Cadillac V-Series Turning it up to 11

At Cadillac, V stands for Velocity.

What happens when Cadillac takes one of their current sports luxury sedans and turns the volume up to 11?  A Cadillac V-Series Model.

What is the Cadillac recipe for the V-Series?

  • More Power — swap in one of the most powerful engines available
  • More Handling — Tune the Suspension &  wheels/tires.  If a ‘normal’ base Cadillac suspension is FE1, Luxury models get an improved, tuned FE2 suspension.  This brings different shock/strut tuning, and sometimes anti-roll bar tuning. Performance models get summer tires and the FE3 suspension.  The V-Series gets FE4 tuning, which tends to be a  road & track setup.
  • More Brakes — rapid, fade-free stopping power.  Most sports cars and sports luxury cars can stop rapidly.  But when are driving at the limit one is on and off the brakes frequently through the corners, and the brakes rapidly heat up, and begin to fade.  The V-Series receive high performance, cooled braking setups for maximum stopping power, lap after lap.
  • Unique branding, markings, and distinction.  This seems trivial, but when you care enough to purchase the best vehicle available, it is nice to have reminders of just what your vehicle is capable of.

Let’s look at the examples Cadillac has accomplished to date:

  • 2004-2007 1st Generation CTS-V:  Added 400 hp LS6 (04/05), then LS2 (06/07) V8 engine.  Tuned sport suspension (FE4), with a track suspension (FG2) available as a dealer-installed option.  Brembo 4-piston caliper brakes front & rear.  Only 6-speed manual transmissions.

    2007 Cadillac CTS-V

  • 2006-2009 STS-V:  Added 469 hp LC3 4.4L Supercharged Northstar engine.  The engine was actually lowered in the chassis in order to give a lower center of gravity when compared with the non-V STS.  Tuned sport suspension (FE4).  Although the MR suspension was available, the Sachs tuned shocks gave just a bit of an edge on the track at the time, and were selected.  Brembo 4-piston caliper brakes front & rear.  New 6-speed Automatic transmission introduced.

    Supercharged Northstar

  • 2006-2009 XLR-V: Added 440 hp LC3 4.4L Supercharged Northstar engine.  Tuned sport suspension (FE4).   Because the XLR already shared the Corvette chassis/platform, sporty handling was already in its DNA.  The XLR-V and the STS-V were both originally specced at 440 hp, but with a bit of additional room under the domed hood the STS-V was tuned just before certification to 469 hp.

    Cadillac XLR-V (left) and STS-V (right)

  • 2009 2nd Generation CTS-V: Added 556 hp LSA 6.2L Supercharged V8.  Tuned sport suspension (FE4). 6-piston Brembo brakes front, and 4-piston in rear. The 2nd Generation CTS-V premiered the newly sport-tuned multi-mode MR Magneto-Rheological Suspension, which can react within 10 milliseconds to changing road conditions.

    2009 Cadillac CTS-V

Overall the Cadillac V-Series has provided the custom coach, high performance livery of this period.  The 2009 CTS-V casually set the world record for sedans on production tires at the Nurburgring of 7:59 min:sec, (since contested by the Porsche Panamera).  The 2006 STS-V had a previous time of 8:15 min:sec.

When your new 2nd Generation production CTS-V has the same or more power than the racing version of the 1st Generation CTS-VR, you know that you are making a serious production vehicle.

What’s next for the V-Series?  This summer we will see the V-Coupe, and the V-Sport Wagon, both with the terrific LSA Supercharged 6.2L engine and the rest of the go-fast CTS-V kit.  Cadillac has said that we will not see a V-Series of every model.  So probably never a V-Series Escalade, or SRX, or XTS.  But other manufacturers have reversed course and offered performance-tuned sport utility vehicles, so we may yet see more diversity.

2011 Cadillac CTS-V Sport Wagon

Cadillac CTS-V Sport Wagon

What is the best way to show Cadillac you want to see more of these terrific cars?  Buy one.

