[kool1]

Everyone is so quick to shoot down GM vs. waiting to see the final product in all of its iterations....

Yes but - GM should have launched the V at the same time as the others.

 

[BlackGTP]

Yes but - GM should have launched the V at the same time as the others.

I'm assuming they wanted to stagger the delivery of the lineup message to have more media events/keep brand information flowing to keep up interest. But clearly their approach backfired, hopefully they rethink how they roll things out in the future.

 

[rand49er]

And, in conclusion:

... Here's the thing: When you think about the cars the CT5-V is directly targeting—S4, M340i, and C43—you conclude that Cadillac's got them all beat, not just on price but also on what really matters in this segment: performance. None of those three Germans drives like this thing. ...

Nice to read a very positive review of a GM car.

 

[BlackGTP]

And, in conclusion:


Nice to read a very positive review of a GM car.

After the C8, this and though not yet reviewed, the Escalade I'm a happy camper!

 

[sdotjeezy]

I'm assuming they wanted to stagger the delivery of the lineup message to have more media events/keep brand information flowing to keep up interest. But clearly their approach backfired, hopefully they rethink how they roll things out in the future.

Staggering for the sake of constantly having new information out is fine, you just need to lead off with your better product first so that your initial interest is higher. It's better to have the CT5 sport described as less hardcore than the CT5 V than to have it be described as sloppier than the last CTS we tested. One gives it the optic of being less precise than your current performance variant versus being less precise than the car it replaces.

 

[Cobaltss_King]

My favorite line from the MT piece:

"...don't act too shocked if a six-speed manual shows up for model year 2021."

That would be cool! I've been debating picking up a used manual ATS vs a new CT4. I wonder if they'll offer a manual CT4/CT4V? Might have to stick around to see what 2021 brings. The CT5V is out of my range financially...

Personally I’m waiting for super cruise so I have no choice but seeing which engines get a manual is key. That e-diff has me uncertain which one to get. That’s the option that might push me into getting the CT5 instead.

 

[Robert1969]

This also has remarks on the Premium Luxury 550T (love calling it that for people who have whining about that badging as “confusing.” BTW, what’s confusing about it?)

Road and Track: The 2020 Cadillac CT5-V is a Proper Sports Sedan

 

[LowRider]

Staggering for the sake of constantly having new information out is fine, you just need to lead off with your better product first so that your initial interest is higher. It's better to have the CT5 sport described as less hardcore than the CT5 V than to have it be described as sloppier than the last CTS we tested. One gives it the optic of being less precise than your current performance variant versus being less precise than the car it replaces.

They should have at least had the V6 twin turbo available for reviewing alongside the four. Really stupid putting your lowest common denominator out there alone, especially with a new model. Almost every reviewer would have chosen the V6TT to drive and there would only have been blurbs about the lower powered base engine. Simple marketing IMO.

 

[CJH]

Not trying to rekindle the V/Vsport conversation but can you at least admit that the confusion with the naming was avoidable and unnecessary. These cars as VSport IMO made a crap ton more sense.

Agreed, there was very little reason to introduce that much confusion, and I think VSport is still a better name that implies its position, just like S4 does.

“When you think about the cars the CT5-V is directly targeting—S4, M340i, and C43—you conclude that Cadillac's got them all beat, not just on price but also on what really matters in this segment: performance. None of those three Germans drives like this thing.“

Maybe it does, but by its own admission the S4 is faster:

That power is sent to all four wheel via Audi's quattro all-wheel drive and an eight-speed automatic transmission. In a 2018 Audi S4 we tested, this combination was good for reaching 60 mph in just 4.2 seconds.

https://www.motortrend.com/news/2020-audi-s4-first-look-review/

Plus the S4 gets better MPG's (20/27) AWD vs (18/26) RWD in the Caddy, so lets pump the brakes a little. I am glad they are making something competitive, but disappointed the AWD system seems like an afterthought.

 

[CMiatso DaBang]

They should've led off with this version. Pump out 3.0TT Premlux and Vs & then roll into the 2.0s once the positive reviews of the V6TT versions were out.

Why? They are two different trims and HOPEFULLY the people who still read magazines like MT and C&T (they are dwindling) have the good sense to realize that the vehicle comes in different levels of performance.. if THAT.. is what they are looking for. Not to mention the CT5 really has only been on the lots since the beginning of January, blame that on the strike and it may have done some good IF your issue was a real concern because the CT5_V hits lots in one month. Base don your logic.. Chevy should have released the Z06 first and Cadillac should have released the CT5-Blackwing first.. trickle down.. But that's not the way sales works in this ballgame. Interest is gained and then U gradually push out more exciting products on that name

Not trying to rekindle the V/Vsport conversation but can you at least admit that the confusion with the naming was avoidable and unnecessary. These cars as VSport IMO made a crap ton more sense.

