First Impression: Cadillac CTS-V

In 2002, Cadillac started production on the CTS, a mid-size luxury car. It replaced the Cadillac Catera. In 2004, General Motors, the parent company of Cadillac, decided to put the 5.7 LS2 V8 (2004-2005), later the 6.0L LS6 V8 engine (2006-2007) used in Chevrolet Corvettes and put that engine in the CTS, calling the upgraded Cadillac the CTS-V. In 2009, the second generation Cadillac CTS-V went into production. The CTS-V comes in four-door sedan, four-door sportwagon, and two-door grand-tourer coupe. The CTS-V now comes with a 6.2L LSA V8 that is similar to the LS9 V8 found in the Chevrolet Corvette ZR1. THe CTS-V sedan had the fastest lap time for a production sedan around the world famous Nurburgring with a time of 7:59.32 until July 2009, when the Porsche Panamera Turbo went around the Nurburgring with a time of  7:56.00.

I see the CTS-V on the Houston roads. GM was also showing of the CTS-V coupe and sportswagon at the 2011 Houston Auto Show. People exhibit their CTS-Vs at Houston Cars and Coffee events. The CTS-V is beautiful. The coupe has a sleek, stunning exterior. This is a great alternative to the BMW M5, Audi RS4, or the Jaguar XF.

The Cadillac CTS-V is powered by a 6.2L supercharged LSA V8 engine, paired with either a six-speed manual or a six-speed automatic transmission, that produces 556 hp and 551 lb-ft of torque. The CTS-V goes from 0 to 60 mph in 3.9 seconds with a top speed of 191 mph. Prices for the CTS-V start at $62,360. The price is very low for a car that can exceed speed of 191 mph and have a 0-60 mph under 4 seconds.

A Hennessey tuned Cadillac CTS-V Coupe made a stop by Jay Leno's Garage.Top Gear reviewed the first-generation CTS-V during Series 6, Episode 4. James May drove a CTS-V during the Top Gear West Coast Road Trip Special that occurred during Series 12, Episode 2. Motorweek has reviewed all versions of the Cadillac CTS-V. The CTS-V is playable in Need For Speed: Pro Street, Midnight Club 3: DUB Edition, Test Drive Unlimited, Project Gotham Racing 3, Superstars V8 Racing, Race On, Superstars V8 Next Challenge, Forza Motorsport, Forza Motorsport 2, Forza Motorsport 3, Need For Speed: Undercover, vDream Racing, Driver: San Francisco, and Car Town.

Final Thoughts: The Cadillac CTS-V is one midsize car that should not be overlooked. General Motors shows that it make a solid luxury vehicle with the CTS-V. The CTS-V is one of the most powerful, fastest, and quickest sedans on the road. Not to mention it has eye-catching looks. I know the regular CTS has the same appearance and is cheaper than the CTS-V, but the 3.6L V6 in the CTS does not provide the power that the supercharged V8 of the CTS-V gives. If you are looking for a solid, high-performing mid-size luxury car, give the CTS-V a try. It can compete with the BMW M5, Audi RS4, Jaguar XFR, and Mercedes-Benz E-Class.

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First Impression: Cadillac XLR/ Cadillac XLR-V

Cadillac had a reputation for making cars that old people drive. GM wanted to attract a younger crowd to Cadillac. Cadillac came out with the SUV Escalade, the sport sedan CTS/CTS-V, and a roadster XLR. Cadillac made the XLR from 2003 to 2009, a total of 15548 XLRs were produced. The XLR was intended to be the flagship for the Cadillac brand and was based on the Chevrolet Corvette's Y-platform. The XLR featured a retractable aluminum rooftop. Cadillac made a high performance version called the XLR-V.

I recently saw a Cadillac XLR at the July edition of Houston Cars and Coffee. I also see them from time to time on the Houston roads. It is a beautiful car. I love the styling of the car. This is not a car for old people. It is a good alternative to the Mercedes-Benz SL Class and the BMW Z Roadster/M Roadster. The XLR-V looks just like the XLR, except for what is under the hood.

