Unveiled at the Los Angeles Auto Show today, the Cadillac ATS-V coupe and sedan met with lots of flashing cameras, videos, and admiration from a standing room only crowd. The V-Series from Cadillac was introduced in 2004, and has been the performance sector of the brand.

When most people are thinking luxury, the new ATS-V brings performance to the table with a race-ready car that doesn’t require brake or performance upgrades to hit the track. The lightweight luxury compact is all performance, and was built with track competition in its soul.

At all four corners resides high-performance Brembo calipers and a brake system that was developed to be durable and consistent, straight out of the box. Braking at the front end utilizes staggered six-piston calipers and 14.5-inch rotors, while four-piston calipers clamp down on 13.3-inch rear rotors.

Under the hood is a good reason for those performance brakes. Cadillac’s twin turbocharged V6 engine is putting out 455 horsepower and 445 lb-ft of torque. This is the most powerful six cylinder in its class, and puts the Cadillac to 60 mph in a scant 3.9 seconds. That power continues to push the car to a top speed of over 185 mph, making it not only a factory ready track car, but a seriously potent one at that.

Behind the turbo V6 resides a six-speed manual transmission equipped with Active Rev Match, which matches the engine revs for up or down shifting. The car is also equipped with  launch control. For those desiring to keep a little bit of the luxury part of this sporty compact, a paddle shifted eight-speed automatic also features launch control and Performance Algorithm Shift.

“Cadillac’s V-Series is the best example of Cadillac’s emerging product substance – and the purest expression of the passion at the core of the brand,” said Cadillac President Johan de Nysschen.

Keeping the car luxurious as well as nimble, a third-generation Magnetic Ride Control delivers 40 percent faster damping response. Performance Traction Management provides enhanced performance and balance integrated into the chassis, making this a luxury car that is capable of touring and racing at the track with the selectable driver controls.

A bit more track-worthy, but the inspiration behind the ATS-V and its potent 455 horsepower twin turbo V6.