The gasoline era of Cadillac performance vehicles is going out with a roar, not a whimper.
Oh sure, soon there will be incredibly fast, exciting electric Cadillacs.
The performance numbers of the 1,000-horsepower GMC Hummer EVs leave no doubt about that. Their day will come.
But today belongs to the 2022 Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing, arguably the world’s most involving, intoxicating sport sedan.
Boasting a 3.4-second 0-60 mph time and 200-mph top speed, the CT5-V Blackwing is the stuff of dreams: a super sedan that’s also an everyday driver you can get for less than the cost of some loaded mainstream SUVs.
Constrained by the twin challenges of the chip shortage and cratering demand for sedans, Cadillac won’t build many Blackwings — the car’s great, but the full name is an abomination; truncate it as you like — ensuring collectability.
Get one while you can.
What makes it special?
The CT5-V Blackwing is the fastest vehicle in Cadillac history.
With 668 hp and 659 pound-feet of torque, it was also the most powerful, until the equally bonkers Escalade-V SUV hit the road earlier this year with 684 hp and 653 pound-feet Sic transit gloria, Latin that translates roughly as “Cadillac engineers been busy.”
The Blackwing — the name comes from a regrettably short-lived V8 engine Cadillac built for the equally regrettably discontinued CT6 large sedan — has a 6.2L supercharged V8 engine and rear-wheel drive. A six-speed manual transmission is standard.
Other standard features include adaptive suspension with magnetic ride control shocks, summer run-flat tires, electronic limited slip rear differential. The base specification includes a feast of luxury and comfort features, including:
- 16-speaker AKG audio
- The biggest factory brakes in Cadillac history, Brembos with 15.7-inch front and 14.1-inch rear rotors
- Head-up display
- 18-way power heated and ventilated front seats
- Wireless phone charging, Apple CarPlay
- Alloy peddles
A 10-speed automatic that improves both acceleration and fuel economy is optional. Carbon fiber and alloy shift paddles come with it.
M3-killer, AMG slayer, call it what you will. The Blackwing is all that and a bag of chips.
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Available safety and driver assistance features
- Front collision alert
- Automatic emergency braking
- Front pedestrian braking
- Safety alert driver’s seat
- Front and rear parking assist
- Surround view
- Lane keeping alert and assist
- Blind spot alert
- Red seat belts
- Rearview camera mirror
- Adaptive cruise control
How much?
Prices for the CT5-V Blackwing start at $83,995, plus $995 destination charge. For reasons that escape me, the Blackwing’s destination charge is $200 less than other CT5 models. Maybe even its delivery trucks are faster than regular CT5s?
I drove a lavishly equipped Blackwing with the manual transmission and options including:
- Carbon fiber ceramic brake with cross-drilled rotors
- Bronze brake calipers
- Leather seats with quilting and carbon fiber backs
- Torch Red seat belts (don’t laugh, they really spice up the interior)
- Sueded microfiber trim
- Performance data recorder
- Carbon fiber trim
- 19-inch alloy wheels with bronze finish
- Infrared tint coat paint
- Rear camera mirror
- Rear pedestrian alert
My test car stickered at $108,620, excluding the Blackwing’s oddly discounted destination charge.
The Blackwing competes with the world’s top sport sedans: the BMW M3 and Mercedes AMG C 43. Its base price is a bit higher than either, but the Blackwing has much more power. It has the highest top speed, too, but must we kid ourselves and pretend the difference between 155 mph and 200-plus is a real-world differentiator for a four-door sedan?
The extreme fringe of sport sedan isn’t a segment for bargain shoppers, but the Blackwing fares as well on that front as it does for power and performance.
Cadillac CT5 trim levels and prices
Cadillac CT5 Luxury: $37,295
Cadillac CT5 Premium Luxury: $41,785
Cadillac Sport: $42,995
Cadillac CT5-V: $50,095
Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing: $83,995
Prices exclude $1,195 destination charge for all models but Blackwing, which is $995
Source. Edmunds.com
Driving impressions: fast, fun, easy
From the first time I drove a V-series in 2003 till today, the distinguishing characteristic of Cadillac’s performance brand has been ease of use. That’ll still be true when the first electric V-series arrives — it hasn’t been announced yet, but I’ll eat one of the Blackwing’s Michelin Pilot Sport summer tires if it doesn’t happen — and it applies to the 2022 Blackwing: It’s a comfortable grocery getter that’s equally at home on the track.
From my car’s carbon fiber-ceramic brakes — massive stopping power that’ll get you home safe after a day of hot laps — to its surgically precise shifter and light, easy clutch, the Blackwing is a comfortable, practical car that’ll leave enthusiasts grinning.
Its steering is precise and direct, the adaptive suspension keeps the sedan planted and secure on fast curves and maneuvers. The interior is comfortable, with food head and leg room.
Small trunk, mirrors
The trunk, a snug 11.9 cubic feet, will accommodate weekend bags for two, but don’t bring a CT5 to a big box store.
As easy and enjoyable as the manual transmission is, I’m disappointed Cadillac charges an extra $2,275 for the 10-speed automatic, which delivers better acceleration — 0.2 seconds quicker 0-60 — and fuel economy — 1 mpg better than the manual in both highway and combined city/highway driving, according to EPA figures
The lack of standard adaptive cruise control — a $900 option — baffles me in a car with this level of price, performance and technology.
The sport seats offer a wide range of adjustments. Unlike many sport seats, they’re comfortable on long drives.
The interior is handsomely trimmed with carbon fiber trim, leather and real metal. The 10-inch touch screen for nav and audio is small by current standards, and tipped in a fashion that occasionally made it hard for me to brace my hand on the dash and touch the correct spot on first try.
As with the standard CT5, the side mirrors are small.
2022 Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing at a glance
Base price: $83,995 (all prices exclude destination charge)
Rear-wheel drive five-passenger sport sedan
On sale now
Specifications as tested:
Price as tested: $108,620
Engine: 6.2L supercharged V8
Output: 668 hp @ 6,500 rpm; 659 pound-feet of torque @ 3,600 rpm
Transmission: six-speed manual
EPA fuel economy estimate: 13 mpg city/22 highway/16 combined. Premium gasoline.
EPA estimated annual fuel cost: $4,950
0-60 time: 3.6 seconds
Top speed: 200+ mph
Wheelbase: 116.0 inches
Length: 194.9 inches
Width: 74.1 inches (excluding mirrors)
Height: 56.5 inches
Cargo volume: 11.9 cubic feet
Curb weight: 4,123 pounds
Assembled in Lansing, Michigan