The XLR is powered by a 4.6L V8 that produces 320 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque. The XLR goes from 0 to 60 mph in 5.8 seconds and reaches a top speed of 155 mph. Prices for the 2009 XLR started at $86,215. The XLR-V is powered by a supercharged 4.4L V8 that produces 443 hp and 414 lb-ft of torque. The XLR-B goes from 0 to 60 mph in 4.7 seconds and reaches a top speed of 155 mph. The XLR-V cost $100,000 in 2009. The XLR and XLR-V are quick, have a decent top speed, and a little pricey. The XLR-V is one of the most expensive cars to come from GM.

The Cadillac XLR and XLR-V were reviewed by Motorweek. The XLR is seen in CSI, Takers, and The Mentalist. The XLR-V is featured in Sons of Anarchy, Shark, and Clarkson: The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly.  The XLR is playable in Asphalt: Urban GT, Project Gotham Racing 2, Midnight Club 3: DUB Edition, and Driver: San Francisco. The XLR-V is playable in Asphalt 2: Urban GT, Test Drive Unlimited, Project Gotham Racing 3, and Midnight Club: Los Angeles.

Final Thoughts: The XLR went unnoticed by the public. People thought the car was for old people since it was a Cadillac. But Cadillac has recently been making cars for the younger car owners. Old people do drive Cadillacs, but I rarely see an old person driving an Escalade or XLR. It is a shame this car was overlook because it is quick and beautiful. The car is expensive though, but it is still a nice alternative to the BMW Z4 and Mercedes-Benz SL Class.

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Classic Car: 1905 Cadillac Model E

Cadillac was founded by Henry Leland in 1902. One of the earliest Cadillacs is the Model E, first introduced in January 1905. This car uses a chain drive and a single cylinder engine. The Model E was only available as a runabout, a two-seater with no roof. Most Cadillacs in 1905 had a detachable second row of seats, or tonneau, but it was not available with the Model E. Two optional packages were available for the Model E. For $30.00, you could get a rubber top with sides and a storm apron. For $50.00, you could get a bulb horn, a leather top with sides and a storm apron.

I recently saw a 1905 Cadillac Model E at the August 2011 edition of Houston Cars and Coffee. There is always one or two cars that people circle around. At this event, there was a consistent circle of people around the vintage Cadillac. The person who owns this car had it running. There was a clanking sound coming from the Cadillac. Also, the 1905 Cadillac logo was missing from the grill. It should say "Cadillac" somewhere on the grill, but it was absent from the car. The car was also leaking oil. When I was driving to the event, I was not expecting to see a 1905 Cadillac. This is something I would expect to see at Classy Chassis, not Cars and Coffee.

The Cadillac Model E is powered by a 1.6L single cylinder engine, paired with a two-speed planetary transmission. The advertised horsepower for the Model E is 9 hp. The Model E is very light, weighing only 1100 lbs. In 1905, the Model E costs $750, which was the cheapest Cadillac in 1905.

This car predates video games and movies, so the Cadillac Model E is not playable in video games or featured in any TV shows or movies.

Final Thought: It is always nice to see 100+ year old cars up close and in person. When I arrived at Cars and Coffee, I was not expecting to see a Cadillac from 1905. This is a great piece of automotive history. You can see how far cars have evolved when there is a car from 1905 in the same lot as modern super cars. The 1905 Cadillac Model E would make a nice addition to any collector of old vintage cars.

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First Impression: Cadillac XTS

Cadillac is known for making luxurious cars. In May 2012, Cadillac started production on the XTS. The XTS will be replacing the STS and DTS as Cadillac's full-size luxury sedan. Sales for the XTS start in June 2012. The XTS is a front-engine four-door full-size luxury sedan that comes available with either front-wheel drive or rear-wheel drive.