Changes in the Cadillac CTS Sedan in 2010, 2011

2008 and 2009 established the Cadillac CTS Sedan V6 and V-Sedan on the new, 2nd Generation platform.  Let’s look at the 2010 and 2011 changes for the CTS V6 Sedan and CTS-V Sedan:

In 2010, the big news was the arrival of the CTS Sport Wagon.  For the CTS Sedan changes (V and V6) included the 3L LF1 V6 replacing the 3.6L non-DI LY7 V6 as the base engine, and a new CTS Appearance Package for the V6s:

Deletions
Exterior color (51U) Gold Mist
Exterior color (58U) Black Ice
(QUR) P235/50ZR18 Y-rated summer only blackwall tires
(P62) 17″ x 8″ machined aluminum wheels
(KAE) Sueded shift knob (CTS-V)
(N45) Sueded steering wheel rim (CTS-V)
(B19) Wood Trim Package
(B20) Wood Trim Package
(PDP) CTS Luxury Collection RPO Code. Content now in 1SD PEG
(PDR) CTS Performance Collection. Content now in 1SF PEG
(PDQ) CTS Premium Collection. Content now in 1SH PEG
New Features
(WBP) CTS Appearance Package. Available on Sedan 1SF PEGs only.
(JF5) Metal accelerator and brake pedals. Included and only available in (WBP) CTS Appearance Package.
(E20) Chrome door handles. Included and only available in (WBP) CTS Appearance Package.
(TL1) Special color grille. Included and only available in (WBP) CTS Appearance Package.
(C8T) Clear tail lamps. Included and only available in (WBP) CTS Appearance Package.
(UHN) 18″ (45.7 cm) painted wheels. Included and only available in (WBP) CTS Appearance Package.
(AFM) Ebony and (AFN) Light Titanium interiors. Included and only available with (WBP) CTS Appearance Package.
(AAY) Light Titanium and (AFO) Ebony Recaro seat trims for model 6DG69, 1SF PEG only.
(CBG) LPO, Underhood Appearance Package
CTS Sport Wagon Model
New exterior and interior color codes
Exterior color (GGX) Tuscan Bronze ChromaFlair. Available at extra charge.
Exterior color (GIM) Vanilla Latte
(Q0M) P245/45ZR19 Y-rated summer performance blackwall tires
(PJ2) 19″ x 8.5″ polished aluminum wheels
(LF1) 3.0L V6 SIDI DOHC VVT Engine
(K14) Air filtration system, automatic cabin odor filtration
(53F) Sueded steering wheel rim and shift knob (CTS-V)
(03F) Wood Trim Package
Changes
(UJ6) Tire Pressure Monitor System RPO changes to (UJM)
(T96) Fog lamps RPO change to (T3U)
(TT6) Xenon HID headlamps RPO changes to (T4F)
(B19) and (B20) Wood Trim Packages RPO Codes change to (03F) Wood Trim Package.

And in 2011 the overall changes for the CTS Sedan were few; a lot of the excitement is centered around the upcoming Coupe and V-Coupe:

Deletions
Exterior color (GBO) Blue Diamond Tricoat
Exterior color (GIP) Black Cherry
New Features
Exterior color (GAR) Black Ice Metallic. Available at extra charge.
Exterior color (GGU) Evolution Green Metallic. Available at extra charge.
(UVC) Rearview camera now part of (Y40) Level One Luxury Package.

There are often small changes that are not mentioned.

Cadillac V-Series Sport Wagon debuts at NY Auto Show

  • V-Series performance combined with dramatic CTS Sport Wagon design
  • 556-hp (415-kW) supercharged 6.2L V-8
  • Six-speed manual or six-speed automatic with steering wheel shift controls
  • Magnetic Ride Control, Brembo brakes and Michelin Pilot Sport PS2 tires
  • Limited availability beginning in late 2010

NEW YORK – Cadillac today unveiled the CTS-V Sport Wagon show car, foreshadowing the next addition to its V-Series performance line. It combines the performance and luxury of the landmark CTS-V Sport Sedan with the dramatic design of the CTS Sport Wagon.

2011 Cadillac CTS-V Sport Wagon

“The CTS-V Sport Wagon is a natural extension of both the V-Series and the CTS lineup, offering an uncompromising performance car to enthusiasts who want the extra room of a wagon,” said Don Butler, vice president for Cadillac marketing. “The V-Series Sport Wagon is another hallmark of the dramatic presence and power of Cadillac vehicles.”

