Jul 19, 2018, 00:00 AM by Paul Immediato

The 2018 Cadillac V-series promises “passion without compromise,” and the 2018 CTS-V certainly upholds the pledge with luxury, sophisticated technology and Corvette-like power for an uncompromising driving experience. The Cadillac CTS-V is the street-inspired version of the championship-winning Cadillac DPi-V.R race car, and the 2018 CTS-V is built for performance and equipped with luxury — including new smart auto-activated heated steering wheel and Apple Watch integration.

The Cadillac CTS was launched in 2002, taking the “CTS” name from the vehicle it replaced in the line-up, -- the Catera -- CTS meant: “Catera Touring Sedan”. The CTS-V derivative was launched in 2009 as a 4-door luxury mid-size sports sedan with muscle car power. What the “V” stands for is unclear (and it may simply be a marketing device), though Cadillac owners speculate that it stands for victory, velocity, voracious, or Vette-derivative. That could make sense, as the CTS-V is equipped with a V-8 engine shared with Corvette: the 640hp, 630 lbs.-ft. of torque LT4 engine. For me, a proper description might be: a loaded, pampering, heavyweight four-door-luxury sedan with Corvette power. Or call it: a Super Sedan

For the 2018 model year, the CTS-V adds an automatic heated steering wheel, an updated infotainment system interface, two USB charge ports for the rear passengers and new exterior colors: Satin Steel Gray Metallic, Vector Blue Metallic and Genesis Metallic.

The CTS-V comes in only one trim, with numerous available packages, and it is loaded with a carbon fiber hood, Brembo high-performance brake system, Launch Control enabling full-throttle acceleration from a stop for maximum performance, Michelin Pilot Super Sport summer-only tri-compound tires, an interior with high-performance seats and driver-focused interface, and driver-selectable driving modes for touring, sport, snow and track.

Constructed with a unitized welded steel body, nearly every exterior panel on the CTS-V is unique, from the fascias and fenders, to the hood, rear spoiler and rocker moldings – and each was designed to support the car’s capability, contributing to lift reduction, enhanced cooling and improved aero management. Weighing in at a confident 4141 lbs., CTS-V stands 197.6 inches long, 57.2 inches high and 72.2 inches wide on a 114.6-inch wheelbase.

As for the Corvette-like power, CTS-V muscles up with its 6.2-liter supercharged V-8 engine that throatily engages 640 horses and 630 lbs.-ft. of torque. The direct-injection fuel delivery system is EPA rated at 14mpg/city and 21mpg/highway. A manual is not offered, but the paddle-shift eight-speed, electronically controlled, automatic overdrive transmission with a torque converter clutch delivers instantaneous power. After a week of pedal-mashing, I never approached top fuel economy and averaged 14.6 mpg

The responsive power meant that I experienced no supercharger lag, and on the track, my off-the-lot-tuned CTS-V blazed to a 3.9-second zero-to-60mph sprint during a 12.1-second quarter-mile under less-than-perfect track conditions.

Inside, a performance-focused cabin with handcrafted refinements was filled with high tech, infotainment and luxurious comfort. With seating capacity for five, interior accommodations are roomy up front and tight in row two with 40.4 inches of front headroom and 37.5 inches in the rear. Legroom is 45.7 inches in row one and 35.4 inches behind, and shoulder room is 56.9 and 53.3.

CTS-V safety features include dual-stage driver front air bag, driver and front passenger frontal front seat thorax and pelvic, rear thorax protection for outboard seating positions, side-curtain and driver and front passenger knee airbag and an airbag passenger sensing system.

The 2018 Cadillac CTS-V Sedan starts at $89,790. Crystal White Tricoat premium exterior paint added $600 and was mated to a Light Platinum interior with Jet Black accents. The Luxury Package added $2500 for a rear camera mirror, tri-zone climate control, heated rear outboard seating positions, power rear-window sunshade, manual rear side window sunshades and more.

The $600 Advanced Security Package added a shielded theft-deterrent alarm system with dedicated power source; inclination sensor that activates an alarm during unauthorized jacking and/or towing; steering column lock that prevents steering without the appropriate fob or key; locking wheel lugs to help prevent wheel theft and laminated glass rear door windows to help absorb impact without shattering.

The $1600 Performance Data And Video Recorder Package is a “must-have” toy that allows the driver to capture performance metrics. High-definition video and in-cabin audio in real time includes four overlays - Sport, Track, Performance or no Overlay. Its front-view camera captures each curve and straightaway, and when parked, lets you watch and analyze your driving performance on the Cadillac CUE®1 screen, and recordings can be downloaded to a personal computer to evaluate driver and vehicle performance, make comparisons to improve driver performance and share recordings with friends. This is a performance and video game enthusiast’s “must” buy.

And just to top off the CTS-V with wind in your hair, the rear UltraView® power sunroof was added for $1450. A trunk cargo net added $55, destination and freight charges were $995 and the gas guzzler tax added $1000 for a sticker as tested of $96,090, but a cash allowance of $3500 may be available in your area, so check with your dealer.

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Mike Blake, former editor of KIT CAR magazine, joined Carlisle Events as senior automotive journalist in 2004. He's been a "car guy" since the 1960s and has been writing professionally for about 30 years.