When the North American International Auto Show (aka The Detroit Auto Show) rolls into town each January, it’s an exciting time for all of us on the FamilyDealBlog.com team.
I mean who wouldn’t love the chance to walk countless miles in uncomfortable shoes while shooting videos and writing articles on some of the coolest cars in the world?
This year, however, was a little different because for the first time we were granted credentials so we could attend the Press Preview alongside the rest of the mainstream media.
I know what you’re thinking. You? Press? Ha! I know, I was just as surprised as you.
That being said, one of the vehicles I was looking forward to seeing and getting to know was the all-new 2016 Cadillac CTS-V.
Needless to say, after catching Cadillac’s press conference and speaking to Chief Executive Engineer, Dave Leone, I was left impressed with what the future holds for Cadillac.
V for Vroom
640 Horsepower? Check. 0-60 in 3.7 seconds? Check. Top Speed of 200 mph? Heck yeah!
Powering the 2016 Cadillac CTS-V is an all-new, 6.2L supercharged V-8 engine. It employs a more-efficient, more-compact 1.7L supercharger and matches it with direct injection and Active Fuel Management.
Put it all together and you’ll find that the 2016 CTS-V is the most powerful Cadillac ever built.
Ever.
V for Vendetta
To open up the press conference Cadillac President, Johan de Nysschen called out the German competition.
He definitively threw down the gauntlet when he named the the BMW M5 and the Mercedes E63 AMG as rival cars that would soon be eating its dust.
Johan even sported some subtle humor with attitude when he verbally converted the CTS-V’s top speed of 200 miles per hour to 320 kilometers per hour for those taking in the press conference from the adjacent Mercedes exhibit.
I definitely like this new attitude from the folks at Cadillac.
It’s not enough for Cadillac to have a car that stacks up against the best that Germany has to offer on paper. They want to make sure it lives up to it’s expectations on the road and track as well.
V for Validation
If you’ve been following along with Cadillac in the news lately, you’ll notice that they are making a concerted effort to win the business of luxury car buyers across the country.
Make no mistake, the luxury market is ultra-competitive as each manufacturer tries to one-up the other from a product and services standpoint.
The 2016 Cadillac CTS-V will be one of the shining stars of the lineup that show not only can Cadillac build the ultimate luxury vehicle, but they can build one the performs better than the rest.
The success of the 2016 CTS-V can indeed validate Cadillac’s rightful place among luxury car makers.
V for Vanguard
The new CTS-V is leading the charge as Cadillac begins to reinvent it’s lineup.
One of the things Cadillac teased at their North American International Auto Show press conference was a revamped lineup.
By 2020 @Cadillac will introduce 8 new vehicles, including 5 new vehicle segments #NAIAS
— LaFontaine Highland (@CaddyBuickGMC) January 13, 2015
One can only speculate exactly what Cadillac’s lineup will be in 2020, but it might look something like this:
- Cadillac ATS / ATS-V
- Cadillac CTS / CTS-V
- Cadillac XTS
- Cadillac CT6
- Cadillac SRX / SRX-V
- Cadillac Yet-to-be-named 7 passenger CUV
- Cadillac Escalade
- Cadillac XLR
- Cadillac Convertible (Ciel Concept)
- Cadillac Grand Coupe (Elmiraj Concept)
V for Victory
Clearly the end goal for Cadillac is to polish up their badge so it stands above the best vehicles the world has to offer.
A lofty goal to be sure, but one that we’re confident is already being achieved…just ask the team at LaFontaine Cadillac in Highland, Michigan.
One of the Top-5 Cadillac dealerships in the country, they see more consumers turning in their European vehicles for a new Cadillac than ever before.
The 2016 Cadillac CTS-V could very well be the first in a series of vehicles that ushers in a new age of Cadillac owners and luxury supremacy.
