Cadillac CTS news - V for Victory? - 2008

As Detroit looms, GM is preparing a pair of V8 monsters to steal its home show. In the blue corner, the Corvette ZR1, GM's most powerful car ever. And in the menacingly grey corner, this: the Cadillac CTS-V. 

It's the performance version of the 2008 CTS we drove late last year, which means an angrier mesh grille, Recaro bucket seats, Alcantara-style interior trim and a whacking great bonnet bulge.

But it's what's under that bonnet bulge that should make you feel all warm and happy. Cadillac's engineers have ditched the 3.6-litre V6 of the standard CTS and replaced it with a 6.2-litre V8 - a revised version of the supercharged 620bhp unit in the Corvette ZR1.

Admittedly it's a fraction less powerful, but not much: the CTS-V develops a monumental 550bhp and 550lb ft of torque, which makes it more powerful than both the BMW M5 and Merc E63 AMG. 

There's no official word on performance yet. However, even conservative estimates drop the CTS-V into the five-second bracket for the 0-60mph sprint, while GM has hinted that figure could be closer to four seconds. 

That time might depend on whether you opt for the six-speed manual transmission or a new six-speed auto 'box with steering-wheel paddle shifters.

Naturally the CTS-V is rear-wheel drive only - no prissy 4WD here, thank you very much - and benefits from GM's Performance Traction Management to keep it on the road.

Handling should be an improvement on traditional US saloon fare, thanks to magnetorheological suspension similar to the set-up found on the Ferrari 599 and the Audi TT.

All good news, as is this: the CTS-V is coming to Europe. Cadillac is determined to finally make an impression this side of the pond, so we should see the CTS-V in late 2008 or early 2009. Prices? No word yet, but expect the CTS-V to weigh in significantly cheaper than its German rivals.

We'll get a closer look at the hot Caddy in Detroit next week: make sure you keep checking back to TopGear.com for all the details.