What's the best place to test a super-high performance sports car like the next generation Cadillac CTS-V? Why, the Nürburgring, of course, and that's precisely where our spies caught up with GM's engineers, just before they entered the test center.

Over the past decade or so, Cadillac has been quietly moving away from the muscle car ethos and edging closer edging closer and closer to the more sophisticated and fine-tuned philosophy of the German competition like the BMW M5, Audi RS6 and Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG.

That's not to say it won't have loads of power, because it will, whichever engine GM chooses – be that the 6.2-liter supercharged V8 from the new Z06 in which it is rated at a whopping 650HP, or the firm's upcoming 4.5-liter twin-turbocharged V8 previewed on the Elmiraj Concept.

At the end of the day, it will have more horses under the hood that the outgoing CTS-V's 556hp 6.2-liter supercharged V8, while, even though bigger in size, it will be lighter thanks to the new Alpha platform and the use of additional aluminum and other weight-saving materials.

Power will be directed towards the rear wheels through GM's new eight-speed automatic transmission with paddle-shifters, but we still do not know if GM will offer a manual (7-speed) gearbox option as well.

Whereas this latest prototype retains the same crazy camouflage and locomotive pilot-like grille as previous testers, it has gained what looks like a prominent rear spoiler integrated into the boot. We cannot say yet if it's a final production piece, but it does add character to the car that also sports a ground-effects kit, quad pipes, beefy wheels and massive brake discs.

We should see Cadillac unveiling the production CTS-V sometime next year as a 2016MY.

You can't say that GM's engineers aren't giving the 2016 Cadillac CTS-V prototypes a run for their money on the Nürburgring. One of the testers was photographed by our spies with glowing red rear brake discs and smoke pouring out from the right side of the car as it was performing some quick laps around the track.

Together with the ATS-V Sedan and Coupe, the next CTS-V will be at the forefront of Cadillac's attack on Germany's finest luxury brands in terms of prestige, something that should rub off the regular versions of the cars, indirectly boosting sales.

A direct opponent of the BMW M5 and Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG, the CTS-V will be the most powerful production model to wear Cadillac's crest and it shouldn't surprise anyone if it made close or even more than 600-horses from either a 6.2-liter supercharged V8 from the new Corvette Z06, or GM's upcoming 4.5-liter twin-turbo V8 previewed on the Elmiraj Concept. The outgoing model made 556hp and 551 lb-ft of torque.

Visually, Cadillac will gift the CTS-V with a multitude of spoilers and air vents, and of course, brawny wheels and tires, along with a quartet of pipes at the back, snuggled inside the new rear diffuser. You'll also get a spiffier interior, with different trims, materials and seats.

The new CTS-V will appear next year as a 2016 model.

Features the new wreathless crest

Following a sneak preview in an OnStar commercial, Cadillac has taken the wraps off the 2015MY CTS.

The main attraction is an updated front fascia highlighted by the wreathless crest as seen on recent Cadillac products. As standard it gets projector-beam halogen headlamps but for more money clients can opt for high-density discharge headlights with Adaptive Forward Lighting System. Lesser models get a Galvano chrome grille while the Vsport comes with a black chrome grille.

Other goodies include illuminating door handles featuring a similar Galvano polished aluminum look together with active aero grille shutters for base, Luxury and Performance versions. 17-inch wheels are standard but clients can upgrade to 18- or 19-inch rims and can also select from fresh body paints called Crystal White Tricoat and Dark Adriatic Blue Metallic.

The 2015 model year brings wireless smartphone charging, text message alerts built into the Cadillac CUE, perpendicular parking feature, OnStar with 4G LTE & Wi-Fi hotspot, lane keep assist & lane change alert safety systems as well as fresh interior color and trim combos.

Engine lineup kicks off with a base 4-cylinder 2.0-liter turbocharged gasoline engine outputting 272 bhp (203 kW) and 295 lb-ft (400 Nm) followed by a beefier V6 3.6-liter rated at 321 bhp (239 KW) and 275 lb-ft (373 Nm).

The range-topping twin-turbo V6 3.6-liter engine powers the RWD-only CTS Vsport where it generates 420 bhp (313 kW) and 430 lb-ft (583 Nm), enough for a 0-60 mph (0-96 km/h) run in 4.4 seconds and a 172 mph (277 km/h) top speed. This variant also comes with an electronic limited-slip differential, sport-tuned suspension (with uprated spring rates and stabilizer bars), quicker steering ratio, Brembo brakes, 18-inch wheels with wider Pirelli summer rear tires along with a driver-selectable track mode.

Regardless of engine and RWD/AWD choice, all models come with an eight-speed paddle-shift automatic transmission capable of switching gears in 0.3 seconds while providing “the quietness, smoothness and refinement Cadillac customers expect.”

The only authentic parts of the Cadillac crest are the first and fourth quarterings; these feature legless birds (or hen-blackbirds); in heraldry they are known as martlets 7a, 7b, 7c, 7d [merlettes in French].