2011 Cadillac CTS-V Black Diamond Edition is simply black

2011 Cadillac CTS-V Black Diamond Edition

Following the two Black Edition Porsche’s we saw this month, General Motor’s Cadillac brand is getting black limited with the new Black Diamond Edition of the Cadillac CTS-V lineup.

“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.”

What else is so special about the Cadillac CTS-V Black Diamond Edition? It will be the first use by any automaker of JDSU’s SpectraFlair pigment in North America. JDSU specializes in cutting-edge color solutions for a wide range of markets.

Click here for more news on the Cadillac CTS-V.

In addition to the Black Diamond paint, the CTS-V Black Diamond comes standard with a bunch of optional features and has Satin Graphite 19-inch wheels with yellow Brembo brake calipers, Recaro seats that feature 14 adjustable elements and Midnight Sapele wood trim.

Prices for the Cadillac CTS-V Black Diamond start at $69,190 for the manual and $70,490 for the automatic (a $4,850 premium over the base price-tag). The Black Diamond is available on the CTS-V Sedan, CTS-V Coupe and the CTS-V Sport Wagon and will hit dealerships in March.

Check out the high-res gallery, video and press release after the jump.

2011 Cadillac CTS-V Black Diamond Edition:

2011 Cadillac CTS-V Black Diamond Edition:

Press Release:

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.

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.

– By: Omar Rana