Cadillac is launching a year-long celebration leading up to the 20th Anniversary of V-Series performance. Cadillac's high-performance sub-brand launched on the racing circuit in 2004, before quickly making its way into the brand's lineup of production vehicles with the 2004 production CTS-V. Over the next 12 months, celebrations will include new products and features commemorating the V-Series' 20th year milestone. The festivities will last through March 2024, when the official 20th anniversary will take place.
V-Series (2004)
Cadillac kicked anniversary celebrations off earlier this month at Sebring International Raceway. That's where the automaker debuted the CTS-V.R. race car in 2004 that subsequently had its first win in the SCCA Pro Racing World Challenge GT race.
2004 CTS-V.R race car. Photo: Cadillac.
Cadillac says this "forged a transformative legacy at Cadillac, driven by a symbiotic relationship between the brand’s championship-winning motorsports program and the road vehicles it influenced."
Cadillac will wrap up its year-long celebration at Sebring in March of 2024, 20 years after the first CTS-V won on the track.
“Nearly 20 years ago, Cadillac made a bold move with V-Series that continues to resonate,” said Global Vice President of Cadillac Rory Harvey. “From the racetrack to the road, V-Series has transformed Cadillac and helped redefine performance luxury for thousands of enthusiasts. Over the next 12 months we will celebrate V-Series with a number of significant moments.”
Cadillac Racing
The 20th year of V-Series is also a big one for Cadillac Racing, which has expanded with the all-new, electrified Cadillac V-Series.R prototype race car competing internationally in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship and FIA World Endurance Championship. The Cadillac V-Series.R represents the start of the fifth generation of V-Series.
The electrified Cadillac V-Series.R kicks off Fifth Generation. Credit: Cadillac.
In June, Cadillac will also return to the 24 Hours of Le Mans for the first time in more than 20 years where it will compete with three cars for the overall win in the historic endurance race.
Cadillac V-Series Lineup
Cadillac says the inaugural production V-Series — the 2004 CTS-V — was developed on the racetrack and previewed on Germany’s famed Nürburgring circuit. It was the first of 13 V-Series sedan, coupe, roadster and SUV models to follow. Cadillac says all V-Series performance vehicles benefit from the performance tech and racing experience from nearly 20 years of winning on the racetrack.
“Our championship-winning race team brings an uncompromising eye for detail that is channeled into every production model,” said Brandon Vivian, executive chief engineer, Cadillac. “The result are vehicles that weave power, craftsmanship and innovative technologies into engaging, involving driving experiences.”
Current V-Series Models
The current V-Series lineup includes the CT4-V and twin-turbocharged CT4-V Blackwing, the CT5-V and the supercharged CT5-V Blackwing, and the supercharged Escalade-V. With 682 horsepower, the Escalade-V currently wears the crown of Cadillac’s most-powerful production model ever.
Read CarPro Show Host Jerry Reynolds 2023 Escalade-V Review→
20 Years of V-Series Production
Here's a look at the lineup since the first generation launched in 2004.
First Generation – 2004
- CTS-V
- XLR-V
- STS-V
Second Generation – 2009
- CTS-V
- CTS-V Wagon and Coupe
Third Generation – 2016
- CTS-V
- ATS-V
Fourth Generation – 2019
- CT6-V
- CT4-V
- CT5-V
- CT4-V Blackwing
- CT5-V Blackwing
- Escalade-V
Photo Credit: Cadillac.