The exterior is finished in Midnight Silver, first seen on the Cadillac Sixteen Concept, and accented by lustrous Liquid Silver-finished wheels and a black chrome finish on the grille’s mesh insert. The rear fascia, upper spoiler and center high-mounted stop lamp are also unique to the show car.

Inside, the CTS-V Sport Wagon show car is trimmed in exclusive black leather with Alcantara accents. The upper section of the instrument panel and upper door panels are covered in the same premium leather, accented with midnight Sapele wood, while the microfiber material and stitching is applied to the lower door panels, pillars, console lid, headliner and steering wheel center. The show car features fine-grain black leather-trimmed Recaro seats with Alcantara seat inserts. The seat inserts are divided in the center and accented with dark gray stitching, while the V-series logo is laser etched into the seatbacks. Obsidian Black accents grace the center stack, console, steering wheel and door panels.

The show car’s bespoke color and trim elements hint at the potential direction of color and trim in future Cadillac models. These elements are not yet intended for production, but represent Cadillac’s desire to gauge customer reaction to new color and trim options.

Production CTS-V Sport Wagon

The CTS-V Sport Wagon will go into production in late 2010, with initial sales in North America, followed by export markets including Europe and the Middle East. The new model rounds out the V-Series offerings, which include all variants of the CTS family’s sedan, coupe and sport wagon body styles.

Like its sedan and coupe stable mates, the CTS-V Sport Wagon is powered by a supercharged 6.2L V-8, which delivers 556 horsepower (415 kW) and is backed by either a six-speed manual transmission or a six-speed automatic. A suite of technical and performance elements complement the powertrain, including Magnetic Ride Control, Brembo brakes and Michelin Pilot Sport PS2 performance tires mounted on 19-inch forged aluminum wheels.

Like the other CTS V-Series models, the Sport Wagon incorporates a unique grille that doubles front-end airflow to help enable its high-performance capabilities. It is also visually identified by an aggressive front fascia and raised center section of the aluminum hood that provides clearance for the supercharger. It rides on 19-inch forged aluminum wheels available in painted or polished finishes.

The rest of the exterior carries the dramatic design of the new CTS Sport Wagon; the details of which include:

  • Signature V-shaped deck and tailgate motif
  • Large, vertical taillamps with light-pipe technology
  • Power-opening liftgate (via key fob or in-vehicle button)
  • CHMSL-integrated roof spoiler
  • Integrated roof load management system with available cross bars for a seamless appearance
  • Cargo management system with adjustable in-floor containment
  • Available panoramic UltraView sunroof.

At the rear is a pair of 3-inch (76 mm) chrome exhaust outlets, which caps a performance dual-exhaust system made of high-grade stainless steel that will maintain a lustrous appearance longer than ordinary stainless.

Of course, cargo capability is a hallmark of wagons and the V-Series Sport Wagon delivers with 25.4 cubic feet (720 liters) of space behind the rear seats and 58 cubic feet (1,644 liters) with the seats folded – virtually doubling the available space of the sedan.

Supercharged performance

The 6.2L supercharged V-8 engine powers the CTS-V Sport Wagon – the same acclaimed engine found in the V-Series Sedan and Coupe models. Rated at 556 horsepower (415 kW) and 551 lb.-ft. of torque (747 Nm), it is the most powerful engine offered in Cadillac’s history.

The engine features an intercooled Eaton Twin Vortices Series™ (TVS™) supercharger.  This unique supercharger design employs twin four-lobe rotors, twisted 160 degrees. Typical superchargers feature three lobes twisted 60 degrees. The fourth lobe and added twist, when combined with unique air inlet and outlet ports, create smoother, more efficient airflow into the engine. In addition to improved overall efficiency, this supercharger has superior noise and vibration characteristics compared to more ordinary designs.

A pair of six-speed transmissions is offered in the CTS-V Sport Wagon – a Tremec TR6060 six-speed manual with a dual-disc clutch and a Hydra-Matic 6L90 six-speed automatic with steering wheel-mounted shift controls. The steering wheel-mounted controls require no shift lever movement and allow immediate tap up/tap down gear selection. Performance Algorithm Shifting provides the automotive transmission with a performance-oriented shift pattern during sustained high-performance driving. As with many Cadillac models, the driver needs only to slide the shifter into the manual “gate” to put the transmission into a performance mode.

