Cadillac unveiled the first performance variants associated with the CT4 and CT5 at an event in Detroit on Thursday. The CT4- and CT5-V bridge the gap that Cadillac perceives there to be between its regular cars and the track-ready V-Series cars of old.
The two Vs unveiled in Detroit, therefore show modest power gains over their non-V counterparts, along with visual updates to show off with. Cadillac has promised, though, that it won't give up on hardcore, track-focused V-Series cars.
The CT4-V is powered by a 2.7-liter four-cylinder engine making 320 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque. Cadillac promises that 100% of the engine's torque is produced at just 1,800 rpm, which should encourage it to hustle off the line.
As the first CT4 presented by the brand-they promised to unveil the lineup's more modest models in about a month-we can't yet say how much more power that is than the base car, but in the Silverado, it makes 310 hp.
Cadillac did reveal, though, that both V models will start at between $6,000 and $7,000 more than a regular "Sport" model.
The CT5-V is powered by the same 3.6-liter V6 that powers the regular CT5 Sport, but makes 355 hp and 400 lb-ft of torque. That's about 20 more horsepower and no more torque. Both the CT4-V and the CT5-V funnel their power through a 10-speed automatic transmission.
Along with the modest power gains, both models get modest visual upgrades, with black accents, quad-exhaust inserts, and grey-tinted taillights, among other changes. Bright colors are also available for the V cars, including blue, orange (both pictured), red, and green.
Both models are available with AWD or RWD, with the CT5-V getting an electronic limited slip differential to help manage the power (the CT4-V gets a mechanical limited slip diff).
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In AWD trim, both models come with the option to manage torque bias through the drive modes.
Speaking of drive modes, Cadillac has also promised that the new V-series cars will come with customizable V-modes, to help you decide how sporty you want each aspect of the drive to be, including braking, whose feel through the pedal can be changed.
The two cars come with Brembo front brakes and Magnaride 4.0, which Cadillac promises is even faster than before. Thanks to that, the car should get better damping that's both sportier and more comfortable. Both will also feature SuperCruise.
If you're reading this thinking it's all a little underwhelming for a series of cars that used to be developed at the Nurburgring, fear not. Cadillac's Performance Variant Manager, Mirza Grebovic, says that there's more to come from the V-Series. And that doesn't just mean V-series SUVs.
Grebovic told us at the unveiling that V-Series, like all performance brands, holds track events for its buyers, who complained that the cars, especially in the snow belt, could be too powerful and too rear-wheel driven. These cars satisfy that portion of the population while also, hopefully, introducing the brand to younger, (slightly) less loaded customers.
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For purists, though, Grebovic says that there are more, more track-focused V-Series products coming across the line.
"And this is only the beginning of the V family," said Mark Reuss in a statement. "Cadillac's passion for performance shines on a racetrack. Stay tuned."
The CT4-V and the CT5-V go on sale in early 2020 and will be produced at GM's Lansing Grand River plant.
The two Vs unveiled in Detroit, therefore show modest power gains over their non-V counterparts, along with visual updates to show off with. Cadillac has promised, though, that it won't give up on hardcore, track-focused V-Series cars.
The CT4-V is powered by a 2.7-liter four-cylinder engine making 320 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque. Cadillac promises that 100% of the engine's torque is produced at just 1,800 rpm, which should encourage it to hustle off the line.
As the first CT4 presented by the brand-they promised to unveil the lineup's more modest models in about a month-we can't yet say how much more power that is than the base car, but in the Silverado, it makes 310 hp.
Cadillac did reveal, though, that both V models will start at between $6,000 and $7,000 more than a regular "Sport" model.
The CT5-V is powered by the same 3.6-liter V6 that powers the regular CT5 Sport, but makes 355 hp and 400 lb-ft of torque. That's about 20 more horsepower and no more torque. Both the CT4-V and the CT5-V funnel their power through a 10-speed automatic transmission.
Along with the modest power gains, both models get modest visual upgrades, with black accents, quad-exhaust inserts, and grey-tinted taillights, among other changes. Bright colors are also available for the V cars, including blue, orange (both pictured), red, and green.
Both models are available with AWD or RWD, with the CT5-V getting an electronic limited slip differential to help manage the power (the CT4-V gets a mechanical limited slip diff).
In AWD trim, both models come with the option to manage torque bias through the drive modes.
Speaking of drive modes, Cadillac has also promised that the new V-series cars will come with customizable V-modes, to help you decide how sporty you want each aspect of the drive to be, including braking, whose feel through the pedal can be changed.
The two cars come with Brembo front brakes and Magnaride 4.0, which Cadillac promises is even faster than before. Thanks to that, the car should get better damping that's both sportier and more comfortable. Both will also feature SuperCruise.
If you're reading this thinking it's all a little underwhelming for a series of cars that used to be developed at the Nurburgring, fear not. Cadillac's Performance Variant Manager, Mirza Grebovic, says that there's more to come from the V-Series. And that doesn't just mean V-series SUVs.
Grebovic told us at the unveiling that V-Series, like all performance brands, holds track events for its buyers, who complained that the cars, especially in the snow belt, could be too powerful and too rear-wheel driven. These cars satisfy that portion of the population while also, hopefully, introducing the brand to younger, (slightly) less loaded customers.
For purists, though, Grebovic says that there are more, more track-focused V-Series products coming across the line.
"And this is only the beginning of the V family," said Mark Reuss in a statement. "Cadillac's passion for performance shines on a racetrack. Stay tuned."
The CT4-V and the CT5-V go on sale in early 2020 and will be produced at GM's Lansing Grand River plant.
