Cadillac V series

Product type	Performance engines and cars Automotive sports accessories
Owner	Cadillac
Produced by	General Motors
Country	U.S.
Introduced	2003 (2003)

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 has also re-entered motorsport competition with their 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.

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^[1]—until the Porsche Panamera Turbo clocked a time of 7:56 in July 2009^[2]—thanks to a heavily-tuned "LS9" EATON-supercharged 6.2-liter (380 in³) V8 engine that was borrowed from Corvette. The engine was renamed as "LSA" and it produces 556 horsepower as well 551 pound-feet (747 N⋅m) of torque. The same "LSA" engine is used in 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 Japan and Europe. 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 in shaking the dusty past of old Cadillacs.

The team working on 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 -something GM and Cadillac were longing for.

In 2004, the first-ever Cadillac V-Series was the CTS-V. The first-generation CTS-V became a cultural icon recognized quickly in movies like The Matrix.

First-generation V series

Cadillac XLR-V in 2005

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

Cadillac XLR-V

XLR hard-top was the second Cadillac to join the V series. It was an ultra-luxury segment car, first introduced in 2005 and it shared platform with Chevrolet Corvette (C6). The XLR-V used a supercharged Northstar engine series. For the XLR-V, the engine was certified by the SAE to produce 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 of all time.

Cadillac STS-V

A year after XLR-V launch and two after CTS-V, in 2006, Cadillac started producing STS-V sedan that also featured the Northstar V8 engine from XLR-V. However, the supercharged 4.4-liter (270 in³) Northstar V8 in STS-V had 26 more horsepower and 25 more lb-ft of torque than XLR-V's. The engine was mated to a driver-adjustable transmission with two shifting modes, larger brakes by Brembo, 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

2nd generation Cadillac CTS-V sedan

The second-generation V series was exclusive to the CTS since 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 6.2-liter (380 in³) 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 was a major milestone in modern-day Cadillac that advanced the brand's "Art & Science" philosophy further ahead. It broke a Nürburgring lap-record which made it—back then—the fastest production sedan.^[3]

Second-generation Cadillac CTS-V wagon

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. Cadillac's "Art & Science" philosophy was demonstrated through the intake manifold that was integrated into the front fog lights, the distinctive bulge on the hood that contributed to creating an aerodynamic downforce at higher speeds, and the integrated-into-brake-light spoiler, which also was praised by car enthusiasts.

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.

Third-generation V series

Third generation Cadillac CTS-V

Cadillac ATS-V

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.

Fourth-generation V series

Pre-production Cadillac CT6 V-Sport, prior renaming to CT6-V

Cadillac CT5-V

Cadillac CT4-V

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).^[7] 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.

Motorsports

One of the most notable achievements of the Cadillac V series in motorsports is its dominance in the Pirelli World Challenge series. In 2017, Cadillac won the Manufacturer's Championship in the GT class, while their drivers took the top three spots in the Driver's Championship. With their success in the Pirelli World Challenge, Cadillac has also competed in other high-profile motorsports events. For example, the V series has competed in endurance races such as the Rolex 24 at Daytona and the 12 Hours of Sebring, where they have often proven to be a tough competitor.

Cadillac ATS-V.R

Cadillac DPi-V.R

Cadillac V-Series.R

References