Although the launch of the hot-to-trot Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing has been delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic, our zeal to see this thing drop cover hasn’t wavered whatsoever. Now, we’re getting another look at the high-performance four-door in prototype form, this time wearing a wild new wheel package we haven’t seen on any prototype prior.
Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing prototype
The large alloy wheels on this Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing prototype are really quite striking, with a complex, multi-spoke design and satin bronze color treatment. The bronze coloring provides a nice offset accent for the red/burgundy brake calipers, which appear to have some black tape across their face to hide the logos underneath. It’s a combo unlike anything currently found on the standard Cadillac CT5-V.
What’s more, the sizing and tires are a step up from previous Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing prototypes, all of which came with 255/35ZR18 Michelin Pilot rubber up front. This new prototype is riding on 19’s wrapped in Michelin Pilot’s sized at 275/35ZR19 in front, and 305/30ZR19 in the rear.
As for the rest of the body, this prototype is covered in Satin Steel Metallic paint, while a familiar camouflage graphic has been applied to the Blackwing-specific front and rear fascia, as well as the more chiseled side sill treatment. We can also clearly see the go-faster sedan’s larger rear deck spoiler.
As a reminder, the upcoming Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing will equip the supercharged 6.2L V8 LT4 engine up front. This is the same engine previously equipped in the third-generation Cadillac CTS-V, where it produced 640 horsepower and 630 pound-feet of torque. It’ll also make a lovely noise.
All that go will be routed through a standard six-speed manual transmission, but the GM 10-speed automatic will be optional for those that fear three pedals. Further upgrades will include beefier brakes and sharper suspension tuning.
What do you think of these new bronze wheels? Let us know in the comments, and make sure to subscribe to GM Authority for more Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing news, Cadillac CT5 news, Cadillac news, and around-the-clock GM news coverage.
Comments
Coming along nicely. Would have liked to see a more aggressive adjustable air dam personally. Cant wait to see the performance.
I’m willing to bet, based on what we know, that the CT5-V Blackwing will become more legendary than the CTS-V ever was, in any generation. And that’s a hell of a tall order, because that car did the impossible: slaying Germans from day one, built from the ground up. If this has something like 650-670 hp, a manual, MagnaRide, Brembos, etc.? History books.
Not to mention that it’ll almost certainly be the last V8-powered, stick shift sedan in automotive history to boot.
I’d buy one the moment I understand what it has on my 2009 CTS-V (manual, V8, magnaride, Brembos, etc). Been waiting a while for a suitable replacement.
But I’d be a bit disappointed if the only answer is 100 more factory hp to the rear wheels.
-“I’d buy one the moment I understand what it has on my 2009 CTS-V…Been waiting a while for a suitable replacement.”-
That makes you AND my old man with his ’09 V sedan. He was pretty impressed when the current ctsv came out both with its looks and the power but ever since the Hellcat came out (even though theyre not category competitors) he keeps saying, “why cant they bump the hp to 700!? Cant be that hard!” I keep telling him that i highly doubt they’ll massage the LT4 to 700hp just for the ct5v BW (but i’m all for wishful thinking) but I did read some time ago that there was still power left in the LT4 so i’m thinking like another guy that commented on this article saying 650-670 might be in the realm of possibility although i’m thinking 650-680 but i guess i’m splitting hairs at that point.
I should say my 2009 V is lightly modded already, so I’d love to see a V that puts the power to the ground better.
If you’ve ever driven a 3rd gen V on a road course you will be impressed how well they put the power down , you can beat the hell out of them without any over heating issues , no mods are required just improve your car control skills and you can run with or out run just about anything else out there.
650+ horsepower is a waste if the tires keep spinning from standstill. The V Blackwing needs sport AWD to make it a fierce competitor for more traction to the wheels. This car will be badass with AWD and should do zero to sixty under three seconds easily.
as much as i understand you on the AWD feature in terms of being able to put the power down i REALLY dont think it’ll happen simply because of the weight of that sorta setup. Although i suppose that if they do give it AWD they could do it ala-CT6-V and in the most aggressive mode have 90% tq sent to the rear and 10% front. However, I remember seeing this particular interior photo here…
https://www.thedrive.com/news/32519/exclusive-photos-show-the-2021-cadillac-ct5-v-will-have-a-manual-transmission
where there’s a V button shown on the steering wheel, so i’m thinking that that button will likely put the car in full attack mode with the stiffest suspension setup, sharpest steering and throttle response etc… Then perhaps there could be another option for when you’re not on a track but still want to put the power down most efficiently by way of a multi-button-push-method like holding Trac Off simultaneously with the V button which would put the powertrain and eLSD into a launch mode (and maybe even lower the rear tire pressures to a predetermined level for optimal contact patch?hmmmm….interesting) which would help put power down most efficiently. I’m banking on this 2nd option because it’ll give the ability to corral that power to 2 patches and not have to add the addition weight of an AWD system to a car that we all know wont be a lightweight anyway but hopefully at least 200lbs lighter than the gen3 ctsv.
That is if AWD is available. No reports to date that it will have it. Upcoming M3, C63 AMG S will have AWD and M5, E63 AMG already have AWD.
Just watched a performance test of M5 against a Dodge Demon – both stock. Demon with 800+ horses couldn’t hang from a stand still. M5 walked away from it each time. And even with a rolling start, Demon could only pull a car length ahead of the M5 at best. And that’s with 800 horses!!!!!
CT5-V BW may be an also-ran before hitting the market. RWD only isn’t going to pass muster.
The other school of thought is this car might be the final throwback to the manual transmission & RWD V8 days.
In reality, neither a manual transmission nor RWD will post good straight line numbers against the ultra-performance sedans you mention. It would need both an automatic and AWD to be competitive.
