When introduced more than a decade ago, Cadillac’s V-Series cars were supposed to hasten the move of the brand’s image from that of a maker of stuffy sedans for senior citizens to the manufacturer of leading-edge performance luxury machines ready to compete on the world stage.
Though the brand overall may have had some stumbles in terms of changing its image, the V-Series cars have been the one consistent draw for younger buyers looking for the right combination of performance and luxury.
As the company continues its current metamorphosis, the V-Series remains an important part of the plan as evidenced by the company’s two new race-inspired beasts, the CT5-V and the all-new CT4-V. Both are 2020 models.
“Cadillac is poised to win,” said Ken Morris, Cadillac’s vice president of global production. “Cadillac is poised to lead.”
(Cadillac hopes to grab new customers with new V-Series. Click Here for the story.)
What has them on the lead lap? For starters, the CT5-V is powered by a 3.0-liter twin-turbo V6 that puts out 355 horsepower and 400 pound-feet of torque. This power is channeled through GM’s new 10-speed transmission and can be had in rear-wheel or all-wheel drive configurations.
Of course, it gets Cadillac’s Magnetic Ride Control 4.0, which ensures the best combination of performance handling and a comfortable ride. The CT5-V comes with 19-inch wheels and Brembo front brakes. It also gets driver-mode control allowing the driver to select from a variety options for the handling.
In the meantime, the all-new CT4-V gets a 2.7-liter turbo engine featuring a three-step sliding camshaft that helps optimize performance at all speeds. It is rated at a Cadillac-estimated 320 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque. It’s also tied to a 10-speed transmission. It gets 18-inch wheels and, like the CT5-V, Brembo front brakes, Magnetic Ride Control 4.0, and driver-mode control.
Cadillac’s exclusive Super Cruise, the brand’s hands-free driver assistance feature will be available on both new V-Series models.
(Click Here to check out the Cadillac CT5.)
“The new line-up expands the V-Series ethos, drawing more customers into the Cadillac Performance family, and the newest Vs are focused on elevated athleticism and luxurious refinement for customers wanting a dynamic daily drive,” said Mark Reuss, GM president. “And this is only the beginning of the V family. Cadillac’s passion for performance shines on a racetrack. Stay tuned.”
The new models also are the first to use GM’s new electric architecture. Designed to better handle current and future technology such as autonomous driving, battery-electric propulsion and the like, it will facility over-the-air updates for both vehicles, especially for the aforementioned Super Cruise.
“The new V-Series sedan line-up defines modern sophistication by combining luxury appointments with thoughtful technology and athletic refinement for the discerning enthusiast,” said Brandon Vivian, Cadillac executive chief engineer, during an event in Detroit at which the two new Cadillac sedans.
“We are inviting even more customers into the V-Series family by adding a new level of elevated performance between our Sport models and the ultimate, high-performance track capability that the V-Series has grown to represent,” he said during the unveiling of the two new sedans during an event in Detroit.
(15 years later, Caddy ready to reveal two new models. Click Here for the story.)
Following the 2019 CT6-V, they grow the V-Series family with even more levels of performance, while preserving the lineage established by the original V-Series lineup introduced in 2004, he said. No pricing on the new models was revealed.
