RANKING EVERY CADILLAC V MODEL BY 0-60 MPH TIMES

  • Cadillac V-series debuted in 2004 with the CTS - a hit among those craving speed and luxury in a Cadillac model.
  • V-series continues with impressive models like the CT4-V and Escalade-V, catering to different preferences and needs.
  • The latest CT5-V Blackwing is the fastest mass-market Cadillac, boasting a 6.2-liter V8 engine and remarkable performance.

Cadillac's V-series turns 20 years old this year, as it spans all the way back to 2004. At the time, Cadillac was desperate to reinvent itself and shed its "cars for old-timers" reputation that it had held for decades. Their boldest idea was to create a hot version of one of their newest models, the CTS. It was a success, and those who could afford the blisteringly-quick Caddy loved it.

Cadillac

Cadillac is an American brand belonging to the General Motors Company - a multinational automaker located in the USA. It develops and produces luxury vehicles, with notable flagships like the Escalade and Celestiq, the latter being an ultra-luxury EV. A range of electric Cadillacs are also in the cards. The brand is also known for its V-Series of cars, with the Blackwing models being the most potent performers in the lineup.

Since then, there have been several Cadillac models to receive the 'V' treatment, from sedans to SUVs. They're all exceptionally quick, but which one holds the title of fastest Cadillac V model? Here we rank the V models of the past by their 0-60 times - which model will be called the quickest?

0-60 mph times featured in the following write-up were taken from Cadillac's press site claims as well as real world test drive scenarios. V models are ranked from slowest to quickest.

2006 STS-V

4.8 Seconds

Engine

4.4-Liter Supercharged V8

Horsepower

469 hp

Torque

439 lb-ft

Top Speed

155 mph

Drivetrain

RWD

Transmission

6-Speed Automatic

Nearly two decades ago, Cadillac was already building cars with impressive specs and rapid 0-60 times. The STS was a short-lived nameplate, spanning only six years from 2005 to 2011. The STS as a whole was meant to be a slightly more luxurious version of the Cadillac CTS. Despite its agreeable pricing, it sold poorly and earned itself an early death. However, Cadillac did try to breathe some competitive muscle into the STS when they released the STS-V for the 2006 model year, claiming a 0-60 time of 4.6 seconds, although most reports indicate 4.8 seconds was more realistic. The luxury marque shoehorned a supercharged version of their Northstar V8 into the car, upping the horsepower to nearly 470. But, like the normal STS, it sold poorly and was discontinued after just three years.

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2024 CT5-V

4.6 Seconds

Engine

3.0-Liter Twin-Turbo V6

Horsepower

360 hp

Torque

405 lb-ft

Top Speed

156 mph

Drivetrain

RWD | AWD

Transmission

10-Speed Automatic

The 2024 CT5-V, unlike its powerlifting Blackwing brother, uses a twin-turbocharged V6 engine that puts out less than 400 horses. It's been historically attainable with a starting price below $50,000 in 2020, meaning a sub-five-second 0-60 mph time was within reach for the masses. The most recent version is available in both rear- and all-wheel drive, with the latter being slower to 60 mph by two-tenths. The RWD CT5-V will get their in 4.6 seconds - and the price still comes in at a good $51,495 MSRP.

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2021 CT4-V

4.5 Seconds

Engine

2.7-Liter Turbocharged Inline-Four

Horsepower

325 hp

Torque

380 lb-ft

Top Speed

156 mph

Drivetrain

RWD | AWD

Transmission

10-Speed Automatic

Cadillac's CT4-V is the smallest car in the current V lineup, and it also has the least amount of power. The CT4 is the spiritual successor to the now-discontinued CTS, as it occupies the same size segment. The CT4-V uses a modified version of GM's LB3 turbocharged inline-four engine, which can churn out nearly 400 pound-feet of torque. It may not be entirely a 3 Series-beater, but its low price and decent power make it an attractive option for those in the market for a small, fast sedan. Like the CT5, the CT4 also offers a Blackwing variant that uses an entirely different power plant. As you may be able to guess, we'll be covering that one later on in this list.

2024 Escalade-V

4.4 Seconds

Engine

6.2-Liter Supercharged V8

Horsepower

682 hp

Torque

653 lb-ft

Top Speed

125 lb-ft

Drivetrain

AWD

Transmission

10-Speed Automatic

Our first and only SUV makes an appearance on our list. The Cadillac Escalade has been a cultural and luxury icon for over two decades, ever since its introduction in 1999. Since then, it's been one of the most commonly seen vehicles in high-income areas of Los Angeles, New York, and Chicago. In short, the Escalade always seems to follow the money. Cadillac figured it best to take that mantra to heart, and decided to create a V version of the Escalade. The Escalade V has a 6.2-liter supercharged V8 that can put out almost 700 horses, making for a seriously quick 0-60 mph time for a full-size SUV.

