The Cadillac CT4-V And CT5-V Have Landed, But They're Not That Powerful

Cadillac's new performance saloons look smart, but they're considerably less powerful than their predecessors. Is there more to come?
The Cadillac CT4-V And CT5-V Have Landed, But They're Not That Powerful

For a Brit, the Cadillac CTS-V is the ultimate piece of super saloon forbidden fruit. How can you not get on board with a car that looks the way it does, while using a 640bhp, 6.2-litre supercharged V8 to exclusively power the rear wheels?

Now, its kinda/sorta replacement is here. It’s called the CT5-V, and - there’s no easy way to say this - it develops not much more than half the output of its predecessor from an engine with two fewer cylinders. Under its highly-sculpted bonnet - sorry, hood - you’ll find a 3.0-litre twin-turbo V6 which develops 350bhp.

The Cadillac CT4-V And CT5-V Have Landed, But They're Not That Powerful

It’s the same story with the CT4-V (above left), which indirectly replaces the BMW M3-fighting ATS-V. While its older relative churned out 455bhp from a 3.6-litre twin-turbo V6, the CT4-V makes do with a 2.7-litre inline-four turbo which develops a more modest 315bhp.

No performance figures have been given yet, but they will inevitably be much slower than the old ATS-V and CTS-V.

Both models are built on General Motors’ rear-drive Alpha architecture, although there are all-wheel drive versions of each available. The pair use 10-speed automatic gearboxes, and are fitted with the latest version of the MagneRide adaptive dampers.

The Cadillac CT4-V And CT5-V Have Landed, But They're Not That Powerful

The CT4-V sends its power through a mechanical limited-slip differential, but the CT5-V has a fancier electronically-controlled unit. And so it goes with the wheels - the smaller car has 18-inch wheels, and the bigger brother has been given a set of 19s, just so the hierarchy is clear. Whichever you go for, the Super Cruise driver assistance system is optional.

They sound like decent performance saloons, but for those wanting a little more shove, it’s not necessarily all bad news. There is still a chance that Cadillac is building faster versions. The intention of these two models is to broaden the appeal of the V brand, in the way that the 43/53 cars have for Mercedes-AMG. This should leave room for something angrier.

The Cadillac CT4-V And CT5-V Have Landed, But They're Not That Powerful

“This is only the beginning of the V family. Cadillac’s passion for performance shines on a racetrack. Stay tuned,” hints GM president Mark Reuss. Who knows - perhaps GM is planning on dumping the CT6-V’s twin-turbo V8 into the CT5.

The CT4-V and CT5-V, meanwhile, will go on sale during the early part of 2020. Both will be built at GM’s Lansing Grand River, Michigan plant.

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Comments

Anonymous

So creative…
Totally not A4 and A5 with the A replaced with a CT…

05/31/2019 - 11:05 |
4 | 6
Anonymous

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

Well, you know Audi didn’t invent letters and numbers, right?

05/31/2019 - 13:38 |
18 | 2
Chewbacca_buddy (McLaren squad)(VW GTI Clubsport)(McLaren 60

It’s the equivalent of what was the CTS-V sport from a few years ago, just without the sport. There is something more to come. GM isn’t that daft

And since they’re both built on the Alpha platform, that means that any engine from any car that uses it (Like the Camaro) so theoretically the 640 horsepower LT4 can fit with a few tweaks. Same as the LT1 V8. And the twin turbo V6 out of the ATS-V

05/31/2019 - 11:27 |
26 | 0

idk why they didn’t just put the LT1 in the ATS-V would’ve saved a lot of everything. but maybe they wanted more diversity of drive-trains

05/31/2019 - 16:33 |
0 | 0
NotARealRoadTest

Not gonna lie, if they sold them in the UK I’d be very excited indeed

05/31/2019 - 12:14 |
16 | 0
joeythecarnerd

These cars are very fast and I would love

05/31/2019 - 12:26 |
2 | 0
RWB Dude

It’s actually a decent amount of power tbh, more powerful than lots of new cars

05/31/2019 - 14:16 |
2 | 0
REAL_sluggo

“For a Brit, the Cadillac CTS-V is the ultimate piece of super saloon forbidden fruit”

  • BOLLOX. only a plonker-of-a-Brit would drive this pushrod silliness. The Gerry’s and Italians are a Chunnel-ride away. Why would ANY Brit worthy of their heritage buy this?!

What’s next, a return to leaf-sprung suspension? Or a covered wagon with recaros?

05/31/2019 - 14:18 |
6 | 14

Only a plonker of a brit would think that a car being old fashioned makes it mundane. Your italian friends cant go half a mile without loosing an oil pump and the germans wouldnt know how to make a nice simple fun car anymore if it smacked them in the arse. Dont get me started on the good old british and their Jaaaaaaaaags. Our covered wagon with recaros can sure as heck spit on your fire.

05/31/2019 - 15:15 |
10 | 2

Just go buy a Tesla then, every reviewer (yes the European ones also) likes the way the V drives

05/31/2019 - 16:35 |
8 | 2

tbh a covered wagon with recaros is much better than what’s in your garage

06/01/2019 - 03:15 |
0 | 0

Btw the corvette still uses leaf springs. And they work.

06/01/2019 - 21:45 |
0 | 0
₩!Ź@ŔĐ Transit supervan

In reply to by REAL_sluggo

When it came out it was just as fast if not faster than the equivalent M5 or E63 around a track.

06/02/2019 - 06:40 |
0 | 0
Anonymous

Is it just me or do these 2 look like they’re badged up with Dacia badges

05/31/2019 - 17:17 |
0 | 0
ᴶᵘˢᵗᴬᴿᵃⁿᵈᵒá

I need the coupe

06/01/2019 - 02:39 |
0 | 0
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