Production of the lauded, high-performance Cadillac CTS-V and Cadillac ATS-V will cease this winter, General Motors has announced, snuffing out two of the most compelling performance luxury cars on sale today. But if that has you fearing the death of Cadillac’s racey V-Series brand, worry not; V-Series is actually set to expand after the demise of the Cadillac CTS-V and ATS-V, starting with the CT6-V – renamed from “CT6 V-Sport”.
“Beginning with the debut of the CTS-V Sedan in 2004, the V-Series sub-brand sparked new life into Cadillac,” GM President of Global Product Group and Cadillac Mark Reuss said in a statement. “As a result of the overwhelming response the CT6 V-Sport received when revealed in early 2018, we’ve decided to formally make it a V-Series, signaling the expansion of V-Series.”
The 2019 model year will mark the last for the Cadillac CTS-V and ATS-V, although given the marque’s commitment to expanding V-Series, a sort of replacement could be on the way in the form of a V-branded version of the future Cadillac CT5 – eventually. It’s also a pretty safe bet that higher-performance, V-Series versions of some of Cadillac’s utility vehicles could be on the agenda; as more and more buyers turn away from conventional cars and climb into crossovers and SUVs, a Cadillac XT4-V, XT5-V, and/or Escalade-V start to make a certain amount of sense.
“Three generations [after its introduction], V-Series is recognized and coveted by many as a symbol of Cadillac Performance engineering,” Cadillac boss Steve Carlisle says. “In fact, our V-Series models outperform and often outsell their competitors. As we accelerate Cadillac’s growth around the world, our V-Series will continue to expand the brand, enhance its image and attract new buyers to our showroom.”
About The 2019 Cadillac CT6-V
The 2019 Cadillac CT6-V – introduced in March as the “Cadillac CT6 V-Sport” – is a forthcoming high-performance version of the full-size Cadillac CT6 sedan, which debuts the marque’s all-new, 4.2-liter twin-turbo V8. Codenamed “Blackwing”, the new engine is Cadillac’s first dual-overhead-cam V8 since the Northstar engine family, and it’s estimated to produce as much as 550 horsepower and 627 lb-ft of torque. It utilizes a “hot vee” configuration, where the turbochargers are mounted atop the engine for quicker spooling – thanks to less plumbing between the exhaust ports and turbines – and smaller packaging.
The CT6-V will be available exclusively with an AWD drivetrain, and shifting will come from the GM 10-speed automatic transmission. It’ll boast a limited-slip differential, special steering/handling tuning, and summer tires developed specially for the Cadillac V-Series line, along with magnetic ride control dampers and track-tuned active rear steering.
Comments
That’s very interesting. I wonder how the CT6 V stacks up against the outgoing CTS V & whether the CT6 V will receive any interior upgrades or not.
As for the ATS & CTS, No suprise there.
Ever heard of BMW taking an M Sport car and making it an M? No, me neither.
Really this is about the fact that the CT5-V would sit alone as the only V-Series car, and GM decided that it would be easier to rebrand, rather than add another 50 hp and make a lineup out of it.
Which is surprising, because I really don’t see why Blackwing couldn’t safely output 600 horses – would send a message to the 7-series M Sport that it could be a true M7.
Do you see the torque figure? The CT6-V can likely make 700 hp with an aftermarket tune.
And no more powertrain warranty. That’s a helluva risk on a brand new engine design.
I hope this doesn’t mean the V will be watered down to the point where all it takes for the V is a bigger engine. The amount of detail in the CTS and Ats is way more then the Ct6 V, from the seats, suspension, brakes.
I agree that every Cadillac model needed a V-Sport trim but I don’t know how you can call a FWD CUV a V.
This seems like cheating Where’s the added HP and bodywork? If all this was good enough for a VSport shouldn’t a V be more?
To me this is welcome, because with Cadillac’s new Y trim strategy you would potentially have Sport, V sport, and V. Too much. They should simply it to Sport and V, with Sport trims having a proper power boost and V being the all out performance.
XT4 Sport should have the 3.0TT tuned to what’s in the CT6 with the V having 420hp like in the current CTS-V Sport. Honestly the premium luxury trim should get the detuned 3.0TT at least as an option with the base 2.0T for the base luxury trim.
But GM spent too much money on creating the new 2.0 to put it in just one trim.
Good points.
