Cadillac CTS-V Black Diamond Edition announced [video]

Starts at $69,190

Cadillac has unveiled the new CTS-V Black Diamond Edition which will be available as a sedan, coupe, and sport wagon.

Described as a "tailored tuxedo," the model features an exclusive Black Diamond exterior with embedded SpectraFlair pigment that gives the car "a diamond-like sparkle." Furthermore, the BDE is equipped with yellow Brembo brake calipers and Satin Graphite 19-inch wheels.

Inside, the cabin is outfitted with Midnight Sapele wood trim and Recaro leather sport seats with microfiber suede inserts.

Under the hood, the BDE is powered by a supercharged 6.2-liter V8 engine with 556 hp (415 kW / 564 PS) and 551 lb-ft (746 Nm) of torque. It enables the car to accelerate from 0-60 mph in 3.9 seconds (4.0 seconds for the sport wagon).

Set to arrive at dealerships in March, the Black Diamond Edition will be priced from $69,190.

Source: GM

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Cadillac launches CTS-V Black Diamond Edition
Exclusive paint process enhances richness of CTS-V surface

First use of JDSU's proprietary SpectraFlair® pigment in North America
Satin Graphite wheels, yellow Brembo brake calipers add style, performance
Recaro seating, Midnight Sapele wood complete interior

DETROIT - Cadillac will offer this spring a Black Diamond Edition of the high-performance CTS-V that comes with a host of popular performance options and an exclusive tri-coat paint, also called "Black Diamond."

The Black Diamond Edition, available in the CTS-V Sedan, Coupe and Wagon models, will be the first use by an automaker of JDSU's proprietary SpectraFlair pigment in North America. JDSU, a Milipitas, Calif.,-based optical technology firm, specializes in cutting-edge color solutions for a wide range of markets. Its pigments are used in certain DuPont paints supplied to Cadillac.

In the CTS-V Black Diamond, a dark tri-coat paint is embedded with SpectraFlair Bright Silver pigment. While other luxury makers offer metallic paints, Black Diamond is created through a meticulous process that gives the paint added dimension.

Instead of simply containing small bits of metal, the SpectraFlair pigment in Black Diamond uses aluminum flakes encapsulated in a glass-like substance called magnesium fluoride. The result is a paint that has a diamond-like sparkle as light hits the surface from different angles.

"The CTS-V Black Diamond Edition is like a finely crafted, tailored tuxedo," said Michelle Killen, Cadillac exterior paint designer. "The base color may be a simple black, but the details and richness of the material set it apart."

Black Diamond helps Cadillac meet growing demand by luxury buyers for paints that are set apart not just by their color but also by their special effects.

"Auto makers and consumers are looking to differentiate the color black, an ubiquitous color in automotive," said John Book, Custom Color Solutions product manager at JDSU. "Black Diamond offers the discerning Cadillac customer a special option color that stands out and remains true to their sense of luxury and style."

In addition to the unique paint, CTS-V Black Diamond comes standard with content that complements its look and feel. The special edition has:

Satin Graphite 19-inch wheels with yellow Brembo brake calipers. These six-piston front, four-piston back brake calipers provide exceptional stopping capabilities.
Recaro seats that feature 14 adjustable elements, French-stitched leather and microfiber suede inserts in the center sections of the cushions and seatbacks.
Midnight Sapele wood trim known for its durability and distinctive grain.

"We've already established V-Series as a serious sub-brand for Cadillac," said Rich Pinto, Cadillac creative designer. "Black Diamond further establishes V-Series in the market as a performance-minded line of vehicles with a luxury twist."

The CTS-V Black Diamond comes with a suggested retail price, including destination charges, of $69,190 for the manual or $70,490 for the automatic, a $4,850 premium over the CTS-V base price. The CTS-V Black Diamond will be available at U.S. dealerships in March.

The CTS-V Black Diamond Edition joins Cadillac's award-winning V-Series line of performance luxury vehicles. The CTS-V Sedan, Coupe and Wagon all feature a supercharged 6.2L V8 engine with 556-horspower, Magnetic Ride Control suspension that reads and reacts to the road 1,000 times a second and Michelin Pilot Sport PS2 tire.

