The Blackwing Keeps up with its European Competitors

A new application of the Blackwing name is being used by Cadillac, and it should strike fear in some of the European brands.

Prior to 2022, this name was only used for the engine that powered the Cadillac CT6-V. That engine was a 4.2-liter twin-turbocharged V8 model capable of 550 horsepower. While the CT6 is not continuing onward, the Blackwing name is, and it will show up in two amazing cars that will give other luxury brands fits. These two cars will be the Cadillac CT4-V and CT5-V, which will be the two cars meant to offer us the pinnacle of performance and fun on the road.

Adding the Right Name Takes Things a Step Further

The name has come to embody the best that Cadillac has to offer when it comes to performance engineering, craftsmanship, and technology. These two new cars will take the “V” models to a higher level and give shoppers a bit of exclusivity at the top end of the Cadillac sedan market. This name comes from the original Cadillac crest, which gave us a look at the merlette black bird, hence the name Blackwing.

A Car that Fills the Hole

2019 was a bit of a bummer for the Cadillac brand and those of us that love the performance models of the ATS and CTS, which came in the ATS-V and CTS-V models. The ATS-V was a compact, nimble, luxury, performance car that could make your heart race and your palms sweat as you attempted to tame this beast out on the track. The demise of this car was certainly heartbreaking to many who adored how it drove and where it was used. The luxury market was missing something truly American when this car was taken away.

Enter the Cadillac CT4-V Blackwing, and you’ve got a car that’s a worthy successor to the ATS-V. In contrast, we do have the CT4-V, which is basically a warmed-up version of the CT4, the addition of performance bits that are worthy of the venerable name gives you a car that’s much more akin to the deleted ATS-V. The Blackwing model receives an RWD layout, an amazing engine, and a six-speed manual transmission to get you started. These are some of the ingredients that make for the perfect sports sedan. Add the Cadillac name to it, and you’ve got something truly special to drive.

By the Numbers

This performance car is made to go fast. You’ll find a 3.6-liter twin-turbocharged V6 engine under the hood that returns 472 horsepower and 445 lb.-ft. of torque. If you don’t want the six-speed manual, you can opt for a ten-speed automatic transmission to do the shifting for you. From behind the wheel, you can rocket this car to sixty mph in 3.9 seconds on your way to a top speed of 189 mph. While it’s not particularly efficient, this version of the CT4 does return 16 city/24 hwy with the automatic transmission and 15 city/23 hwy mpg with the manual gearbox.

Add One of the Carbon Fiber Packages to the Mix

There are two packages that you will want to consider when buying the Cadillac CT4-V Blackwing. These two packages go by the names Carbon Fiber 1 Package and Carbon Fiber 2 Package. The first of the two gives you front canards, a front splitter, underwing strakes, front-wheel deflectors, and a large rear wing. Choose the second of these two packages, and you have all the stuff from the first package plus rocker extensions and a rear valance diffuser.

Hardcore Performance with a Luxury Edge

You might not think of any Cadillacs being edgy, but you would have a difficult time with that argument when you’re looking at the Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing. This car is meant to tear up the track, rocket past the competition, and still give you the pure luxury and comforts you want in a Cadillac. If the CT4 version was made to replace the ATS-V, the CT5 model is the perfect successor to the CT5-V, which was one of the most popular performance luxury cars in the market while it was offered.

This hardcore, performance-oriented version of the Cadillac CT5 is one of the most talked-about and enjoyable cars in the market. You can feel the aggressive nature of this car before you ever step inside to take a drive. If you choose this model, it’s highly recommended to spend at least one day at the track pushing the limits of its performance to the bring. You certainly won’t regret your time and will want to schedule a second day where you can see if your CT5-V Blackwing can outperform your driving skills. If we were to lay bets, it’s probably smart money to say this car will win the bet and will give you the ride of your lift.

The Numbers are Incredible

You should expect the engine that’s found in this CT5. What you’ll see is a 6.2-liter supercharged V8 offering you the power you want.

That power comes to 668 horsepower and 659 lb.-ft. of torque, giving you enough to truly reach some amazing speeds. You’ll love the feel of the standard six-speed manual transmission and the RWD layout that allows this car to feel like a pure sports car in your hands. Of course, if you don’t want to row your gears, you can opt for the ten-speed automatic transmission to do the job for you.

With this powertrain and a car that weighs two tons, you’ll have the speed that makes you excited every time you hit the gas pedal. Rocket to sixty mph in only 3.5 seconds and finish a quarter-mile in 11.4 seconds at 128 mph. These speeds are meant to give you the feeling that you’ve longed for in a high-performance luxury car.

Regardless of which version you choose, it’s easy to see how the Blackwing name can be the name that strikes fear in the hearts of other luxury performance cars. These two Cadillac models are ready to take on all challengers; are those challengers ready to eat some dust?