But at this point.. who is confused but the people who actually know that the change occurred? Not buyers/owners. The Gen3 didn;t sell so many that it should have confused anyone when Caddy decided to switch gears. This time they are doing it right.. The Gen3 Was SPOT ON.. just not as a CTS., I said it back then.. The Gen3 CTS should have been called STS. It was literally and dimensional-ly an STS. The ATS,or more appropriately the ATS-L, should have been the CTS.. The screw up came because Cadillac essentially confused the market by promoting a car (CTSG3) into a spot it already had an entry just 3 years prior (STS). This makes things right, altho they really should have continued the CT6 for another year to bridge the gap into the Escala

 

[sdotjeezy]

Why? They are two different trims and HOPEFULLY the people who still read magazines like MT and C&T (they are dwindling) have the good sense to realize that the vehicle comes in different levels of performance.. if THAT.. is what they are looking for. Not to mention the CT5 really has only been on the lots since the beginning of January, blame that on the strike and it may have done some good IF your issue was a real concern because the CT5_V hits lots in one month. Base don your logic.. Chevy should have released the Z06 first and Cadillac should have released the CT5-Blackwing first.. trickle down.. But that's not the way sales works in this ballgame. Interest is gained and then U gradually push out more exciting products on that name




But at this point.. who is confused but the people who actually know that the change occurred? Not buyers/owners. The Gen3 didn;t sell so many that it should have confused anyone when Caddy decided to switch gears. This time they are doing it right.. The Gen3 Was SPOT ON.. just not as a CTS., I said it back then.. The Gen3 CTS should have been called STS. It was literally and dimensional-ly an STS. The ATS,or more appropriately the ATS-L, should have been the CTS.. The screw up came because Cadillac essentially confused the market by promoting a car (CTSG3) into a spot it already had an entry just 3 years prior (STS). This makes things right, altho they really should have continued the CT6 for another year to bridge the gap into the Escala

Yeah but now you have to explain what V means and on top of that explain that the Blackwing doesnt have a Blackwing and that it isnt an engine anymore but a trim above the V when you really didnt have to change anything at all. Goddawgonit, I really, really didnt want to go down this route again.

And to my point of producing and providing Vs to the media first and yout Z06 point...2 different segments, offering up the 5Vs for sale at 50 grand would've probably yielded the same #of sales as putting out the 2.0Ts first. Sedans are slow sellers, why not start off with a "hotter" version first to gen up excitement, and then fall back to the 2.0s to catch the runoff? I'd rather sell 1200 a month at 50k MSRP than 1400 at 38k MSRP

 

[CadillacSA]

I'm assuming they wanted to stagger the delivery of the lineup message to have more media events/keep brand information flowing to keep up interest. But clearly their approach backfired, hopefully they rethink how they roll things out in the future.

The staggered launch could have cost them the COTY award. And now the first impression of the CT5 is that it sucks, which is just the confirmation biased import owners need not to consider it! This was a total balls up by Cadillac. Mrs McDonalds or whoever is CMO and Cadillac's marketing people should be shot, drawn and quartered.

 

[JimmyDiablo]

But at this point, what difference does it make?

This was a terrible answer when it was first used, just as much as it is now. How can you say buyers/owners aren't going to notice the change occured?! They know what they bought. Vsport will be easiest to convert, it's just a name change. But the V is a complete departure. This is a hurdle that doesn't need to be jumped. Retraining the public from Vsport to V and from V to whatever they end up using is wasted time resources and effort that can be better spent elsewhere. AND IS COMPLETELY UNNECESSARY!

Yeah but now you have to explain what V means and on top of that explain that the Blackwing doesnt have a Blackwing and that it isnt an engine anymore but a trim above the V when you really didnt have to change anything at all. Goddawgonit, I really, really didnt want to go down this route again.

And to my point of producing and providing Vs to the media first and yout Z06 point...2 different segments, offering up the 5Vs for sale at 50 grand would've probably yielded the same #of sales as putting out the 2.0Ts first. Sedans are slow sellers, why not start off with a "hotter" version first to gen up excitement, and then fall back to the 2.0s to catch the runoff? I'd rather sell 1200 a month at 50k MSRP than 1400 at 38k MSRP

This. So much this. All of this. Over and over, all of this.