I first saw the XTS at the 2012 Houston Auto Show. It is a beautiful car. It has sleek lines going along the sides of the cars. I love how the headlights were integrated into the front. The front of the car is done well with The car was on a turntable and attendees were not allowed to sit in the car.

The XTS is powered by a 3.6L V6 engine, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission, that produces 304 hp and 264 lb-ft of torque. The XTS goes from 0 to 60 mph in 6.7 seconds and reaches a top speed of 130 mph. There are plans for hybrid version of the XTS called the Cadillac XTS Platinum with 3.6L V6 plug-in hybrid engine that produces 250 hp. Prices for the XTS start $44,995, which is reasonable for a full-size luxury sedan. The XTS has good performance for a full-size car that weighs about 4,000 lbs.

The XTS has not had much exposure on TVs or in movies. The XTS Platimun has been featured on Cars.TV and RTL Autowereld.

Final Thougts: I like seeing Cadillac bring out a new full-size luxury sedan. Compared to the Lincoln MKS and Chrysler 300, the XTS is the best looking of the three. IT is cost about $1,000 more than the MKS. I hope that there will be the XTS-V. My one issue is that the XTS comes available in front-wheel drive instead of rear-wheel drive. Most full-size luxury cars are either rear-wheel drive or all-wheel drive. The XTS is also available in all-wheel drive. All other current Cadillacs come available with rear-real drive, including the compact Cadillac ATS. The XTS is a good car and hope to see more for Cadillac, especially more V versions of other Cadillacs beside the XLR-V, STS-V, and CTS-V.

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First Impression: Cadillac ATS

The last time a Cadillac compact sedan was sold in America was the Cadillac Cimarron, which was produced from 1982 to 1988. It was a major flop. Cadillac had a compact car for the European market from 2005 to 2010 called the Cadillac BLS, which was a heavily styled Saab 9-3. In 2012, Cadillac started production on a new compact luxury sedan called the ATS. The ATS comes available with either as a four-door rear-wheel drive car or as a four-door all-wheel drive car.

I first saw the ATS at the 2012 Houston Auto Show. I love the sleek side profile. The car was on a turntable, so I was not allowed to sit in the car. The rear of the car is similar to that on a Cadillac CTS and it works for both cars. My one issue with the styling of the ATS is the front. The headlights are not flushed with the front. There is a noticeable gap between the front end of the car and where the headlights are.

The ATS is available with a few engines and comes with either a six-speed manual or a six-speed automatic transmission. The ATS is available with a base 2.5L I4, paired only with the six-speed automatic transmission,  that produces 202 hp and 190 lb-ft of torque. It goes from 0 to 60 mph in 7.5 seconds and reaches a top speed of 130 mph and is only available in rear-wheel drive. Prices for the base 2.5 I4 start at $33,990. The turbocharged 2.0L I4 engine, paired with either a manual or automatic transmission, produces 270 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque. It goes from 0 to 60 mph in 5.7 seconds. Prices for the 2.0L I4 turbo start at $35,795 and is available with either rear-wheel drive or all-wheel drive. The 3.6L V6, paired with the automatic transmission, produces 320 hp and 267 lb-ft of torque. It goes from 0 to 60 mph in 5.4 seconds and reaches a top speed of 152 mph. Prices for the 3.6L V6 ATS start at $42,090 and is available with either rear-wheel drive or all-wheel drive. For a luxury sedan, the ATS has good performance and at a reasonable price.

The ATS has been featured on Motorweek.

Final Thoughts: GM has another winner in the luxury compact sedan class. I am very impressed with the Buick Verano and I am impressed with the ATS. Compared to the BMW 3-Series, the ATS is cheaper. Cadillac has announced that there will be an ATS-V for the 2014 model year. I am very interested in seeing how the ATS-V competes against the Audi RS4, BMW M3, Mercedes-Benz C 63 AMG, and Lexus ISF. As far as which engine to go with, you can skip the base 2.5 I4 engine and go with either the 2.0L turbo or the 3.6L V6.


