Page 17 - Victory Driven: Cadillac V-Series sample pages

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A REAL GEM:
Although metallic paint colors were nothing new, Black Diamond
2011 BLACK DIAMOND EDITION CTS-V
Tricoat was created through an artful and meticulous process that
gave it a superior level of dimension. Instead of the usual method
Following in the roasted rubber remnants of the “world’s fastest
CADILLAC’S V-SERIES
of adding metal flake to a base color, SpectraFlair was achieved
production sedan,” the launch of the 2011 CTS-V coupe and sport
by using aluminum flakes coated in a glass-like substance called
wagon had netted Cadillac an ultra-high performance hat trick.
magnesium fluoride. The result was a metallic black paint that
With the V2 trifecta complete, one could, as Bob Lutz said, “get a
sparkled and reflected light like the facets of a diamond. It was
CTS-V ‘anyway you wanted’.”
Fine Books © Dalton Watson Fi the perfect shade to accentuate the V2’s sharp lines and angular
The V2s deserve full credit for creating the “Cult of Velocity”
surfaces.
and being the breakthrough cars against their German rivals. As
As was true for all V-Series Cadillacs, the attention to detail was part
intended, they also raised the American car buyer’s awareness of
of the overall allure for luxury buyers. Not just high-performance,
Cadillac in a way not seen in decades. Now, with that awareness
handling and technology, but details like unique paint colors with
raised, Cadillac saw fit to ride the supercharged wave, making bold
special effects. Cadillac Exterior Paint Designer, Michelle Killen:
statements with unique style.
“The CTS-V Black Diamond Edition is like a finely crafted, tailored
tuxedo. The base color may be a simple black, but the details and
One of those statements was the 2011 CTS-V Black Diamond Edition
richness of the material set it apart.”
(PCH). Available on all three V2s, the special editions were meant
to bring attention to a trio of new-for-2011 appearance options.
In addition to the paint, the Black Diamond Edition (BDE/PCH)
First, and what gave the special edition its rich title, was the
grouped together new optional content including:
introduction of a new exterior paint color, Black Diamond Tricoat
(GLK). Exclusively mixed for Cadillac by Milpitas, California-based
Satin Graphite finish 19-inch wheels (RBJ)-sedan/wagon,
© Dalton Watson Fine Books © Dalton Watson Fine Books optical tech company JDSU, it was the first automotive application
(RB9)-coupe
of SpectraFlair pigment in North America.
Yellow-painted Brembo calipers (J6E)
131
© Dalton Watson Fine Books © Dalton Watson Fine Books VISCERaL // ThE V2 CTS-V SEDaN, COUPE aND SPORT WagON (2009-2015)
alton Watson Fine Books © Dalton Watson The V2s exuded a strong automotive persona. This was often accentuated by certain exterior colors. Black Diamond Tricoat added an extra special flair to
already special cars.
ine Books ©