2012 Cadillac CTS-V Coupe Reviews, Pricing & Specs
Write a review
Cadillac gives the CTS-V a mild warming over for 2012 that leaves everything but the front grille unchanged. Truly, even the front grille is only slightly touched, with a new finish for the mesh that now extends more fully to its surrounds and a new emblem featuring recessed, brighter colors.
While a lackluster attempt at a mid-cycle refresh, the new CTS-V is not starved for excitement otherwise, powered by a 556-hp, supercharged 6.2-liter V8 yanked from the Corvette ZR1. Not a bad place to start. This OHV plant is unique in the class, with rivals going for the more advanced DOHC design. But this aluminum-block V8 isn’t wanting for power, with a Eaton’s Twin Vortices Series roots supercharger boosting 9 psi and pushing all that power to the rear wheels through a limited-slip differential.
Two 6-speed transmissions are available – a Tremec TR-6060 manual with a short throw or a twin-disc clutch and an automatic with paddle shifters. Built on GM’s Sigma II platform, the CTS-V shares its basic construction with the V6-powered CTS, but here we see a magnetorheological suspension utilized in the MagneRide system. Stopping is handled by 6-piston Brembos up front and 4-pistons in the rear, bringing a halt to the 19-inch alloys.
The Sigma II platform means the CTS-V can be offered in 4-door sedan and wagon and 2-door coupe styles, depending on whether you want to emphasize comfort, utility or performance, and regardless of which you choose, Cadillac offers free oil changes and filter replacements, tire rotation and vehicle inspection for 4 years or 50,000 miles.
Cadillac is trying hard to compete with some stout entrants like the BMW M5 and the Mercedes C63 AMG, and while performance is not an issue here – the CTS-V held a record for the fastest lap of a 4-door production sedan at the Nürburgring – the luxury doesn’t always match up. Interior materials aren’t of the same quality of competitors, and there have been continued complaints about the long-distance comfort of both the standard seats and the optional Recaro upgrades. Still, they try hard with a long list of standard features like heated power front leather buckets, dual-zone automatic climate controls, OnStar, Bluetooth, Bose stereo with satellite and USB hard drive, and a navigation system. And to further dress up your CTS-V, you can get a panoramic sunroof or metal and wood trim accents.
No, the CTS-V doesn’t exactly match up to its European competitors, but it also undercuts them with regard to price by many thousands of dollars. The major drawbacks here are the uncomfortable standard seats and an automatic transmission that really can’t rival the performance you get with either the manual transmission or the automatic offerings from the competition. I’d mention its nearly 4,500-pound curb weight, but the CTS-V seems the shrug it off with ease. I guess 556 hp will do that.
User reviews for 2012 Cadillac CTS-V Coupe
Write a review2012 Cadillac CTS-V Coupe Pricing
Trims & specs
Air Conditioning
Automatic climate control front air conditioning · Dual front air conditioning zones
Airbags
Dual front airbags · Passenger airbag deactivation: occupant sensing deactivation · Front side airbags · Rear side curtain airbags
Audio System
Antenna Type: diversity · Auxiliary audio input: iPod/iPhone integration · Hard Drive: 40GB · Single disc in-Dash CD · MP3 player: CD MP3 Playback · Premium Brand: Bose · AM/FM radio · Satellite Radio: SiriusXM · 1 subwoofer · Surround audio: 5.1 · Total Number of Speakers: 10
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel · Front brake diameter: 15.0 · Front brake width: 1.26 · Front brakes: ventilated disc · Premium brakes: Brembo · Rear brake diameter: 14.7 · Rear brake width: 1.1 · Rear brakes: ventilated disc
Comfort Features
Armrests: rear center with cupholders · Center console trim: wood · Dash trim: simulated carbon fiber · Door trim: wood · Floor Mat Material: carpet · Floor Mats: front · Shift knob trim: suede · Steering wheel trim: leather
Convenience Features
Center console: second row · Cupholders: front · Dimming rearview mirror: auto-dimming · Memorized settings: side mirrors · Multi-function remote: trunk release · One-touch windows: 2 · Power outlet(s): front and rear · Power windows: lockout button · Reading lights: rear · Steering wheel: power tilt and telescopic · Steering wheel mounted controls: audio · Storage: cargo net · Vanity mirrors: dual illuminating
Driver Seat
Adjustable lumbar support: power · Heated: multi-level heating · Power adjustments: 8
Drivetrain
Axle ratio: 3.73 · Limited slip differential: rear
Engine
Battery: maintenance-free
Exterior Features
Door handle color: body-color · Exhaust: dual exhaust tips · Exhaust tip color: stainless-steel · Front bumper color: body-color · License plate bracket: front · Mirror color: body-color · Paint: special factory paint · Rear bumper color: body-color
Headrests
Front headrests: adjustable · Number of front headrests: 2 · Number of rear headrests: 2
In Car Entertainment
Infotainment screen size: 8 in.
Instrumentation
Fuel economy display: range · Warnings and reminders: low oil pressure
Lights
Headlights: HID · Tail and brake lights: LED
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: power
Passenger Seat
Adjustable lumbar support: power · Heated: multi-level heating · Power adjustments: 8
Rear Seats
Type: bucket
Safety
Active head restraints: driver · Camera system: rearview · Child seat anchors: LATCH system · Crumple zones: front · Impact sensor: post-collision safety system · Parking sensors: rear
Seatbelts
Front seatbelts: 3-point · Seatbelt pretensioners: front · Second row seatbelts: 3-point
Seats
Front seat type: bucket · Rear seat folding: split · Upholstery: leather
Spare Tire
Kit: inflator kit
Steering
Steering ratio: 16.1 · Turns lock-to-lock: 2.8
Suspension
Driver Adjustable Suspension: ride control · Front Arm Type: short and long arm (SLA) · Front Spring Type: coil springs · Front Stabilizer Bar: diameter 29 mm · Front Suspension Classification: independent · Front Suspension Type: strut · Front shock type: monotube · Rear Spring Type: coil springs · Rear Stabilizer Bar: diameter 25 mm · Rear Suspension Classification: independent · Rear Suspension Type: short and long arm · Rear shock type: monotube · Suspension control: magnetic
Telematics
Navigation system: hard drive navigation system · Phone: voice activated · Phone wireless data link: Bluetooth · Satellite communications: OnStar
Tires
Type: performance
Tires and Rims
Wheels: painted aluminum
Wheels
Wheel locks: front and rear · Wheel spokes: multi-spoke
Windows
Front wipers: intermittent · Power windows: with safety reverse