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First Drive: 2013 Cadillac XTS

In 2011, General Motors and Cadillac ended production for both the Cadillac STS and DTS. In 2012, Cadillac came out with an all new full-size sedan, the XTS, to replace both the STS and DTS. The XTS also serves as the flagship car for the Cadillac brand. I first saw the Cadillac XTS at the 2012 Houston Auto Show and named it my best full-size Car to come out in 2012, and I did that before I drove the XTS. At the 2013 Houston Auto Show, I got behind the wheel of an XTS. This was the first car I drove on Day 4 of the Houston Auto Show.

The XTS is just beautiful. The XTS has some sleek lines going along the side of the car. The rear slope is integrated nicely. The headlights are integrated nicely into the body. The interior is even better. The XTS has a luxurious and roomy. I was very comfortable behind the wheel. The feel like I am on a cloud when I am behind the wheel. I had plenty of leg room and head room. There are some features that I like. There is a heads up display that informs the driver what the speed limit is and also acts as a speedometer. The gauges are digital and can be customized to fit the driver's need. The middle gauge acted as a speedometer and navigation. This is the first time I have been behind the wheel of a car with the navigation located in front of the driver and not to the side. I have an external GPS device for my RAV4 and I have to turn to the side to look at it instead of looking ahead. In the XTS, I can look straight at the rood and at the navigation screen at the same time. This feature is something that needs to be on more cars. It is dangerous for a driver to have his or her eyes not looking directly at the road.

Powering the XTS is a 3.6L V6, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission, that producs 304 hp and 264 lb-ft of torque. The XTS goes from 0 to 60 mph in 6.7 seconds, which is good for a full-size sedan. The car feels quick. The XTS has a soft ride, yet the XTS handles well. The car immediately turns when I turn the steering wheel. Over the five days, there were some vehicles that did not turn one way or another immediately when I turn the steering wheel. The XTS handles bumps well. I barely felt any bumps when I was behind the wheel. The XTS is a good car to be behind the wheel of.

Overall, the XTS is an amazing cars. I love the exterior styling. It is just beautiful. The interior is really nice. I felt very comfortable behind the wheel. I love that the driver can customize the gauges to fit his or her needs. I liked having the navigation screen directly in front of me when I was behind the wheel of the XTS. The XTS also has good acceleration. It is just an enjoyable car to drive. Prices for the XTS start at $44,075 and can go up to $60,385 for a fully loaded XTS premium sedan. That price may seem high, but compared to its German rivals, the XTS has a lot to offer for a good price. If you can afford it, get it. The XTS is an amazing car.

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First Drive: 2013 Cadillac ATS 2.0T

In 2012, Cadillac came out with two new sedans. The first of the two new sedans is the XTS, a full size sedan that replaced both the STS and DTS. The second new sedan is the ATS, a compact sedan that competes against the Lexus IS, BMW 3-Series, Audi A4, and Mercedes-Benz C-Class.The ATS is the first Cadillac compact sedan to be sold in North America since the Cimarron was sold from 1982 to 1988. The European market got the BLS from 2005 to 2010. The Cadillac is a front-engine, four door compact sedan that is available with either rear-wheel drive or all-wheel drive. I first saw the ATS at the 2012 Houston Auto Show. I liked what I saw out of the ATS and named it my 2012 Best Sports Sedan award before even driving it. The ATS was Esquire's 2013 Car of the Year, Popular Mechanics' 2013 Luxury Car of the Year, and Motor Press Guild's 2013 Vehicle of the year. The ATS is also the 2013 North American Car of the Year. At the 2013 Houston Auto Show, I was able to get behind the wheel of the ATS and take it out for a test drive. The version of the ATS that I drove came with a turbocharged 2.0L I4 engine paired with a six-speed automatic transmission and with rear-wheel drive.

