This Cadillac CTS-V Is Actually Hiding A CT5-V Mule
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To the unabated eye, the prototype pictured here is just a third-generation Cadillac CTS-V with a few strange bits of tape, cladding and a non-matching rear bumper cover. But in reality, it’s anything but that.
Ladies and gentlemen – behold our first sighting of the upcoming Cadillac CT5-V.
The mule you see before you is still in very early stages of development, which is why it’s using the body (or top hat, in GM speak) of the current CTS-V. Using the CTS-V body for the CT5-V prototype makes sense given that the two vehicles will be similar mechanically and from a size standpoint.
But look closely, and you’ll see that the body is not entirely identical to that of the CTS-V: the position of the wheels has been adjusted when compared to the CTS. Specifically, the rear wheel has been pushed slightly toward the front while the front wheel has been pulled a bit closer toward the rear, indicating what has been rumored all along: a slightly shorter wheelbase for the CT5 and CT5-V compared to the current CTS sedan.
This practice is not new. It enables engineers to use the body of the CTS-V for suspension, chassis and drivetrain development given that a body for the CT5-V is currently not available. Doing so enables “pulling ahead” (or accelerating) the development of a model, thereby bringing the vehicle to market more quickly.
The upcoming Cadillac CT5-V is expected for the 2021 or 2022 model years as an ultra high-performance variant of the upcoming 2020 Cadillac CT5, which will indirectly replace the CTS. In fact, the CT5 is expected to slot between the ATS Sedan and CTS Sedan in terms of size, price, overall positioning and features.
The CT5-V is expected to ride on the next-generation, rear-drive Alpha platform called Alpha 2. It is believed that it will continue using the mighty supercharged 6.2L V8 LT4 engine making 650 horsepower and 650 pound-feet of torque, while being mated to the new GM 10-speed automatic transmission. Power is expected to be sent to the two rear wheels, though all-wheel-drive could make an appearance.
The CT5 and CT5-V will continue being built at the GM Lansing Grand River plant in Michigan. The Jinqiao Cadillac plant in Shanghai will make the vehicles for the Chinese market.
The CT5-V will slot under the CT6-V, which initially debuted as the CT6 V-Sport. A smaller model, likely called the CT4, will join the lineup several months later, with a high-performance CT4-V being part of the future Cadillac product plan.
Stay tuned to GM Authority for more Cadillac news, Cadillac CT5 news and CT5-V news coverage.
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So the CT5 will be smaller than the CTS? I have a CTS currently and it’s already kinda small. I really wish GM/Cadillac would figure out what the hell it’s doing. Also the quality of my CTS is horrendous. Will probably never buy another GM vehicle.
Current CTS is a lil bit small for the class it is positioned now(E class)
But CT5 will be in the D segment. And for this segment CT5’s size will be perfect.
Yes, it will be a lil bit shorter than the current CTS, because since its a D class car. BMW 3’s rival.
CT3 will go against the A class.
CT3 – C segment
CT5 – D segment
CT6(second gen) – E segment.
CT7/8 – F segment.
Yeah, CT4. But my sources say it will be called CT3.
Will the next gen. CT6 become slightly smaller?
I have no information about its size yet, but I’m pretty sure it will be a lil bit smaller. Don’t forget there will be 2 F segment cars above the CT6.
Then why are you commenting about it? And why are you on a GM site if you dont like it?
CT5 -> ATS replacement
CT4 -> Sub -ATS new segment entry.
Contrary to popular belief.
maybe CTS-V Plus?
They have to make more tests on their new cars under regular conditions and hiding a prototype with a current model’s design is a good approach.
Is it me or does the CT5 look the same size plus wider to boot
The front and rear track are definitely wider. It seems pretty stupid to shorten the wheelbase an inch.
I expect them to use the new Cadillac V8, not the Chevy one.
Whatever it takes.. as hopefully the prototype has sufficient miles to give the folks at Cadillac the information they need to have the CT5-V ready for when it is officially introduced.
An lt4 in the alpha chassis, shorter wheelbase and wheels pushed out, should be one hell of a performer. Now let’s see a LT NA in a vsport
Happy to see a new V under development.
A tweener like the gen2 CTS-V is a good thing — especially if it’s priced closer to M3.
