2019 is the final model year for the CTS and CTS-V, which will be replaced by the CT5 on the Alpha 2 platform. A V-Series should be in the pipeline as well, packing the Blackwing twin-turbo V8 from the CT6 V-Sport with upwards of 550 horsepower and 627 pound-feet (850 Nm) from 4.2 liters of displacement.
It is likely the LT4 small-block V8 with a thumpin’ great supercharger won’t make it past the 2019 model year in the Cadillac lineup, not even in the next generation of the Escalade. To this effect, the 6.2-liter blunderbuss in the CTS-V is a bittersweet celebration the good ol’ push-rod design with forced induction.
The thing is, some customers aren’t content with 640 horsepower and 630 pound-feet of torque. This is where Hennessey Performance Engineering comes onto the scene, offering no less than three upgrades for the mid-size sports sedan. The list of options starts with the HPE750 Upgrade, continues with the HPE800, and tops with the car in the following clip.
HPE1000 Upgrade ‘tis but thy name, and as it implies, the LT4 has been taken to a whopping 1,000 horsepower by the Sealy, Texas-based tuner. In addition to the blistering acceleration to 60 mph (2.9 seconds), the CTS-V from Hennessey is much obliged to blitz the quarter mile in 10.5 seconds at 135 mph. Those 966 pound-feet are also capable of roasting up the rear tires until there’s nothing left but rubber pebbles and smoke.
The go-faster treatment requires an upgrade to the automatic transmission and 93-octane Shell V-Power gasoline, as well as Pennzoil Ultra Platinum synthetic oil for lubrication. The high-flow supercharger is complemented by ported cylinder heads, a more aggressive camshaft profile, upgraded valves, valve springs, and retainers, as well as a high-flow intercooling system.
To make sure the engine breathes out without restriction, the exhaust system now features long-tube stainless steel headers, mid-pipes, and a high-flow catalytic converter. Despite the unparalleled performance for the segment, the HPE1000 CTS-V is backed up by two years or 24,000 miles of warranty, whichever comes first.
After a 1:43 scale model of a Ferrari 250 GTO sparked Mircea's interest for cars when he was a kid, an early internship at Top Gear sealed his career path. He's most interested in muscle cars and American trucks, but he takes a passing interest in quirky kei cars as well. Full profile
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