The new 2009 Cadillac CTS-V sports car has the same body panels as early models; but this is about all the new Cadillac share with its older brother. Cadillac has done what any good student would do if they sat next to a genius, they conscionable cheated off their schoolfellow. And the Einstein in this tale is the greatest American Muscle car; the Corvette ZR-1!

Let's quickly get to the meat of the new CTS-V. The 6.2-liter LSA engine is a detuned version of the Corvette ZR-1 LS9 which is supercharged. The Cadillac CTS-V engine keeps the same Eaton roots type supercharger. The air is cooled via an air-to-air intercooler before being crammed into the engine. So how many ponies does this rocket create? 556 horsepower and 550 rubber shredding lb-ft of torque! 0-60 mph times are at 3.9 seconds which is faster than a ton of much more expensive supercars including a few Lamborghini’s and Ferrari’s.

And how overpriced is the CTS-V? Priced at $60,000 the 2009 Cadillac CTS-V is the uncompromising performing luxury car that money can buy. This Cadillac broke the record for a saloon car on factory tires at the noted Nurburgring. With a sub 8-minute lap minute this car is shoulder to shoulder with the heavyweights in the automobile business. The CTS-V ran lap times close to the cream of the crop: Corvette, Viper, Lamborghini, Porsche, and Ferrari. And yes this car does have 4-doors and a luxury interior.

The Cadillac CTS-V also gets some more goodies from the Corvette parts bin. The CTS-V transmission come equipped with either a 6-speed manual or an automatic also from the Corvette. The Caddy rolling stock consists of 19-inch rims with Michelin high performance tires, and Brembo brakes. The driver is held in place by 14-way adjustable Recaro racing designed for those spirited drives.

Cadillac aims to dethrone the BMW M5 and Mercedes E63 AMG which are both some $25,000 more expensive. Many dear to the BMW name cannot accept the CTS-V's superior performance for less. They also complain about the CTS-V’s exterior design, but looks are in the eye of the beholder, and the proof is in the pudding concerning the performance numbers.

So does the new 2009 Cadillac CTS-V have enough to become the top of the luxury car pile? Well, for $25k less, the overwhelming answer should be yes! See the Cadillac CTS-V's spec and info online at the Chicagoland Cadillac Dealers website.