If You Were Disappointed By The Cadillac CT5-V and CT4-V, More Powerful “Plus” Versions Are Coming

Just kidding, those V models released last week aren't the hot-blooded performance versions

Cadillac: There is a CT5-V "Plus" model coming
Cadillac teased more powerful CT4-V and CT5-V variants after last week’s reveals were met with disappointment. [Photo: Cadillac]

After the immediate and disappointed reaction to the Cadillac CT4-V and CT5-V’s published performance numbers last week, Cadillac released teasers of Cadillac’s V-Series “Plus” vehicles. This is part of the brand’s two-tiered approach to the V brand. If you thought last week’s models were underwhelming, Cadillac has a message for you. It basically boils down to,” Don’t worry, these are the actual successors to the previous V-Series Cadillacs.

The company recently teased these two prototypes at Belle Isle Park race track, in Detroit. Ken Morris, vice president of product and Mark Reuss, president of General Motors, drove the prototypes. These two cars “represent the next step in Cadillac’s V-Series performance legacy,” according to the company’s statement.

cadillac ct5-v and ct4-v

Here’s why we all were disappointed with last week’s replacements for the CTS-V and ATS-V. The Cadillac CT5-V is reported to have a A 355 horsepower, 3.0-liter, twin-turbocharged V6 that makes 400 lb-ft of torque. The 2020 Cadillac CT4-V has a 320 horsepower turbocharged 2.7-liter four-cylinder engine that makes 369 lb-ft of torque. Neither of these numbers for the new cars made them remotely competitive with any of the BMW M or Mercedes-AMG models.

By comparison, the current CTS-V makes 640 horsepower and 630 lb-ft of torque. The ATS-V makes 464 horsepower and 445 lb-ft of torque.

Frankly, it was a poor decision on GM’s behalf to roll out the new models like they have. Especially without succinctly stating that more powerful V-Series Cadillacs were on their way.

To be fair, Cadillac is by no means alone when it comes to this practice. Audi has its “S” models then its top-of-the-line “RS” models. BMW has its mid-range M models that aren’t quite full-blown M cars (like the M235i sandwiched below the hot M2). Revealing the cars this way, though, put the cart before the horse. At least now we know that there will (hopefully) be proper V-Series Cadillacs. Seriously, that announcement should have come before the press release of the 2020 CT4-V and CT5-V.

At the very least, the 2020 CT4-V and CT5-V should be called something other than “V” – right? Let us know what you think in the comments.

Speaking of performance challengers to Cadillac…