The ATS styling grew on me. It has some nice character lines and a nice sports sedan styling. It does not look as bland as some of the other compact sedans, luxury sedans, and sports sedans. The ATS has a nice interior. The touch screen is user friendly.  The seat was comfortable to sit in. I had a nice amount of leg room and head room. The car has a sporty feel to it, but it is not too stiff and unpleasant. 

The ATS I drove came with a turbocharged 2.0L I4 engine that produces 272 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque. The ATS is also available with a 2.5L I4 engine that produces 202 hp and 190 lb-ft. The ATS also comes with a 3.6L V6 engine that produces 321 hp and 274 lb-ft of torque. All engines come with a six-speed automatic transmission. The turbocharged 2.0L engine is available with an optional six-speed manual transmission. The first I noticed about the way the ATS 2.0T was the lack of turbo lag. I did not notice any turbo lag, if there was any. The car has smooth acceleration. The ATS 2.0T can go from 0 to 60 mph in 6.0 seconds, and it felt quick. The ATS has a comfortable, quiet ride and was fun to drive. The car has good throttle response and responds well when I turned the steering wheel. The base price for the ATS starts at $33,995. The ATS 2.0T starts at $35,795. The ATS 3.6 starts at $42,090. That is a good price for what you get with the ATS.

Overall, the ATS is a very good sports sedan. I drove both the ATS and CTS sedans, and I was more comfortable in the ATS than in the CTS.The ATS has a nice balance between ride quality and handling. The ATS has a sporty suspension, yet it was comfortable to be in. I have been in cars that have too soft of a ride that there is a delay between turning the steering wheel and the car turning. I have also been cars that the suspension was too stiff more me to enjoy the car. The has good power and nice acceleration. I drove the ATS with the turbocharged engine, but I did not notice any turbo lag. Well done General Motors and Cadillac. Also, the ATS has a good sports sedan styling. It shares some resemblance to the Cadillac CTS, but that is not a bad thing. And the ATS also goes for a reasonable price. You get a lot of car for under $40,000, and that includes a turbocharged engine. If you are looking for a luxury compact sedan or a sports sedan, give the ATS a test drive. I highly recommend the ATS. This is one of the best cars to come out in 2012.

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First Drive: 2013 Cadillac CTS

The Cadillac CTS has been around since 2002, serving as the brand's mid-size luxury car. The CTS is a front-engine, rear-wheel drive car. All-wheel drive is available as an option. The CTS comes with either a six-speed manual, a five-speed automatic (first generation only), or a six-speed automatic transmission. The first generation, which was produced from 2002 to 2007, was only available as a four-door sedan. The second generation CTS, which went into production in 2007, is in its final year. The second generation CTS is available as a two-door coupe, a four-door sedan, or a five-dour wagon. There is also a tuned version of the CTS, the CTS-V, which is powered by a supercharged 6.2L V8 engine that produces 556 hp and 551 lb-ft of torque. On March 26, 2013, General Motors announced the all new third generation Cadillac CTS which will be available starting with the 2014 model year. With the new CTS comes an all new CTS-V. I have seen various versions  of the Cadillac CTS at the various car events in the greater Houston area. I got behind the wheel of the CTS at the 2013 Houston Auto Show. The vesion I drove was a CTS Sedan with the six-speed automatic transmission.

On the outside, the CTS has a nice sporty luxurious exterior. It has some sleek sporty lines on it. The CTS has a luxurious interior. You know a car is luxurious when it has an analog clock on the dashboard. The CTS also features a pop-up screen. Behind the wheel, I had a decent amount of headroom and a good amount of leg room, but the seat is very firm.

The CTS is powered by a 3.6L V6 that produces 318 hp and 275 lb-ft of torque. It goes from 0 to 60 in 6.2 seconds and reaches a top speed of 150 mph. This car feels quick. It is not super quick, but it is till quick enough for highway passing and highway entry. The ride is rough. The suspension is stiff, meaning that you will feel every bump in the road. But due to the stiff suspension, the CTS is very responsive. The CTS also has good throttle response. This would make a good track car if it had a V8 engine. Prices for the CTS with the 3.6L V6 and an automatic transmission start at $43,340. The base CTS with a 3.0L V6 engine starts at $39,095. For a luxury mid-size sports sedan, that is not too expensive compared to its European rivals.

