Aug 21, 2019, 09:56 AM by Mike Blake

Cadillac’s legacy of building luxury cars goes to 1902, and by the time General Motors purchased the automaker in 1909, it was already heralded as “Standard of the World.” Over more than a century, Cadillac has been arguably America’s premier luxury car maker. So, what happens when you take that luxury and couple it with Corvette-like power in the form of a 6.2-liter Supercharged V8 that thunders out 640 hp and 630 lb-ft of torque? The answer is: the 2019 CTS-V, a luxury sedan with an uncompromising driving experience.

Built for performance while pampering with elegant lines, a luxurious interior and state-of-the-art tech and safety, the CTS was named for the vehicle it replaced in the 2002 line-up – Catera -- with the all-initial CTS standing for: Catera Touring Sedan. The “V” in CTS-V is speculated to stand for victory, velocity, or Vette-derivative, but no definitive word on that has come from Cadillac. It could all be moot, however, as next year, CTS will begin its next generation (its fourth) renamed CT5.

New for the third-gen 2019 CTS-V are packaging and cosmetic tweaks such as the debut of the CTS-V Pedestal Edition, a limited-edition model painted Bronze Sand Metallic. This model is distinguished by black exterior trim and wheels, a performance data recorder, and Recaro seats covered in black semi-aniline leather with micro-suede inserts in a Light Wheat color. Additionally, two new colors (Velocity Red and Wave Metallic) are introduced to the CTS-V palette, while Phantom Gray Metallic and Vector Blue Metallic are discontinued. And the Champion Edition carbon fiber and luxury packages have been discontinued. 

The CTS-V represents a modified CTS that comes in only one trim, but promotes supercharged power at the center of its being, along with an 8-speed automatic transmission with magnesium paddle shifters Brembo® performance brakes; Magnetic Ride Control; 19-inch forged premium painted alloy wheels paired with 19-inch Michelin® Pilot®Super Sport summer-only, low-profile tires, and premium infotainment system interface.

The single-trim CTS-V offers numerous packages to uptweak its customization possibilities, and comes loaded with a carbon fiber hood, Launch Control enabling full-throttle acceleration from a stop for maximum performance, driver-focused interface, and driver-selectable driving modes for touring, sport, snow and track.

Constructed with a unitized welded steel body, nearly every exterior panel on the CTS-V is specific to its badge, from the fascias and fenders, to the hood, rear spoiler and rocker moldings – and each was designed to support the car’s capability, contributing to lift reduction, enhanced cooling and improved aero management. The lavishly sculpted CTS-V stands bold and artistic at every angle from its wide fenders, big tires and vented hood to its angled rear, raked rear window and prominent spoiler. Weight-saving construction puts CTS-V at 4141 lbs., while measuring 197.6 inches long, 57.2 inches high and 72.2 inches wide on a 114.6-inch wheelbase.

As for the Corvette-like power, CTS-V’s 6.2-liter supercharged V-8 engine provides a throaty exhaust note, and the direct-injection fuel delivery system that discloses those 640 horses is EPA rated at 14mpg/city and 21mpg/highway. I drove my test CTS-V without sparing the horses, and managed to hit an average of 15.0mpg. A manual is not offered, but the paddle-shift eight-speed, electronically controlled, automatic overdrive transmission with a torque converter clutch doesn’t miss a beat. I experience minimal supercharger lag, and on the track, we blew away a zero-60mph dash in 3.9 seconds, and conquered a quarter-mile in 12-flat (hand-timed). In Sport mode the suspension tightened up as the gauges changed to black-on-white, but in Track mode, there was less on-rail tightness, and much more extreme driving fun. 

The performance-focused cabin, imbued with leather, microfiber and carbon-fiber accouterments, was filled with high tech, infotainment, a 12.3-inch instrument panel, and plush comfort. With seating capacity for five, interior accommodations are roomy up front and tight in row two with 40.4 inches of front headroom and 37.5 inches in row two. Legroom is 45.7 inches up front and 35.4 inches behind, and shoulder room is 56.9 and 53.3.

CTS-V safety features include dual-stage driver front air bag, driver and front passenger frontal front seat thorax and pelvic, rear thorax protection for outboard seating positions, side-curtain and driver and front passenger knee airbag and an airbag passenger sensing system.

The 2019 Cadillac CTS-V Sedan starts at $87,990. Crystal White Tricoat premium exterior paint is pictured, and would have added $600, but my test ride was in Velocity Red (a standard color), mated to a Jet Black interior with Jet Black accents. The Luxury Package added $2500 for a rear camera mirror, tri-zone climate control, heated rear outboard seating positions, power rear-window sunshade, manual rear side window sunshades and more.

The $600 Advanced Security Package added a shielded theft-deterrent alarm system with dedicated power source; inclination sensor that activates an alarm during unauthorized jacking and/or towing; steering column lock that prevents steering without the appropriate fob or key; locking wheel lugs to help prevent wheel theft and laminated glass rear door windows to help absorb impact without shattering. A Black Chrome V-Series grille added $495; destination charges added $995 and the Gas Guzzler tax added $1300, for a sticker-as-tested of $92,885, but a cash allowance of $3500 may be available in your area, so check with your dealer.

> Visit www.CarlisleEvents.com for more on the automotive hobby.

Mike Blake, former editor of KIT CAR magazine, joined Carlisle Events as senior automotive journalist in 2004. He's been a "car guy" since the 1960s and has been writing professionally for about 30 years. </I>