With General Motors killing off many of its passenger vehicles and turning its attention toward crossovers, SUVs and trucks, you wouldn’t be at fault for thinking the future of Cadillac‘s V-Series performance brand is dim.
High-performance passenger vehicles remain a focus at Cadillac, though, with the automaker recognizing the boost they give to the brand’s overall image.
“You can’t meet better advocates for our brand anyway than V-series customers,” Cadillac brand boss Steve Carlisle told Road & Track during a recent interview.
Carlisle also recognized that it’s important for a luxury brand like Cadillac to be at the forefront of chassis and powertrain development, just as brands like Mercedes-AMG and BMW M are.
“There’s also engineering value in these relatively low-volume cars,” he told the publication. “It pushes us. It makes the mainstream cars better when pushing yourselves on that envelope.”
Cadillac recently decided to split its V-Series portfolio off into two branches. Standard V-Series cars like the new CT5-V and CT4-V will now be more approachable than before, but ultra high-performance Blackwing versions of the cars will also arrive, which will be tailored to the types of customers who were interested in the previous, hardcore V-Series products like the third-generation CTS-V. This will make the brand more accessible without ruining the fun for traditional V buyers, Carlisle said.
“You can always have steps and gradations in terms of what you offer, and who you make it accessible to, and how,” he explained. “And that’s really where we’re going.”
Cadillac previewed the two Blackwing variants of the CT5-V and CT4-V during the 2019 Detroit Grand Prix weekend. Rumors allege the CT5-V is packing one of the automaker’s supercharged pushrod motors, potentially the supercharged 6.2-liter LT4 engine, while the CT4-V is said to feature the twin-turbocharged 3.6-liter LF4 V6. Nothing has been confirmed yet, however so let’s wait and see what’s in store for these more robust V-Series products.
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Sales decreased 5.6 percent to 16,670 units during the first ten months of 2024.
Specifically critical minerals supply chain development.
Scheduled for a Spring 2025 launch.
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Doesn't sound like any news here...
Why is there any doubt about production V/V+ sedans in the first place?
Here are the questions that need answers:
CT6 production to continue?
Will there be any "performance SUVs"?
Cadillac continuing support of the V-series is critical if the company wants products that differentiate themselves and other GM vehicles because why buy a Cadillac XT5 when you can get a Chevrolet Blazer RS with the same trim as a XT5-V with a Cadillac LGW Twin-Turbo 3.0L DOHC-4v V6 would fix this just as building an Escalade-V equipped with a Blackwing V8.
I'm sorry, but I just don't see how the Blackwing engine works in an SUV the size of an Escalade. The 6.2L just has the really low end torque that people want without the complexities of the Blackwing. Maybe a Blackwing PHEV combo, but not by itself.
If Cadillac really believed “You can’t meet better advocates for our brand anyway than V-series customers”, they wouldn't have diluted the CTX V series cars to craptastic sh!tbombs. I mean really, a 4 cylinder V? That should jest be the sport trim, if that.
Anyone downvoting this comment is a not a V owner and doesn't understand what it's like to own one. Cadillac is devaluing the V brand because they suck too much and couldn't create a real VSport brand, so now the V gets dileted and they spend millions and 15 years to try and build the "blackwing " brand WITHOUT USING BLACKWING ENGINES. This whole thing is utterly confusing, irritating and is making me consider other brands, as a V series die hard fan and owner of 4 of them.
And yes, I am a fellow V owner. Cadillac has to be one of the most confused brands in the industry. And it is confusing their customers. They should look back at their history and try to understand what made Cadillac famous. They really need to build a Cadillac again.
Dave,
They kinda do “build a Cadillac again”. After a very long hiatus, they finally have a large RWD, V-8 powered sedan that adheres pretty closely to their classic formula. It’s adapted to the times of course and is perhaps a bit too restrained in appearance but I personally think it’s their best product by far and the new V-8 finally nearly finishes the package. Alas, in a sign of just how lost Mark, Mary, and their infamous band of beancounters are, CT6 is not long for this world. It’s going away before it even has a chance to get a few good reviews put to paper and get some respect.
They change the news like I change my underwear. As an Owner of a 2016 ATS-V Coupe, I find it hard to believe that they are going to refine the brand and if they will or will not put a Blackwing ATS-V on the market. I bet they don't know yet either. They make it hard for us that do support the V Label.
So true! The V is the ultimate performance Cadillac for over a decade. Then GM sh!ts out the new V cars - I mean really, a 4 cylinder with a truck motor at ~320 HP! WTF? Now we need a new sub-brand, Blackhawk. Seriously, Suck my D! This is so stupid and confusing. Someone needs to be fired over this sh!t!
How is Cadillac "committed" to the V-Series performance cars when they've announced their future is all-electric?
With all due respect, I don't think Cadillac is capable of committing to anything and sticking with it. They've shown no evidence of being able to have the kind of perseverance needed to rebuild their brand. They can't commit to a CEO, to an ad campaign, to an advertising agency, to any model designations, to a motto. They can't commit to the CT6 which was being dropped then it wasn't, then it was again, then it wasn't, and now we don't know because it's up to the UAW. They can't even commit to a place to be as in Detroit, then NYC, then Warren. Everything is always in a state of flux. Mr. Carlisle himself probably only has another six months to go.
Cadillac chased BMW for 30 years and only saw market share losses so now they've announced they'll chase Tesla yet they are "committed" to the V-Series? To an ICE sub-brand? How does that work? And the V-Series? They don't even seem committed to that name. It was their premier trim designation for years but now it isn't. Now 'Blackwing' is taking it's place. But Blackwing was an engine name, right? No, actually Blackwing is more than just an engine according to the latest comments from GM staff. The Blackwing engine might actually go away but the name will stay!
I think Cadillac is just a muddled mess drifting along aimlessly waiting for GM to finally ax them and it's a tragic shame because they once truly were 'The Standard of the World'. I want them to win, I want them to be committed to a plan and reclaim their former glory but I have zero confidence in their ability to do so.
Will there be a convertible CT4-V or CT5-V?
You are kidding, right? That is something Mercedes, BMW and Lexus have. Mercedes has more models of it's E Class than Cadillac has vehicles. Caddilac can't even coordinate a campaign and strategy to promote a sedan. Product planning appears to come from China, just ask Mark Reuss. He is compensated over $10,000,000 per year for his genius "Global Production Development".
Amen, brother.
The CT6 plan I hear is to take away the 400 HP 3.0 TT with the 10 speed. The best combo I have ever driven as a daily. That sucks! It may be time to leave.
Cadillac - PLEASE make a V -series BEV. I sold my CTS for a Tesla M3 and the M3's power train is incredible. It's interior, lux, and build quality, not so much. I miss the tranquility, comfort, and quality of the CTS, but love the driving experience of the M3. A CT5-beV would be perfect and would bring me back to the brand.
With a decently equipped C8 starting at under 60 and the sure to come z06/zr1 costing much more, isn't Cadillac's "accessible without ruining the fun for traditional V buyers, Carlisle said." the same strategy? Seems to work for Corvette.
edit: On second thought the base C8 is already a very powerful car,
Turbo 3.6L V-6 for XT5..... !!! YES!!!