Lap times could still be competitive with RWD, but this Blackwing may be a special for the shrinking “save the manuals” contingent (myself included) who value the length of the burnout over velocity.
I’ve only driven a 3rd gen CTS-V on the street, though even the 2nd gen stays well planted on the track.
I think AWD would make this V a must-have, but I won’t set my hopes too high on that. I would still consider it if it outperforms the 3rd gen, but that’s a pretty high bar.
Those wheels are super cool. I like them a lot
No ventilated rotors?
Drilled rotors are for cosmetics. The solid rotors work as a better heat sink.
Today’s pads don’t out gas and they do not cool the brakes any. The only benefit is they can clean off the pads for water and debris.
Are those 275’s in the front? Damn!
Oh look I’m going to get tons of down votes now because I fought with racists on another column. Lol, y’all are pathetic.
What the hell are you talking about?
Judging by the reply to made to my post you know exactly “what the hell” I’m talking about. Just as a friendly reminder, calling someone a racist isn’t “Calling them names and insulting them” like you claimed. *kisses
This comment was made before I had the misfortune of witnessing your temper tantrum. Use your head a bit.
Looks like the wheels from the Genesis G80 sport.
Definitely a step in the right direction.
The 2021 CT5-V Blackwing will look a lot better sitting in my driveway.
Yeah, that’s if you can afford it.
I am 82 years old. I can spend it or die and leave it to someone who will spend it. I choose to spend it and croak with a smile on my face.
Nice wheels and tires, but the rest of the car doesn’t look terribly sporty or menacing. Maybe there will be more to see under the camo?
I could have sworn I saw an older picture where it had a bigger bulge in the hood for the blackwings….Hmm…
My same thoughts man! Looks just like a parts bin upgrade for CT5-V current owners similar to BMW’s M performance parts. I love the heat hood extractor on the last gen models.
I have to agree with you on this one. The ctsv had hood vents, side vents, aggressive side skirts, splitters, drilled rotors etc, this only has 2 tiny slits behind the front fender which is disappointing
305’s out back?! (in steve austin voice) Can i get a HELL YA! Ha!…F—in sweet. Wheels look good too, think they’ll look especially interesting with black, dark gray, or the red obsession body color. Now, i’m hoping that the camo is hiding some more aggressive looking body lines in the front fascia because aside from the larger air inlet areas which would alude to the larger mill under the hood nothing (from the pics) is screaming, “wow that frontend looks aggressive, let me NOT f*** with THAT car.” The backend looks meh i guess but i’m with concerned with the front not looking mean enough. I KNOW I KNOW it still has camo on and thats MEANT to block or obscure certain design elements but hopefully its hiding the stuff that i hope is there…the stuff that SHOULD be there. I’m also surprised they didnt inplement hood vents, i guess there isnt such a buildup of heat under the hood that they felt the need to add them. In which case at least do it for purely aesthetic reasons and as a result still be functional by evacuating ANY buildup of hot air. Also hoping/expecting to see a decent sized front splitter on the final version or as an option on a track or carbon package because that’ll just add to the frontend appearance.
I hope the final product looks more aggressive! This one does not reek a proper V to me at all. Compared to last gens CTS-V with a very commanding road presence. This just seems like a equivalent M-performance parts bin upgrades to the CT5-V owners.
I hope the final product has a menacing look like the CTS-V.
If you want one of these with the bronze wheels and the big Michelin PS4S rubber, do yourself an enormous favor and…….DO NOT buy (or lease) a new one!! Whatever the price/cost is, a lightly used one 1-2 years old will be available at a huge discount vs new.
Troll
MR ROMA if you are reading this make mine with a LT 5 , 6 SPD MANUAL , MICHELIN SPORT CUP 2 tires , let me know where I need to send the check , I’ve had 1st,2nd, and now own 3rd gen. CTS V , would love to do an advanced run group with JONNNY O’CONNELL @ COTA again or DAYTONA in this new beast , i hope you are still going to have a relationship with SPRING MOUNTAIN going forward with the new gen cars , and possibly V- LABS @ COTA and DAYTONA .
Like the tweener 2nd generation V which was supposedly a 3 series, C Class competitor but yet it was always compared to E segment vehicles (M5 and E63 AMG), this here might just be shooting itself in the foot if compared to the latest iterations of those same vehicles. Why? Those vehicles have advanced and now come with improved traction, grip and drift mode from AWD. The CT5-V BW will be RWD only.
Even the upcoming M3 and C63 AMG S will have AWD.
Like FCA, which keeps throwing tons of horsepower at various versions of its RWD Demons and Hellcats, RWD serves to show its limitations in ineffectively putting the power to the pavement vs AWD.
The CT5-V BW is getting hit from both ends. Both vehicle segments have advanced. Perhaps it handling prowess and weight advantage – if any – will make up for its lack of AWD.
And was so hoping that BW guise would clean up and make the exterior easier to digest but it’s still a fugly ride aft of the B-pillar.
Fingers crossed for either AWD or an LT5. Needs a bigger hood-buldge.
LT5 for me with a 6 spd manual , I can do without the AWD
There’s no way for this car to have the LT4 with that hood and cooling. I’m a firm believer that GM will surprise us with some version of LT1 or LT2 under the hood.
that would be sad
This car looks amazing but will not be cheap! I too wonder how much of an improvement it will have over a modified V2 CTS-V with a manual transmission and whether it will be worth it.
Mine has some light mods (including D3 sway bars and springs) and it pulls 0.98g and does not lack for power at all (it makes around 600 with CAI and cat back). The car was great stock but the mods fixed the few shortcomings at a very reasonable cost.