Just when you think there are enough super saloons in the marketplace, along come the Americans to surprise you - this is the Cadillac CTS-V, a 6.2-litre supercharged V8-engined machine capable of the magic 320km/h (200mph in old money). Although, it should be borne in mind, the CTS-V has actually been around since 2004 without winning any great acclaim. Can this version change things?
Exterior
Some typically sporty appendages have sprouted from the standard CTS saloon to ensure you know the V is extra-special, chief of which is a carbon fibre bonnet. The front and rear bumpers are re-profiled, the former to allow more air into the supercharger. The CTS-V has wider wheel arches to accommodate the car's broader track front and rear, while the 19-inch wheels are forged from aluminium. An optional carbon fibre package clothes the front splitter, bonnet vent, rear diffuser and rear spoiler in the stuff.
Interior
Recaro bucket seats are slotted into the front, with lots of suede and matte-finish carbon fibre inside too. The car will come with a high standard specification, while a Performance Data Recorder allows drivers to record high-definition video - plus data overlays - of their favourite drives. Think of it as a standard fit Go Pro.
Mechanicals
There's a 6.2-litre supercharged V8 under the bonnet, which Cadillac claims is new, but you'll know it from various other General Motors products, such as the Chevrolet Camaro, Holden GTS V8 and the Corvette. In this application it makes colossal numbers of 640hp and 855Nm of torque, putting it comfortably ahead of rival motors from BMW's M Division and the mad lot from AMG. Caddy claims that, with its eight-speed automatic transmission, the CTS-V can check off 0-96km/h (0-60mph) in a phenomenal 3.7 seconds (so expect 0-100km/h to be about four seconds), with a top speed of 320km/h something to write home about.
Of course, American performance cars are seldom lacking in straight-line punch; the problems arise when they're faced with corners. Cadillac says, though, this can be a luxury saloon one minute and a track-oriented performance motor the next. On paper, it has some decent weaponry, such as a powerful Brembo braking system, third-generation Magnetic Ride Control with 40 per cent faster damping response, 25 per cent improved structural stiffness and selectable drive modes, including integrated chassis controls with Performance Traction Management. Michelin Pilot Sport tyres provide the grip. Should be intriguing when the CTS-V is faced with an M5 or E 63 AMG...
Anything else?
The CTS-V will launch in late summer 2015 in its home market, although no word whether it will come over to Europe or what price it would be. Here's hoping, though. It will be displayed at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit this coming January.