The expansion of Cadillac’s CTS brand continued with the Detroit unveil of the CTS-V, the super-saloon that General Motors hopes will give its brand a much-needed image boost in Europe. GM vice president Bob Lutz introduced the V immediately after the distinctly greener Provoq concept, saying that there would always be “lots of demand for limited edition high performance sedans.”The V doesn’t make any attempts to be green. Bucking the trend for downsizing, direct injection and turbocharging, it uses a 6.2-litre supercharged V8 which, in addition to the 542bhp, makes 550lb ft. GM says it’s the most powerful engine Cadillac has ever used.That’s all channelled to the rear wheels via a six-speed manual or an optional six-speed auto 'box with, for the first time in a Cadillac, steering-wheel mounted paddle shifts. The CTS’ elegant cabin gets trim and material upgrades with a leather-topped dash, 14-way adjustable Recaro chairs and a suede-like microfibre material on the wheel and gearshift.
An American 'Ring-master?
GM is keen to point out that the CTS-V was developed using what Lutz described as “the best of the best German competitors,” with much of the car’s development taking place at the Nurburgring. Cadillac says it’s an M5 rival, and performance should match that car although with a kerbweight of 1905kg, it’s a heavy car.The CTS-V goes on sale in the US this September.Tthere’s no final word yet on whether it will be available in right-hand drive though, and the omens look bleak. Cadillac’s low volumes in the UK and other right-hand drive markets will make the business case difficult to justify.
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