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Cadillac is hard at work on the next-generation CTS-V high-performance model as these spy photos reveal.

It seems the 2016 version of the car will likely feature a twin-turbocharged V8 engine instead of a supercharged unit as was speculated. How do we know this? Well, the provided shots seem to indicate the car has a pair of intercoolers tucked behind each corner of the front bumper.

Of course intercoolers are vital to turbocharged engines as they keep performance-robbing – and potentially engine-damaging – heat at bay.

For improved performance and reduced fuel consumption turbocharging is the way to go. Sure, superchargers can crank out BIG numbers but automakers are adopting exhaust gas-driven blowers in ever-greater numbers.

SEE ALSO: Cadillac Elmiraj Concept is so Awesome You Won’t Believe Your Eyes

But how big will this turbocharged V8 be? Will it displace a whopping 6.2-liters or less than that? Of course the Cadillac Elmiraj concept coupe featured a 4.5-liter twin-turbocharged two-by-four, which seems like an appropriate size.

No matter what the engine specifics are it has to deliver at least 550 hp to compete with cars like the BMW M5 and Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG.

Design-wise the new CTS-V features an interesting grille with a sort of fan-like arrangement of the slats as well as some massive wheels and an aggressive stance. The 2016 Cadillac CTS-V is expected to go into production sometime in the middle of next year.

GALLERY: 2016 Cadillac CTS-V Spy Shots

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