It's been only a couple of days since Cadillac->ke18 unloaded a pair of CTS-Vs in Germany for some extensive testing on the Nurburgring->ke999 track, and we just got word that the high-performance sedans have again unleashed their force-fed ponies on the "Green Hell." In fact, we have some new spy shots to share with you guys and gals, as well as a few juicy bits about the CTS-V's brand-new engine.

It seems the 2016 CTS-V feels quite cozy on the Nordschleife and that's good news for both Cadillac and muscle sedan enthusiasts. The current-gen CTS-V already benefits from tons of horsepower and torque to go along with good dynamics and precise handling. The spy shots show the added power won't make the next CTS-V less agile. On the contrary, the new chassis updates have improved on the car's skills in that department. Cadillac is looking to tighten the gap between the high-performance sedan and its popular competitors -- the BMW M5 and the Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG -- and the next-gen CTS-V might be able to do just that.

But until it hits dealerships and starts barking up the German high-performance tree, let's see what's new on the CTS-V prototypes caught lapping the Nurburgring track.

Click past the jump to read more about the 2016 Cadillac CTS-V.

Spy Shots

Our paparazzi were in for quite a treat at the 'Ring today, as the CTS-V depicted in the photos above burned more rubber than the usual test vehicle taking the track. The smoke coming out of the CTS-V's rear tires and the glowing brake rotors is a clear indication Cadillac engineers are pushing the sedan to the limit before making those final adjustments. The vehicle obviously packs a whole lot of power, otherwise it wouldn't be able to exit a curve leaving deep rubber tracks the pavement. Granted, the CTS-V is shaping up to be quite the racy machine, but don't expect that roll-cage to make it into the production car.

Speaking of horsepower and speed, it appears the 2016 CTS-V will go on sale with a twin-turbo V-8 under its hood. Previously it was believed GM could go with the supercharged, 6.2-liter powerplant found in the 2015 Corvette Z06, but new information suggests the company wants to differentiate the Cadillac from the Corvette with next-gen CTS-V. The turbocharged V-8 would also be in line with the twin-turbo units both BMW->ke178 and Mercedes-Benz->ke187 are offering in the M5 and E63 AMG respectively. We expect the new Caddy engine to be an evolution of the 4.5-liter mill showcased in the Elmiraj concept, with output increased from 500 ponies to about 600 raging horses.

Why It Matters

With so much power at its disposal, the Cadillac CTS-V will need a lot of feats to keep it on its best behavior. Two-piece brake rotors, larger brake calipers and lightweight wheels wrapped in high-performance tires, are all fitted to this 'Ring-smoking prototype. Testing these vital parts to the limit is more than necessary when you're gunning for the best results, and Cadillac is doing just that. The upcoming CTS-V may not have the ability to surpass the M5 in terms of sales at first, but it will deliver similar performance with better bang for the buck. And that's something worth waiting for.