Three generations of Corvette-engined Cadillac saloon — the clearest expression of the V-Series.
The Cadillac CTS-V established Cadillac's V-Series performance line and ran across three generations from 2004 to 2019. Every generation is built on the same fundamental idea: a Corvette-derived small-block V8 in a full-sized Cadillac saloon body.
The first generation (2004–2007) sits on Cadillac's Sigma platform, with the LS6 5.7-litre naturally-aspirated V8 (2004–05) and the LS2 6.0-litre (2006–07), both mated to a Tremec T-56 six-speed manual — the only transmission ever offered on the first-generation car. The sedan is the only body. Contemporary road testing described it as a 'four-door Z06', and it won the SCCA World Challenge manufacturers' championship in 2005 and 2007.
The second generation (2009–2015) moved to the Sigma II platform and Cadillac's own supercharged 6.2-litre LSA V8, derived from the Corvette ZR1's LS9. It is offered as a sedan (from 2009), a coupe (added for 2011 after a 2010 Detroit debut) and a Sport Wagon (added for 2011, announced in New York on 29 March 2010). MagneRide is standard, and either a TR-6060 six-speed manual or a six-speed automatic was available. A 2009-model sedan lapped the Nürburgring in 7:59.32 in May 2008, the fastest documented production sedan on factory tyres until the Porsche Panamera Turbo went 7:56 in July 2009; the record car was later sold at Barrett-Jackson Palm Beach. The coupe competed in the SCCA World Challenge from 2011 and won manufacturers' championships in 2012 and 2013.
The third generation (2016–2019) sits on Cadillac's Alpha platform with the 6.2-litre LT4 supercharged V8, the same engine family as the C7 Corvette Z06. It is a sedan only, uses only an 8L90 eight-speed automatic and was the most powerful Cadillac ever until the CT5-V Blackwing arrived in 2022. Limited editions across the third generation include Crystal White Frost, Carbon Black, Championship and Pedestal; the final car finished in Velocity Red.
The CTS-V is Cadillac's clearest performance statement of the twenty-first century and the founding car of the V-Series. Across three generations it holds a documented Nürburgring production-sedan record, a run of SCCA World Challenge championships and — in the third generation — the title of most powerful production Cadillac until the CT5-V Blackwing arrived in 2022.
| Variant | Years | Production | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| CTS-V Sedan (Gen 1) | 2004–2007 | — | Sigma platform. 5.7-litre LS6 (2004–05) and 6.0-litre LS2 (2006–07), both 400 hp / 395 lb-ft — the LS2 has a wider useable torque band. Tremec T-56 six-speed MANUAL ONLY. Sedan only. 0–60 mph 4.6 seconds, quarter mile 13.1 seconds @ 109 mph, 163 mph top speed. Nürburgring 8:19. Getrag limited-slip differential in IRS, 3.73:1 final drive. Fourteen-inch Brembo brakes. Contemporary press nickname 'four-door Z06'. Won the SCCA World Challenge manufacturers' championship in 2005 and 2007. No production figures for the CTS-V have been located across the generation; variants[].production intentionally omitted. VERIFY: Cars.com lists Gen 1 as 2004–2008; the standard reference is 2004–2007. Gen 1 was manual-only. |
| CTS-V Sedan / Coupe / Sport Wagon (Gen 2) | 2009–2015 | — | Sigma II platform. Cadillac's own supercharged 6.2-litre LSA V8 derived from the Corvette ZR1's LS9 — 556 hp / 551 lb-ft. Choice of TR-6060 six-speed manual or six-speed automatic. Sedan from 2009; Coupe added for 2011 (debuted 2010 Detroit); Sport Wagon added for 2011 (announced 29 March 2010, New York). The manual Sport Wagon was offered for model years 2011–2014. Cadillac sold fewer than one thousand CTS-V wagons per year (Verify — single source, no per-year breakdown located). MagneRide standard. 0–60 mph 3.9 seconds (automatic) / 4.1 seconds (manual); quarter mile 12.0 seconds @ 118 mph; 186 mph top speed. Launch price $59,995. NÜRBURGRING: 7:59.32 in May 2008 driven by John Heinricy in a 2009-model sedan — the fastest documented production sedan on factory tyres until the Porsche Panamera Turbo ran 7:56 in July 2009. The record car was later sold at Barrett-Jackson Palm Beach. The coupe competed in the SCCA World Challenge from 2011 and won manufacturers' championships in 2012 and 2013. VERIFY: Gen 2 date range — 2009–2015, 2008–2014 and 2009–2014 all appear across sources (model year vs calendar year confusion). |
