CTS-V Sedan

Make
Cadillac
Segment
Sedan

Too often we hear so much about aftermarket tuning firms giving all of their attention to German-built performance cars. While BMWs and Audis are all well and good, we're more happy to see when a tuner drives up the performance abilities of America's premiere brand, Cadillac. With its striking "Art & Science" design language, Cadillac has managed to rescue itself from the days of land yachts to truly world-class performance sedans, coupes and even a wagon. We've chosen some our favorite tuned Cadillacs from some of the world's best tuning firms.

We weren't surprised to see Cadillac's latest already become the target for performance tuning. The new ATS is America's answer to the benchmark BMW 3 Series, and judging by the car in stock form, it delivers the goods. Now California-based D3 Group has gotten its hands on a new ATS in order to work its magic. The Cadillac specialist has added a styling package consisting of new front and rear bumpers, side skirts and a spoiler as well as a new set of alloy wheels. A new adjustable coilover suspension with two settings and air intake system are also available. Expect for the tuner to launch performance upgrades in the near future as well.

Perhaps the best-looking luxury performance coupe on the market today, the CTS-V is a startling departure from the days of the old Eldorado (from the Seventies, at least). So much so that it's now a target of German tuning firms such as Geiger Cars. The German specialist in importing and tuning American cars has modified the CTS-V's 6.2-liter supercharged V8 via a remapped ECU, new camshafts and a supercharger taken from the Corvette ZR1. The result here is a power increase from 556 horsepower to 619 hp for a 0-62 time of just 3.6 seconds and a top speed of just over 205 mph.

As a part of the Cadillac Challenge, the owner of this CTS-V sedan wanted to focus on precision, accuracy and power. The result is the DC Cadillac Patriot Missile. Aided by a Stage 4 Tuner Power Kit, it includes an enhanced supercharger, new spark plugs and a reprogrammed ECU and an aluminum radiator. All told, it delivers a total of 700 horsepower and 700 pound-feet of torque, some 30 percent more power than the stock form. Other improvements included some suspension work and new brakes.

We now turn back to the CTS-V Coupe again, which is certainly not a bad thing. This time Texas-based Hennessey Performance takes a shot at the coupe by performing some serious power upgrades. Called the V1000, this Caddy will receive a custom twin-turbocharged system that'll deliver 1,000 horsepower and 950 pound-feet of torque. It'll blast to 60 mph in just 3.5 seconds and will hit a top speed of 230 mph. Customers even have the choice between a manual or an automatic transmission. The interior is decked out in a mix of carbon fiber and Alcantara trim. Production is limited to just 12 units.

If Darth Vader had known about Luke and Leia instead of going off to rule the galaxy, he'd have been driving them to school in this. The CTS-V Wagon will make your suburban life better in every way. But it gets better: Hennessey Performance has added its magical touch to the long-roofed model as well. The result is the V700 Black Diamond Edition. With a claimed power output of 707 horsepower thanks to a major systems upgrade, it's been painted in something called SprectraFlair Bright Silver pigment, aluminum flakes encapsulated in magnesium fluoride. All that bling will go from 0-60 mph in only 3.2 seconds and hit a top speed of 211 mph.