First Impression: Cadillac CTS-V

In 2002, Cadillac started production on the CTS, a mid-size luxury car. It replaced the Cadillac Catera. In 2004, General Motors, the parent company of Cadillac, decided to put the 5.7 LS2 V8 (2004-2005), later the 6.0L LS6 V8 engine (2006-2007) used in Chevrolet Corvettes and put that engine in the CTS, calling the upgraded Cadillac the CTS-V. In 2009, the second generation Cadillac CTS-V went into production. The CTS-V comes in four-door sedan, four-door sportwagon, and two-door grand-tourer coupe. The CTS-V now comes with a 6.2L LSA V8 that is similar to the LS9 V8 found in the Chevrolet Corvette ZR1. THe CTS-V sedan had the fastest lap time for a production sedan around the world famous Nurburgring with a time of 7:59.32 until July 2009, when the Porsche Panamera Turbo went around the Nurburgring with a time of  7:56.00.

I see the CTS-V on the Houston roads. GM was also showing of the CTS-V coupe and sportswagon at the 2011 Houston Auto Show. People exhibit their CTS-Vs at Houston Cars and Coffee events. The CTS-V is beautiful. The coupe has a sleek, stunning exterior. This is a great alternative to the BMW M5, Audi RS4, or the Jaguar XF.

The Cadillac CTS-V is powered by a 6.2L supercharged LSA V8 engine, paired with either a six-speed manual or a six-speed automatic transmission, that produces 556 hp and 551 lb-ft of torque. The CTS-V goes from 0 to 60 mph in 3.9 seconds with a top speed of 191 mph. Prices for the CTS-V start at $62,360. The price is very low for a car that can exceed speed of 191 mph and have a 0-60 mph under 4 seconds.

A Hennessey tuned Cadillac CTS-V Coupe made a stop by Jay Leno's Garage.Top Gear reviewed the first-generation CTS-V during Series 6, Episode 4. James May drove a CTS-V during the Top Gear West Coast Road Trip Special that occurred during Series 12, Episode 2. Motorweek has reviewed all versions of the Cadillac CTS-V. The CTS-V is playable in Need For Speed: Pro Street, Midnight Club 3: DUB Edition, Test Drive Unlimited, Project Gotham Racing 3, Superstars V8 Racing, Race On, Superstars V8 Next Challenge, Forza Motorsport, Forza Motorsport 2, Forza Motorsport 3, Need For Speed: Undercover, vDream Racing, Driver: San Francisco, and Car Town.

Final Thoughts: The Cadillac CTS-V is one midsize car that should not be overlooked. General Motors shows that it make a solid luxury vehicle with the CTS-V. The CTS-V is one of the most powerful, fastest, and quickest sedans on the road. Not to mention it has eye-catching looks. I know the regular CTS has the same appearance and is cheaper than the CTS-V, but the 3.6L V6 in the CTS does not provide the power that the supercharged V8 of the CTS-V gives. If you are looking for a solid, high-performing mid-size luxury car, give the CTS-V a try. It can compete with the BMW M5, Audi RS4, Jaguar XFR, and Mercedes-Benz E-Class.

CarJunkie
Photos taken from a camera phone and digital camera