This year Cadillac creates a brand-within-the-brand for big-engine muscle cars sporting the v-badge -- that 'v' tacked to a model's alphabetical nameplate, perhaps to denote 'velocity.'

There are three tuner-style v-badged Cadillacs in 2006 -- CTSv, STSv and XLRv. STSv features supercharged performance with a 4.4-liter supercharged Northstar 4.4-liter V8 zipped to 469 hp. It mates with the new GM Hydra-Matic 6L80 six-speed automatic transmission -- first of GM's new six-speed auto shifters. This same Northstar V8 powers the XLRv, with output worked to 443 hp. And the CTSv scores a version of Corvette's LS2 V8 below the hood that churns with 400 hp and renders sub-5 times for the run to 60 mph.

All v-badged Cadillacs carry retuned suspension components, precision brakes and high-performance tires capping special alloy wheels.