Last month we saw the ATS-V, Cadillac's BMW M3-rival boasting an extra 30bhp over its German foe. Well, today we meet the CTS-V, Caddy's M5. And it beats down its BMW rival rather more triumphantly, with a fairly silly 640bhp.

Power comes from a supercharged 6.2-litre V8 engine. The one you'll find in the Corvette Z06, no less. Here it's a little down on power, but alongside its SLS Black-trumping power figure comes 630lb ft of torque. It's the most powerful Caddy ever made.

It's rear-wheel drive, so to make sure the back tyres last at least five minutes, there's a launch control system. Your only transmission option is an eight-speed auto, so that pesky M5 still has an advantage in America, where it's offered with an old-school manual.

Performance? A 3.7sec 0-60mph sprint and a top speed of 200mph. Deal with that, 155mph Germans.

To help utilise all that poke, the CTS-V is 25 per cent stiffer than standard, while the 'Magnetic Ride Control' active damping system is apparently 40 per cent more responsive.

Looks-wise, Caddy promises the CTS-V's various aesthetic additions are all functional. So the front splitter and rear spoiler aid aerodynamics, while the carbon fibre bonnet - which can be ordered with its weave exposed - saves weight at the end of the car where that stonkingly huge engine sits.

Inside, there's carbon fibre trim and some Recaro sports seats, while a data recording system and a posh Bose audio setup are available too.

The CTS-V makes its big entrance at the Detroit motor show in early January, when more details should materialise. Excited?