Powerful brakes with decent feel and a sharp and eager steering back this up. You’ll need a track to get anywhere close to this car’s limits—but a very lenient traction control system helps do this safely. There’s even a switch to dial up some additional suspension firmness when required.
When it’s not required, the CTS-V pulls off a modest cruising-around-town attitude, too. Though the clutch, shifter and steering are heavy enough to pull drivers into the experience, they’re light enough to use without wearing oneself down during a day of errands. The engine pulls things along effortlessly in traffic, the ride is relatively calm, and the relaxing cabin can even be used to unwind when drivers stay out of the sauce.
It’s all part of that delightful split personality that defines so many great performance cars. In fact, the blending of high-performance and high-luxury helped the V beat out the Ford Shelby GT500 and Mercedes Benz E550 Cabriolet for a win in the Sports – Performance cars over $50,000 category at this year’s round of Canadian Car of the Year (CCOTY) testing. Price as tested: $76,742.
Where the rough and ragged GT500 is always ‘on’ and always savage, and where the E550 Cabriolet always operates under a layer of soft gentleness, the CTS-V represents an ideal happy medium. Without abusing or coddling its drivers, this machine turned in the group’s best steering, handling and braking scores—not to mention tying the Benz for engine refinement. Fastest 0-100 km/h times in the field, too.
Gripes? Sure—there are several. Visibility is nasty, the ride can be harsh on some surfaces, and at the hands of a lead-footed driver, the CTS-V will burn up more fuel than the average refinery fire. Given the power-per-dollar ratio at work, it can easily be forgiven.
It’s a Cadillac, and a “V”—and as such, this slick new coupe should clearly tell the world of pricey performance coupes that America is up for a brawl.
When it’s not required, the CTS-V pulls off a modest cruising-around-town attitude, too. Though the clutch, shifter and steering are heavy enough to pull drivers into the experience, they’re light enough to use without wearing oneself down during a day of errands. The engine pulls things along effortlessly in traffic, the ride is relatively calm, and the relaxing cabin can even be used to unwind when drivers stay out of the sauce.
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| When it’s not required, the CTS-V pulls off a modest cruising-around-town attitude, too. (Photo: Matthieu Lambert/Auto123.com) |
It’s all part of that delightful split personality that defines so many great performance cars. In fact, the blending of high-performance and high-luxury helped the V beat out the Ford Shelby GT500 and Mercedes Benz E550 Cabriolet for a win in the Sports – Performance cars over $50,000 category at this year’s round of Canadian Car of the Year (CCOTY) testing. Price as tested: $76,742.
Where the rough and ragged GT500 is always ‘on’ and always savage, and where the E550 Cabriolet always operates under a layer of soft gentleness, the CTS-V represents an ideal happy medium. Without abusing or coddling its drivers, this machine turned in the group’s best steering, handling and braking scores—not to mention tying the Benz for engine refinement. Fastest 0-100 km/h times in the field, too.
Gripes? Sure—there are several. Visibility is nasty, the ride can be harsh on some surfaces, and at the hands of a lead-footed driver, the CTS-V will burn up more fuel than the average refinery fire. Given the power-per-dollar ratio at work, it can easily be forgiven.
It’s a Cadillac, and a “V”—and as such, this slick new coupe should clearly tell the world of pricey performance coupes that America is up for a brawl.
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