| CTS-V Sedan (Gen 3) | 2016–2019 | — | Alpha platform. 6.2-litre LT4 supercharged V8 producing 640 hp / 630 lb-ft — ten hp less than the C7 Corvette Z06 the engine came from. 8L90 eight-speed AUTOMATIC ONLY — no manual was offered. Sedan only. 4,145 lb / 1,880 kg. 200 mph top speed. THE MOST POWERFUL CADILLAC EVER until the CT5-V Blackwing in 2022. Limited editions across the run: Crystal White Frost, Carbon Black, Championship and Pedestal. The final car was Velocity Red. Production ended before spring 2019. VERIFY: Gen 3 0–60 mph — 3.5 seconds, 3.6 seconds and 3.7 seconds all appear across sources. |
The CTS-V spans three generations (Gen 1 sedan, Gen 2 sedan / coupe / wagon, Gen 3 sedan) with materially different engines, transmissions and chassis. Confirm generation, body style, transmission and factory option pack against the VIN and window sticker before pricing.
Gen 1 (naturally aspirated LS6 or LS2, Tremec T-56 manual only), Gen 2 (supercharged LSA, TR-6060 manual or 6L90 automatic) and Gen 3 (supercharged LT4, 8L90 automatic only) each carry generation-specific service items. Verify cold-start behaviour, oil pressure, cooling condition and — on Gen 2/3 — supercharger belt, coupler and intercooler service history.
Verify Brembo brake condition, tyre wear pattern and — on Gen 2 and Gen 3 — MagneRide damper condition. Any accident-repair history should be documented and inspected on a lift.
Within each generation, transmission choice, body style (Gen 2's Coupe and Sport Wagon), and the Gen 3 limited editions (Crystal White Frost, Carbon Black, Championship, Pedestal) each have distinct collector followings. Verify the specification against Cadillac's own build documentation.
Regional ranges authored independently — each reflects its local market, not an FX conversion
Each region quoted in its local currency — independent market readings, not FX conversions
The three generations trade in clearly separate tiers. First-generation manual cars have changed hands between $18,000 and $24,300 depending on mileage. Second-generation sedans sit higher — a 47,000-mile manual made $34,000. The wagon sits higher again: automatics between $35,500 and $57,200, and a 37,000-mile manual reaching $64,646 in March 2026. Manual wagons average close to $70,000. Within each generation, condition and mileage matter more than year.
| Date | Auction | Car | Mileage | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-03-09 | Bring a Trailer Bring a Trailer | 2012 CTS-V Wagon, manual (Black Diamond Tricoat) | 37,000 mi | $64,646 Sold |
| 2025-11-15 | Mecum Mecum | CTS-V Wagon, automatic | 41,000 mi | $57,200 Sold |
| 2025-09-23 | Hagerty Hagerty Marketplace | CTS-V Sedan, manual | 47,000 mi | $34,000 Sold |
| 2025-12-30 | Bring a Trailer Bring a Trailer | 2006 CTS-V, manual | 34,000 mi | $24,300 Sold |
| 2025-08-22 | Bring a Trailer Bring a Trailer | 2006 CTS-V, manual | 59,000 mi | $18,000 Sold |
The CTS-V established Cadillac's V-Series and remains its clearest expression — Corvette engines in a saloon body. The first-generation manual cars and the second-generation wagon have distinct collector followings of their own. The third-generation car is the fastest but was never offered with a manual.
Our view, not advice. This section is Car Collector International's editorial judgement on where this model sits in the collector market, based on the production, specification and market data set out in this guide. It is not a recommendation to buy or sell and it is not investment advice. Values can fall as well as rise.
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The valuation figures in this guide are for research purposes only and do not constitute financial or investment advice. See our full disclaimer.
