Cadillac CTS-V unveiled in advance

Immediacy is one of the strengths of the Internet. It's also one of its weaknesses, if you're in the business of launching a new car into the market and timing is absolutely critical.

This is a lesson learned the hard way by Cadillac, purveyors of luxury motor cars to discerning buyers in the US and other markets.

The company was holding back information and images of the new CTS-V until the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, but due to some providence, the LSA V8-equipped high-performance sedan was spotted on GM's media website by automotive website, Jalopnik.com.

According to the information that Jalopnik downloaded before Cadillac hastily pulled the plug, the CTS-V will be powered by the LSA V8, which is a supercharged engine based on the LS9 fitted to the Corvette ZR1.

The press information reveals that the 6.2-litre engine will develop 410kW of power and 745Nm of torque. Cadillac has unofficially claimed an acceleration time close to four seconds dead, although that's for 0-60MPH, so the standard 0-100km/h measure may add a nano-second or two.

With its Eaton supercharger, the LSA engine in the CTS-V provides a 35 per cent gain in power over the previous CTS-V's atmo engine. Two six-speed transmissions are available, the standard manual or a sequential-shift automatic with paddle shifters.

The CTS-V is based on the current 2008 model, which is substantially different from the original CTS released in 2004. Previously, the CTS-V was fitted with a naturally aspirated V8, in fact basically the same LS1 V8 fitted to local Commodores at the time and inherited from the Corvette.

Arguably, the new car is better looking than the superseded model and the CTS-V adds a honeycomb mesh grille (in lieu of the standard car's egg-crate unit). It might pain Cadillac people to read this, but the CTS style in its current incarnation shows hints of Lexus styling about it.

The car rides on MRC (Magnetic Ride Control, more here) suspension and includes the usual raft of dynamic control aids, such as the stability control program ('Stabilitrak') and a BMW-style launch control program, which Cadillac calls 'Performance Traction Management'. This system also optimises torque and balances that against traction when the car is exiting corners.

Six-piston calliper Brembo brakes are fitted at the front and the rear also features Brembo callipers, of the four-piston variety. As standard, the CTS-V's 19-inch wheels are fitted with Michelin Pilot Sport 2 summer tyres.

Inside, the CTS-V features 14-way electrically adjustable Recaro front seats, an entertainment/information system with a 40-gigabyte hard drive, Bluetooth connectivity and microfibre trim for the steering wheel, seats and gear shifter.

Despite the false start and the preview in Detroit, the CTS-V won't go on sale until the fourth quarter of this year. It's a possibility for Australia too, and on the basis of price and performance, would compare with the BMW M3 and Mercedes-Benz C 63 AMG.

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