MichaelC
[AP Moderator]
22296
Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing
Allow me to share this magnificent beast, which arrived 1 month ago. I initially ordered the car in September 2021. I had much to learn about ordering such a rare vehicle (less than 1800 produced in 2022, the first production year). Not quite as bad as say a first time AP buyer who walks into a boutique and asks if they have a 16202 available, but there is a process here. For Cadillac, these V series cars are allocated to the dealers who sell the most. So if you are in market with small demand, as I am in Colorado, there are no dealers getting multiple units in short order. The dealer I originally ordered through in 9/21 has received (2) CT5-V Blackwings to this date. I was #9 on their list. Luckily, I learned early on it would not happen there, and ordered a 2nd car from a dealer in Texas 12/21.
Along the way, I had brief 2 month ownership periods with both a 2022 CT4-V Blackwing (magnificent machine) and a 2022 M4 Competition xDrive (maybe most "perfect" car I ever tried, but also the reason I sold it, very devoid of driving character). The smaller Blackwing I knew I would not keep, the BMW was a very intriguing car but in the end not what I was looking for.
If Patek is "an old man's watch", Cadillac is certainly perceived as that for car brands. I am still a bit South of 50, so I am not yet retired in Florida going 25mph in a 30 with a line of cars behind me ;-) The V-Series is really not made for that client anyways, but rather for the person chasing driving dynamics. This car has that in spades.
The styling is simple but sinister, at least to my eyes. Nothing as polarizing and head turning as the front of the M4, but I have always been drawn to under-the-radar things.
This baby got back...
And the real treasure of the "final internal combustion engine" V-Series Cadillac? A 6-speed manual transmission!
A very robust unit too, built to handle the outrageous 668 HP and 659 FT-LBs delivered from the supercharged LT4 V8 engine. And all of this power is delivered only to the rear wheels; no AWD option is offered on Cadillac Blackwing. That is a good thing for driving dynamics.
I have only today pushed through 500 miles, which is a somewhat magical moment as the full RPM range can then be utilized and the dash displays as much. I feel I have hardly pushed it yet, and still the torque is so prodigious it is easy to spin tires in the first 3 gears. The electronics have very advanced traction systems suitable for many different environments, including track use, where Cadillac has achieved incredibly impressive lap times with this 4100+ LB behemoth. The Blackwing is supposed to represent the very best of what Cadillac Racing engineers could offer in a car, and my initial impression is they have created a future legend with this setup.
Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing
Allow me to share this magnificent beast, which arrived 1 month ago. I initially ordered the car in September 2021. I had much to learn about ordering such a rare vehicle (less than 1800 produced in 2022, the first production year). Not quite as bad as sa...
Wrist shot, or it didn’t happen! LOL! 😉-John
What a beast! Did not know of such a wonderful car (I drive a Prius). Please share more.
OMG, great watch and great car lol!
I have always been a fan of cadillac, especialy in today's age where they have created a very unique styling identity and the v series is just dope! my only complaint would be that they need to up their interior game, while it is not bad/terrible and in f...
No argument here.
The materials are OK. The seats in particular, mine has semi-aniline leather and are set in full carbon. The center stack lacks style and interest. It has everything, it all works well and is intuitive. But nothing special about it. The M4 on the other ha...
Wow! What a machine!
I like V8s and I cannot lie! And this is THE CADILLAC that speaks to me the most! I've never had the pleasure of driving the CT5 (at least I don't think so - I did have the pleasure of driving a Cadillac CT something with AWD as a rental car in San Diego ...
You know your cars, and I think you would love this one.
The base CT5 is an under powered car, and let's be honest, GM materials always trail competitors. The regular V steps up to a turbo charged V6, but the Blackwing model is a whole different animal, made for and focused on serious driving dynamics. You nail...
I haven't driven the new M3...
So I don't know if I'd like it. But it'd probably be nicer without AWD. Then again, living in Colorado, I'd probably have to get AWD... But no worries. The Cadillac with the big V8 is the one to get! 668 horsepower! My goodness! I wonder if I have the nec...
Ha ha, I'll need to find a good place.
It's funny, my M4 came with Pirelli P-Zero tires. Apparently, it is luck of the draw between those, Michelins, and Continentals. Everyone wants the Michelins, and say they "won the tire lottery" if they get them. All Blackwings have a proprietary blend Mi...
I always prefer RWD on a performance car...
I'm not sure I like M3s and AMGs becoming AWD. The precision steering is very important to me. Even more important than 0-60 times. This Cadillac is definitely the one to have. Congrats. Enjoy. And I hope you keep it a very long time!
Full agreement, Patrick.
I had tested an M4Comp RWD, and it definitely felt more lively and "on the edge" than the AWD variant.
Well, I'm super excited for you with this Cadillac!