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TheKingUtd

Nice....

February 3, 2011 9:23 am

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bfghemicuda

Outdated and bland. GM has nothing in there lineup other than this and Daewoos. Maybe Volt.

February 3, 2011 9:49 am

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2 replies

B_M_Gearhead

Your personal opinion is greatly appreciated but entirely unique in the fact that it takes virtually no facts into account whatsoever. The Chevrolet Cruz and it's new hatchback sibling have been critically acclaimed by auto enthusiasts worldwide on it's exceptional styling and finish. Also, virtually every review I have seen on this car has praised the styling and interior quality, some even saying it rivals Audi. Having driven one myself and having worked for Mercedes for over 8 years I feel pretty confident that this car can compete with the rest in terms of looks, capabilities, and especially price.

February 3, 2011 10:35 am

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B_M_Gearhead

Actually, sorry, let me take all that back. I did some looking and I see that in your last 30 posts that you have done 20 of them are all pro Chrysler and the other 10 are all anti GM. That was when I stopped counting, people like this cannot be reasoned with, what they have are not truly opinions because to have an opinion on something it implies that there was some thought put into it. It's like a binary troll computer, auto response negative to all GM articles, auto response positive to Dodge articles. While I admit I do favor GM as well, most of my comments are positive, and in response to ignorant "Lipstick on Pig" statements.

February 3, 2011 10:51 am

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SmamaBello

Alright, I def. like Cadillac's newly styled interior... but there why cant i come close to even like the exterior let alone love it... maybe is just me, but don't like the front much, and hate the rear! It's just to bold and cut, looks like someone built it from cardboard! They could have done so much better on this super car, give the youngster something to like in american sport cars, Whoever designed the Corvette should have designed the CTS-V. Oh well just my 2.5cents.

February 3, 2011 10:43 am

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Shaktiman

a bit too much going on.. but I still like it.. plus it makes 550+HP which is just right.. not too much.. not too less...

February 3, 2011 11:10 am

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Chicago225

Badass...I love the entire CTS line right now. I am no fan of GM or Chrysler...but anything from Cadillac trumps any of the warmed over product from Chrysler.

February 3, 2011 3:10 pm

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rupash88

Nice but the American spokes people don't have the same impact talking about this car, as a German talking about a Porsche in German or an Italian talking about an alfa romeo in Italian...you won't understand but you know it sounds cool.

February 3, 2011 4:19 pm

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B_M_Gearhead

That's because there is no fluffing. No need for the drama when the products just work.

February 3, 2011 4:36 pm

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joelynn

nobody in britain buys cadillacs, probably cos we dont get this one. Why dont they make the coupe wit a decent diesel? then loads of europeans would get them. it looks awesome

February 3, 2011 7:03 pm

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GTurbo

Surely, if you hate virtually every American car on the road, you've gotta make an exception for this Euro-beater! Since the Asian Invasion in the US market, the CTS (especially in V spec) is arguably the best model GM has used to right the wrongs of all things GM! The Cruze is simply a big surprise and the Volt has always shown true innovation since Conceptual form. Like Agent Carter said in Passenger 57, "Always bet on Black!"

February 4, 2011 8:20 am

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International

It's a V-Spec and should be Caddy's top line. How come the rotors arn't cross-drilled?!?! Someone took a nap and came up with yellow for the brakes?

February 4, 2011 1:20 pm

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1 reply

B_M_Gearhead

Cross drilling rotors has a great advantage on extremely high end cars or track cars. But for regular production cars, even super ones like this it's advantages begin to deminish. The holes from cross drilling are great points for stress risers to form followed with cracks. The brakes on a typical street car goes through many heat cycles during use, they cool while on freeways and heat up during traffic. The more heat cycles they go through the more likely cracks are to occur. On a typical track car, the brakes get hot, and stay hot resulting in less cracking. Most manufacturers just put them on to look good knowing very well they will never be used to their potential. I applaud Cadillac for not jumping on the bandwagon and using common sense.

February 4, 2011 1:55 pm

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