PHOTOS: 2009 Cadillac CTS-V

You knew it was coming … the new CTS-V is here. Well, almost here. It's at the Detroit auto show on January 13, and will be at your local Cadillac dealer this fall.

So along with getting everything new that's already part of the much-improved 2008 CTS,  the 2009 flying V boasts the supercharged LS-based 6.2-liter V-8 with 550 horsepower and 550 lb-ft of torque, your choice of six-speed gearboxes, and standard Magnetic Ride Control (MRC). 

Guesstimates are that 60 mph comes up in less than five ticks. That pretty darn quick for a tuxedo-clad luxury sedan, and it represents performance enough to challenge the clans from Stuttgart and Munich at a competitive price point.

Details? There are plenty. Front seats are by Recaro, feature 14 adjustments, and are covered in a long-life suede-like microfiber upholstery that delivers the performance of the natural fabric with greater durability and easier care. Along with other unique interior trim pieces, the dash is stuffed with a 40-gig hard drive for music media storage plus standard NAV with the jack-in-the-box screen.

Now for what really matters. The LS-A's supercharger is a sixth generation unit produced by Eaton. As on the new Corvette ZR1, the supercharger uses new compressor screws with four lobes instead of three. This allows greater volumetric efficiencies with less power draw.   The boost is regulated so that horsepower and torque peak at 6200 rpm. As soon as we can get to an engineer, we'll get more details on why that is.

Transmissions include the Tremec TR6060, the manual transmission of choice for so many high-horsepower cars these days. The automatic is GM's Hydra-Matic 6L90. As evidenced by how these transmissions perform in the Gen 6.5 Corvettes, the automatic CTS-V may be quicker than the manual. We'll see. Both powertrains utilize a final drive ratio of 3.73:1.

As previously noted, MRC is standard, and works to control a four-wheel independent suspension (SLA at each corner). You owe yourself a drive in a car with MRC … it's hard to go back to conventional valves because it's that good. Wheels are 19-inchers, with the rears being one half inch wider than the fronts at 9.5 inches. Summer-only Michelin PS2s are standard; P255/40ZR19s in front and P285/35ZR19s in the rear. Behind the wheels and tires you'll find big rotors that get squeezed by six-piston calipers in front and four-pot units in back. Of course, four-channel ABS and a well-sorted stability control system (that you can turn off) are standard. Performance Traction Management is optional.

Officially, this posting is early because another media outlet broke GM's formal embargo.  We'll bring you more information from the show floor on Monday. Stay tuned. 

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