2014 Cadillac XTS Vsport - Muscle In A Velvet Jacket

The 2014 Cadillac XTS Vsport is a brand new model that seeks to bridge the gap between luxury and all-out performance.

The 2014 Cadillac XTS Vsport is a fine upgrade over the base edition of the car.

The XTS Vsport's additional power won't have drivers gasping for air with hearts aflutter.

Is it safe to say that the Vsport drivetrain transforms the XTS' driving experience? Yes, but not in the way you might think.

All-wheel drive and GM's HiPer front struts keep the car planted and controlled.

The full-size four-door gains a 3.6-liter twin-turbocharged V-6 that produces a generous 410 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque.

The stealthy profile of the Cadillac also saw me routinely ignored by New York's finest.

The Vsport appellation indicates that Cadillac's full-size XTS cruiser has been injected with a dose of adrenaline much like Uma Thurman's character in Pulp Fiction.

A standard all-wheel drive system helps ensure that the nominally front-wheel drive car's forward axles don't get overwhelmed.

There's a lot of room to be had inside the XTS Vsport.

The Platinum trim level that I drove was loaded to the gills with comfort and convenience features,

Off the line the Vsport surges to 100 km/h in a mere five seconds.

The difference in price between the base XTS and the most-affordable Vsport trim (Premium) is a heady $11,000.

I took the XTS Vsport on a 1,000 kilometre sweep through northern New York state and discovered that the sedan's ride, active safety features, and amply padded thrones made it an excellent road trip companion.

The car's reflexes aren't quite up to Olympic standards.