The idea isn’t a unique one--the Vsport trim is the equivalent of BMW’s M Performance branding, Audi S line and Lexus F Sport--but it should help Cadillac further cultivate a sporty image and lure younger buyers.
In an interview with The Detroit News, Cadillac product director Hampden Tener described Vsport as being a sub-brand of Cadillac and that in the future more Vsport models can be expected as well as Vsport-branded options and accessories.
The 2014 CTS Vsport is powered by Cadillac’s new twin-turbocharged 3.6-liter V-6 and delivers a V-8-like 420 horsepower. It is priced at $59,995, which is almost $14k more expensive than the base CTS. The 2014 XTS Vsport gets the same engine, but with output capped at 410 horsepower. It’s priced slightly higher at $63,020, which is almost $17.5k more expensive than the base XTS.
To justify the price increase, Vsport models get numerous performance upgrades as standard, including unique wheels shod with Pirelli tires, Magnetic Ride Control, Brembo brakes, all-wheel drive (in the case of the XTS) and a host of other goodies. Their engines are also the most powerful available, excluding units reserved for dedicated performance models like the aforementioned CTS-V and upcoming ATS-V.
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