Cadillac CTS-V review ~ station of gear

7 Aug, 2015 11:30am Jens Meiners

Cadillac CTS-V is a convincing BMW M5 rival, with a 6.2-litre V8 producing 640bhp

The Cadillac CTS-V is a Corvette in a business suit, and has been designed to give the BMW M5 and Mercedes-AMG E 63 a run for their money. Under the bonnet, the 6.2-litre supercharged V8 has been lifted straight from the Corvette ZO6, so produces a stonking 640bhp and 855Nm of torque – more than any German rivals can muster.

Performance is truly explosive. The 0-62mph sprint takes just 3.7 seconds, with the eight-speed torque converter automatic transmission whipping through the gears. It’ll do 199mph flat out – and that feels like a conservative estimate.

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It stops just as quickly, too, thanks to a brake system equipped with six-piston calipers at the front and four-piston calipers at the rear. The well weighted power-steering allows you to direct the 5.5-metre saloon precisely through a series of bends, and the electronic limited-slip diff works wonders. Plus the 19-inch wheel and tyre combination provides plenty of grip.

However, as with all rear-driven muscle cars, the CTS-V is more than inclined to light up the rear wheels when provoked. It’s well mannered and easy to control at lower speeds, though.

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Engine noise is manipulated via an under-bonnet microphone, but while rivals like the M5 sound more manufactured, Cadillac’s system cleverly heightens the bellow from the brutal V8 engine.

Drivers can select a variety of driving modes at the flick of a button, while the infotainment system is easy to use, if not quite as upmarket as in German rivals.

Despite being a brutal, hard-hitting muscle car, the CTS-V is more advanced than its predecessors and can finally be considered as a genuine rival to accomplished alternatives from the likes of BMW and Mercedes. Unfortunately, Cadillac has no plans to offer the CTS-V in right-hand drive, so if you can afford the £70,000 price tag, it’s not entirely compromise-free.

Price: £70,000 (est.)
Engine: 6.2-litre supercharged V8
Power: 640bhp
Transmission: Eight-speed auto, rear-wheel drive

0-62mph: 3.7 seconds
Top speed: 199mph
Economy/CO2: 23mpg/290g/km (est)
On sale: N/A

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