Cadillac is gearing up for a barrage of new model arrivals in the next 12 to 18 months, the highlight of which will be a flagship sedan called the CT6. We’ve already seen the start of the brand’s new model onslaught with the unveiling of the ATS-V sedan and coupe at the recent 2014 Los Angeles Auto Show. The next strike will come in the form of the 2016 CTS-V at next month’s 2015 Detroit Auto Show.

Prototypes for Cadillac’s new CTS-V have been spotted for more than a year. Though heavily masked, they give away many clues as to what we can expect on the new CTS range-topper. Unique details should include a mesh-pattern grille, a vented hood, pumped fenders, and a quartet of large-diameter exhaust tips.

Power in the new CTS-V is expected to come from a supercharged 6.2-liter V-8, most likely the LT4 engine fitted to the 2015 Chevrolet Corvette Z06. The engine is tuned to deliver 650 horsepower in the Z06, and we’re hearing by way of spy photographer Chris Doane that in the CTS-V output may register as high as 640 hp. By comparison, rivals like the BMW M5 and Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG deliver 575 and 577 hp respectively in their most potent trim.

Note, the Caddy will have some competition in Detroit. Lexus will be presenting a new model from its F performance portfolio, thought to be a GS F, so fans of fast four-doors certainly have a lot to look forward to at the upcoming show.

The 2015 Detroit Auto Show gets underway January 12.

Cadillac today introduced the 2016 CTS-V, the most powerful product in the brand’s 112-year history and the newest entry in the elite class of the world’s highest-performing luxury cars.

Launching in late summer with 640 horsepower (477 kW), 630 lb-ft of torque (855 Nm) and a top speed of 200 mph, the new CTS-V reaches higher than its predecessors, leading Cadillac’s product-driven expansion and elevation. It is the third generation of the acclaimed luxury sports sedan that launched the elite V-Series a decade ago – and redefined Cadillac for a new generation of enthusiasts.

“V-Series represents the very best of the Cadillac brand – the pinnacle of our design and technical capabilities,” said Johan de Nysschen, Cadillac president. “The new CTS-V is the most compelling example of Cadillac’s product substance and brand trajectory. The new CTS-V soars into the stratosphere of the most exhilarating luxury cars.”

Comprehensive updates make the new CTS-V essentially two cars in one: a luxury sedan with sophisticated road manners and a track-capable sports car straight from the factory. It also introduces a new supercharged 6.2L V-8 engine backed by Cadillac’s paddle-shift eight-speed automatic transmission, featuring launch control and Performance Algorithm Shifting.

With more horsepower and torque than the Mercedes-Benz 5.5L biturbo V-8 and the BMW M-series 4.4L TwinPower (twin-turbo) V-8, the new CTS-V is capable of 0-60 performance in 3.7 seconds.

Track-honed design, chassis and suspension elements complement the supercharged powertrain and elevate CTS-V’s capability, performance and driver control to new thresholds, while enabling track driving without modifications or special procedures. Key performance technologies include:

Standard carbon fiber hood and available carbon fiber vent, front splitter, rear spoiler and rear diffuser for greater aerodynamic performance
Brembo high-performance brake system developed to provide durability, consistency and the capability for track-day performance straight from the factory
Third-generation Magnetic Ride Control delivering 40-percent faster damping response
Integrated chassis controls that provide balanced performance for touring and the track, including competition-spec Performance Traction Management
Structural stiffness increased by 25 percent for improved ride and superior handling
Driver-selectable modes electronically calibrate performance variables for touring, sport and track driving conditions
Michelin Pilot Super Sport tires with tri-compound technology offering excellent grip with extended wear
An interior with performance-oriented, sueded microfiber accents and matte-finish carbon fiber trim and available RECARO high-performance seats for spirited driving
Advanced safety and parking technologies, including a front curb-view camera system that provides a visual cue of curbs to protect the front splitter; automatic parking assist to find and steer into parallel or perpendicular parking spots; side blind zone alert, forward collision alert, lane keep assist and rear cross traffic alert.
Additionally, the Performance Data Recorder in the CTS-V allows drivers to record high-definition video, with data overlays, of their driving experiences on and off the track, enabling sharing on social media.

More powerful supercharged V-8 engine
The power behind the new CTS-V’s capability is an all-new, more powerful 6.2L supercharged V-8 engine that makes more power more efficiently than the previous Cadillac supercharged engine. It employs a more-efficient, more-compact 1.7L supercharger and matches it with direct injection and Active Fuel Management (cylinder deactivation).

