2011 Cadillac CTS-V Coupe

I drove a similar CTS-V coupe around Europe last June for a big feature story I wrote for Automobile Magazine. That car had the six-speed automatic, a gray leather interior, and chrome wheels, with the same red exterior. I prefer this recent example with its smoky gray wheels, black leather interior, and six-speed manual. My colleagues have learned the same thing I did in Europe: the CTS-V coupe is a completely benign car, easy to drive, easy to place on the road, easy to park and to live with on a daily basis. But then when the right opportunity presents itself, it is a fire-breathing monster performance car. It's a very compelling combination, this hybrid of luxury coupe and sports car, and I agree with Phil Floraday that nobody outside Germany is currently doing it better than Cadillac is with the CTS-V coupe. Joe DeMatio, Deputy Editor