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2016 ATS-V Sedan

4.2 Seconds

Engine

3.6-Liter Twin-Turbo V6

Horsepower

464 hp

Torque

445 lb-ft

Top Speed

189 mph

Drivetrain

RWD

Transmission

6-Speed Manual

Next up is another discontinued model, the Cadillac ATS-V. The ATS model as a whole was also given discontinued in 2018 to make room for the upcoming refreshed lineup of Cadillac sedans, those being the CT4, CT5, and CT6. Considering the ATS-V's rather small power plant, it's capable of some serious damage on the streets. Despite only having six cylinders, the twin-turbocharged forced induction allows the LF4 engine to produce 464 hp, as well as helping the ATS-V reach a top speed just 11 miles-per-hour short of 200 MPH.

2024 CT4-V Blackwing

3.8 Seconds

Engine

3.6-Liter Twin-Turbo V6

Horsepower

472 hp

Torque

445 lb-ft

Top Speed

189 mph

Drivetrain

RWD | AWD

Transmission

6-Speed MT | 10-Speed Auto

We've arrived at our first Blackwing entry, the CT4-V Blackwing. Basically, the intimidating moniker is there to let everyone know this Caddy means serious business. As for the CT4-V version, GM decided to use a twin-turbocharged version of their 3.6-liter V6. It's able to produce an impressive amount of power, clocking in at over 470 horses. Using that oomph, the CT4-V Blackwing can reach 60 mph 3.9 seconds with the self-shifter equipped, or 3.8 seconds if you choose the available automatic. Considering a new CT4-V Blackwing costs just about $60,000, its speed-to-money ratio makes it quite a bargain.

2020 CT6-V

3.8 Seconds

Engine

4.2-Liter Twin-Turbo V8

Horsepower

550 hp

Torque

640 lb-ft

Top Speed

149 mph (Limited)

Drivetrain

AWD

Transmission

10-Speed Automatic

The next entry on our list is the Cadillac CT6-V, a model that's especially significant in Cadillac's V lineup. The 4.2-liter twin-turbo V8 that it used was specially developed by Cadillac, and uses no recycled parts. The 4.2-liter motor was originally named the Blackwing. Cadillac would later adopt that name for their high-performance models. The Blackwing engine, reportedly, cost Cadillac $20,000 each to produce. This didn't go over well with the powers-that-be, and LTA V8 production was limited to just 1,500 examples. Of that number, 875 were destined for CT6-Vs, and 625 of them went to CT6s in Platinum trim guise - the highest possible grade you could option on a CT6. AWD provided the grip needed to rocket this car to 60 mph in under four seconds.

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2016 Cadillac CTS-V

3.7 Seconds

Engine

6.2-Liter Supercharged V8

Horsepower

640 hp

Torque

630 lb-ft

Top Speed

200 mph

Drivetrain

RWD

Transmission

Eight-Speed Automatic

We've reached the penultimate model in the list. 2016 marked the first year of the final-gen CTS sedan. So, because of this, the CTS-V was tasked with going out with a bang. It received a supercharged, modified version of GM's 6.2-liter LT4 V8 which easily made 640 horses - at the time, it was the most powerful Cadillac ever produced, and the most powerful in its class. The 2016 CTS-V was also the first mass-market Cadillac to reach a top speed of 200 mph.

2024 CT5-V Blackwing

3.4 Seconds

Engine

6.2-Liter Supercharged V8

Horsepower

668 hp

Torque

659 lb-ft

Top Speed

>200 mph

Drivetrain

RWD | AWD

Transmission

6-Speed MT | 10-Speed Auto

The quickest Cadillac V model is the latest CT5-V Blackwing. This list features the regular CT5-V higher up, so it's only fitting that its muscular brother is the most rapid mass-market Cadillac available in 2024. The CT5-V Blackwing's power comes courtesy of GM's favorite supercharged V8, the 6.2-liter LT4. As standard, buyers receive a six-speed manual transmission, with a 10-speed automatic being optional. To stop all of that supercharged V8 power, Cadillac offers a Brembo ceramic brake package, which also saves 64 pounds from the CT5-V Blackwing's total curb weight. And if you think this one is good, you'll want to see what Cadillac has in store for the 2025 model year.

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Sources: ZeroTo60Time.com, QuantrellCadillac.com, AutoData.net, JDPower.com, Cadillac.com

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