Cadillac V-Series

The Cadillac V series (stylized as V-Series) is a line of high-performance vehicles tuned by the General Motors Performance division for the Cadillac division of General Motors. Models in the V series tend to vary from one generation to the other. It was introduced in 2003.

The V series was initially created as part of the 2000s Cadillac rebranding and the new 'Art & Science' design language to compete directly with German rivals such as BMW M and Mercedes-AMG. The first-ever V series model was the 2004 Cadillac CTS-V which became a successful seller and steered Cadillac in the new direction for the following decade.

The letter "V" was chosen as a salute dedicated to post-WWII Cadillacs that featured a V-shape ornament below the crowned wreath logo, the shape itself was never recognized as a letter back then. Most V series Cadillac cars traditionally include high-performance V8 engines, transmissions, revised suspension systems ( MagneRide Control), revised interiors, aerodynamics, and more aggressive bodywork which is intended to improve the vehicles' aerodynamic performance as well as differentiate them from their normal production counterparts.

Cadillac also participates in motorsport using the V series name. Their first V series race car was the CTS-V.R, a joint venture between GM Performance Division and Pratt & Miller race team, most famous for their role in GM's Le Mans-winning Corvette C5.R program. Three race cars have carried the V series name since then, most recently with the Cadillac V-Series.R sports prototype.

In 2009, the second-generation CTS-V sedan achieved a lap time of 7:59.32 at the Nürburgring Nordschleife, which was the fastest documented time for a production sedan on factory tires—until the Porsche Panamera Turbo clocked a time of 7:56 in July 2009—thanks to a heavily tuned "LS9" EATON-supercharged V8 engine that was borrowed from Corvette. The engine was renamed as "LSA" and it produces 556 horsepower and of torque. The same "LSA" engine is used in the CTS-V coupe and wagon.

History

The V-Series development emerged from the mindset taking over at General Motors back in the late 1990s and early 2000s, where Cadillac was struggling against imports from Europe and Japan. GM was eager to bring Cadillac back to its mantra "Standard of the World" and the new 'Art & Science' design language that matured in the late nineties auto shows gave the brand an aggressive and edgy leap ahead that looked promising at that time.

The team assigned to create the first generation CTS recognized early on that a high-performance variant was necessary, not only to rival competition and display Cadillac's resurgence, but also to pull young and new customers to Cadillac.

In 2004, the first-ever Cadillac V-Series was the CTS-V, which appeared in the movie The Matrix.

First-generation V series

The first V-series model of the Cadillac family was the CTS, which was built on GM Sigma Platform like the core model but given the GM LS engine from the C5-generation Corvette Z06, along with its a six-speed Tremec manual transmission. Since the LS was a V8 engine, it required a unique engine cradle distinct from the base CTS V6. Larger anti-roll bars and larger shocks were also added, and the spring rate was significantly increased.

The XLR hard-top followed in 2005, sharing its platform with the Chevrolet Corvette (C6). The XLR-V used a supercharged Northstar V8 which produced 443 hp (330 kW) and 414 lb·ft (561 N·m). The supercharger and four intercoolers were built into the intake manifold. A six-speed automatic transmission, larger brakes from the Z51 Corvette, and 19-inch wheels were used. The XLR base price was $98,000 and by 2008 it reached $101,300 making it one of General Motors' most expensive vehicles to that point.

A year after the XLR-V launch and two after the CTS-V, in 2006, Cadillac started producing the STS-V sedan. Its
XLR-V derived Northstar V8 produced 26 more horsepower and 25 more lb-ft of torque. The engine was mated to a driver-adjustable transmission with two shifting modes, larger Brembo brakes, larger ten-spoke alloy wheels (18 in × 8.5" front, 19 in × 9.5" rear), Pirelli run-flat tires, a faster steering ratio, and a stiffer suspension than the standard STS.

Second-generation V series

The second-generation V series was exclusive to the CTS since the STS and XLR were rolled out of production. For 2009, Cadillac introduced the second-generation CTS-V that was built on GM Sigma II Platform. It was a rear-wheel drive, powered by a LSA EATON-supercharged V8 that was based on LS9 V8 from—what was then—recently released Corvette ZR1. The engine generates 556 horsepower and 551 lb-ft of torque. The second-generation CTS-V broke a Nürburgring lap-record which made it the then fastest production sedan.

