The Cadillac CTS-V was the car that launched the concept of the high-performance Cadillac, and the 2016 (third-generation) model of this super sedan has some big shoes to fill. 

Exterior

Combining the athleticism of a supercar with modern automotive design, the 2016 Cadillac CTS-V embodies the contemporary super sedan, and with 640 horsepower it’s engineered to look the part. Fenders are widened to fit the necessarily larger wheels and tires, and in the middle of the massive carbon fibre hood you’ll spot a prominent heat extractor, but the most obvious changes are the required aerodynamic additions.

Related: In photos: 2016 Cadillac CTS-V

A larger front splitter and rear spoiler are standard, but the optional carbon fibre package includes bigger pieces finished in clear coated carbon for a purposeful look. However, these aerodynamic devices are necessary for high-speed stability, as I discovered at 250 kilometres per hour on the very fast Road American circuit in Wisconsin.

The front grill openings are larger for more cooling and revised bits like the front splitter, rear lip spoiler and hood extractors reduce lift. The grill openings feed the additional cooling requirements like the front brakes as well as the transmission and differential cooler.

Interior

Those familiar with modern Cadillac interiors, from ATS to Escalade, will recognize the clean, stylish, and modern aesthetic. There’s a CTS-V specific digital instrument cluster and a heads up display, which is great if you don’t wear polarized sunglasses like I do.

While there is a standard seat available, the only seats I drove were the optional Recaro buckets and they’re both comfortable for the road and supportive enough for the track. They’re so good, that they should be standard equipment.

Tech

CUE is one of my favourite infotainment units and it’s upgraded for 2016 with a faster processer and a few minor usability tweaks, making it better than ever. With voice recognition and OnStar, it’s one of the few systems that, when used correctly, allow the driver to maintain concentration on driving. Crazy idea, that.

Enhancing CUE is the addition of Apple CarPlay and as an iPhone user, integration and functionality is brilliant. CarPlay takes the essential apps on my phone and drops them into the CUE screen in a layout that’s obviously by Apple. It’ll read text messages as well as send them by voice, but I love having easy access to my music and podcasts.

Performance

Enthusiasts will recognize that the Z06 also uses a 6.2 litre, supercharged V8, however, this LT4 is a wet sump motor. Here it makes 640 horsepower and 630 pounds feet of torque, and behind the wheel, power seems endless and acceleration is just a push of the throttle away – at any speed. The geeks among us will notice that its rated output is slightly less than the Z06 and that’s primarily due to packaging the exhaust in the CTS platform, according to Cadillac.

Behind the engine, there’s GM’s new, mega quick shifting eight speed automatic. They claim it’s quicker than a dual clutch and it shifts so fast I couldn’t tell you which is faster. Like its little brother the ATS-V, this car also uses an electronically controlled limited slip differential that’s just brilliant. It distributes torque unlike an excellent differential under power, but under braking it’s fully open for stability, and that’s something a mechanical differential could never do.

While the ride links in the suspension are rubber, the handling links are ball jointed. The chassis’ torsional rigidity is up by 25 per cent which helps the third gen magnetic ride dampers do a fine job of controlling wheel and body motion, but from the driver’s perspective, they also deliver a comfortable ride on the road and yet can still deliver great handling on track. Brakes are by Brembo and do a remarkable job slowing this 1,880 kilogram sedan.

Driving the CTS-V around the demanding Road America circuit was enlightening. Having raced at the circuit, I knew it to be a punishing track and it would place major demands of the Cadillac’s brakes. Indeed it did, and no matter how hard I pushed, braking effectiveness never wavered.

More impressive was the CTS-V’s acceleration and, yes, 640 horsepower is a big number, but with nearly two tonnes to move around, this super sedan seems to defy physics. I can fathom that it’s fully capable of achieving Cadillac’s claimed top speed of 320 kilometres per hour because it was still accelerating hard at 250.

Even at 250 kph, the CTS-V was exceptionally stable, with credit due to the carefully considered aerodynamics. Most impressive however, is the CTS-V’s handling, whether you’re chasing lap times or on cruising to the golf course.

On track, handling was impeccable and exceptionally well balanced, so much that I had absolute confidence to explore the absolute limits of the CTS-V. Colour me impressed, Cadillac. On the other hand, you can dial down the Magnetic Ride dampers and have a ride that’s comfortable enough to satisfy your mother-in-law.

Value

At $91,685 plus $1,800 destination, the CTS-V performs better than the $101,500 BMW M5 and the $113,800 Mercedes-AMG E 63 in almost all measures, from power output to top speed. If that isn’t good value in your super sedan, I don’t know what is. The Cadillac is only bettered by the AMG with zero to 100 kph times, as the AMG launches a tick better due to its all-wheel drive.

Conclusion

Does this CTS-V live up to its promise? Well, I sure think it does. It’s a thoroughly modern CTS-V that brings the right performance and the right tech together for a brilliant new model. By the numbers, it completely outperforms the previous CTS-V and sets an entirely new standard for the performance Cadillac. Plus, it still has Cadillac’s gorgeous design, both inside and out, and all of the luxuries customers have come to expect.

This Cadillac CTS-V is all about being a dual purpose car. You can drive it sedately, as I did. You can fill it with family, you can drive it to work, you can drive it to the golf course – and you’ll make a statement no matter where you go. But, if you’re like me, you can take the CTS-V to the track and blow the doors off just about any other four door sedan on the market today.