Cadillac aims for the 2009 CTS-V to be the fastest production sedan in the world--and the goal is in sight after a prototype fitted with production components posted a sub-eight-minute lap time at Germany's famed Nürburgring track.
The CTS-V lapped the 12.9-mile track in 7 minutes, 59.32 seconds, which General Motors says appears to be the fastest time ever for a production sedan. John Heinricy, head of GM's performance division and race-car driver, piloted the car.
The CTS-V goes on sale this fall. Under its hood is a supercharged 6.2-liter V8 that makes about 550 hp, though final SAE figures haven't been released. Six-speed manual and automatic transmissions will be available, and it will have a new version of GM's Magnetic Ride Control suspension.
The CTS-V's lap time puts it close to the 7:56 posted by a Chevrolet Corvette Z06. It's about half a minute behind the 7:29 that Nissan officials say was posted by a new Nissan GT-R in mid-April.
The fastest lap time by a production car at the historic track is believed to be 6:55, set in September 2005 by a car made by British company Radical.
A video of the CTS-V's performance is expected to be posted soon at www.cadillac.gmblogs.com.
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