When asked in 2009 about the possibility of a CTS-V wagon, the GM Vice Chairman at that time, Bob Lutz, replied, "... should sufficient demand materialize, there is no reason why we couldn't do a V-series wagon, and I would be standing in line for one, just ahead of you." GM decided to move forward, introducing a 5-door sport wagon body style to the CTS-V vehicle line at the New York International Auto Show on March 29, 2010.

The CTS-V wagon shares the 556 hp (415 kW) engine and six-speed manual or automatic transmission, Magnetic Ride Control, Brembo brakes, 19-inch aluminum wheels and performance tires and a dual-airflow grille also used in the CTS-V sedan and coupe.

The CTS-V coupe debuted at the 2010 North American International Auto Show in Detroit, and entered production in summer 2010 as a 2011 model. It has the same 556 hp (415 kW) engine and transmission choices as the CTS-V sedan. The CTS-V Coupe features unique centered twin exhausts, a larger grille for air intake, and an optional "saffron" interior trim color. Like the CTS-V sedan, it comes standard with 19-inch aluminum wheels, Brembo brakes, and Magnetic Ride Control.

CTS Vday

Released in China in 2012, the CTS Vday was a special edition commemorating Cadillac's 110th anniversary. The CTS Vday does not have any changes to its 3.0 V6.

Third-generation V series

The third-generation V series included the sub-brand's flagship, CTS-V and the compact ATS-V. Unlike the first and second generations, where the CTS-V was the biggest update for the V series, the third-generation was the first expansion attempt on the V brand by Cadillac. Typically, the V series served as Cadillac's top-of-the-line trim level, and that mainly was exclusive to the CTS since that's where it all started. However, with such buzz created by the second-generation V series, and the short-lived record for a sedan on a demanding racetrack, Cadillac wanted to build on that success with other models in their lineup. This led them to create the Vsport, where potential buyers interested in the V series, could purchase a CTS with increased horsepower and sportier handling, can bypass the 'comfort & luxury' trims and get an entry-level 'performance' model for $20k less than the full-fledged CTS-V.

Vsport

Starting with XTS, the marque offers a step trim, called Vsport. The Vsport trim is the top of the XTS line, with a 3.6-liter turbocharged engine, producing . The next year, the third-generation CTS offered with a Vsport trimline, however with an increased output of . Both of them were the only "V"-badged vehicles of Cadillac until the CTS-V and ATS-V.

For the 2016 model year, the trim was rebranded as V-Sport. The V-Sport trim designation was discontinued with the CTS and XTS sedan phase-outs in 2019 and 2020, respectively.

CTS-V

The CTS-V was powered by a supercharged version of the Corvette (C7) 6.2-liter LT4 V8 engine found on the Z06. It generated , less than the Z06, making the third-generation CTS-V the most powerful Cadillac ever produced up until 2022 with the release of the CT5-V Blackwing, and . Weighing , the CTS-V equipped with an 8-speed automatic transmission was able to do at 3.6 seconds. The top speed is , earning the third-generation CTS-V the unofficial nickname four-door Corvette.

ATS-V Sedan and ATS-V Coupe

The Cadillac ATS-V sedan and coupe fill the gap left by the second-generation CTS-V. Cadillac made the first and second generation CTS smaller than BMW's 5-Series and larger than the 3-Series. However, with the third-generation CTS growing larger to match the size of the 5-Series, Cadillac armed the ATS-V with the LF4 twin-turbo V6 engine, producing and . The ATS-V is the first-ever V series Cadillac to be powered by a V6 rather than a V8.

Fourth-generation V series

The fourth-generation V series evolves away from "Art & Science" and ushers into Cadillac's new design language, beginning with the flagship CT6-V. Cadillac is also restructuring the V series with this generation. In place of the discontinued V-Sport introduced in the previous generation, Cadillac is repositioning the V models as an entry-level performance variant (with CT6 V-Sport being renamed CT6-V right before launch), and introducing a new top-level V series trim dubbed; V Blackwing (after the engine used in the CT6-V), taking the place of the previous generation V models (e.g. the CTS-V being directly replaced by the CT5-V Blackwing). This pushes the V models to serve as a mid-level trim in Cadillac's entire trim levels (even non-performance models) and features smaller engines rather than V8s. The move is aimed to make better use of the V series sub-brand and spread it into a price range of two categories instead of just one. Also new to the fourth-generation V series, is the ability to add Cadillac's Platinum package for the first time on a V model.

