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Sure. There are many obvious historical subjects to learn about, such as Tudor England and the American Revolution. But instead of learning about something that takes you back to your school days, why not learn the history of something that can literally take you places and be a part of your future? Our Cadillac dealer near Louisville wants to give you a history lesson on the Cadillac CTS-V. This high-powered version of the Cadillac CTS made a 16-year run in the automotive industry that came to a close in 2019. Boasting incredible horsepower, sporty handling, and the utmost luxury, the Cadillac CTS-V was the ultimate executive car. While we don’t have them on our lot, we can certainly help you find one if you want to get your own piece of Cadillac history. Read on to learn more details about this vehicle.
The Cadillac CTS was engineered to be an executive car that had mid-size space but was sold for the price of compact luxury vehicles. The Cadillac CTS-V was the high-performance version of the CTS model. This powerful vehicle came with an OHV V8 engine and sport-tuned suspension. It gave you the quality and performance to easily compete with vehicles from Audi, BMW, and Mercedes Benz, and without the insane price tag. The Cadillac CTS-V had three wonderful generations, but it was discontinued in 2019 and replaced by the Cadillac CT5-V. While you can get an amazing new Cadillac CTS for sale with us near Louisville, it won’t be quite the same as the Cadillac CTS-V.
Cadillac fans wanted a sedan with more power, and GM delivered. Under the hood was an LS6 engine (the same one on the Chevrolet Corvette at the time) that produced 400 horsepower and 395 pound-feet of torque. This powerhouse was the first Cadillac to offer standard manual transmission since the 1980s. Additional performance features included Brembo 4-piston calipers, suspension upgrades, 14-inch rotors, larger shocks, larger anti-roll bars, and more. The Cadillac CTS-V was the brand’s way to return to the sports arena. The interior was a mix of classic Cadillac with more modern elements added. The car was unique, to say the least, and it actually competed with the top dogs in the luxury sports car market. In the first generation alone, the Cadillac CTS-V boasted a 0–60 time of 4.6 seconds and a lap time of 9 minutes and 19 seconds at Germany’s famed Nürburgring Nordschleife.
Making its debut in the market in 2009, the second generation of the Cadillac CTS-V brought many changes. It aimed to create the perfect combination of elite sport power and elegant luxury. New to the vehicle was a 6.2L LSA supercharged V8 engine that offered Earth-shattering performance. This new generation brought an increase of 150 horsepower, giving the car 550 total horsepower. It also came with Magnetic Ride Control, an industry-first Performance Traction Management system, and a new transmission with paddle shifters. On the inside, drivers enjoyed Recaro performance driving seats, 14-way adjustable seating, and new materials.
During this second generation, Cadillac decided to bring even more to the table. In 2011, the coupe version of the Cadillac CTS-V entered the market, offering 556 horsepower. It has twin exhausts, a larger grille, 19″ aluminum wheels, and Brembo brakes.
The coupe wasn’t the only different body option. The Cadillac CTS-V wagon was introduced at the New York International Auto Show in 2010. This spacious yet dynamic wagon offered the exact same performance numbers as its coupe sibling. Either could go zero to 60 MPH in a mere 4.0 seconds, while the sedan made it in just 3.9 seconds.
In 2016, the Cadillac CTS-V was the most powerful car in Cadillac’s entire history. No one thought Cadillac could make a vehicle with a 200 MPH top speed. With a 6.2L engine and a 1.2L supercharger, drivers could get an incredible 640 horsepower and 620 pound-feet of torque. An 8-speed automatic transmission and paddle shifters were standard on this edition. The features were way ahead of their time too. They included a 12.3″ track-inspired display, a head-up display, ventilated seats, a Bose sound system, Siri Eyes Free, wireless phone charging, and much more. This final generation was truly a marvel.
There are quite a few of the top critics who sang the praises of the Cadillac CTS-V. This car won:
Car and Driver said the Cadillac CTS-V was “maybe one of the best American cars ever made” in 2010.
The CTS alone stands for Catera Touring Sedan. This label began with the Cadillac Cimarron in 1988. The extra V at the end stands for Victory. That is because the V indicates the more power-focused versions of Cadillac’s famous vehicles.
This depends on what year and body type you have. The fastest Cadillac CTS-V ever made was the 2015 version that hit zero to 60 MPH in 3.7 seconds. It also had a top speed of 200 MPH. The very first iteration of this car alone gave 400 horsepower, and that number only continued to go up over time.
Sadly, yes. They are no longer in production. The CTS-V was replaced by the Cadillac CT5-V. However, we are happy to help you find your very own Cadillac CTS-V if that is the vehicle your heart is set on. Our dealership has great connections and many ways to get these cars for you.
This, again, depends on which model year you have. Most came with rear-wheel drive, but all-wheel drive was an available option later on in the vehicle’s history.
We hope you enjoyed our history lesson on the Cadillac CTS-V. This vehicle truly changed the game in terms of power for Cadillac. While we do have an excellent selection of used Cadillac vehicles on our lot, the Cadillac CTS-V is rarer. However, we are happy to help you find one of your very own. Please contact our Cadillac enthusiasts and let us know how we can best assist you.
1Source: Auto Evolution.
