It takes to design a good car, and even more time to craft a perfect one. But a classic isn’t made — it happens without warning, all of a sudden, then one day it’s etched into history.

We’re not sure which of those categories we’d like to put the 2019 Cadillac CTS-V in. It’s not a classic, it’s not perfect, and it’s not merely “good.” Cadillac has done something commendable by committing over a decade and three generations to perfect its CTS-V. It all came to a high point when the third-generation came. Cadillac unveiled a fresh new design language. And to top it all off, it came with the ultra-formidable 640 horsepower supercharged V8 engine from the Corvette, too.

The CTS-V, by contrast, is more fine-tuned. Built for cannonball runs and Autobahn cruising, the ride’s dual personality is a big part of what makes it so charming, despite a crop of performance blemishes from time to time. Make no mistake, though — this is the most powerful and fastest production Cadillac ever made.

Bonus points for also being one of the best handling cars. Thanks to feats of wizard-like engineering, this car shows optimum stability even at high speeds. Tuned for the track, by the way, which explains why it behaves so excellently in the highway.

Its a way to go before anyone can call this a classic without someone batting an eye. If anything, however, the Cadillac CTS-V is a sterling, worthy wearer of the Crest brand. Let’s wait if time will be kind to this ride.

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Photos courtesy of Cadillac