The suspension's stiffness and calibration provides steadfastly flat cornering, with immediate turn-in ideal for executing

Steering wheel mounted controls enable easy deactivation of the traction control system and activation of the StabiliTrak feature. (Photo: Rob Rothwell, Canadian Auto Press)

instantaneous lane changes. That said it's also progressive in nature. Goosing the throttle easily provides sufficient torque to break the rear wheels free and create predictable oversteer by urging the tail out of line. Of course to accomplish this, the on-by-default traction control system must be deactivated and GM's StabiliTrak stability control logic set to its "competitive driving" mode, otherwise if wheel spin or a lateral skid is detected, engine retardation and brake interference will step-in and take away the performance-edge. Steering wheel mounted controls enable easy deactivation of the traction control system and activation of the StabiliTrak feature, which incidentally utilizes a network of sensors to detect a lateral slide. When

Meaty high performance Goodyear Eagle F1 P245/45ZR 18-inch run-flat tires give the CTS-V sensational grip. (Photo: Rob Rothwell, Canadian Auto Press)

a sideways skid occurs, the system automatically modulates brake pressure independently at each of the four wheels, bringing the wayward driver and his V-ride back on course. The sensational handling ability of the CTS-V is due in part to the meaty, high performance Goodyear Eagle F1 P245/45ZR 18-inch run-flats mounted at each corner. These sticky boots glue themselves to the tarmac like little else I have experienced. Lateral traction is astounding and forward grip bites with such ferocity that wheelspin at launch tends to provoke undesirable hammering and wheel-hop from the rear underpinnings. This is something Cadillac needs to correct in order to save the rear components and refine the ability of the CTS-V to launch smoothly and efficiently under full power.