The supercharger’s rotors are smaller in diameter than the previous supercharged engine, allowing higher maximum rpm that enables power-enhancing boost to be generated earlier in the rpm band. That boost is achieved more efficiently via a more direct discharge port that creates less turbulence, reducing heat and speeding airflow into the engine.

The Cadillac supercharged engine also has several unique features designed to support its high output and the greater cylinder pressures created by forced induction, including Rotocast A356T6 aluminum cylinder heads that are stronger and handle heat better than conventional aluminum heads, and lightweight titanium intake valves.

The CTS-V’s complementing eight-speed automatic is tuned for world-class shift-response times. Smaller steps between gears keep the engine within the sweet spot of the rpm band, making the most of the output of the supercharged engine for exhilarating performance and greater efficiency.

The new 8L90 transmission offers full manual control via steering wheel paddles, and Performance Algorithm Shifting to deliver shift performance that rivals the dual-clutch/semi-automatic transmissions found in many luxury performance sedans – but with the smoothness and refinement that come with a conventional automatic fitted with a torque converter.

Stronger structure enhances body motion control
The CTS’s structure is highly mass optimized and designed to meet higher performance requirements, with enhancements to the V-Series developed to respond to cornering and torque loads that significantly exceed the levels experienced by the non-V models.

Unique and revised elements include:

Strut tower-to-tower brace
Strut tower-to-plenum brace
V-braces for the engine compartment
Strengthened rocker bulkhead
Stronger rear cradle-to-rocker braces
A unique aluminum shear panel at the front of the chassis
Upper tie bar-to-bumper braces.
The enhancements bolster structural stiffness by 25 percent over non-V models, for more precise handling and steering – and a more confident feel from a vehicle that conveys strength through exceptional solidity.

“With the stronger body structure – and more than a decade of V-Series production models and the CTS-V racing program experience – engineers tuned the CTS-V to deliver greater body motion control for a more agile feel, while maintaining excellent ride quality,” said David Leone, Cadillac executive chief engineer. “The result is class-leading capability on the highway or track, balanced with luxury and refinement.”

Track-honed chassis and suspension
The CTS-V shares the same 114.6-inch (2,910 mm) wheelbase as the CTS non-V-Series models, but has wider front and rear footprints that enhance grip, reduce body motion and contribute to more direct-feeling steering.

Nineteen-inch wheels wrapped with specially developed Michelin Pilot Super Sport tires give the CTS-V its footprint and enable nearly 1g in lateral acceleration. The lightweight, forged aluminum wheels – measuring 9.5 inches wide in the front and 10 inches wide in the rear – are constructed of a low-mass forging that helps reduce un-sprung weight for greater agility and a more direct feel to steering inputs.

The wheels are 45-percent stiffer than previous CTS-V wheels, while the Michelin tires feature a tri-compound tread that delivers excellent grip in performance driving situations, while offering excellent ride quality characteristics and extended tread wear.

Additional contributors to the CTS-V’s responsive, connected and track-capable driving experience include:

A revised multi-link double-pivot MacPherson-strut front suspension delivers a quicker response and increased lateral control, incorporating “hydro” bushings, where traditional elastomeric bushings are replaced with zero-compliance cross-axis ball joints, higher-rate springs and a stiffer stabilizer bar – for 20-percent greater roll stiffness
The ZF Steering Systems Servotronic II variable-ratio electric power steering gear, with 14-percent greater system stiffness for an improved feeling of precision and greater driver feedback
Cadillac’s five-link rear suspension features reduced roll center migration, stronger lateral control and effective anti-squat geometry, complementing the front suspension with greater body motion control. Contributing components include stiffer bushings, new cradle mounts, higher-rate springs and a stiffer stabilizer bar
A standard electronic limited-slip differential supports optimal traction and enables maximum corner exit acceleration
Larger prop shafts and greater half-shaft asymmetry (stiffer driver’s side shaft) mitigate power hop during acceleration
A Brembo brake system provides durability, consistency and the capability for track-day performance. The system includes two-piece 15.3-inch-diameter (390 mm) front rotors with staggered six-piston calipers and 14.3-inch-diamter (365 mm) rear rotors with four-piston calipers.
Also, the CTS-V features third-generation Magnetic Ride Control and Performance Traction Management. Four driver-selectable settings – Tour, Sport, Track and Snow – electronically calibrate performance variables to optimize the car for driving conditions. Performance Traction Management is offered in Track mode and features five settings of torque reduction and brake intervention for track driving.

Magnetic Ride Control “reads” the road a thousand times per second, sending data to magneto-rheological fluid-filled dampers that can independently control the damping characteristics of all four dampers. Third-generation improvements enable 40-percent faster damping response. At 60 mph, the third-generation magnetic ride control system calculates the optimal damping force for every inch of the road.

