Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing: the storm before the silence
Feast your eyes on the new Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing. Cadillac’s storm with a V-8 thumping 668 horsepower. That is a lot of power for a 4-door sedan but this is the type of car that Macklemore would drive on a freeway. Doing “illegally a 125mph”, weaving in and out of the traffic. And he doesn’t have to worry about the cops either because “they cannot catch (him)”. Ok enough with the white wall references. The Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing is the proper CTS-V successor. Sure, there was the CT5-V but It is way down on power; with a mere 360 horsepower (269 kilowatts) compared to its predecessor’s 640 (477 kW); takes 4.8 seconds to hit 60 versus the CTS-V’s sub-four-second time.
Performance
Under the hood; the Blackwing gets a supercharged 6.2-liter pushrod V8 which pumps out an absurd 668 horses (498 kW) and 659 pound-feet (893 newton-meters). That allows it to hit 60 in just 3.7 seconds and continue on to a top speed of around 200 miles per hour (322 kilometers per hour). Power is sent to an electronically controlled limited-slip differential(e-LSD) at the rear wheels through a standard Tremec six-speed manual transmission. a 10-speed automatic is available too.
The e-LSD is one of four variables controlled by Cadillac’s excellent Performance Traction Management (PTM) system. The others are traction, stability, and shock damping. These same variables are controlled by the Blackwing’s various V Modes when the driver chooses between Tour, Sport, Track, and a customizable My Mode. Throttle response and even brake feel are altered by switching modes. Both the V Modes and PTM can be changed via buttons on the steering wheel.
shock tower braces, ball joints, bushings, and mounts have all been stiffened compared to the CT5-V. Even the rear knuckles are stronger. The front setup uses MacPherson struts, and the rear relies on a five-link setup.
The dampers are the fourth generation of GM’s MagneRide Control. The CT5-V Blackwing features Brembo brakes, and these units are the largest ever fitted to a Cadillac. The front rotors measure in at 15.7 inches, the rear units at 14.7 inches. The brakes are cooled 10 percent more efficiently than those on the CT5-V.
The Exterior
The car’s wider fenders cover up larger, staggered wheels and tires. The mesh grille has been redesigned for more airflow, better cooling, and better high-speed stability. The fender vents are functional and push high-pressure air from the front of the vehicle, and the front splitter helps cancel lift.
A rear trunk-mounted spoiler improves rear traction, while midbody panels channel air to an “underwing” beneath the vehicle that helps with stability and feeds the rear diffuser. Quad exhaust tips and extended rocker panels yield a perfect ominous look. On the options list, there’s a carbon-fiber track package option that adds a carbon grille header, splitter, rocker extensions, deck spoiler, and rear valance. The carbon fiber parts were developed and validated in a wind tunnel before being validated again on a track. All of this helps make the CT5-V Blackwing “The most track-focused Cadillacs ever,” according to Rory Harvey, the vice president of global Cadillac.
The Interior
Customers will have three different cabin trim levels to choose from; which include different colors and materials, from basic leather seats to front buckets trimmed with imitation suede and carbon fiber. The seats-which are 18-way adjustable, heated, cooled, and massaging-have bolsters that are designed to make reaching the stick shift as easy as possible. wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto capability are standard. The steering wheel comes with a number plate to identify the car’s build and a red leather 12 o’clock marker. The built-in video, audio, and data recorder—GM calls it a Performance Data Recorder—is back again, and the 12-inch digital gauge cluster that displays performance settings, a 10-inch touchscreen, and a 14-speaker AKG sound system.
Here comes the bad news; Cadillac boss Rory Harvey confirms that the CT5-V Blackwing—along with the CT4-V Blackwing sibling—will be the last gasoline-powered V models. It doesn’t mean V is dead, but next time around it’ll be electric. (the title foreshadowed it).
Pricing for the CT5-V Blackwing starts at $84,990; personally, I would call that a bargain if you compared it to the cars it competes with. The first 250 units can be reserved via Cadillac’s website. Buyers interested can put down a $1,000 pre-order starting today. Hey! if you really want one, you likely have to put in some hours to buy one, or you could, I mean, lease it out. I am not sure about the latter options you might want to check with your bank.
