When Cadillac ditched the 6.2-liter, fire-breathing CTS-V and launched a 3.0-liter, 360-hp CT5-V, the company's performance sedan lineup suddenly looked a lot less potent. Shortly after that, we learned that there were still "real V" cars coming, with different badges. Now, we know that the CT5-V^2 (or whatever it'll be called) will offer something the latest CTS-V never did: an honest-to-God manual transmission.

This was rumored before, but new spy shots from The Drive are pretty damning evidence that a three-pedal option is coming. Spy videos featuring the CT5's top performance trim have also featured distinctive V-8 exhaust sounds, suggesting that—though the Blackwing engine may not fit—the CT5 will offer eight-cylinder power.

All of this suggests that a V-8, manual, rear-wheel-drive sports sedan will once again be available soon. Considering our love for the BMW E39 M5, the Chevy SS, and the manual second-generation CTS-V, this is great news. And considering that the CT5-V in its current form is already an impressive-to-drive sports sedan, Cadillac may end up making something truly great.

It's also nice to see the return of this combination for Cadillac. For the better part of the last decade, Cadillac made amazing chassis, good manual sports sedans, and fantastic small-block V-8 powertrains. But, the ATS-V always felt a V-8 away from being one of the all-time greats, while the latest CTS-V felt let down by its mid-pack automatic transmission.

No matter what they call it, it seems like the V-8 CT5 will finally nail the combination.

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