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PERFORMANCE | 10 out of 10
Expert Quotes:
At 140 mph, the Caddy is in its element: stable, composed, ready to rock and roll.
Automobile Magazine
Steering is crisp and weighted just right
MSN Autos
accelerates so smoothly and easily that the car is sneaky fast
Edmunds' Inside Line
And that engine! It's a primal feast in any circumstance at just about any speed up to its 6,200 rpm redline, assuming you can afford the gasoline.
AutoWeek
The manual shifter works smoothly, with a precise but meaty feel.
Consumer Guide
Not that the CTS-V Coupe is a hard car to drive. The engine is smooth and unobtrusive—Ireson called it "docile"—until it's unleashed. And it feels firmly planted at all times.
In real-world driving, the tremendous torque of this engine can pin you back to your seat in just about any situation, yet a well-calibrated throttle makes it easy to take off smoothly and gently. The six-speed manual gearbox is precise, with a light clutch, while the automatic comes with paddle shifters that allow manual selection if you shift to a separate gate.
All this power is made enjoyable through great handling, aided by GM's Magnetic Ride Control, which uses a magnetically sensitive fluid in the dampers to almost instantaneously firm up or soften the suspension. It allows a supple ride on rough roads and crisp body control when it's needed. The system has a Sport mode, and the StabiliTrack stability control system uses a Competitive Driving Mode to make the most of the balanced chassis, powerful engine, and huge brakes—all enhanced with sticky Z-rated Michelin PS2 summer performance tires.
The all-new CTS-V Coupe is only about 5 pounds lighter than the sedan due to the extra bracing needed for side impact safety because of the longer doors, and its shape creates a bit more lift at high speeds than the sedan, so it may have a slightly lower top speed—though at 191 mph for the sedan, the bar is insanely high to begin with. Under the skin, the wider rear track is accomplished with wider wheels rather than relocated suspension pickup points and a widened chassis
Conclusion
The 2011 Cadillac CTS-V is truly one of the best-performing sport sedans—and now coupes or wagons—in the world.
