The speculation has ended, and Cadillac has officially released details for the 2016 CTS-V. To nobody’s surprise, the Maximum Caddy (Caddymax? Somehow we don’t think we can make that nickname stick) will utilize the same supercharged Gen V direct injection V8 found in the 2015 Corvette Z06, rated at 640 horsepower (477 kW for our Metric friends) and 630 pound-feet of torque (855 Nm).

Compare that to the 650/650 quoted for the Z06 – unlike the previous generation’s LSA, the LT4 in the new CTS-V appears to share the same mechanical details as the Z06’s powerplant, and the difference in SAE numbers is likely due to programming rather than actual power potential. Backing the LT4 is the new 8-speed automatic 8L90 transmission – there’s no word of a manual trans option, but if the paddle-shift automatic works as well in the Cadillac as it does in the Stingray, you won’t miss it.

Cadillac calls out the German luxury performance competition by name, pointing out that the LT4 is more powerful than both the Mercedes-Benz 5.5L biturbo V8 and the BMW M-series 4.4L TwinPower (twin-turbo) V8. They claim a 0-60 time of just 3.7 seconds and a 200 MPH top speed. Performance features include:

• Standard carbon fiber hood and available carbon fiber vent, front splitter, rear spoiler and rear diffuser for greater aerodynamic performance
• Brembo high-performance brake system developed to provide durability, consistency and the capability for track-day performance straight from the factory
• Third-generation Magnetic Ride Control delivering 40-percent faster damping response
• Integrated chassis controls that provide balanced performance for touring and the track, including competition-spec Performance Traction Management
• Structural stiffness increased by 25 percent for improved ride and superior handling
• Driver-selectable modes electronically calibrate performance variables for touring, sport and track driving conditions
• Michelin Pilot Super Sport tires with tri-compound technology offering excellent grip with extended wear
• An interior with performance-oriented, sueded microfiber accents and matte-finish carbon fiber trim and available RECARO high-performance seats for spirited driving

Unlike the Corvette Z06, the CTS-V allows you to scare the crap out of more than one passenger at a time.

The CTS-V also gets the Performance Data Recorder from the Corvette Stingray, allowing you to record your exploits (or valet shenanigans) in high def. Cadillac claims that the CTS-V is 25 percent stiffer than non-V models, with a plethora of chassis reinforcements incorporated:

• Strut tower-to-tower brace
• Strut tower-to-plenum brace
• V-braces for the engine compartment
• Strengthened rocker bulkhead
• Stronger rear cradle-to-rocker braces
• A unique aluminum shear panel at the front of the chassis
• Upper tie bar-to-bumper braces.

With availability announced as “late summer” 2015, we haven’t gotten word on an MSRP yet. If we had to make an educated guess, though, we’d say to expect a starting price around $75k, based on the outgoing generation’s sticker and the $78k base price of the C7 Z06. Even though that represents a sizable chunk of change, it’s still a screaming deal compared to the German competition Cadillac has in the CTS-V’s crosshairs.

In addition to lane departure warning, blind spot alerts, and a rear view camera, the new CTS-V also has a front blind spot camera to help protect the splitter from close encounters with curbs.