Fear Not, More Powerful Cadillac V-Series Cars On The Way
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So, the 2020 Cadillac CT4-V and CT5-V just debuted, and the enthusiasts are woefully disheartened. The disappointment primarily stems from the fact that both the CT4-V and CT5-V are significantly lesser than the ATS-V and CTS-V models they indirectly replace. Both the CT4-V and CT5-V are less powerful, feature less aggressive styling, and are nowhere near as capable as their predecessors. But fear not: these two models are only the beginning.
On the sidelines of Cadillac’s special event at Detroit’s Eastern Market, GM President Mark Reuss said that there will be a second, even more powerful V-series model available at a later date.
2020 Cadillac CT5-V
But just in case we heard wrong, Cadillac’s own press release states the following:
“The new lineup 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 Reuss. “And this is only the beginning of the V family. Cadillac’s passion for performance shines on a racetrack. Stay tuned.”
2020 Cadillac CT4-V
With that in mind, along with several other rumblings we’ve heard over the course of the past year, let us attempt to explain what we believe is taking place.
| 2020 Cadillac CT5-V | 2020 Cadillac CT4-V | |
|---|---|---|
| Engine: | 3.0L V6 | 2.7 I4 |
| Aspiration: | Twin-Turbo | Single Turbo |
| Power (hp / kW @ RPM): | 355 / 265 @ 5600 | 320 / 239 @ 5600 |
| Torque (lb-ft / Nm @ RPM): | 400 / 542 @ 2400-4400 | 369 / 500 @ 1800 |
| Transmission: | HydraMatic 10-speed auto 10L80 | HydraMatic 10-speed auto 10L60 |
| Drive Wheels: | standard RWD, optional AWD | standard RWD, optional AWD |
A Two-Tiered Performance Lineup
We believe that Cadillac has adopted a two-tiered performance vehicle strategy, much like many of its competitors from Germany.
The entry-level performance models, like the new CT4-V and CT5-V announced today, will be “accessible” models.
“These cars represent a new take for V-Series for Cadillac and our customer,” Brandon Vivian, Cadillac executive chief engineer, said during his presentation today.
In other words, they will not be the high-performance monsters that we’ve come to associate Cadillac’s previous V-Series cars such as the ATS-V, STS-V, XLR-V, and CTS-V. Instead, these new V-Series cars will be a step up from the “regular” CT# and XT# models, creating a sort of mid-level performance offering previously occupied by the now-defunct V-Sport cars. In fact, the new V-Series cars are pretty much a direct replacement for V-Sport models of yore.
Primary competitors to these models will include the likes of:
- Audi S# models (S3, S4, S5, S6, S7, S8)
- Mercedes-Benz AMG “light” models (C35, C43, C53)
- BMW M###i models (M135i, M340i, M550i, M760i)
Spied in October 2018, this Cadillac mule wearing the third-gen CTS body is believed to be an early prototype for an upcoming high-performance CT5 model
Above these models will be a whole other level of performance Cadillacs. These yet-to-be-named variants will be the direct successors the V-Series models of the past. And it will be these models that will be the ultra-high-performance machines capable of being tracked lap after lap after mind-numbing lap. These variants will take on the range-topping performance offerings from German rivals, including:
- Audi RS models (RS3, RS4, RS5, RS6, RS7)
- “Real” Mercedes-AMG models (C45 AMG, C63 AMG, E63 AMG, S63 AMG)
- BMW M models (M2, M3, M4, M5, M6)
The GM Authority Take
It might not look that way right now, but Cadillac has adopted an extremely smart and competitive strategy. What it’s doing is creating two separate levels of performance cars.
The new V-Series cars, including the CT4-V and CT5-V, are essentially the mid-level V-Sport variants meant to appease to a wide range of buyers. They are meant to solve a competitive disadvantage that Cadillac had for roughly the past decade – the lack of accessible sporty-oriented models that German competitors have identified and are owning outright.
One step above those will be the “real” performance offerings, with gobs of power, more aggressive looks, fat tires, and all the necessary chassis and cooling hardware to be driven hard. These have yet to be announced. In fact, they might not carry the V badge whatsoever.
Ultimately, we believe that the strategy will result in higher interest across the entire model range, turning into higher sales volume and profits for Cadillac. And that’s vital in today’s crossover-heavy market.
More Details To Come
Cadillac’s press release from today’s event tells us that “additional product information, as well as details on additional V-Series variants will be announced at a later date.” We’re waiting with bated breath.
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The story is really this: Just wait. Better things are coming! In other words, business as usual for Cadillac.
