The 2016 Cadillac CTS-V is mid-size sport sedan the performs like a supercar.
Often when a new car is launched, it's done in a vacuum; meaning, reviewers drive the model in question without sampling the competition at the same time in the same place. This makes comparisons difficult, particularly if one hasn't driven the competitors for a while.
The launch of the 2016 Cadillac CTS-V, held at the diabolically fast Road America racetrack, followed this same plot. But after a handful of laps at exceedingly high speed, the Cadillac stole the crown as the best mid-size sports sedan in the world – there was no need to drive the others because the others would not be able to keep pace.
The supporting data?
The supercharged V-8 in this third-generation CTS-V develops more power and torque than its two main rivals, the BMW M5 and the Mercedes E 63 AMG. The Cadillac can rocket from 0-100 km/h in little more than 3.7 seconds and it has a top speed of 322 km/h. This is a level of performance normally reserved for honest-to-goodness supercars from Aston Martin, Ferrari and Porsche.
On the flipside, the CTS-V also features the latest-generation of Cadillac's renowned Magnetic Ride Control, which now boasts 40 per cent quicker damping response. This means that when you leave the track and take to less well-maintained public roads, the Cadillac will again show the typical performance sedan, with its stiffly sprung ride and punishing run-flat tires, an exceedingly clean pair of heels.
The handling of the Cadillac is also aided by improved structural rigidity, five drive modes including the "leisurely" touring setting, and Michelin performance tires that incorporate three different compounds for street, track and wet-weather driving. On track, the precision of the steering and the neutrality of the car's handling belied the fact that this is not a compact car. The CTS-V is a true mid-size sedan with all the functional requirements that this classification suggests, including space for passengers and their cargo, yet it responds like a compact.
Another difference between the Cadillac and its rivals: braking performance. Engineers contend that the CTS-V has the largest set of brakes fitted to a current production sedan; to (s)top it off, they are supplied by the "anchor-maestros" at Brembo. Road America is considered the most punishing race track for brake testing in North America; it's essentially a bunch of straights punctuated by 90-degree corners – it's brutal.
No other car in this class would have been able to reproduce the relentlessly powerful braking performance of the CTS-V for lap after lap. Even some so-called supercars would have been forced to the sidelines for maintenance and replacement parts.
If all of this isn't enough to convince the mid-size sport sedan buyer, there's another tidbit to consider – it's also cheaper than its competitors. Cadillac has been knocking on the Germans' door for years now; with the CTS-V, it has broken through to other side.
You'll like this car if ... You have an obsession for maximizing your bang for the buck.
TECH SPECS
- Base price: $91,685
- Engine: Supercharged 6.2-litre V-8
- Transmission/Drive: Eight-speed automatic/rear-wheel drive
- Fuel economy (litres/100 km): 16.6 city; 11.1 highway; 14.1 combined
- Alternatives: Audi RS7, BMW M5, Mercedes-Benz E 63 AMG, Volvo S60 Polestar
RATINGS
- Looks: The new exterior design language is perhaps not as audacious as in the past, but the CTS-V is still a sharp-looking performance sedan.
- Interior: The passenger cabin is exceptionally well turned-out, replete with rich materials and filled to the brim with everyday comfort and convenience.
- Performance: The supercharged V-8 generates 640 horsepower and 630 lb-ft of torque. The car has five different drive modes from the modest to the outrageous.
- Technology: Here’s the trouble with in-car technology: The technology outside moves quicker. The Cadillac CUE system with its haptic feedback controls has proven a lightning rod for criticism from the start. The CTS-V features a next-generation version and includes Apple CarPlay. But the infotainment screen looks tiny compared with its competitors.
- Cargo: This is a mid-size sedan with space for five passengers and a decent-sized trunk that can travel at 320 km/h. You’ll never be late for a tee time again.
The Verdict
9.5
This car is staggeringly good – supercar performance in a five-seat package.
The writer was a guest of the auto maker. Content was not subject to approval.
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