 

[CMiatso DaBang]

Yeah but now you have to explain what V means and on top of that explain that the Blackwing doesnt have a Blackwing and that it isnt an engine anymore but a trim above the V when you really didnt have to change anything at all. Goddawgonit, I really, really didnt want to go down this route again.

U really don't. This is no more confusing than the M340i or M550i. Simple as That. The only thing I would do different is INCLUDE the 550 on the end of the V.. as in "V550T." AMG is no better I remind U.

And to my point of producing and providing Vs to the media first and yout Z06 point...2 different segments, offering up the 5Vs for sale at 50 grand would've probably yielded the same #of sales as putting out the 2.0Ts first. Sedans are slow sellers, why not start off with a "hotter" version first to gen up excitement, and then fall back to the 2.0s to catch the runoff? I'd rather sell 1200 a month at 50k MSRP than 1400 at 38k MSRP

For same reason a girl doesn't put out on the first date even if she thinks I'm the hottest dude since PearlsRider .. She wants to let me know what she's made of.. even the lackluster things.. and everything else is the build up to a helluva good time.. BTW.. U don't know the profit margins on these vehicles.. any of them.. from any manufacturer. Might be.. MIGHT be.. that the CT5 2.0L brings in the same profit as a CT5-V, costs of hi-po parts incorporated

 

[CMiatso DaBang]

The staggered launch could have cost them the COTY award. And now the first impression of the CT5 is that it sucks, which is just the confirmation biased import owners need not to consider it!

I've talked to several people so far who own or who have tested the CT5 2.0L.. and not one of them were dissatisfied with their car or experience. OH WOW.. the same C&D Drivers who whip around in the CTS-V, 911Turbo, and C8.. are disappointed that the regular.. $38K CT5 doesn't tear up the track like they believe all cars should. Go figure

OH.. and the CTS won COTY.. Much good that did it on the sales charts

 

[sdotjeezy]

U really don't. This is no more confusing than the M340i or M550i. Simple as That. The only thing I would do different is INCLUDE the 550 on the end of the V.. as in "V550T." AMG is no better I remind U.






For same reason a girl doesn't put out on the first date even if she thinks I'm the hottest dude since PearlsRider .. She wants to let me know what she's made of.. even the lackluster things.. and everything else is the build up to a helluva good time.. BTW.. U don't know the profit margins on these vehicles.. any of them.. from any manufacturer. Might be.. MIGHT be.. that the CT5 2.0L brings in the same profit as a CT5-V, costs of hi-po parts incorporated

Itll be the same if they dont call what were formerly the Vs "Blackwing"...I'm holding on to hope that this decision isnt left to a 55+ year old GM lifer. An equivalent would be to rename the m550i to the M5 and calling the M5 the Wunderwaffe

 

[CMiatso DaBang]

Itll be the same if they dont call what were formerly the Vs "Blackwing"...I'm holding on to hope that this decision isnt left to a 55+ year old GM lifer. An equivalent would be to rename the m550i to the M5 and calling the M5 the Wunderwaffe

I'm going with the flow on this one.. I mean its a name For Godsake.. but I agree somewhat that they could just leave it as the VSeries and the V550T. In truth I never thought that VSport was needed either. Again.. It a name, that will be going away in 5 years anyway.. so then we can argue about that

 

[sdotjeezy]

I'm going with the flow on this one.. I mean its a name For Godsake.. but I agree somewhat that they could just leave it as the VSeries and the V550T. In truth I never thought that VSport was needed either. Again.. It a name, that will be going away in 5 years anyway.. so then we can argue about that

They'll both be electric in 5 years...so good news is that there wont be a long term consequence

 

[Robert1969]

Car and Driver engages in their usual gaslighting headlines when writing reviews about Cadillac, but only slightly so.

The overall review legitimately qualifies as a rave review, however, and even makes a strong case that it is better than its German rivals. They like the sound of the 3.0TT, which, by the way has 360hp and 405lb-ft of torque (5 more than previously announced. They even say it’s a legit track car. It’s the only review with test results. So here some are:

0-60 4.8
0-100: 11.5
0-130 21.5
1/4 mile 13.3 @ 107mph
Top Speed: 168mph
300ft skidpad: .99g

https://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/a31087951/2020-cadillac-ct5-v-by-the-numbers/

 

[BlackGTP]

I'm curious about the life of the MagneRide dampers, are they something that needs replacing at 50,000 miles or do they last the lifetime of the vehicle?