Overall, the CTS is a good car. It has good performace, a nice sporty styling, a luxurious interior, good leg room, decent leg room, and is not too expensive for what you get. The car is very responsive due to its stiff suspension. But the responsiveness comes at a price. The CTS has a rough ride. The seat is very firm to the point that it is uncomfortable. The CTS is a sports sedan and it has a sporty feel. If you do not mind a stiff ride, then I can recommend giving the CTS a test drive. But for those who want to be comfortable behind the wheel and do not like a stiff ride, look elsewhere. When the 2014 CTS hits showroom floors, expect a price drop in the 2013 CTS. Now, I also test drove three CTS-Vs and there is significant difference between the CTS and CTS-V.

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First Drive: 2013 Cadillac CTS-V Coupe

Cadillac has been producing the CTS since 2002. In 2004, Cadillac started making a high performance version of the CTS, the CTS-V, in 2004. Production of the first generation CTS-V occurred between 2004 and 2007. The first generation CTS-V was a front engine, rear-wheel drive sedan. Cadillac did not produce the CTS-V in 2008 since the second generation CTS came out that year. The second generation CTS is available as a four-door sedan, a two-door coupe and a five-door sports wagon. In 2009, Cadillac started producing the second generation CTS-V, which is also available as a sedan, coupe and wagon. The most popular car brand for test drives at the 2013 Houston Auto Show was Cadillac. There were several occasions when all eight Cadillacs were on the road and not parked at the Cadillac test drive area. I test drove all eight Cadillacs that were available for test drives, including three Cadillac CTS-Vs. The rule with Cadillac is that you have to drive either the ATS, XTS, SRX, CTS, or Escalade before you can get behind the wheel of a CTS-V. Once you test drove one CTS-V, you can get back in line and test drive the other CTS-Vs. After test driving the Cadillac CTS, I got behind the wheel of the CTS-V Coupe. This version of the CTS-V is a front engine, rear-wheel drive two-door coupe. The version I drove features a six-speed automatic transmission. A six-speed manual transmission is standard on the CTS-V.

The CTS-V Coupe features a sporty, sleek styling. I love the side profile of the car. I also like the double grill, which adds some aggressiveness to the CTS-V. There is a "V" badge on each door. The interior is of the CTS-V Coupe is luxurious with a sporty flare. There is leather everywhere and it does not feel cheap. The CTS-V Coupe features an infotainment system that includes a screen that rises up from the dashboard. The CTS-V Coupe also features an analog clock, which is a staple for luxury vehicles. The CTS-V Coupe features Recaro seats that adjusts fourteen different ways. I have never been in a car seat where the upper back support moves in and out. I had good amount of head room and leg room behind the wheel. But the low roofline of the coupe minimizes headroom for rear passengers.

The CTS-V Coupe is powered by a supercharged 6.2L V8 that produces 556 hp and 551 lb-ft of torque. It goes from 0 to 60 mph in 4.0 seconds and reaches a top seed of 179 mph. The CTS-V Coupe feels fast. The CTS-V Coupe has a big engine, yet it is very quiet inside the car. Also, for a sporty car, the CTS-V Coupe has a smooth ride. This is caused by the magnetic ride control. Ferrari borrowed this technology and used it in the Ferrari 458 Italia. When a legendary supercar manufacturer uses your technology for one of its cars, you are doing something correct. The CTS-V Coupe is the best two-door car I have ever driven. Prices for the CTS-V Coupe start at $64,515. A fully-loaded CTS-V Coupe can fetch over $74,000. The CTS-V Coupe is one of the most expensive cars I have driven, but you get a great car for the price.