I believe the 3.0TT LGW should replace the 3.6 LGX as the upgrade from a 2.0T. Otherwise Cadillac has 3.6 V6 models competing with BMW models sporting 3.0T I6 and as much as I like the LGX, it’s no match for a 3.0T I6.
It’s understandably awkward for GM, since a twin turbo V6 is more expensive to build than a single turbo I6. Maybe GM should have thought of this before chucking the corporate V6 into their $50K compact luxury sport sedan?
I guess it remains to be seen if the CT6-V earns its keep as a V-car.
I anticipate it becoming the quickest Cadillac in a drag race thanks to AWD traction, but has anyone seen it on the Nürburgring?
If GM is overly confident about the CT6 V-Sport, now CT6-V, lets hope this model is good enough, (cough cough – exceptional enough) to go against S 63 AMG and M760i. I believe AWD will put traction on the ground even further and will out do CTS-V from 0-60 since the CTS-V is only RWD. I just hope that track capability in enthusiasts reviews is where it is supposed to be.
Makes me wonder will the CT6-V will get upgraded enhancements for the last minute since this car is pretty much baked already. If not, I say dumb move by GM renaming this V since this is not a full blown V in the first place without any enhancements since the NYC debut.
It will perform (CT6-V).
LTA engine can go higher if need be. More(Cadillac) future power levels/Performance will come from PHEV and Full Plug in electric (Batteries) Dive Trains any way.
So, is every V model in Cadillac’s line-up now going to have this new turbo engine ? .. No more supercharger ? .. If so, and with this new engine coming in with two power outputs that will go on most Cadillac models; since they want to V-up everything; how will the six people assigned to build this engine cope with all that volume ? How many more will they need ? …. Will all the V models have AWD ?? … Personally I’m waiting on more info for the CT5-V, if its nothing like the current CTS-V; i.e. less HP, no RWD (AWD), no supercharger (turbo) .. then I wont be buying. I already have a modified ’16 CTS-V, but I’m seriously thinking about getting a stock ’18 or ’19 to keep for a long time if the above is to be the case. Really sad.
Then what will U buy? An E63? An M5? Panamara? I mean they are now using this exact set up. AWD should have been an option on this generation too. Cadillac is now back to playing with the other high end brands with exception to one major issue.. model range. They have the tech and the a name that is the epitome of luxury… but fail when it comes to offering the customer choice. This AWD system does exactly that.. with Track or Sport mode allowing for 40/60 front/rear in Tour mode to 20/80 in Sport and 50/50 in Snow/Ice. My assumption is that there will be a Track mode in for the Vseries… as the numbers I posted are from the current CT6 AWD system available.
CT5-V series model 600+ HP/600+Torque V8 engine RWD/AWD, (hard core, street and track )CT4-V series model 400+hp/400+Torque V8 engine RWD/AWD,( Hard-Core track/Street CT6-V (Track performance), V8 engine 550 hp/627 Torque, XT4-V( different engine/performance), XT6-V different engine/performance. CT6-V will perform (Track and street).
You do realize that these suspension is (CT6-V) V-series tune design (Track) so these car is not going to be s slouch.
Will there be CT-4 or CT-5 convertible?
When when we get Chevy/ Buick versions of these Caddies?.
I am 100% behind this name change.. and in fact questioned WHY they were calling the 550HP/627lb Torque version a Vsport while still having a 500HP version under it.. and a 400HP 3.0L.. and a probable 2.0L or 3.6L under those.. in the first place.
With that much torque.. and that much power.. PLUS AWD.. and a curb weight that is 55lbs less (CT6 3.0L vs CTS-V) than the my ’16 Vseries.. I am completely confident that this car will actually beat me in a drag race.. despite the loss of HP/Torque simply because of grip. I don’t know if U’ve ever tried to launch a 640HP VSeries and not spin a little bit, but its not easily done… same goes for my Z06 with the same RWD/LT4 setup.
CT6V = 550HP
CT6 Platinum Should be 500HP
CT6 VSport should be 400+HP
CT6 everything below
Glad to hear a V owner is supportive. At a certain performance level, the hp figure becomes just bragging rights unless you race.
Five different engines plus a hybrid!
Really 4, the V8s are just differently tuned. I can’t think of another Cadillac with more than 3, but they’ll probably drop one or two of them.
It would be nice if you could get the 500 hp V8 without getting every other option, but you may be right. They do that now with the 3.0.
One of the Best ever put out by Cadillac. I hope I can keep mine for some time.