Functional form
Almost every exterior panel on the CTS-V is unique, 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 or both.

The unique elements include:

A lightweight carbon fiber hood featuring an air-extracting vent that pulls hot air out of the engine compartment and helps reduce lift at speed by channeling air pulled through the radiator out and over the top of car rather than allowing trapped air to exit under the car
Unique front and rear fascias provide optimal aero performance, with larger grille openings in the front fascia to feed more air to the supercharged engine. Even the mesh pattern of the signature grille openings is enlarged to allow more air into the radiator and multiple heat exchangers
A front splitter enhances handling by forcing air to push down on the front of the car rather than flow under it, where it can cause lift
Wider fenders to accommodate the wide, 19-inch wheels and Michelin Pilot Super Sport tires
The rocker moldings and rear spoiler are aero-optimized
The forged aluminum wheels and brake calipers are offered in three finishes, allowing owners to personalize the appearance of the CTS-V.
An available Carbon Fiber package takes aero performance and mass optimization to higher levels. The Carbon Fiber package includes a more aggressive front splitter, hood vent, rear diffuser and spoiler.

“V-Series is the emotive core of Cadillac and the apex of the brand’s Art and Science design philosophy,” said Andrew Smith, executive director, Cadillac Global Design. “The CTS-V reflects that with a bold sense of arrival, serious performance, seamless integration of technology and precision in its craftsmanship. The exposed carbon fiber components, for example, are book-matched on the centerline for a more precise, tailored appearance.”

Performance-focused cabin
The CTS-V’s dual-purpose capability carries over to the interior, where the design and relationship of key components are focused expressly on performance-driving ergonomics.

“With the performance the new CTS-V is capable of delivering, the interior needs to be as functional as the other vehicle systems,” said Smith. “All of the contact points – the steering wheel, seats, shifter and pedals – are designed to make performance driving experiences direct and intuitive.”

The CTS-V features standard 20-way performance-oriented heated and ventilated front seats trimmed in semi-aniline leather, with sueded microfiber inserts and seatbacks. Available RECARO performance front seats deliver aggressive, adjustable bolsters that help hold the driver and front passenger in place during high-load cornering. They also have a luxury-performance feel, trimmed in Mulan leather with sueded microfiber inserts and seatbacks.

Additional features include Cadillac’s cut-and-sew elements, with decorative stitching and authentic materials such as available sueded steering wheel and shift knob. Three color combinations are offered: Jet Black, Jet Black with Light Platinum accents and Saffron with Jet Black accents.

The CTS-V features a unique version of the 12.3-inch instrument panel cluster display, with V-Series graphics and distinctive gauge readouts and complementing full-color, reconfigurable head-up display. It is also equipped with the latest connectivity technologies from Cadillac:

CUE with Bluetooth connectivity with natural voice recognition
Navigation with Bose Surround Sound audio
Siri Eyes Free and text-to-voice that converts incoming text messages to speech and reads them over the audio system speakers
Wireless inductive phone charging
OnStar 4G LTE connectivity with built-in Wi-Fi hotspot.
The Performance Data Recorder is controlled via CUE’s color touch screen, and recordings can be reviewed on the screen when the vehicle is parked.

Cadillac has been a leading luxury auto brand since 1902. Today Cadillac is growing globally, driven by an expanding product portfolio featuring dramatic design and technology. More information on Cadillac appears at Luxury Cars, SUVs, Sedans, Coupes, and Crossovers | Cadillac. Cadillac's media website with information, images and video can be found at media.cadillac.com

The 2018 Cadillac CTS-V is a performance-driven super sedan with sophisticated technology to enhance the quality of each ride. The CTS-V is engineered proof of Cadillac’s V-series promise of passion without compromise.

Building on the strength of a strong year in endurance racing, the Cadillac CTS-V is the street-inspired version of the championship-winning Cadillac DPi-V.R race car. The 2018 CTS-V is built for performance and equipped with luxury — including new smart auto-activated heated steering wheel and Apple Watch integration.

Cadillac owners who use the myCadillac mobile app for iOS will now also be able to integrate with Apple Watch. The app will automatically appear and sync with Apple Watch, allowing owners quick access to common commands.

For this model, buyers will be able to choose from additional exterior colors Satin Steel Gray Metallic, Vector Blue Metallic and Genesis Metallic.

