Cadillac CTS-V

16th January 2008

This is the car Cadillac reckons is a match for the BMW M5. Unveiled at the Detroit Motor Show, the 550bhp CTS-V aims to combine serious performance with plenty of luxury.

And just like its German rival, it’s packed with hi-tech kit, including the world’s fastest-reacting suspension. Called Magnetic Ride Control (MRC), this provides virtually instantaneous changes to damper settings to match the road surface. Race-derived Performance Traction Man-agement uses advanced electronics to regulate torque delivery from the supercharged 6.2-litre V8.

This develops 550bhp and 745Nm of torque and is linked to either a six-speed manual or auto. Cadillac says the rear-wheel drive CTS-V will be quick enough to take on the M5 and cover 0-60mph in less than five seconds. Our sources suggest it will cost around £45,000.

But with such a powerful new model on the way, is Cadillac getting a guilty conscience? It also revealed a solar, hydrogen and fuel cell-powered crossover vehicle called the Provoq at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, Nevada, last week.

It can drive 300 miles on a tank of hydrogen, which is backed up by a lithium-ion battery. Roof-mounted solar panels help maximise economy by providing power for interior accessories such as the lights and stereo.

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