Next-Level Cadillac CT5-V: Here’s What We Know
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General Motors gave race fans a sneak peek of the high-performance Cadillac CT5-V model variant at last year’s Belle Isle Grand Prix, when company president Mark Reuss completed a few short demo laps in a camouflaged prototype version of the upcoming sports sedan.
We knew very little about the next-level CT5-V when it made its unexpected Belle Isle GP appearance last summer, but with the high-horsepower four-door set to debut later this year, more details on the next installment in the V-Series lineage have come into focus.
Let’s start with the name. We previously reported the hardcore CT5-V variant would receive the Blackwing name, but that may no longer be the case, with our sources now saying the branding direction has changed internally. It’s not yet clear what GM may use in its place, so for now, we’re going to call this the next-level CT5-V.
Nestled under the hood of the performance sedan will be GM’s familiar supercharged 6.2L LT4 V8 engine, which is also currently used in the Chevrolet Camaro ZL1, where it makes 650 horsepower and 650 pound-feet of torque. Power will be routed to the rear wheels via the standard six-speed manual transmission, although the GM 10-speed automatic will be available as an option. Our sister publication, Cadillac Society, previously confirmed that the Cadillac CT5-V would be available with both two pedals and three.
Some styling enhancements will also be in store. Expect a more aggressive front fascia with a larger grille, vents on the backs of the front fenders, a large hood air extractor, a model-specific lip spoiler and dark grey quad exhaust tips. There will also be taller, wider wheels wrapped in sticky performance rubber.
The interior will get a performance-focused overhaul with bolstered sport seats, a carbon-trimmed sports steering wheel with a red 12 o’clock marking and, for manual models, the same shifter from the sixth-generation Chevrolet Camaro. A large round ‘V-Mode’ button will also be located on the steering wheel, giving the driver easy access to the car’s most performance-oriented drive mode.
Cadillac moved to a new two-tier strategy for its V-Series performance models with the CT5-V and the related CT4-V. The CT5-V and CT4-V do not have as much power as previous V-Series models, such as the third-generation CTS-V, nor are they as stiffly sprung or as pricey. This makes them more approachable for many buyers and allows Cadillac to bring more customers into the V-Series fold. The next-level CT5-V and CT4-V will follow the usual V-Series ethos and will fill the needs of the traditional V-Series buyer.
We expect the next-level Cadillac CT5-V to debut sometime this year. It’s not clear if it will make its debut at the 2020 Detroit Auto Show or the 2020 New York International Auto Show – which has just been rescheduled to August due to the ongoing coronavirus epidemic that has already led to the cancellation of the Geneva Motor Show and other major public events.
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Please! If GM doesn’t want the Blackwing engine, drop the blackwing name! It means nothing! Well blackwing does mean something. It stands for cost cutting, lack of vision, and bureaucratic confuision and intervention. Nothing anyone would want associated with the V car….
The name saga is irrelevant! I’m happy that the V-series will live to see another generation and that the LT4 will continue on. It is a solid engine. At least Cadillac is going back to names in the future so that is a win.
We had the CTS-V, we have the Camaro ZL-1 from the ALPHA platform, which both have the LT4 – SO how am I suppose to get excited about the CT5-V on the ALPHA platform??? What dynamic driving experience have they extrapolated from that platform that we haven’t already seen? I’m not a betting person, but I would bet a years worth of salary that the CT5-V will not put down any better numbers then we have seen from the Camaro, CTS-V PERIOD. Cadillac drop the ball on this one!!! Why did Cadillac not start the OMEGA platform with the CT4 then morph into the CT5, then CT6 then a SUV variant to compete with the X5M, Porsche Cayenne, Mercedes-Benz GL? The OMEGA platform lives on in China, and we get a regurgitated ALPHA platform variant. Nicely done GM, Nicely done.
Shut up lol
Make me LOL
All the thumbs down tells how many idiots are on this site. I agree with you 100%. They should have refined the CTS and ATS continued the names and kept them going vs this CT crap that’s going away, talk about confusing. Since the current CT4-V/CT5-V are not out yet revive V-Sport for them and retain the V moniker for the bonkers model. Don’t further confuse especially the V
Thank-You. Very well said!
