The Monstrous New 640bhp, 200mph Cadillac CTS-V Is Here

When the mad, 592bhp 30th annivesary version of the BMW M5 landed, we thought ‘wow, that’s rather powerful.’ But, there’s a new version of the Bimmer’s American rival - the Cadillac CTS-V - and on paper at least, it well and truly urinates all over BMW’s proverbial bonfire. Why? Because it packs 640bhp and 630lb ft of torque. Oh, and it’ll do 200mph. Crikey.

As you’d expect, that kind of go from under the hood (which makes this the most powerful Caddy ever) allows for rather potent acceleration, and sure enough, it’ll do 0-60mph in 3.6 seconds. A figure no doubt helped by the presence of launch control. After all, 640bhp is a lot to ask of the rear tyres…

Providing the thrust is a 6.2-litre supercharged V8, the same ‘LT4’ unit you’ll find in the new Corvette Z06. That LT4 engine sends its power to the rear wheels via an eight-speed automatic gearbox.

To make sure this isn’t just some point-and-squirt muscle car, a lot of work has been done underneath to make sure the V handles right. The whole car is 25 per cent stiffer than a regular CTS, there’s an electronic limited-slip differential, and a fancy Magnetic Ride Control damper propping up each corner.

We’ll get our first glimpse of this brute in the metal at the Detroit Auto Show in January, but as with its little brother - the ATS-V - it’s highly unlikely we’ll ever see it sold in the UK in right-hand drive. A shame.