2016 Cadillac CTS-V has a Hankering for Some German [w/ Video]

In addition to being rather good at brewing and creating experimental/electronic music, the Germans are quite proficient at building crazy-powerful, wacky-fast luxury-super sedans. Anyone who remains unconvinced of the previous statement is welcome to test drive a current BMW M5, Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG S-Model or Porsche Panamera Turbo S and report back to us with his or her findings; we’re extremely confident those findings will support our assertion. Sure, automakers from other nations have tried to go head-to-head with the Fatherland’s finest, but the ones that haven’t been summarily humiliated can easily be counted on one hand.

Of course, one of those fingers is reserved for the Cadillac CTS-V. The first generation combined Corvette powerplants with a 6-speed manual transmission and a zeppelin-sized chip on its shoulder, while the second evolution added a watered-down Corvette ZR1 engine, optional automatic transmission, and a pair of additional bodystyles (coupe and station wagon) to the standard sedan. Now the third incarnation of this American gladiator has been revealed ahead of its official Detroit Auto Show debut in a couple weeks’ time and, on paper at least, it’s got what it takes to make those proud Prussians pee their lederhosen.

As before, locomotion comes care of a supercharged 6.2L V8 based on one found in a weapons-grade Corvette. However, unlike the last King Kong Cadillac, which had to make do with an engine so dumbed-down compared to what was in the Chevrolet supercar that it wore a different codename (LSA rather than LS9), the new CTS-V’s LT4 is fundamentally the same as the one found in the new Corvette Z06. Granted, the peak figures of 640 horsepower and 630 lb.-ft of torque are down 10 and 20, respectively, to the ‘Vette version, but they still blow anything AMG, M GmbH et al has yet come up with into die Unkraut. Unfortunately, row-your-own fans have been handed yet another defeat: GM’s Hydra-Matic 8L90 8-speed automatic(with paddle shifters) will be the only transmission installed in the 2016 Cadillac CTS-V. Yes, we get that 6-speed versions of the smaller ATS-V will be available to manual devotees, and that Mercedes-AMG and Porsche don’t offer their super sedans with a stick either, but still…what the clutch, Cadillac?

But lest you assume the slushbox-only approach has turned the CTS-V into a porcine boulevardier, Cadillac says the new car will hit 60 mph from a dead stop in 3.7 seconds en route to a 200 mph top speed. And thanks to such goodies as a wider track at the front and the rear, Michelin Pilot Super Sport tires, Brembo brakes and GM’s third-generation Magnetic Ride Control system, this beast is just as adept at stopping and turning as it is at going; granted, that will make it that much more difficult to spot the quad tailpipes, mesh grille inserts, rear spoiler and all the other functional lips, scoops and vents adorning this super sedan. And forget about catching a glimpse of the interior with its optional Recaro front seats, Bose Surround Sound audio system, OnStar 4G LTE hotspot and Performance Data Recorder (another bit of kit cribbed from the Corvette), unless you’re actually on board. Exactly how much it will cost you to be able to board a new CTS-V from your garage is known only to Cadillac at this point, but we’re guessing it will be a figure that will, at the very least, make buyers who have their hearts set on the competition stop and think for a bit.

Source: Cadillac