Over the past two decades, Cadillac has firmly established itself as a prominent player in the performance series segment. The V-series, born 20 years ago, has grown into a high-performance, legacy-producing series touted as a worthy adversary to its European counterparts and other GM offerings. As the world shifts towards electrification, we delve into the history of Cadillac’s V series, starting with just one model, and how its story has unfolded over the past two decades.
2004 CTS-V
The first CTS-V, introduced in 2004, was an audacious challenge to European luxury sedans. Its 5.7-liter (later 6.0) V8 engine was raw and unpolished compared to Germany’s advanced overhead-cam offerings but it was unarguably fast. It also defined a unique feature for future V-series Cadillacs: its peculiar size. The CTS-V established GM’s rear-wheel-drive Sigma platform as a world-class performance chassis, with its 400 horsepower competing fiercely in its time.
2005 STS-V
In 2005, Cadillac introduced the STS-V, a deviation marked by GM’s attempt to probe into different spectrums. Unlike the CTS, the STS came with a supercharged GM’s Northstar overhead-cam V8. Though theoretically more powerful than the CTS-V’s LS V8, it failed to offer substantive advantages in reality.
2006 XLR-V
Regarded as a deviation from the pure Cadillac lineage and more of a spin-off with Corvette characteristics, the 2006 XLR-V stirred attention. The XLR-V’s rich power and sleek appearance made it a feast for car enthusiasts despite its less than stellar consumer reception.
2009 CTS-V
In 2009, the CTS-V emerged as the first of the fiercely powerful, modern V models. With a supercharged engine producing 550 horsepower, the CTS-V was entirely focused on performance, illustrating Cadillac’s determination to solidify its place in the performance cars sector, regardless of the luxury segmentation dynamics.
2014 CTS-V
Following some steps forward and a few back, the third-gen CTS-V was introduced in 2014. Riding on the new Alpha chassis, this model only came as a sedan and lacked an essential feature for many V buyers: a manual transmission.
2016 ATS-V
The ATS-V made its first appearance in 2015, demonstrating Cadillac’s intention to compete with Europe’s compact and subcompact sedans. The ATS-V received praises for its dynamic performance and sporty aesthetics, although it had a shorter lifespan than its sibling models.
2016 CT6-V
The CT6-V was Cadillac’s attempt at doing things differently but it fell short of its luxury sedan rivalry target. Despite the introduction of new features and a rebranded image, the CT6-V was soon phased out as part of GM’s broader strategy to move away from four-door cars.
2022 CT5-V Blackwing
The CT5-V Blackwing emerged in 2022, reintroducing manual transmissions and focusing exclusively on rear-wheel drive. Although it merely succeeds the CTS with only a change in branding, it sets a high bar for V8 performance cars.
2022 CT4-V Blackwing
Like its larger sibling, the CT4-V Blackwing prioritizes performance with a more powerful engine and exclusive rear-wheel drive. It highlights GM’s shift to cater to American enthusiasts following its European strategy’s demise.
2023 Escalade-V
The Escalade-V, set to be launched in 2023, is seen as a deviation from Cadillac’s traditional product offering. Despite its immense size and unrivalled horsepower, it is not geared towards high-speed performance but is a celebration of power and opulence.
TBD: Opulent Velocity
Cadillac’s future offering in the V-series range, codenamed ‘Opulent Velocity’, is anticipated to continue the legacy of the existing line-up. With a promise to deliver performance akin to the V-series in an electrified era, it raises excitement and expectations as the auto world waits for its arrival.