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Cadillac is claiming a record of sorts for its CTS-V sports sedan, the go-fast version of the standard four-door CTS the carmaker will launch here later this year.
Parent General Motors says the CTS-V has lapped the Nurburgring circuit in Germany in under 8 minutes, potentially the fastest
documented time for a production sedan.
In recent weeks, the Nissan GT-R and Lexus LF-A supercars did a lap of the circuit in around 7 minutes 25 seconds. The Cadillac CTS-V was timed at 7:59:32.
Cadillac has been testing the CTS-V at Nurburgring for some weeks counting down to the final stages of development.
The rear-drive flyer is powered by a supercharged 6.2-litre V8 producing around 410kW (550bhp) and mated to six-speed manual or automatic transmissions.
The engine, apart from the supercharger, is almost indentical to the unit GM Holden uses under the bonnet of Commodore-based models from Holden Special Vehicles.
At the wheel for the "hot" lap was John Heinricy, Cadillac director of vehicle integration and an experienced race driver.
Cadillac said the car had no performance modifications outside of those planned for production, which is scheduled to begin in October.
One of the objectives of Cadillac is to make the CTS-V the world's fastest production sedan. It is part of the overall goal to make V-Series models Cadillac's ultimate expression of performance and technology.
More updates will be released as testing is finalised, including the car's certified power ratings, acceleration specifications and US-market pricing.
Video footage of the Nurburgring performance is expected to be posted online at cadillac.gmblogs.com.
The eight-minute mark has long been recognised as a major Nurburgring milestone, reserved for race cars and the fastest exotic sports cars.
While there's no single official repository for Nurburgring data from private test sessions, numerous reputable websites and publications report lap times from race teams, carmakers and independent sources.
The 2009 CTS-V includes a suite of advanced performance technologies, including a new version of Cadillac's magnetic ride control suspension.
For the first time, CTS-V will include the choice of six-speed manual or automatic transmissions, with the new automatic sporting steering wheel-mounted shift buttons.
Cadillac's appearance here will be spearheaded by the rear-drive CTS sedan. Other models with the famous American badge will be available.
The CTS is a mid-size four-door introduced in 2003 as the replacement for the Catera in 2003. It is credited with rejuvenating the Cadillac brand, in the face of continuing competition from luxury brands such as BMW, Lexus and Mercedes-Benz.
Its Australasian arrival is the next step in Cadillac's global expansion, driven largely by more adventurous design and technical innovation.
The carmaker has repackaged itself and turned its attention towards younger buyers. The US badge will be managed in Australasia by GM Holden's premium brands division.
The CTS will be powered by a Commodore family engine, a 3.6-litre V6 running on unleaded 91-octane and delivering 227kW and 370Nm of torque. There will be a choice of two performance-tuned suspension packages with six-speed automatic transmission. Standard features include a stability control system and front, side and curtain airbags.
Cadillac has a splendid history of innovation since the first car appeared in October 1902. It was the first American carmaker to use a self-starter, the first with an independent front-wheel suspension and first with synchromesh transmission. It also offered the first mass-produced V8 engine and the first mass-produced vehicle stability system.