Cadillac CTS-V in the test

A Is the American ex-Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld accused the federal government of representing old Europe, so he was right at least in one respect: When buying a car, only the smallest proportion of Germans look across the pond. Chrysler models such as the PT Cruiser or the Crossfire eke out a niche existence in this country as well as cars from General Motors, Dodge or Chevrolet. Only the Corvette has achieved cult status in Europe over the decades and can also hold its own against Porsche and Co. from a driving dynamics perspective.

Cadillac CTS-V for 74,990 euros with full equipment

But American sedans and sportiness? So far, this has not worked together. Performance yes, longitudinal dynamics too - okay, but at the latest with the lateral dynamics, the Chrysler 300 C and the like had to stretch their mostly very weighty weapons. A not very glorious history of the warrior nation across the pond that the Cadillac CTS-V is now trying to rewrite. With its supercharged, 564 hp 6.2-liter V8 and a basic and final price of 74,990 euros in full equipment, the almost 4.90 meter long sedan with its angular exterior is preparing to scare the competition.

A Mercedes E63 AMG is weaker and, at just under 106,000 euros, is significantly more expensive without a lot of frills. One or the other may argue that the Swabian comes across as significantly more stylish and in terms of the appearance of the material also more valuable. Then the reply: The former is a question of personal taste, the latter, in view of the clean workmanship and the by no means cheap-looking materials, not a real issue. In terms of the opulence of the equipment, the CTS-V hardly misses anything that has long been considered good form in this car class in Germany. For example, a powerful sound system, a functional navigation system with proper map display, multifunction steering wheel and - last but not least - sports seats that look extremely good on both the occasional trip to the racetrack and on long journeys.

Insider tip among the power sedans

And that the conspicuously inconspicuous sedan of American origin deserves a certain attention because he has the comparatively unknown face inof the crowd, should only please one or the other. True to the motto: Audi, BMW and Daimler - many people think of that, not necessarily on Cadillac. The supercharged V8 in American style has not yet thrown its weight in this everyday-focused form of observation. Speaking of the scales: the Cadillac CTS-V is not light. With a live weight of 1,948 kilos, the rear-wheel drive vehicle is already dangerously close to the magical two-ton limit. There are plus points for the comparatively homogeneous weight distribution of 53.2 to 46.8 percent between the front and rear axles.

But back to the engine: the considerable displacement and supercharging make it possible to forget the impressive weight, and not just on paper. Anyone who is ambitiously driving the four-door model will find it hard to believe how much mass they have to set in motion. The manually shifted American cracks the 200 km /h mark in a comparatively casual 14.2 seconds.

Country road speed is reached after a short 4.7 seconds. A healthy thirst cannot be denied to the strongest caddi of all time. On average, the test consumption leveled off at 20.6 liters per 100 kilometers. Greetings from the cheaper fuel prices in the USA.

Anyone who taps traditional suspension technology as a result is wrong. The striking body is guided precisely by a Magnetic Ride chassis. The hardness of the damper varies quickly and according to the situation in electromagnetic particles in a liquid. This and the precise steering allow the CTS-V to juggle astonishingly light-footed through the slalom course. An average speed of 67 km /h in the 180-meter lane is worthy of all honor in this car class.

Good lap time on the short circuit in Hockenheim

The appearance of the weighty American on the small course in Hockenheim is even more impressive. The luxury liner was slightly slower than the competition from Mercedes and Porsche at 1:14.5 minutes. Nevertheless, he has shown true sportsmanship. This and its fabulous suitability for everyday use make the Cadillac CTS-V an insider tip among the power sedans.