The CTS-V Coupe has been featured in Alex Cross, The Defenders, Chuck, Auto Esporte, Top Gear USA, A Gifted Man, Running Wilde, Charlie's Angel, Jack and Jill, Criminal Minds, Switched at Birth, and the Office. The CTS-V Coupe is playable in Forza Motorsport 3, Car Town, Forza Motorsport 4, Forza Horizon, Asphalt 7: Heat, and Car Town EX.

Overall, the CTS-V Coupe is one amazing car. I have driven the entire CTS-V line up, and all three cars are amazing. These cars are an experience. As far as the CTS-V Coupe compared to the other two, it is my least favorite. There is not enough head room for rear passengers. But the CTS-V Coupe is still the best two-door car I have ever driven. I have driven a Ford Mustang 5.0, Chevrolet Corvette Camaro SS, and the Scion FR-S, and none of those cars can compete with the CTS-V Coupe. The CTS-V Coupe has a comfortable ride, power, performance, handling, and yet it is quiet inside the car. The CTS-V is not a cheap car, but if you can afford to spend over $65,000 for a car plus gas and insurance, definitely give the CTS-V Coupe a test drive. I highly recommend this car, even with the limited head room for rear passengers. This car borderlines supercar performance.

Next time, I cover the CTS-V Wagon.

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First Drive: 2013 Cadillac CTS-V Wagon

At the 2008 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance, Cadillac presented a sports wagon version of the CTS. The CTS Sports Wagon first went on sale in late 2009. At the 2010 New York International Auto Show, Cadillac introduced the Cadillac CTS-V Wagon. Production of the CTS-V Wagon started in late 2010. I have seen several Cadillac CTS-V wagons at the various car events in the greater Houston area. At the 2013 Houston Auto Show, I test drove one. The rule with Cadillac is that you have to test drive a Cadillac that is not a CTS-V before you can get behind the wheel of one of the three CTS-Vs. I got in the CTS-V wagon after I took the CTS-V Coupe for a test drive. The CTS-V Wagon is front-engine, rear-wheel drive, five-door sports wagon. The version I drove had a six-speed automatic transmission, but a six-speed manual transmission comes standard on the CTS-V Wagon.

The CTS-V Wagon has a very sporty styling to it. It has a double grill, which adds some aggressiveness to its styling. The CTS-V Wagon has sleek lines going along the sides of the car. The rear hatch is integrated nicely as well. The CTS-V Wagon shares the same interior features as the CTS-V Coupe and CTS-V Sedan. The CTS-V Wagon has more headroom for rear passengers than both the CTS-V Coupe and the CTS-V Sedan. Behind the wheel, I had plenty of legroom and headroom. The Recaro seats adjust in fourteen directions. The Recaro seats are also available in the CTS-V Coupe and CTS-V Sedan.

The CTS-V Wagon is powered by a supercharged 6.2L V8 engine that produces 556 hp and 551 lb-ft of torque. It goes from 0 to 60 mph in 4.0 seconds and reaches a top speed of 185 mph. This is one quick wagon. The CTS-V Wagon has a great ride quality. For having a powerful engine, it is very quiet inside the car. The CTS-V drives smoothly and handles bumps quite well. I love the magnetic ride suspension system. This gives the CTS-V a very sporty feel, yet it is very comfortable to drive. The car responds quite well when I turn the wheel, press the accelerator pedal, or step on the brake The Brembo brakes package improves CTS-V Wagon braking performance. Prices for the CTS-V Wagon start at $64,515 and a fully loaded CTS-V Wagon can go for $75,345. Just like the other CTS-Vs, the CTS-V is not cheap. But you do get a lot of car for that price.

The CTS-V Wagon has been featured on Top Gear USA and on Hit and Run.

