Early last month, GM High Performance Vehicle Operations Director John Heinricy took a production-spec Cadillac CTS-V around the Ring in a record-breaking 7 minutes and 59 seconds. In this clip, he talks about the run, and answers some questions about the Caddy’s performance on the track. After watching it, I want one of these hot rods even more—but make mine a six-speed, please.

Seattle is an awesome place to live, but it’s kind of lame that it’s 55 degrees and raining here. In June. Anyway, here’s the news:

• Most of the time I wind up behind the wheel of a rental car, it’s a boring little econo box. But now that Hertz is adding new Vettes to its stable, I might just have fork over some extra cash. Autoblog
• Caddy’s new CTS-V is going to pack some 556 horsepower and boast a 0 to 60 time of under four seconds. The General sure isn’t fooling around with this one. AutoWeek
• Some unlucky Audi owner in the UK just had his brand-new car’s finish destroyed. Most of the time, I’m against capital punishment, but in this case, I could probably be convinced. CarScoop
  
• Bentley has announced that its new Continental Flying Spur Speed edition will have 600 horsepower and top out at around 200 miles per hour, for the money, I think I’d rather have the CTS-V—and a killer condo in downtown Seattle. Motor Authority

In case you were wondering—or didn’t read my earlier blog post—that sub eight minute time is faster than any stock four-door in history. Take that, M5! Aside from the racing harness and the fire-suppression system, the 550 horsepower heartbreaker used was exactly what Caddy dealers will be serving up in 2009. Watch the video to see GM exec John Heinricy show what the General’s new charge can do.

GM has just announced that Caddy’s new 550 horsepower hot rod has broken the Nurburgring record for a production sedan. Take that BMW! The blistering time of 7 minutes and 59 seconds was set this morning, and GM will release full documentation in the coming days. Stay tuned!

The CTS-V earned a convincing victory over the RS 4 in this week’s Showroom Showdown. In general, style and the horsepower seemed to trump AWD and "German engineering." But my favorite quote was by Tony87: "Even if the Caddy was made in some mexican sweat shop. I’d rather have a burrito than a plate of sauerkraut, and i’m german." According to the UAW, the CTS is built in North America. Stay tuned for another match up next week.

GM really stepped up to the plate with 2009 Cadillac CTS-V. I mean, come on, 550 hp!!! It seems to be aimed squarely at the BMW M5, but will be priced a lot lower–probably in the mid-$60k range. I had to look around a bit for a worthy challenger in that price range, and finally (with Sean’s help) came up with the Audi RS 4. Now, the Audi only delivers 420 hp, but you get AWD and "German engineering." So, which would you choose, the Caddy or the Audi?

Spy photographers have snapped another round of photos showing the 2009 Cadillac CTS-V undergoing testing with minimal disguise. The car is expected to use the new "LSA" Corvette motor, developing at least 500 horsepower. The car caught in these spy photos appears to be very close to the production model, with the front and rear fascias looking nearly complete. A modest spoiler can be seen on the CTS-V’s decklid and, for the first time, its wheels look production-ready.

The CTS-V will feature a supercharger integrated into the intake manifold. This is the same setup the upcoming Corvette ZR-1 will have with its LS9 motor. However, while the Corvette ZR-1 motor will be hand built at the Performance Build Center in Wixom, MI, the Cadillac’s LSA motor will be built in a conventional motor plant. Automatic and manual transmissions will be available, and an optional paddle shift feature is also anticipated.

Production on the new CTS V-Series will start in September of 2008, and will be limited to about 7000 units annually. Internally, GM is referring to the car as "GMX322 V S/C." GM’s Bob Lutz was recently quoted saying the 2009 CTS-V "will be at a power level only described as unexpectedly high." Then referencing the current BMW M5, Lutz said the CTS-V "will suck the doors off" the competition if the next M5 isn’t significantly better. After driving a prototype, Lutz said "flat-out incredible. I’ve never driven anything like that."

In the past, the current CTS-V has suffered from rear-end problems. Specifically, wheel hop. The 2009 CTS-V will feature a completely re-done rear end with a much better rear axle. Sources say this has eliminated the wheel hop issue altogether. The ’09 will continue to utilize a massive set of Brembo brakes up front and in back. More photos at Left Lane News.