We’ve been clamoring for more information on the up-and-coming next-level Cadillac CT5-V ever since it was previewed at the Detroit Grand Prix. Possibly (or possibly not) dubbed the Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing, details on this high-performance sedan are few and far between. Luckily, that seems to be changing, as we just spied a number of prototype models going full throttle out on public roads. Even better, we’ve got a clip of what they sound like.
This latest spy material comes from an extensive test session that included no less than three Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing prototypes and two CT4-V Blackwing prototypes, not to mention the current CTS-V and ATS-V (which the CT5-V Blackwing and CT4-V Blackwing indirectly replace, respectively), as well as the BMW M5 and BMW M2 (rivals for the CT5-V Blackwing and CT4-V Blackwing, respectively), all of which helps GM to establish benchmarks for the up-and-coming sedans.
Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing at the Detroit Grand Prix
All three Cadillac CT5-V Blackwings were covered in GM’s standard black-and-white exterior graphic camouflage. Luckily, thanks to excellent lighting and a wide variety of angles, we’re starting to get a clearer picture of what these next-level performers will offer in terms of styling differentiation.
What’s more, although we were unable to get an exact tire sizing, it looks as though the Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing will offer wider tires than the standard model. As a result, the fascia and fenders are wider as well.
This thing definitely has some firepower under the hood, as evidenced by the sound it makes at full throttle. No doubt about it – the Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing is rocking a V8 for motivation. To our ears, it sounds a lot like the supercharged 6.2L LT4 Small Block, the same lump cradled by the current CTS-V. However, rather than sending power through the CTS-V’s GM Eight-Speed 8L45 M5N automatic transmission, we believe the Cadillac CT5-V will mate its V8 to the GM 10-speed auto box. Unfortunately, our spy didn’t hear any indication of a three-pedal setup.
Stay tuned, because we’ll cover the Cadillac CT4-V Blackwing spied in the same test session shortly.
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Comments
Cadillac engineers are caught in a trap of sorts as how much power to give the CT5-V because it will most likely cost at minimum about $50K which may make the CT5-V vulnerable to consumers who may opt to pay a little more for the 2020 Chevrolet C8 Corvette.
Corvette C* would be a different buyer. However i’m wondering if the the CT5 is going to use the 6.2 SC and the ct4 is going use the New Cadillac Blackwing engine. That might make sense if they both are to be called Blackwing.
It’s looking like both of the top-rung CT4/5-V cars will get the ‘Blackwing’ name, but neither will have the Blackwing engine.
The CT6-V has the Blackwing engine, but does not get the Blackwing name.
There will likely be an Escalade ‘Blackwing’, also without a Blackwing engine.
GM would like to kindly ask that we all forget they ever attached any name to their Cadillac-exclusive 4.2L Twin-Turbo V8 engine. As evidence, they’ve removed any/all ‘Blackwing’ references from the archived press releases for both the engine and the CT6-V (formerly known as V-sport). There, there, dear auto enthusiast…it was all just a dream…
Poorly-managed PR, naming conventions, and expectations aside, I’m sure that both cars will be very quick and have great driving dynamics. If the performance envelopes of the new cars match or beat those of the ATS-V and CTS-V, I expect pricing for ‘new’ to be very similar to where ‘old’ was. I sincerely doubt that the $10K price drop of the base CT5 vs base CTS will carry through all the way to the top trim, though it would be a good idea to make the price less…ahem…’intimidating’. 🙂
Make you wonder if GM marketing even know what GM stands for. It’s a Black wing. It’s not a Blackwing. The CT6 is cancelled. The CT6 is not cancelled. The CT6 with the 550 hp engine will be called V sport. The CT 6 with them550 hp engine will be called V. If any one of us did our jobs like that we would have been given the boot a long time ago.
They’ve been second-guessing this name stuff ever since JdN was fired, one month after the Blackwing-equipped CT6 V-sport was introduced. His replacement(s) (does it seem like Cadillac’s being run by committee?) changed CT6 V-sport to CT6-V just 5 months later, and killed V-sport off officially 7 months after that – after CT5 was launched, but before CT4/5-V (intended to be V-sports, I’m sure) were paraded out. Obviously there was always a plan to expand the V-series (maybe CT4 V-sport would have been the only real ‘new addition’), but the idea to make ‘V-sport’ = ‘-V’ and ‘-V’ = ‘-V Blackwing’ was only hatched in the last 6-10 months.
I guess some at GM were convinced that V-sport wasn’t a worthy equivalent to the lesser M and AMG models that ‘-V’ is supposed to go up against now. All they really needed to do was get the pricing better-aligned and some better marketing in place for V-sport. Maybe that was JdN’s plan all along…
Lol not a chance. Very different cars. They could also cross shop a 6.2 Silverado…
I suppose we will have to wait to find out if this is priced closer to the M5 or the M3.
Cadillacs in Hell!
Love it
Twice the video fades away before we get to hear the last car shift. It started off at lower rpm and did not shift as quickly as the previous cars.
This car is definitely getting the Blackwing. That sounds like a TT V8.
I saw something I’ve noticed before with sedans, especially those that are acceleration rapidly.
There’s a few shots where (if you look closely), you can see what looks like AWD. I don’t know if the CTS-V will offer it, but it seems logical considering some of its competitors do, and the “normal” models will offer it. To me, it looks like the front wheels are behaving like they are under power, and not just being pushed along.
Good observation. I am looking forward to seeing whether the availability of AWD is confirmed, and also whether Blackwing Vs will all have summer-only ZRs or offer an all-season tire option like the base Vs.
It’s AWD.
The audio sound is changed.
Pretty sure its a new 4.2TT
It definitely sounds like an LT4 to me. The low rumble sound when they were pulling away sounded very muscular and high displacement. Low displacement turbo V8s do not sound like this. Not even AMGS magnificent 4.0. Plus I think we would hear a turbo whistle too. At one point thought I heard a little whine.
I think I agree with this as well. My initial thought was LT4 with the 10L90 trans. To me, it doesn’t sound like a DOHC V8.
Third car sounds manual.
That’s it.
I’m quitting my job and will become a test pilot for GM.
But only for the C8 and the V-Blackwing twins!
I’m not interested in driving an Equinox under camo wrap.
soundds alot like the lt5