Overall, the CTS-V Wagon is an amazing car. I have never driven any wagon like the CTS-V Wagon. This is the true definition of a sports wagon. The CTS-V Wagon has styling, performance, power, and is just fun to drive. What I like about this car is that you can use the CTS-V Wagon for grocery shopping on the weekdays, and then use it for track days on the weekends. This wagon is quick. It has the most headroom out of all the CTS-Vs, which is a plus. If you can afford this car, the gas bill, and the insurance, then I highly recommend the CTS-V Wagon. This is one amazing vehicle.

Next time, I review the last of the three CTS-Vs, the Cadillac CTS-V Sedan.

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First Drive: 2013 Cadillac CTS-V Sedan

The Cadillac CTS has been around since 2002, serving as the brand's mid-size luxury car. In 2004, Cadillac released a high-performance version of the CTS, called the CTS-V. Cadillac started production of the second generation CTS in 2007. In 2009, Cadillac released the second generation CTS-V. I have seen several versions of the Cadillac CTS-V on streets of Houston and at various Houston car events. At the 2013 Houston Auto Show, I got test drive the three versions of the Cadillac CTS-V, including the CTS-V Sedan. I also test drove the CTS Sedan. While both cars share the same body design, the CTS-V Sedan is a completely different car than the CTS Sedan. The version of the CTS-V Sedan I drove came with the optional six-speed automatic transmission. The CTS-V Sedan comes with a six-speed manual transmission as standard. The Cadillac CTS-V Sedan is a front-engine, rear

On the outside, the CTS-V Sedan shares the same body as the CTS Sedan. The CTS-V has a different front bumper than the CTS. The CTS-V features a mesh grill instead of the checker grill found on the CTS. The CTS-V also has a mesh grill on the bumper and larger openings on the bumper for fog lights. The CTS-V Sedan also has a slightly different interior than the CTS Sedan. The CTS-V features Recaro seats that adjust fourteen different ways. These seats are very comfortable to sit in and still gives the CTS-V a sporty feel. The seats in the CTS Sedan are firm.

The CTS-V Sedan is powered by a supercharged 6.2L V8 engine that produces 556 hp and 551 lb-ft of torque. It goes from 0 to 60 mph in 4.0 seconds and reaches a top speed of 179 mph. This car is fast. All three versions of the CTS-V are fast. The CTS-V Sedan has a quiet ride, even with a big, powerful engine in the front. The CTS-V Sedan also has a sporty, yet soft ride to it. This is the result of the magnetic ride control system, suspension technology that Ferrari borrowed from Cadillac and used it in the Ferrari 458 Italia. The CTS-V Sedan responds quite well when I turn the steering wheel, press the accelerator pedal, and when I press the brake pedal. The CTS-V Sedan also features Brembo disc brakes, which help the CTS-V stop on a dime. Prices for the CTS-V Sedan start at $64,515, and a fully-loaded CTS-V Sedan can go for over $75,000. You do get a lot of car for that price.

The CTS-V Sedan has been featured on Top Gear Korea, Motorweek, Top Gear USA, Necessary Roughness, Tactical Force, and Golden Boy. The CTS-V Sedan is playalbe in StreetRally, Auto Club Revolution, Superstars V8 Racing, Superstars V8 Next Challenge, Race On, Forza Motorsport 3, vDream Racing, Forza Motorsport 4, Need For Speed: World, Everyday Cha Cha Cha, and Driver: San Francisco.

Overall, the Cadillac CTS-V Sedan is a great car. Actually, the entire CTS-V line is great. These cars are quick, fast, comfortable to drive in, and respond well when I turn the steering wheel. All three cars have quiet interiors. I also like the magnetic ride control system. I have driven all three versions and I prefer the CTS-V Sedan over the CTS-V Coupe since the Sedan has more in the back for adult passengers. But my favorite version of the CTS-V is the CTS-V Wagon. It has more room than the CTS-V Sedan, plus it has more space in the trunk to carry more items than the CTS-V Sedan. I highly recommend the CTS-V line to anyone who can afford one. Even if you cannot afford one, at least take one out for a test drive if you can. These cars are just amazing.

CarJunkie
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