Excellent. What a great car. One question to the engineers: I noticed Cadillac changed the wheels from six lug to five... why the change given the higher weight and increased power? I thought the six lug wheels were a unique touch to the CTS and STS V models.

There are a lot of questions circling the net about what seems to be a roll bar in these pictures? Just how close to final production spec was this car. A roll bar could mean extra safety, but also extra weight slowing things down a bit? Sceptics are saying it wasn't near stock at all. I figure it was, but wondering just how close to final spec it is. Also, is there a plan to let Mr. Heinricy take a bone stock version around to silence all the naysayers?

Jake -
As we said in a prior "comments" section (check the post from the day prior) this car had zero performance modifications. It had one safety modification, typical for track tests. We had a harness bar in the cabin (not a roll cage) used to install a 6-point belt.

Is there a plan for John to take a "bone stock" car around the Ring. Yes. That's what we did this past Friday.

I am wondering if the lap was official, if a standing start was used, and when will the videos be posted. Thanks so much!

Thanks for the answers here and in the other posts. I figured this was the case, but wanted information to let others who may not frequent this blog know the truth about the equipment changes.

Read in the other thread that this was the auto version of the car. Is the manual possible cable of a bit lower time? Seems the seems the weight, and final drive ratios are a bit different on it?? I'm guessing with the right drive it can be quicker than this auto though so that makes this number even more impressive. Congrats.

The pictures show a car that is much lower to the ground than the "promo" shots shown on mutiple web sites. I understand that "The car itself had no performance modifications outside of those planned for consumer production", but did the car have any factory "options" that will not come standard on a new/production CTS-V? I'm guessing the ride height shown in the Ring pictures is not what is planned for the stock CTS-V, and there will be something like a "competition package" or what-not for people that want to add another "really" to the "goes really really fast" description for this car.

Cadillac is finally going to dominate in the big leagues. Now can we have it as an electric model so we don't burn up what's left too fast ?

@ Run Buh

The car looks lower than standard because the springs are compressed as it is just "landing" after Flugplatz 1, a well known point of compression on the Ring. If the photo had been taken 1 second earlier it would have looked like the 4x4 off-road version with increased ride height....

Ooops - did I say Flugplatz, in my earlier comment? I meant to say Pflanzgarten 1, of course. Must keep taking the tablets...