If there is one thing host Jessi Lang loves, it’s a vehicle with a great engine under the hood. Luckily for Jessi, we recently tested the 2011 Cadillac CTS-V with its 6.2L supercharged V8 engine and GM’s Magnetic Ride Control…and let’s just say she had a great week.

The V8 in the CTS-V is paired to an automatic transmission that is surprisingly seamless and smooth in its shifting and buildup. The pairing produces a powerful 556 horsepower and 551 lb-ft of torque, doing 0-60 mph in under 4 seconds. The sporty personality of the V is mapped to sporty stopping power with quality Brembo brakes. The V offering for the CTS comes in RWD only but unlike the regular CTS coupe that offers 18″ wheels, the CTS-V comes with 19″ wheels.

Sadly, there are a few downsides to the CTS-V. The sub-par fuel economy, averaging 12 mpg city and 18 mpg highway, will get you slapped with the gas-guzzler tax on top of a starting price of $62,165 (as-tested price of $69,890). Then there are the blind spots that will take some adjustment time. For most buyers, they will deal with the blind spots and fuel economy to get in this beast. If you fall in to the aforementioned category and like the CTS-V but can’t swing the cost, you might want to consider the less powerful CTS Coupe that may differ under the hood but has the same interior and quiet cabin ride.

With the growing hybrid trend in the automotive industry, it was only a matter of time before Cadillac got into the game with its large, gas guzzling, luxury SUV, the well-known Escalade.  The 2009 Escalade looks like the regular model, but the hybrid badges and messaging are plastered all over the vehicle.  Like its cousins, the Chevy Tahoe and GMC Yukon hybrids, the Cadillac Escalade uses the same 2 mode gas-electric drivetrain but shares none of the other commonalities like the aerodynamic front ends or light weight construction.  Some things though, remain the same in the hybrid ’09 Escalade, like the styling and the cabin noise, but in this case, the bulk of the noise is from the switch from the gas and electric motors.

The engine in the hybrid Escalade is the 6.0-liter hybrid, producing 332 horsepower at 5,100 rpm and 367 lb-ft of torque at 5,100 rpm, mated to an electronically variable transmission.  This engine is only slightly less powerful than the Escalade’s regular 6.2-liter V8 engine that produces 403 horsepower.  The fuel economy for the 2009 Escalade hybrid comes in at 20 mpg city and 21 mpg highway.  While those are not Prius numbers, it is still impressive for this three ton SUV, considering that the 200 pound lighter GM SUV hybrid models get the same 20 mpg numbers.

But with the savings on fuel, you may be wondering, “what will I pay for this hybrid”, since it still bears the Cadillac Escalade name and luxury.  Base price starts at $71,685 and our as-tested model was slightly more, coming in at $72,780

When automotive journalists (ourselves included) were proclaiming the Chevrolet Malibu to be Detroit’s savior, we obviously had not accounted for the 2009 Cadillac CTS-V. The all-new CTS-V mixes performance, quality, luxury, and refinement under (surprise!) an American badge.

You might ask, “What makes the CTS-V so special?” and one can only answer, “The performance and the power.” This Caddy boasts a 6.2L supercharged V8 that is capable of producing 556 horsepower at 6,100 rpm and 551 lb-ft of torque at 3,800 rpm. The engine is paired with one of two six-speed transmission options, either the new, Tremec TR6060 with dual-disc clutch or the Hydra-Matic 6L90 six-speed automatic with paddle-shifters (the first automatic offered in the CTS-V). The CTS-V also features Magnetic Ride Control, one of the world’s fastest-reacting suspension that uses shocks controlled by electro-magnets rather than mechanical valves. Tiny iron particles suspended in fluid fill the shock damper and when put under the presence of a magnetic charge, these particles align in tight formations to provide more damping resistance with incredible speed. To slow down this beast, Cadillac worked with Brembo to develop a great braking system with six-piston calipers in the front and four-piston calipers in the rear. Slotted and vented rotors enable strong initial braking force while optimizing heat resistance and eliminating fade.

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On the interior of the CTS-V, this sports sedan mixes elegance with the car’s performance abilities. Recaro performance driving seats that provide support for spirited driving also take comfort into account, adjustable in 14-ways, including a pneumatic bolster control in the seat cushion and backrest. New Obsidian material accents the car’s integrated center stack as well as the center console and door trim. And, just like every CTS, the V-Series includes a hand-stitched instrument panel, door trim, and center console. Other interior features are the 40-gigabyte hard drive, advanced navigation system with a “pop-up” screen, and Bose digital surround audio.

Stay tuned for driving impressions and video footage of the 2009 Cadillac CTS-V before it goes on sale this Fall.

Key Specs:
*Limited-slip differential made of cast iron
*Main competitors: BMW M5, Mercedes-Benz E55 AMG, and the Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG
*Engine Type: 6.2L supercharged V8 (LSA)
*0-60 mph: 3.9 seconds
*Quarter-mile: 12 seconds at 118 mph
*Fuel delivery: SFI
*Recommended Fuel: Premium (recommended but not required)
*Transmissions: Tremec TR6060 six-speed manual and the Hydra-Matic 6Ll90 six-speed electronically controlled automatic overdrive with torque converter clutch.
*Wheels: 19 x 9 inch (front) and 19 x 9.5 inch (rear)
*Tires: 255/40R19 Michelin PS2 summer Z-rated (front) and 285/35R19 Michelin PS2 summer Z-rated (rear)
*Wheelbase: 113.4 inches
*Curb weight: 4,200 lbs (manual) or 4,300 lbs (automatic)
*Nurburgring lap time: 7:59.32 (possibly the fastest publicly documented time for a production sedan)