There is no confusion! Just pay attention
Most people have lives Brian… but Mercedes doesn’t change the E Class name, or BMW 5 Series… Caddy changes like the seasons because THEY are confused… thus market confusion. New names, new vehicles, ZERO marketing….. GM is confused as well they’re certainly not paying attention to their customers, their competition, their market share or product focus with their “all in” on the mythical EV market…
Offering it with a manual trans, tweaking the suspension settings oh and the best part selling it at about 10k dollars less than the CTS-V will keep it on most people’s radar. Not to mention it’s a fully redesigned car and not just a MCE. So yea your way off base.
Any idea whether this will be available in AWD? Don’t get me wrong, RWD is the way to go for performance cars, but the North requires some level of sacrifice for an all season V8.
I think it may come with an LT5……LT4 was so yesterday
2 to many doors………
At least it can be said that the Camaro is on a Cadillac platform not the other way around. CT5 V, should have a 4.2 Blackwing in it!
Amen brother, but as a previous article stated because it’s built on the ALPHA platform the 4.2 Blackwing is too tall to fit in the engine bay.
They also once said the 3.6 would not fit in the W body’s, until it did!
It had better perform as well as the CTS-V, or it will be looked upon as a step backwards. I think, given its smaller footprint and slightly lighter weight, it should move the needle…(to hoping).
The name confusion is as if a bunch of grade school kids are making ADHD like decisions. That’s not a good look for a company. Confusing and overpromising your products will not lead to sales or a reputation that the company knows what the F they are doing. Indeed, that is exactly what is happening at the moment.
And, one more thing. Please don’t name it, CT5-V Plus (+). That sounds like a tampon.
Anyone know anything on the interior? When will the large displays get in the car?
I don’t want to buy the car when its coming out, and within a year there is a brand new OLED Display.
I think the new OLEDs will make it into the cars within the next 2 years with a refresh that will also bring supercruise. I posted a link below if you want to see the interior, it’s beautiful in my opinion!
If anyone wants to see spy shots of this ct5-v (plus), here’s a link to some recent shots! That V button on the steering wheel looks amazing..
https://www.thedrive.com/news/32519/exclusive-photos-show-the-2021-cadillac-ct5-v-will-have-a-manual-transmission
Thanks for the link!
I slid the pic into photoshop and zoomed in. The pictures are too blurry. I saw the button on the steering wheel, but I personaly could not see a “V” on it???
No problem!
I think the V on the button mirrors the symbol on the back of the car, the classic Cadillac V logo. Although I will admit it does look a little strange looking at it now that you mention it. I think it will be a physical V button kind of like what BMW does with the M buttons on their steering wheels.
No mention of whether this will have AWD.
Being that this is supposedly a 3 series/C Class segment vehicle based upon price alone – size wise it’s really in the segment of the 5 Series/E Class which all now have AWD – will the buying public consider it as a better option to an M3/AMG C63 and forgive the lack of AWD?
Live to dream.. imagine if Cadillac grafted the new CT5 nose on the old CTS and continue selling it with the 640 hp LT4 supercharged 6.2L V8 just to see what type of orders they would get.
The CTS-V was truly world class and bad ass… it lacked the total refinement of a German sedan but the brashness of its Americaness shone through like the sun. Its GM’s best effort in literally decades. This CT5 styling is really awful with that crappy rear semi window do dad, but I’ll wait to see the V when it comes out. The CTS-V will be a classic and highly desireable as will the CT6-V.
With the CT6 GM is just friggin idiots… that car would have sold so much better with even just the Vette V8 on launch but Mary Barra stuck a 4 cyl in it because she’s so PC… that crap has got to stay out of your business plan or at least your marketing plan…. instead of getting it right, the kill it… GM sucks…
Imagine the CTS-V with an Audi like interior. They wouldn’t be able to keep the car lots stocked with them! GM nailed the performance of the CTS-V but they lacked on the interior. I was really hoping with the OMEGA platform that GM would have addressed that, but they kill it instead, and for what…. “Here is the new CT5 V”.