Cadillac readies next wave of V-series performance cars

Summary: Cadillac will introduce new V-series editions of the XLR and STS — and will advertise their speed in a series of five-second TV spots.

Full story: Cadillac is preparing to launch two additions to its V-series stable of high-performance vehicles, and plans a unique series of five-second TV advertising spots to demonstrate just how fast the new cars really are.

The new models, the XLR-V and the STS-V, join the $49,995 CTS-V later this year, fitted with high-output powerplants, tauter suspensions, larger wheels and tires, and other sporting hardware.

To market the new V-series models, Cadillac will broadcast a number of five-second spots that show the cars accelerating from zero to 60, with a voiceover asking: "How fast? That fast!"

The brief spots will air during the National Football league playoffs, beginning January 15, and will continue to the Super Bowl on February 6. They will also air on February 27 during the annual Academy Awards ceremony.

What this means to you: Perhaps the larger question is how fast Cadillac can spend its 2005 TV advertising budget.