Sedans may not be as hot as they once were, but don’t tell that to the Cadillac CT6-V. The high-performance variant of the upscale CT6 sedan sold out within hours of opening the books for preorders, proving that, at least in some cases, the demise of sedans isn’t as bad as we think it is. Cadillac opened preorders for the CT6-V on the morning of January 14. By 2:30 P.M., all 275 units that were earmarked for the U.S. market were scooped up, leaving those who didn’t act quickly enough empty-handed. The Cadillac CT6-V is expected to arrive sometime in the middle of the year at a price that starts at $89,785. Not that it matters because if you didn’t get one, it’s highly unlikely that Cadillac is going to launch a second wave of models anytime soon.

It seems that the demise of the Cadillac CT6 has been greatly exaggerated. It’s understandable given that the car’s production facility in Detroit is expected to close soon, but the model itself, which received a midlife cycle for the 2019 model, will continue to live on. This is important for Cadillac because as much attention as it’s paying in expanding its crossover and SUV lineup, sedans are still the backbone of Cadillac.

It probably comes as little surprise, too, that the high-performance CT6-V sold out as fast as it did. Part of it, though, is the model itself. The Cadillac CT6-V is a beast. The headlines will say it packs 550 horsepower, but what should be noted is that all that power comes from a Cadillac exclusive 4.2-liter twin-turbo Blackwing V-8 engine that also produces a whopping 627 pound-feet of torque.

The all-aluminum engine uses what Cadillac calls a hot V design that involves exhaust manifolds placed in the valley between the two cylinder banks. This is a different configuration from the traditional setup where the manifolds exit on the side of the cylinders. The engine also boasts twin-scroll turbochargers that are integrated into the manifolds at the top of the engine, creating a compact engine that, at least according to Cadillac, has less turbo lag.

It’s worth mentioning, too, that the CT6-V’s engine is exclusive to the model, at least for now. Rumors have surfaced that the same engine could also make its way to the new mid-engine Corvette. Granted, these are only whispers at the moment, but if the Blackwing’s packaging helps the Corvette supercar attain the kind of performance capability it needs to establish itself as a legitimate supercar, don’t be surprised if Chevrolet ends up using it.

The Blackwing V-8 engine is the CT6-V’s biggest trump card. There’s no question about that. The CT6-V boasts a handful of other upgrades from the standard CT6. It comes with a trick limited-slip differential that helps provide the proper amount of jolt into the sedan’s all-wheel-drive system. Cadillac also made tweaks to the CT6-V’s magnetic ride control suspension. Upgraded Brembo brakes are also part of the package for reasons that are clear. If you’re packing that much heat under the Caddy’s hood, you’re going to need bigger brakes to corral that stallion.

It’s an admittedly long wait for a car that sold out faster than a regular 9-5 shift, but that’s the nature of highly anticipated models like this. If you want one bad enough, you’re going to have to wait to get your juices satisfied.

2019 Cadillac CT6-V Specifications

Body style / driveline:

AWD, 5-passenger large high-performance sedan

Manufacturing location:

Detroit-Hamtramck Assembly, Hamtramck, Mich.

Engines:

4.2L V-8 twin-turbo DOHC DI – 550 hp / 410 kW (est.)

Transmissions:

10L90 Hydra-Matic 10-Speed Electronically controlled automatic transmission (4.2L twin-turbo)

Brakes:

19-inch Brembo brake system developed specifically for the CT6 high-performance application.

Wheels:

20-inch

Wheelbase (in / mm):

122.4 / 3106

Length (in / mm):

204 / 5182

Width (in / mm):

74 / 1879

Height (in / mm):

58 / 1472


Further Reading

Read our full review on the 2019 Cadillac CT6 V-Sport.

Read our full review on the 2018 Cadillac CT6.