10 Things You Need To Know About The 2015 Cadillac CTS-V

The 2015 Cadillac CTS-V is the latest in what has become an iconic line of sport sedans for the luxury brand.  One of the guiding lights that helped General Motors regain global respect after its recovery from bankruptcy, the Cadillac CTS-V has been able to hang with the European brands that have traditionally dominated the sport sedan market while still delivering the kind of grunt and machismo that one expects out of an American hot rod.

Let's take a look at 10 things you need to know about the 2015 Cadillac CTS-V.

01. The 2015 Cadillac CTS-V Delivers Supercharged Performance

The star of the 2015 Cadillac CTS-V's show is its 6.2-liter, supercharged V-8 engine.  Dubbed the LSA, it allows the Cadillac CTS-V to destroy all comers by way of its 556 horsepower and 551 lb-ft of torque.  These phenomenal numbers are a slight step down from those of the Corvette ZR-1, which shares its drivetrain, but they are still massive overkill for anything approaching daily driving.  When properly modulated for maximum traction, the rear-wheel drive CTS-V can reach 60 miles per hour in 3.9 seconds.  This means supercar territory can be breached by a respectable four-door sedan that you wouldn't be ashamed to drive your parents around in.

02. The 2015 Cadillac CTS-V Features Two Transmission Choices

The 2015 Cadillac CTS-V makes two different transmission options available to buyers.  Standard equipment is a six-speed manual gearbox that offers the best possible handle on the Cadillac CTS-V's rowdy 556 horsepower output.  For those who are more interested in cruising at autobahn speeds than slamming through a shift-it-yourself unit, there's also a six-speed automatic transmission offered as an option.  Why would anyone choose a traditional automatic over a manual in a performance car like this one?  In addition to its set-it-and-forget-it personality, automatic CTS-Vs have proven to be more effective drag strip weapons, with modified versions of the cars launching to quarter mile times of under 10 seconds with very little drama.

03. The 2015 Cadillac CTS-V Can Turn A Corner, Too

The 2015 Cadillac CTS-V was designed to do more than just go fast in a straight line.  The Cadillac CTS-V's secret weapon - aside from its burly engine - is its Magnetic Ride Control suspension.  This feature automatically evaluates and adjusts to road conditions in milliseconds in order to provide the utmost in handling without jarring passengers.  The technology is so advanced that it has been licensed to Ferrari for use on their own exotic automobiles.  Also along for the ride when you take the CTS-V to a track are six-piston front Brembo brakes and four-piston rear brakes, which help the admittedly heavy sedan to stop quickly when required.

04. The 2015 Cadillac CTS-V Is A Modern Muscle Car

The formula of taking a mid-size car and dropping in an enormous engine is a time-tested one that pre-dates the 2015 Cadillac CTS-V by more than 30 years.  The Cadillac CTS-V can in many ways be compared to the original muscle cars of the 1960s, vehicles that started with more humble beginnings - like the standard CTS platform - and which were elevated to superstar status thanks to a drivetrain transplant that significantly upped power.  The CTS-V might be more plush than its predecessors, but at its heart it's still a hooligan waiting to do burnouts in the parking lot after school (or at the end of a long day's work).

05. The 2015 Cadillac CTS-V Can Be Had In Sedan, Wagon, And Coupe Editions

So far we've only discussed the 2015 Cadillac CTS-V sedan, but there's two additional body styles available with this model.  The Cadillac CTS-V Coupe does more than just lop off the sedan's rear doors - it actually raises the haunches of the car and creates a unique, and intimidating design that has no real peer amongst competitors.  For those who require a bit more practicality when approaching 200 miles per hour, the Cadillac CTS-V Wagon adds 58 cubic feet of total cargo space plus a bit of extra traction at the drag strip due to the additional weight hanging over the rear axles.

06. The 2015 Cadillac CTS-V Offers Extensive Luxury Equipment

The 2015 Cadillac CTS-V manages to pamper its riders while they scream from point A to point B, booming their V-8 exhaust note off of every flat surface.  Fine leather upholstery hugs the Cadillac CTS-V's sport seats, suede and piano black trim is everywhere throughout the interior, and the vehicle also comes with features such as a surround sound audio system, an available navigation system, a rearview camera with park assist, and a touchscreen interface that pops up out of the dash.  You can also order a panoramic sunroof with the Cadillac, as well as Recaro sport seats suitable for more aggressive driving.

07. The 2015 Cadillac CTS-V Undercuts Its European Rivals

The 2015 Cadillac CTS-V happens to be a bit of a bargain.  While it might seem unusual to label a vehicle with an MSRP of $64,900 as a 'steal,' comparing the Cadillac CTS-V's window sticker to those of its rivals is a real eye-opener.  The most direct competitor to the CTS-V is the BMW M5, which charges $92,900 as its price of admission - a whopping $28,000 gap.  Thinking about the Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG?  You'll have to fork over $93,695.  Even the Audi RS7, a similarly powerful four-door luxury car, costs an astonishing $104,900.

07. The 2015 Cadillac CTS-V Undercuts Its European Rivals

The 2015 Cadillac CTS-V might not offer the latest and greatest active safety gear in comparison to a number of other premium cars, but it's still capable of protecting driver and passengers in the event of an accident.  The vehicle's complement of airbags includes dual forward units, front side airbags, and side curtain airbags that deploy both front and rear.  The vehicle's OnStar telematics system is able to track a stolen car, as well as automatically notify emergency personnel should a significant collision be detected.  Traction control and electronic stability control are also included with the Cadillac CTS-V.

03. The 2015 Cadillac CTS-V Is Offered In A Special Edition

The 2015 Cadillac CTS-V Coupe is being offered in a unique 'Special Edition' in recognition of this generation of the car's final year of production.  The Cadillac CTS-V Special Edition Coupe will come with Recaro seats, suede covering for its steering wheel and shift knob, special red paint for its Brembo brakes, wood trim throughout the interior, and satin-graphite 19-inch rims.  You also get red stitching on the car's leather, all at a price of $72,195.  Only 500 of these Special Edition coupes will be built, which means we could be witnessing the birth of a collector's item.

10. The 2015 Cadillac CTS-V Will Be Replaced Next Year

The 2015 Cadillac CTS-V will be replaced by a completely new vehicle for the 2016 model year, one that is based on the updated CTS platform that debuted for 2014.  A few of the changes to the car will be drastic - specifically, the elimination of the wagon and the coupe body styles, which haven’t been carried over by the standard CTS, either.  Much speculation has been made about what will be under the hood of the upcoming Cadillac CTS-V, with the front-runner being a version of the 6.2-liter supercharged V-8 introduced by the all-new Chevrolet Corvette Stingray Z06.  This unit could offer a whopping 600 horses and will most likely be matched with either a seven-speed manual transmission or an eight-speed automatic.