2005 Audi S4 vs. Cadillac CTS-V vs. Mercedes C55 AMG Photos

The CTS-V turned the quickest lap at Nelson Ledges. And it might've done even better if we got more than one lap out of it.

All three of these pack a V-8, but their approaches are very different.

The Audi gets a 340-horsepower, 4.2-liter V-8 and a six-speed manual, while the Benz is treated to a 5.5-liter, 362-horsepower V-8 and a five-speed automatic.

The C55 AMG probably would have been quicker if it were offered with a manual.

With a 0-60 time of 4.7 seconds, the C55 barely edged out the muscular Caddy.

Nothing wrong with a C-Class that a 5.5-liter V-8 can't fix.

In case you forgot, the C55 AMG's tach reminds you that this isn't the old C32.

The Benz interior is more spare than an E-Class', but it's still well suited to purposeful driving.

The C55 AMG's quad pipes announce eight cylinders and 24 valves.

Drilled rotors and AMG calipers belie a brake pedal that got mushy during track use.

This badge corresponds to the car's engine displacement, and we can't imagine that practice will ever change.

The CTS-V, with its 400-horsepower Corvette engine, was the muscle car of the group.

The Caddy was the track champ, although fuel starvation issues ended its day early.

Cadillac's interior is a mish-mash of odd shapes and angles.

The Cadillac's switchgear looks very GM, which is not a compliment.

We're delighted about the six-speed manual, less so the fact that launching the CTS-V requires a delicate clutch engagement to avoid axle hop.

The V managed a 167-foot stop from 70 mph.

We have a feeling we'll be seeing more of this badge.