Without AWD, it will never be able to keep up in a straight line with the M5. But if it targets the Giulia, M3, C63 crowd, none of those are AWD either. That said, I do think AWD is necessary to be the class leader.
Looking at all the comments and it’s nothing short of amazing how the original info regarding the CT5 and CT4 have been misinterpreted.
Original info indicated that CT5 is a replacement for 3 models (ATS, CTS and XTS). Much like first 2 generations, it will be a tweener that straddles 3 series, MB C-Class,… and 5 Series, MB E-Class.
CT4 is indicated as a RWD sub ATS model to be positioned in Audi A3, CLA class.
Head scratcher why people seem to indicate or better yet speculate that CT6 will be downsized when there isn’t any info available to support such.
We’ve already seen that the CT4 is a reskinned ATS. MSRP could be what’s smaller.
Looks like the CT5 V gonna have a proper widebody. Awesome! Hope its well executed, fingers crossed.
Also, about time Vs got a new wheel design (19s?). Hope it’s not the only one like last time.
It better have a V8 (preferably a detuned Blackwing) under the hood! That “Segment Appropriate” thing was nothing but BS.
Well i guess i wont have to get a Charger then. guess it will be Camaro, Caddy and one of GM’s trucks for me! i won’t complain at all!!! Only thing is i wish Chevy would come out with an Alpha-2 platform performance V8 powered sedan and a RWD-based V8 powered SUV about the size of the Ford explorer or Dodge Durango. I miss the Trailblazer SS and the Chevy SS Sedan. Right now Dodge is the only company out there that has a performance sedan and a performance SUV (I don’t count the explorer for anything even with the new explorer ST coming out soon). Truth be told, I’d prefer a performance sedan that fills the niche of what the old Chevelle SS filled (it would be nice if it was inspired by the 1969 Chevelle as well). You figure if Chevy had a lineup with a Camaro, a performance sedan (Chevelle), a performance SUV (Trailblazer SS) and a hot Silverado lineup, they’d be good. Chevrolet’s engines are a bit more reliable even with the tech they’re still simple v8 pushrod engines. Chevy should have a full performance lineup with a sport compact hatch (2.7L 310hp Turbo), the Camaro lineup w/ a 2.7L, a 425HP 5.7L (stroked 5.3L w/ the LT1 top end) a 495HP 6.6L (new truck V8 with forged rotating assembly & hot LT1 head and cam package as factory), a 550HP 7.0L (upgraded LS7) and the supercharged LT5 W/ 755HP, a performance sedan (Chevelle) with the same engine options as the Camaro, a performance SUV (Trailblazer) with a base 2.7L a 5.7L a 6.6L and a 7.0L and lastly the Silverado 1500 with the base 2.7L a 5.7L, a performance oriented 6.6L and to top it off a 7.5L 454 SS pickup truck to do battle with the upcoming Ram 1500 Hellephant (because we all know its coming, ‘Cause Mopar, ‘Cause ‘Murica!).
But anyway, getting back to the upcoming Cadillac V series vehicles. I’m hoping that all of them get a variant of the Blackwing V8. Honestly, we need more V8 performance cars. I would love to see the 3.0L Twin turbo and the 3.6L Twin turbo engines moved to Buick and the GMC lineup (minus the Yukon & Sierra). Not saying that they should be completely removed from Cadillac, but the V8 engines should take over the V-lineup. Frankly the both the 3.0 and the 3.6TT could find good homes in the Blazer, the Colorado, the Traverse, the Acadia and a few other things. Make them all rear wheel drive based with the 10-speed auto and call it a day. but of course, thats just my thoughts and opinions
If the CT5-V is AWD and priced from 55-65, I’ll buy one. I drive in occasional snow and have a child in the back seat. If I wanted a RWD sports car, I’d get a camaro SS. GM: you have a buyer here. Just make it so I can live with it.
The current projection is for the CT5 to be RWD/AWD. The CT5-V is to be RWD at this time, that may change. But don’t look for the price to be less than $80,000 regardless of whether it uses the LT4 or the 4.2. I have been told more likely 4.2 tweaked to 600hp.
Fully loaded, the CT5-V will probably be in the $90,000+ range. Don’t forget the current CTS-V is in the $95,000-$105,000 range. My 2017 was $ 105,000 not counting the employee discount….