2016 Cadillac CTS-V

This was a good one. 640hp. 200mph. $91,000. The fastest Cadillac ever made. All of this was waiting for me in Florida and I couldn't have been more excited. GM finally put me in a car that was more my speed, interest and of course; who doesn't want to drive this?

My excitement was also mixed with fear when I really got into deep thought during my two hour flight. You see a press loan is something that is amazingly cool, but amazingly scary too. I've never wrecked or even come close to being in a fender bender with a press vehicle. The idea of having the most expensive, fastest car I've ever driven was weighing on me. Once arriving though, starting the V made everything feel familiar and my memories of the V-Sport came back.

You see the CTS-V, even though it is the new LT4, sounds amazingly similar to the C5 Z06 I've pounded around the track and also took Lilly for a spin around the block. Raspy, loud when you hammer it and the intoxicating sound that makes you want more; that made me feel at home when I first pushed the start button. This is another vehicle that requires a mildly techy brain to setup from the get go. Options, gauge changes, seat settings, Carplay, touchscreens, motorized gadgets, driver modes and buttons everywhere. Do not mess with this stuff while driving; this is the kind of car you want to configure before you set off. 640hp and radio tuning do not mix well, especially in a car you do not own. I happily spent 30 minutes just listening to the LT4 exhaust idle, while setting up everything to my liking.

When I speak on the performance, just know, it does everything you want it to and then some. Having 640hp is amazing, and almost too much. In central Florida, you cannot utilize this power with all the tourists around. The V requires a track to actually be appreciated because that is where it works best. I found it to be comfortable and missile fast all at the same time. The steering was heavy and firm, the car felt planted and most of the time it was this monster lurking under the hood tempting you.... This car really is like Patrick Bateman, cleaned up and sharp on the outside. When you start to drive though, it will literally kill you if you don't understand what you are dealing with.

Options on this car are available, including a carbon fiber package and glovebox CD player. This particular CTS had the upgraded Recaro seats and the Performance Data Recorder camera setup. So much going on and lots to play with, like any Cadillac. My massively long video review is below - when you have 3 days in a 2016 V-Series, it's tough to keep the movie short. Hope you enjoy and I also made one of my favorite part: the active exhaust that let you know how much of a madman this car truly is.