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Hennessey’s tuned 2016 Cadillac CTS-V aims for 240 mph, thanks to 1,000 horsepower

Stephen Edelstein
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2016 Hennessey HPE1000 Cadillac CTS-V
Image used with permission by copyright holder
With 640 horsepower courtesy of the Corvette Z06’s supercharged 6.2-liter V8, the 2016 Cadillac CTS-V is already one of the world’s most powerful production sedans.

Texas-based speed shop Hennessey Performance Engineering calls that a “good starting point.”

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While the car isn’t even out yet, Hennessey already has plans to turn the new CTS-V into something truly monstrous.

That includes removing the stock supercharger and replacing it with two turbochargers. Along with other modifications to the engine internals, Hennessey hints this setup will be good for an even 1,000 hp.

It also plans to take this HPE1000 CTS-V up to 240 mph. That means this four-door sedan will be about as fast as a McLaren F1, and faster than McLaren’s P1, not to mention the Ferrari LaFerrari and Porsche 918 Spyder.

Don’t think Hennessey won’t be able to put it off, either. It took a tuned version of the outgoing Cadillac CTS-V coupe up to 221 mph on Texas State Highway 130.

“It was still pulling when we ran out of road,” company founder John Hennessey claims.

That’s encouraging, but it will be interesting to see if all of that horsepower can overcome the aerodynamic effects on the CTS-V at those speeds, which are typically the domain of the fastest supercars.

It’s probably best to leave the CUE infotainment system off at those speeds.

In addition to the engine upgrades, the HPE1000 CTS-V will also feature larger brakes, bigger wheels and tires, and some bodywork modifications, including flared fenders.

Hennessey also plans to offer less-radical 750 hp and 800 hp options that retain the factory-installed supercharger.

The 2016 CTS-V joins a pretty extensive catalog of Hennessey-tuned models, which includes everything from sports cars like the Corvette, Viper, and GT-R, to full-size General Motors SUVs and the Ford F-150 pickup truck.

Hennessey even mashed up a Lotus Exige and a souped-up Corvette powertrain to create the Venom GT, which was clocked at 270 mph at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida, last year.

2016 Hennessey HPE1000 Cadillac CTS-V
Image used with permission by copyright holder
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Stephen Edelstein
Stephen Edelstein
Contributing Editor
Stephen is a freelance automotive journalist covering all things cars. He likes anything with four wheels, from classic cars…
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