At some point, one has to give up on them. The constant promises and expecting your customers and fans to wait forever cannot go on. Eventually you have to deliver or even the biggest fans of a brand will give up. I already have. I no longer expect Cadillac to ever be any kind of a leader and certainly not to regain their former esteem and status.
GM promised an aggressive product assault with new vehicles every six months for Cadillac. Johan had all of us believing Cadillac was on the verge of greatness. Well, CT4, CT5, XT4, and XT6 are all here now and they are each colossal disappointments. Pretty much disappointing in every way: Design, Interiors, Powertrains, Technology. These V variants more disappointing still. But, wait GM says, better products are coming!
I support GM selling the Cadillac brand before they totally destroy it.
Lol true. Cadillac’s second name is “tomorrow” lmfao…
Cadillac will do everything right, but tomorrow. hahahahah
And this tomorrow never comes.
Pick a different name there, guy 😉
New GM strategy is get much money for less work. Crappy design, technology, marketing. Why should I buy Caddy which give me the same comfort and technology like Chevy. I want excelent car with real name, original design, hi-tech and big screen and digital cluster. I want Escala design not cheap Escala fake and original engine (not Chevy engine from dirty truck).
Is it just my imagination, or does it seem almost as if Cadillac wasn’t going to say a word about “future, bigger engines” until after the rollout yesterday, after which people started screaming…
Guys,
How about:
CT5-V 400 HP
CT5-V Blackwing 500 HP
CT5-V LT4 650 HP
CT5-V 700 HP
The V badge should not be a “participation trophy” for anyone who buys a Cadillac. The new CT4-V has less performance than my ATS 3.6
Como escribió en los comentarios un suscriptor nós preocupamos porque los Cadillac en cuestión son lentos o así parecen pero ya va a ver cual va hacer la actuación de Cadillac por este rechazo. Los Cadillac V presentador ayer van a cambiar de nombre y rápidamente van a introducir los modelos más potentes como una serie V real y esto Va hacer cosa del Pasado
Creó que Serán ct4 v500 ct5 v620 por así decirlo y luego al final llegue el verdadero ct4 v con motor v6 tt y 420 HP y ct5 v con motor 4.2 tt ajustado a 650
Not happy they have diluted the V name, I wonder what they will call the black wing versions 😉
Perhaps the real performance V cars will be called V.R after their race cars? I for one could not afford the latest CTS-V, nor did I ever need that much horsepower for a daily driver, so if I can get V technology in a milder package for $5 or 6,000 more, maybe it will be worth it. But the fact remains that the rollout of this strategy is horrible. I’ll judge the cars once I can see and experience them first hand.
It CAN’T POSSIBLY be smaller inside than the ATS. This car is dead on arrival. Looks like GM lost mind. Outdated interior and terrible design outside. New GM design strategy is make UGLY/Cheap looking something for much money.
I hope you guys are right because this would be great for Cadillac to half these “lite” V Series models and then the Full Blown V Track Monsters!
GM did say the V Sport was going away but didnt develop on what they intended to do. I agreed with them at the time, V Sport and V Series was confusing prospective buyers. So they rolled in future V Sport cars into upcoming V Series.
But there is still a problem. The introduction of these obviously entry point V Series sedans left something to be desired. GM should have reiterated that with V Sport no longer in the mix these are now starting V Series cars at a lower cost. They could have put the new torque number badge on them, would have gone a long way to ease concerns. But no, they just fling these out and say more is coming. Made people mad as hell including myself when we saw these new V Series cars thinking these are the ultimate CT4 and CT5 sports sedans when they really are not.
Maybe V has permanently migrated to mid level status and the top spec models will have a new sub-brand name like Blackwing. Just a thought…
I cannot but disagree that this would be “an extremely smart and competitive strategy”.
What just happened here, is that the whole aura and exclusivity that had been built with the “V-series” name over 3 generations of cars, just got smashed in pieces. From this day onward, having a “V-series” will never be exclusive again.
It’s as shameful as the moment that Cimarron was introduced and brought Cadillac down from Rolls-Royce territory into econobox territory. It took them 35+ years of investing and they have not even recovered.
Look at the hundreds of reactions of outcry and unbelief of the brand’s most loyal followers here. The value destruction happening here is unacceptable. Someone needs to go, definitely. And models quickly re-branded into V-Sports, to help save what still can be saved.
Imagine what could be next? Putting the Chinese GM 3-cylinder in an Escalade, add a Turbo, and call it a V?
After the cruel disappointment regarding the XT6 and CT5 looks, I cannot but fear that there’s deliberate sabotage going on to kill the brand. And PLEASE no more “wait, better is coming”, we have been hearing that for over 25 years.