Personally, I find it to be one of the most compelling offerings in the "super-sedan" category. The BMW M5 sounds really quiet, the steering is good considering it's AWD, but everything else is just too comfort oriented. The underneath of this car is supe...
Beautiful beast 🤩
Congratulations! I never would have thought a Cadillac could come with such specs. And the manual shift totally floored me! I would like to hear more about that choice/preference. Have your M3 and other previous cars all been manual? I’m glad you were abl...
I had the M4, and it was an 8 speed auto
I can say the reason I chose that car in the auto was it felt like the best version of the car. The BMW manual box is really average at best IMO, especially compared to the unit in the Cadillac. I had already driven the smaller Blackwing with the manual, ...
Love this post!
Such an awesome car! Great choice! Love the color as well. Best, James.
Thanks James. Good ol American Power on display here!
The color is called Rift Metallic. It is sort of a silverized ceramic color. And it is far and away the lightest color car I have ever owned. I have a full carbon spoiler to mount on the back, it will help with the appearance (I tried to order it with the...
Congrats!
That looks like a very fine machine. I'm with you on ICE/manuals, I'll enjoy them while I can and for as long as it's legal because nothing else quite gives me that much enjoyment.
It is really a whole different ballgame. It really was fun getting reacquainted with a manual box.
I also drive motorcycles, but a car is so different of course.
I am not knowledgeable on the GT-R, but it is probably better compared to a Porsche or Corvette.
The Blackwing is just a lowly Family sedan!! ;-)
Thanks for giving us the review of the Blackwing!
I too have lusted after this car, especially post-C8 when I despaired of getting control of the car to myself rather than having its electronic keepers do all the hard work. If you haven't signed up for the GM program at Spring Mountain NV, I'd encourage ...
My pleasure, Mike. I will write more as I get to really know the car.
And I thank you for sharing all things Corvette! I think you were our first C8 owner, I hope you still love the car. I sure love everything about it visually, and I am sure it drives incredibly well. I would love to have one someday. The Blackwing is a ca...
I saw one of these in my neighborhood...
...when it first came out. It has a ton of presence, and sounds terrific. The best American ICE car in a long time, and very few more to come...
The exhaust is awesome. Cadillac engineers stated they wanted the sound to scare children
My wife is no child, but the first time I started the car in the garage she was quite startled!
Exhaust on start-up bothered me a bit on the Corvette
My garage is sideways on the lot, and when I open the door and start the car it blasts my neighbor's house, right at their 2 and 4 year old boys bedroom window. Boom! Not to mention waking my wife. My dealer said "There's no stealth button." So no early m...
That C8 is a real Beast!
In Tour mode, the Caddy quiets down nicely, but there is still quite a roar when the LT4 turns over.
I love everything about this post.
Save the internal combustion engine! Save the manuals! Hope you enjoy it.
Thank you Sir. I wanted 1 great ICE car in my lifetime.
I'm quite certain I have one now, and with any luck, it will not be the last.
Car & Driver: "The Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing is the greatest sports sedan on sale today, if not of all time"
WOW, that was posted yesterday in their 10Best list. High praise indeed.
Fantastic thread, terrific machine,
thanks for sharing! I'm just in the process of selecting a new ICE car for my next 3-year lease contract so this comes as a particularly inspiring read. By the way, the top of that gearshift is such a sensuous delight, it should justify the purchase on it...
Thanks Marc. The medallion is 3D printed
It is a super cool touch. There are a few other 3D printed parts related to the manual transmission, I don't recall exactly what they are without searching. So exciting to drive a manual again. The action is wonderfully tuned. The throws are short, precis...
Very different animal, of course,
but the way you describe the action makes me think/dream of my manual 2004 Audi A3 2.0 TD Sportback. Made shifting a crisp, super precise feeling operation, a brutish surgeon's delight. Like throwing short karate chops.
...
Stunning car! Didn't expect it to have a manual gearbox. I'm always amazed how easy it is to buy and sell a car in the US. If I would buy an M4 in Europe and sell it within 2 months I would take a bath.
That is more a function of the times, but it is ending.
When I bought the CT4-V Blackwing, I managed to full break even when I sold it after 2 months. The local dealer gave me 6k over MSRP, which covered all of the taxes and registration fees. I did lose on the M4, but not terrible. BMWs depreciate so quickly....
Thanks my friend and will do!!
I always thought I would have an old FJ by now, but the Caddy is quenching the manual thirst
Huge Congrats!!
My buddy has this in the Dark Emerald Frost and they are truly special machines. Now you need to close down pikes peak or Golden Canyon and have some real fun with it. Stay warm! I am in Colorado too
The Dark Emerald Frost is very rare!
There was supposed to be a new matt color for 2023, Maverick Noir Frost. But it has been unavailable to order so far. I admit to not being the best at washing and keeping a car clean, so a standard gloss is probably better for me. But the matt cars look s...