Torque is channeled through the six-speed transmissions to a high-performance rear axle that features a limited-slip rear differential within a cast iron housing for greater thermal management and asymmetrical half-shafts to smoothly manage the supercharged engine’s incredible torque. The unique design includes alternately sized half-shafts that also help dynamically balance the oscillation of torque from side to side, effectively eliminating “power hop.”

Magnetic Ride Control

The V-Series achieves exceptional levels of road-holding performance, but also maintains the poise of a luxury car in “regular” driving conditions. The technical enabler of this dual-mode driving character is Cadillac’s landmark Magnetic Ride Control. It is standard on the CTS-V Sport Wagon and is the world’s fastest-reacting suspension technology. It uses shocks controlled by advanced magneto-rheological technology, rather than mechanical valves, to greatly accelerate response time and precision.

Electronic sensors at all four wheels literally “read the road” every millisecond, making constant adjustments to damping to create virtually instantaneous and extremely precise control of body motions. This is of particular benefit for a high-performance car because it helps keep the car very composed during hard cornering, acceleration, braking and other dynamic maneuvers.

The Magnetic Ride shocks also enable a broader range of damping control to optimize the ride and handling for all driving conditions. In the CTS-V Sport Wagon, an extra measure of control is offered, with two selectable modes (Tour and Sport), enabling the driver to tailor the suspension for grand touring or more spirited performance driving.

Cadillac pioneered Magnetic Ride Control, bringing it to production first in 2002, following decades of research on magneto-rheological science. Today, the technology appears only on a short roster of the world’s most elite vehicles, including Cadillac V-Series models, the Escalade luxury SUV and the STS and DTS luxury sedans.

Brembo brakes and Michelin Pilot Sport PS2 tires

The CTS-V Sport Wagon incorporates sophisticated braking and tire systems, in partnership with two companies renowned for high-performance technology: Brembo and Michelin. Brembo brakes are at all four corners and include powerful, six-piston calipers in the front and four-piston calipers in the rear.

Large vented rotors enable strong initial braking force while optimizing heat resistance and eliminating fade. The brake rotors from Brembo are manufactured with “dual-cast” technology that combines cast iron and aluminum, resulting in superior performance and weight reduction.

The CTS-V Sport Wagon also includes an electric parking brake, which allows for optimal dead pedal placement, which is important for high-performance driving.

Michelin partnered with Cadillac engineers to develop an exclusive Pilot Sport PS2 tire specifically engineered for the CTS-V. The tires support high levels of grip in track conditions, while also affording excellent performance on the road.

Comfort, style and technology

The interior of the CTS-V Sport Wagon is shared with the sedan, including streamlined instrumentation, LED lighting and hand-cut-and-sewn accents.

The CTS-V Sport Wagon production model will come standard with performance seats featuring perforated sueded microfiber inserts designed to hold the driver and front passenger in place during cornering. Recaro performance driving seats are optional and provide excellent support for spirited driving. These 14-way adjustable performance seats include pneumatic bolster controls in the seat cushions and backrests.

Complementing the performance seating are a thick steering wheel and a gauge package designed for easy, at-a-glance reference during performance driving. Large instruments have bold readouts, including an LED-lit “tracer” function in the tachometer that flashes as the engine nears the red line. The gauge layout includes a boost gauge and a lateral acceleration display.

Obsidian Black accents grace the center stack, console, steering wheel and door panels. The production steering wheel and shifter are available in Alcantara, providing the luxurious character of suede. These accents are elegant to the touch and aid the driver during support high-performance driving. Just like every CTS, the V-Series includes a hand-stitched instrument panel, door trim and center console.

Leading-edge infotainment features extend to the V-Series. Standard features include an advanced navigation system with a deployable screen, Bose 5.1 digital surround audio, factory-installed Bluetooth phone integration and a 40-gigabyte hard drive that allows the customer to store a large library of music files. The system uploads files via a USB port or the in-dash DVD/CD drive and allows stored tracks to be searched and selected through the radio controls.