CT6-V

The CT6-V served as a launch platform for Cadillac's hand-built 4.2-liter Blackwing twin-turbo V8, generating and of torque. The CT6-V also included all-wheel drive, making it the first V series ever to feature AWD, and the first Cadillac sedan ever to feature a V8 with AWD. This statement is not true. The sts in its highest trim came with a north star and awd

With the remarkably lightweight Omega Platform, active rear-wheel steering, and all-wheel drive, the CT6-V redefined performance for a vehicle of its size. It was the most agile and nimble full-size luxury sedan in the world.

The CT6-V does in 3.8 seconds, just 0.2 seconds more than the third-generation CTS-V.

Prior to official production and release, CT6's with the 550hp Blackwing V8 were designated as V-Sport models. Upon official production the model designation was changed to “CT6-V”. CT6's with the 500hp Blackwing V8 were designated as CT6 Platinum.

CT5-V

Replacing the CTS and powered by the generating 3.0-liter LGY twin-turbo V6. Sent to the wheels via the new GM 10-Speed automatic transmission. The 360hp CT5-V features Magnetic Ride Control and electronic limited-slip differential. On the steering wheel there's a new button called "V-Mode", which activates a driver preset custom settings, such as the engine sounds, steering, suspension, powertrain, and brake response.

CT4-V

Taking over the lead from the ATS, the CT4-V features 2.7L dual-volute high-output engine 4-inline turbo engine, generating and . The CT4-V includes Magnetic Ride Control and Brembo brakes as standard. The same "V-Mode" button available in the CT5-V is also found in the CT4-V.

CT5-V Blackwing and CT4-V Blackwing

The 2022 CT5-V Blackwing was announced in February 2021 to have a 6.2 liter supercharged 668 hp pushrod V-8 engine. The 2022 CT4-V Blackwing was announced at the same time, with a 472 hp twin-turbo 3.6 liter V6. The 2023 CT5-V Blackwing currently has a hand-built 6.2 liter supercharged 668-horsepower V-8 engine, built in The Performance Build Center at General Motors Corvette Bowling Green, Ky Assembly Plant.

Escalade-V

A high-performance version of the full-sized Cadillac Escalade SUV, the Escalade-V, was announced in late January 2022 for the 2023 model year. The Escalade-V is expected to have a supercharged LT4 V-8, also used to power the CT5-V Blackwing sedan, both being hand built in the Performance Build Center at General Motors Corvette Assembly Plant in Bowling Green, Ky. More details will be released in the spring of 2022 and the car will start arriving on dealerships in the second half of 2022.

Motorsports

Cadillac uses the V series name for its motorsport activities. Four race cars have carried the V series name so far, those being the Cadillac CTS-V.R, Cadillac ATS-V.R, Cadillac DPi-V.R, and Cadillac V-Series.R.

The earliest use of the V series name was in the 2011 Pirelli World Challenge, when the CTS-V.R made its debut, which marked Cadillac's return to the Pirelli World Challenge after a four-year absence. The ATS-V.R succeeded the CTS-V.R in the 2015 Pirelli World Challenge season. Between 2005 and 2015, Cadillac won five Drivers' and Manufacturers' Championships each with both cars.

Cadillac debuted the DPi-V.R in 2017 to compete in the IMSA SportsCar Championship, built to Daytona Prototype International (DPi) regulations. The DPi-V.R was Cadillac's first sports prototype in 15 years, since the Cadillac Northstar LMP series of sports cars from 2000 to 2002. The car's first win came in its debut season at the 2017 24 Hours of Daytona by Wayne Taylor Racing, followed by four more wins in a row. It won three Drivers' and Teams' Championships each during its tenure, courtesy of Wayne Taylor Racing and Action Express Racing.

The V-Series.R succeeded the DPi-V.R in 2023 as Cadillac's contender for the new Hypercar regulations for sports prototypes. The car was built under the LMDh regulations and uses a Dallara chassis. As of November 2024, the V-Series.R has four wins to its name and achieved 11 podiums finishes and took the Teams, Drivers' and Manufacturers' Championships of the 2023 IMSA SportsCar Championship season. Cadillac also secured their first Le Mans pole position at the 2025 24 Hours of Le Mans with the V-Series.R, securing a front row lockout with Hertz Team Jota.

References

{{Automotive marques of General Motors

V series
Car brands
Official motorsports and performance division of automakers
Cadillac in motorsport