entry-level 'performance' model for $20k less than the full-fledged CTS-V.

Vsport

Starting with the XTS, the marque offers a step trim called Vsport. The Vsport trim is the top of the XTS line, with a 3.6-liter turbocharged engine, producing 410 hp. The next year, the third-generation CTS offered with a Vsport trimline, however with an increased output of 420 hp. Both of them were the only "V"-badged vehicles of Cadillac until the CTS-V and ATS-V.

For the 2016 model year, the trim was rebranded as V-Sport.[7] The V-Sport trim designation was discontinued with the CTS and XTS sedan phase-outs in 2019 and 2020, respectively.

CTS-V

The CTS-V was powered by a supercharged version of the Corvette (C7) 6.2-liter LT4 V8 engine found on the Z06. It generated 630 lbft of torque and 640 hp—10 hp less than the Z06—making the third-generation CTS-V the most powerful Cadillac ever produced up until 2022 with the release of the CT5-V Blackwing. Weighing 4145 lbs, the CTS-V equipped with an 8-speed automatic transmission was able to do 0-60 mph at 3.6 seconds. The top speed is 200 mph, earning the third-generation CTS-V the unofficial nickname "the four-door Corvette".[8]

ATS-V Sedan and ATS-V Coupe

The Cadillac ATS-V sedan and coupe filled the gap left by the second-generation CTS-V. Cadillac made the first and second generation CTS smaller than BMW's 5-Series and larger than the 3-Series. However, with the third-generation CTS growing larger to match the size of the 5-Series, Cadillac armed the ATS-V with the LF4 twin-turbo V6 engine, producing 464 hp and 445 lbft. The ATS-V is the first-ever V series Cadillac to be powered by a V6 rather than a V8.

Fourth-generation V series

The fourth-generation V series evolved away from "Art & Science" and ushered in Cadillac's new design language, beginning with the flagship CT6-V. Cadillac also restructured the V series with this generation. In place of the discontinued V-Sport introduced in the previous generation, Cadillac repositioned the V models as an entry-level performance variant (with CT6 V-Sport being renamed CT6-V right before launch), and introduced a new top-level V series trim dubbed "V Blackwing" (after the engine used in the CT6-V), taking the place of the previous generation V models (e.g. the CTS-V is directly replaced by the CT5-V Blackwing).[9] This pushes the V models to serve as a mid-level trim in Cadillac's entire trim levels (even non-performance models) and features smaller engines rather than V8s. The move was aimed to make better use of the V series sub-brand and spread it into a price range of two categories instead of just one. Also new to the fourth-generation V series is the ability to add Cadillac's Platinum package for the first time on a V model.

CT6-V

The CT6-V served as a launch platform for Cadillac's hand-built 4.2-liter Blackwing twin-turbo V8, generating 550 hp and 640 lbft of torque. The CT6-V also included all-wheel drive, making it the first V series ever to feature AWD, and the first Cadillac sedan ever to feature a V8 with AWD. The STS in its highest trim came with a Northstar V8 and AWD.

With the lightweight Omega Platform, active rear-wheel steering, and all-wheel drive, the CT6-V had unexpectedly high performance. It was the most agile and nimble full-size luxury sedan in the world.[10]

The CT6-V does 0-60 mph in 3.8 seconds, just 0.2 seconds more than the third-generation CTS-V.

Prior to official production and release, CT6s with the 550 hp Blackwing V8 were designated as V-Sport models. Upon official production the model designation was changed to "CT6-V". CT6s with the 500 hp Blackwing V8 were available as a standard option on the CT6 Platinum levels, and optional on Premium Luxury models for an extra fee on 2019 models.[11]

CT5-V

The CT5-V replaced the CTS and is powered by the 3.0-liter LGY twin-turbo V6, generating 405 lbft, sent to the wheels via the new GM 10-Speed automatic transmission. The 360 hp CT5-V features Magnetic Ride Control and electronic limited-slip differential. The steering wheel includes a new button labeled "V-Mode", which activates driver-preset custom settings, such as the engine sounds, steering, suspension, powertrain, and brake response.

CT4-V

Taking over the lead from the ATS, the CT4-V features a 2.7-liter dual-volute high-output inline-4 turbo engine, generating 325 hp and 380 lbft. The CT4-V includes Magnetic Ride Control and Brembo brakes as standard. The same "V-Mode" button available in the CT5-V is also found in the CT4-V.

CT5-V Blackwing and CT4-V Blackwing

The 2022 CT5-V Blackwing was announced in February 2021 to have a 6.2-liter supercharged 668 hp pushrod V8 engine.[12] The 2022 CT4-V Blackwing was announced at the same time, with a 472 hp twin-turbo 3.6-liter V6.[13] The 2023 CT5-V Blackwing currently has a hand-built 6.2-liter supercharged 668-horsepower V8 engine, built in the Performance Build Center at General Motors' Corvette Bowling Green Assembly Plant.

Escalade-V

A high-performance version of the full-sized Cadillac Escalade SUV, the Escalade-V, was announced in late January 2022 for the 2023 model year. The Escalade-V is expected to have a supercharged LT4 V8, also used to power the CT5-V Blackwing sedan, both hand-built in the Performance Build Center at General Motors' Corvette Bowling Green Assembly Plant. More details will be released in the spring of 2022 and the car will start arriving on dealerships in the second half of 2022.[14][15]