2011 CADILLAC CTS-V SPORT WAGON SPECIFICATIONS

Overview

Model: 2011 Cadillac CTS-V Sport Wagon
Body style / driveline: 4-door sport luxury wagon, RWD
Construction: unitized welded steel body with direct-mounted front cradle and rubber-isolated, multi-link independent rear suspension
EPA vehicle class: wagon
Manufacturing location: Lansing Grand River Assembly, Lansing, Mich.


Engine

6.2L Supercharged V-8
Displacement (cu in / cc): 376 / 6162
Bore & stroke (in / mm): 4.06 / 103.25 x 3.62 / 92 mm
Block material: cast aluminum
Cylinder head material: roto-cast aluminum
Valvetrain: overhead valve, two valves per cylinder
Fuel delivery: 1.9L supercharger with intercooler; sequential fuel injection
Ignition: direct-mount ignition coils
Compression ratio: 9.1:1
Horsepower (hp / kW @ rpm): 556 / 415 @ 6100*
Torque (lb-ft / Nm @ rpm): 551 / 747 @ 3800*
Recommended fuel: premium required
Maximum engine speed (rpm): 6200
Estimated fuel economy
(city / hwy):
14 / 19


Transmissions

Tremec TR6060 Hydra-Matic 6L90
Type: six-speed manual; fully synchronized with single overdrive six-speed electronically controlled automatic overdrive with torque converter clutch
Gear ratios (:1):
First: 2.66 4.03
Second: 1.78 2.36
Third: 1.30 1.53
Fourth: 1.00 1.15
Fifth: 0.80 0.85
Sixth: 0.63 0.67
Reverse: 2.90 3.06
Final drive ratio: 3.73 3.23


Chassis / Suspension

Configuration RWD
Differential: limited-slip
Front: independent SLA; 29-mm hollow stabilizer bar; elastomeric handling and ride bushings; 65-N/mm spring rate; Magnetic Ride Control with electro-magnetically controlled shocks
Rear : independent SLA; 24-mm hollow stabilizer bar; elastomeric trailing arm bushing; 90-N/mm spring rate; Magnetic Ride Control with electro-magnetically controlled shocks
Steering type: power-assisted rack-and-pinion
Steering ratio: 16.1:1
Steering turns, lock-to-lock: 2.7
Turn circle (ft / m): 37.9 / 11.55
Chassis control: four-channel StabiliTrak w/ brake assist


Wheels and tires

Wheel size and type: front: 19 x 9-inch; forged alloy, 5-lug
rear: 19 x 9.5-inch, forged alloy, 5-lug
Tires: Michelin Pilot Sport PS2
front: 255/40ZR19 (96Y) high-performance summer tire
rear: 285/35ZR19 (99Y) high-performance summer tire


Brakes

Type: four-wheel disc with four-channel ABS, hydraulic brake assist and dynamic rear brake proportioning
Rotor type and thickness (in / mm)
Front : 15 x 1.26 / 380 x 32, vented, co-cast
Rear: 14.7 x 1.1 / 373 x 28, vented


Dimensions
Exterior

Wheelbase (in / mm): 113.4 / 2880
Length (in / mm): 191.3 / 4859
Height (in / mm): 59.1 / 1502
Width (in / mm): 72.6 / 1842
Track (in / mm): front: 61.8 / 1570
rear: 62 / 1575
Curb weight (lb / kg): 4390 / 1995
Weight distribution (% front / rear): 52 / 48


Interior

Headroom (in / mm): front: 38.8 / 986
rear: 37.2 / 944
Legroom (in / mm): front: 42.4 / 1078
rear: 35.9 / 913
Shoulder room (in / mm): front: 56.7 / 1441
rear: 57.4 / 1390
Hip room (in / mm): front: 55.1 / 1400
rear: 54.1 / 1375


Capacities

Seating capacity (front / rear): 2 / 3
EPA passenger volume (cu ft / L): 96.5 / 2732
EPA cargo volume (cu ft / L): 25.4 / 720 (behind rear seats)
58 / 1644 (rear seats folded)
Trailer towing maximum (lb / kg): TBD
Fuel tank (gal / L): 18 / 68
Engine oil (qt / L): 6.3 / 6
Cooling system (qt / L): 12.42 / 11.75

*SAE certified.
Note: Information shown is current at time of publication.