When one thinks of Cadillac, thoughts invariably wander to one of two things; The brand’s impressive and stately Escalade SUVs, that are often seen hanging outside the trendiest hotspots or picking up guests at the smartest restaurants, or to the striking designs of the award-winning CTS sedan, often seen with businessmen at the wheel, seemingly closing deals with themselves through a built-in Bluetooth system. However, there is a potent new string to the Cadillac bow. There is a new lord of the manor that has slipped in under the radar of all but most trained car fan’s eye.

The Cadillac CTS-V, the world’s fastest V8 production sedan has arrived. This car has already caused a huge stir and has been flying off the lots of Liberty Automobiles showrooms, where the first shipments of CTS-Vs were snapped up in weeks. In a time of global financial crisis and economic uncertainty, that takes some doing. The CTS-V has clearly struck a note with the trend-setting younger generation too. 14 of the first week’s 25 buyers are under the age of 30.

The CTS-V was officially launched to the press in the UAE at a major performance drive event at the Dubai Autodrome. As Cadillac’s top-of-line sedan, the CTS-V combines the serious performance of an elite sports car with the poise and elegance of a luxury sedan and comes with 609hp and 0-100kmh time of 3.9 seconds. Brembo brakes and specially adapted Michelin Pilot Sport 2 tyres ensure maximum driver confidence in spite of such a powerful engine, while Magnetic Ride Control makes its trajectory smooth.

¡°The CTS-V represents the full extension of our design, technology and performance capabilities,” said Adib Takieddine, Marketing Manager for Cadillac in the Middle East. “The V-Series takes the award-winning CTS sport sedan and elevates it to a position within the club of the world’s most exclusive and capable cars.”

And, of course, in addition to the refined interior, featuring a remarkable combination of components and design elements, there is the matter of the engine power. A sixth-generation Eaton supercharger minimizes the added noise previously associated with supercharged engines, and tightly controls intake air temperature for optimal performance. With a top of the range Italian sports car’s burble assaulting the eardrums, or a curvaceous German roadster cruising past so often that it’s no longer a thrill, Dubai’s luxury car owners are keen to out do each other and raise the bar in terms of exclusivity. Having something that no one else has in Dubai, especially on an automotive front is a tall order.

Several key technical and design elements combine to transform the already highly capable CTS into the new V-Series. Like the existing CTS, the V-Series is the product of an intensive development process across North America and Europe, incorporating famed test tracks and millions of Miles of road. The assertive stance, dihedral Cadillac grille with large air intakes and 19 inch wheels imply a hidden menace. Were another sports car to line up at the lights next to a CTS-V for a testosterone-fuelled sprint off the mark, the driver could be forgiven for thinking that they had the race already won. Imagine their surprise, when all the 793 Nm of torque propel the challenger instantly ahead and into the distance, while waving its CTS-V badge as it furiously muscles past.

The interior of the CTS-V is equally attractive and modern. A microfibre material is added to the steering wheel, seats and shifter, providing the soft feel and luxurious appearance of suede without suede’s inherent drawbacks of difficult care and moisture sensitivity. Carbon fibre accents on the steering wheel, control panel and dashboard further enhance the interior experience and imply that the car is designed with race car performance in mind.

The CTS-V is not just about what happens when the driver’s right foot goes down. Leading-edge infotainment features – including a 40-gigabyte hard drive, advanced navigation system with a “pop-up” screen and Bose digital surround audio are all featured, as well as factory-installed Bluetooth capability.

Not many cars that boast the performance of the CTS-V come so well equipped with luxurious comfort on the inside. Looking at all this evidence, it’s no wonder the Cadillac CTS-V has been such a success. Driving something away from the stereotype is obviously a big deal for the UAE’s younger drivers, while the added coolness of a hidden performance agenda only increases the car’s cache amongst all car owners, both young and old.