Leveraging the strength of the award-winning rear-wheel drive architecture that also underpins the Cadillac ATS, Cadillac ATS Coupe, Cadillac ATS-V Sedan and Coupe, Cadillac CTS sedan and Cadillac CTS V-Sport, the 2018 Cadillac CTS-V super sedan delivers the most capable V-Series ever — a luxury sedan with sophisticated road manners and unprecedented performance, with true track capability straight from the factory.

Key features include:

• A supercharged 6.2L V8 engine mated to a paddle-shift eight-speed automatic transmission
• Standard carbon fiber hood and available carbon fiber package, including carbon fiber splitter, hood vent, rear spoiler and rear diffuser for greater aerodynamic performance
• Brembo high-performance brake system developed to provide durability, consistency and the capability for track-day performance straight from the factory
• Segment-best, third-generation Magnetic Ride Control delivering 40-percent faster damping response
• Driver-selectable driving modes for touring, sport, snow and track
• Segment-exclusive, racing-derived Performance Traction Management system with five additional modes allowing the driver to select the level of desired system assistance, matched for driver skill or road condition
• Launch Control enabling full-throttle acceleration from a stop for maximum performance
• Michelin Pilot Super Sport summer-only tri-compound tires offer excellent grip with extended tire wear
• Available segment-exclusive Performance Data Recorder enabling drivers to record, view and analyze driving experiences by capturing real-time video, cabin audio and performance data
• An interior with high-performance seats and ergonomics offering a driver-focused interface with carbon fiber trim and sueded microfiber accents

Introducing the 2018 Cadillac CTS-V Glacier Metallic Edition

Cadillac today announced the exclusive 2018 Cadillac CTS-V Glacier Metallic Edition, painted a smoky light gray that celebrates Cadillac’s 115-year history. The Edition will be limited to 115 CTS-V super sedans produced in 2017 for model year 2018.

Accenting the anniversary color are standard illuminated door handles, dark red Brembo® brake calipers and 19-inch forged polish-finished alloy wheels with Midnight Silver painted pockets, creating a unique look for Cadillac’s ultimate driver’s car.

The interior features Jet Black RECARO® race-inspired sport seats, the Performance Data Recorder system featuring COSWORTH Toolbox analysis software, UltraView sunroof, the industry–first Rear Camera Mirror and the next-generation Cadillac user experience infotainment system.

The Cadillac CTS-V super sedan is powered by a supercharged 6.2L V-8 engine SAE certified at 640 horsepower (477 kW) and 630 lb-ft of torque (855 Nm). It employs an efficient, compact supercharger matched with direct injection and Active Fuel Management (cylinder deactivation). Power is transferred exclusively to the rear wheels through an 8-speed sport automatic transmission with Performance Algorithm Shifting. The highly advanced Performance Traction Management system, developed through a two-year engineering embed with Cadillac Racing in Pirelli World Challenge, adds five track-oriented modes (from Wet to Race) plus Launch Control to ensure the most powerful Cadillac ever sold can adapt perfectly to track conditions and driver comfort level.

All new Cadillac V-Series models include tuition and accommodation at the 2-day Cadillac V-Performance Academy at Spring Mountain (offer valid for 1 year, reserved for the original owner of each new, unused model year 2017 and newer Cadillac ATS-V and CTS-V models).

The 2018 Cadillac CTS-V Glacier Metallic Edition is available for $103,885 including destination freight charges but excluding tax, title, license and dealer fees. The U.S. production run for the CTS-V Glacier Metallic Edition begins this month, and 105 of the 115 vehicles produced will be immediately available through U.S. Cadillac dealers. A list of available inventory will be updated at Cadillac | Prestige Cars, SUVs, Sedans, Coupes, and Crossovers.

All 2018 Cadillac CTS-V Glacier Metallic Edition super sedans include the following equipment, in addition to standard CTS-V features:

• Cadillac Glacier Metallic exterior paint
• 19-inch V-Series forged polished finish alloy wheels with Midnight Silver painted pockets
• Carbon Fiber Package:
• Carbon fiber front splitter
• Carbon fiber hood vent
• Carbon fiber rear spoiler
• Carbon fiber rear diffuser

Luxury Package:

• Tri-zone climate control
• Split-folding rear seat with armrest
• Heated rear outboard seating positions
• Power rear-window sunshade
• Manual rear side-window sunshades
• 110-volt power outlet
• Rear Camera Mirror

Next-Generation Cadillac user experience

• Cloud-based driver preferences
• Predictive navigation with available real-time traffic
• Collections application suite

The CTS-V Glacier Metallic Edition also includes:

• RECARO® performance seats
• Performance Data and Video Recorder system
• UltraView sunroof
• Red Brembo® brake calipers