Cadillac ATS-V & CTS-V hit Yas Marina Circuit
The superhot Caddy V-cars are finally here – we have all the details, specs and prices
By Shahzad Sheikh
Every since the new Cadillac ATS arrived at the beginning of 2013 and the Cadillac CTS arrived at the end of the same year, we’ve been patiently awaiting news of the V versions of these cars – which we knew were an inevitability. It took a couple of years, but now both cars have landed in the Middle East and we’ve been out in them at Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi.
Click below to watch my video with the new V-range.
We’ll bring you full on-road reviews of these cars soon, but here we have all the essential information, specs and prices for the two beasts – the Cadillac ATS-V & CTS-V.
- This is the third generation CTS-V but the first generation ATS-V.
- CTS-V retains a V8! It gets a 640bhp 6.2-litre supercharged unit with 630lb ft of torque, giving it a 0-100kph time of a near Hellcat-rivalling 3.8 seconds with a top speed of 322kph.
- CTS-V is priced at AED315,000 ($86k).
- Whilst CTS-V is only available as a saloon, the ATS-V comes in both saloon and coupe guises.
- ATS-V goes the Twin-Turbo route rather than supercharging for its 3.6-litre V6, putting out 464bhp and 445lb ft of torque. That’s good for 0-100kph in 3.9 seconds and a top speed of 304kph.
- ATS-V is priced at AED265,000 ($72k) for the saloon and AED275,000 ($75k) for the coupe.
- Both V cars will be at the Dubai Motor Show next month and you should get your orders in now!
- No manual will be available for either car in our market, the transmission is an 8-speed automatic with paddle shifts based on the gearbox in the Corvette Z06 and fitted to all 2016 ATS & CTS models.
- V cars come with optional data recorder that records video and with data overlays of your acceleration, braking, speed etc on track or on a favourite road for you to watch or analyse later.
- Third generation Magnetic Ride Control with 40% faster damping response – at 90kph it can calculate optimal damping for every inch of the road.
- Bespoke 3-compound Michelin Pilot Super Sport – can last twice as long.
- GM’s own torque convertor 8-speed paddle shift auto with full-throttle upshifts executed up to eight-hundredths of a second quicker than dual-clutch transmission it’s claimed.
- Strengthened rocker bulkhead, stronger rear cradle-to-rocker braces, unique aluminium shear panel at the front and V-braces in engine bay make ATS-V 25% stiffer and CTS-V 20% stiffer.
- Brembo high-performance brakes – six-piston callipers at the front and four-piston at the rear.
- Revised suspension with bushings replaced with zero-compliance cross-axle ball joints with higher rate springs and stiffer stabiliser bar.
- Electronic limited-slip differential.
- Almost every exterior panel is unique to the ATS-V and CTS-V including lightweight carbon fibre bonnet with vent, aerodynamic spoilers and splitters, enlarged mesh grille pattern to allow more cooling, widened fenders.
- 16-way adjustable RECARO front seats.
- All 2016 Cadillacs also get Apple Car Play.
- ZF electric power steering.
In Depth: ATS-V
- Nickname – ‘The Scalpel’.
- ‘Track-capable’ from the factory.
- Structural stiffness increased by 25%.
- Aggressive body kit helps with cooling as well as aerodynamics.
- Small, low-inertia turbochargers with featherweight titanium-aluminide turbines used with vacuum actuated wastegate. ‘Immediate spooling’ to elimate turbo lag with up to 18lbs of boost.
- An even more aggressive front splitter, bonnet vent, rear diffuser and taller rear spoiler as an option (this also adds the data recorder).
In Depth: CTS-V
- Nicknamed – ‘The Sledgehammer’.
- Standard carbon fibre bonnet and optional carbon package bodykit with more aggressive looks.
- Structural stiffness increased by 20%.
- Multiple driving modes including ‘segment-exclusive performance-spec traction and stability calibrations’.
- Supercharger’s rotors are smaller in diameter allowing greater rpm and quicker ‘spin-up’.
- V8 has Rotocast aluminium cylinder heads to better handle the heat.
- Wider fenders for 19-inch wheels.
- Automatic Park Assist and Curbview camera to avoid cracking the front splitter.
Reviews coming soon on MotoringME.com
