Page 73 - Motor Trend (May 2020)

and 10-speed auto powertrain combo
that powers the Chevy Camaro ZL1?
Yeah. I’d guess power levels at around
650 hp and 650 lb-ft, just like the big
Camaros.
Prices start at $48,690 for the
rear-drive CT5-V and $51,290 for the
all-wheel driver. Insanely, Super Cruise—
Cadillac’s game-changing, best-in-
business, hands-free, sorta-autonomous
driving mode—isn’t available on the
2020 models. However, the 2021 CT5-V
is coming sooner than you think, and it
will have it. It’s such a great technology
that I recommend waiting.
Now we drive. The big difference
between a normal car and a performance
car (especially a real performance car)
is found during a corner. In a regular car
you worry about the turn you’re in. With
a performance car, because it handles Quad exhaust tips and a unique diffuser help distinguish
so damn well, you worry about the next the Cadillac CT5-V’s rear end from the base model.
corner coming at you. I am happy, stoked,
elated, and surprised to tell you that the Really, it’s the CT5-V’s healthy torque 2020 Cadillac CT5-V
CT5-V is squarely in the latter camp. curve that makes it feel so good, espe-
PRICE $48,690-$51,290
This thing drives fabulously. Again, my cially when coupled with the 10-speed
surprise is simply due to how under- auto’s closely spaced gears. It’s OK for LAYOUT Front-engine, RWD/
AWD, 5-pass, 4-door
whelmed we were with the base CT5. an auto (you can skip manual mode and sedan
From behind the wheel, you would have its reluctance to downshift). Even with
ENGINE 3.0L/360-hp/405-lb-
a difficult time believing the V version a stick, that 6,000-rpm redline would ft twin-turbo DOHC
is in any way related to the standard car. be low. Still, acceleration is strong, and 24-valve V-6
We’re talking vast differences in every thanks to all sorts of deceitful wizardry TRANSMISSION 10-speed automatic
way a car performs. from the speakers, it sounds good, too.
CURB WEIGHT 3,850-3,950 lb (est)
To break it down, the engine is sweet. Yes, some of what you’re hearing is fake.
WHEELBASE 116.0 in
Its 360 horsepower is plenty (though I’m too old to be outraged.
L X W X H 193.8 x 74.1 x 57.2 in
why not 100 more?), especially because I’m not too old to recognize a great
the CT5-V is relatively light. We haven’t performance car when I drive one. 0-60 MPH 4.6-4.8 sec (mfr est)
weighed one, but we have weighed the Powerful enough, priced great, and EPA FUEL ECON 17-18/25-26/20-21 mpg
four-cylinder CT5: 3,693 pounds. Figure stacked with world-class perfor- ENERGY CONSUMPTION, 187-198/210-222
another 100 or 150 pounds for the V mance parts and a chassis that’s best CITY/HWY kW-hr/100 miles
model. OK, “light” is the wrong word, in segment, the CT5-V will take on
CO2 EMISSIONS, COMB 0.93-0.98 lb/mile
but (probably) less than the 3,875-pound and beat whatever the Japanese and
ON SALE Currently
Mercedes-AMG C 43. German competition can throw at it. Q

In our Car of the Year testing, we liked the
CT5’s carbon-fiber trim pieces but felt the
interior was otherwise uninspiring. The CT5-V
has done little to change that point of view. MAY 2020 MOTORTREND.COM 73