General Motors released a teaser image this week showing off the new carbon fiber-adorned steering wheel that will appear in the upcoming 2022 Cadillac Blackwing models.
The teaser image revealed the new steering wheel’s red 12 o’clock marker, carbon fiber trim and dedicated V-Mode and Performance Traction Management buttons – but many readers may not have noticed that GM also threw in a hidden coded message for Cadillac fans to find and decipher.
The cryptic message is located on the metal tab on the bottom part of the steering wheel, just below the V-Series badge. The message reads “62;322”, which is the unicode decimal code for the greater than symbol. This essentially translates into “greater than 322,” but 322 what, exactly? Well, 200 mph is equivalent to 322 km/h, so Cadillac appears to be hinting that one of the new 2022 Cadillac Blackwing models will be capable of eclipsing 200 mph. It’s also worth pointing at that the digital speedometer in the photo reads “200” as well.
If we had to wager, we’d say this image is of the Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing interior. The CT5-V Blackwing will be the faster of the two new Blackwing models, as it is expected to feature GM’s supercharged 6.2L LT4 V8 engine. The LT4 powers the 2020 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1, where it produces 650 horsepower and 650 pound-feet of torque.
By comparison, the smaller Cadillac CT4-V Blackwing will have the twin-turbocharged 3.6L V6 LF4 engine, which was previously found in Cadillac ATS-V, where it made 464 horsepower and 445 pound-feet of torque. The CT5-V Blackwing should have about 200 horsepower up on the CT4-V Blackwing, then – which should be enough to push it past 200 mph, though we suspect not by much. Both 2022 Cadillac Blackwing models will feature GM’s 10-speed automatic transmission.
The third-generation Cadillac CTS-V also made headlines for its ability to hit 200 mph. The CTS-V made 640 horsepower and 630 pound-feet of torque from its supercharged 6.2L LT4 V8 and featured GM’s eight-speed automatic transmission. With more power and less weight to lug around, the Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing should have no problem going a few mph faster than the vehicle it indirectly replaces.
2017 Cadillac CTS-V
The 2022 Cadillac Blackwing models will go on sale in the summer of 2021.
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Comments
before opening article i converted kph to mph for the 200 and assumed 6.2L V8. I had also seen elsewhere that the 200mph teaser was highlighted
still a shame we wont see the actually Blackwing engine
I doubt the Blackwing V8 would be as capable of this kind of performance. It was never intended to. It was designed for a very smooth, highly refined, luxury experience. Not raw, track burning power.
twin turbo DOHC with 550hp and 650lb-ft isn’t raw enough? and output may have been cranked up for the application here. I love the OHV small blocks, but that Blackwing would scream and snarl in a totally different and fantastic way
Blackwing would be wicked, but this could also be the LT5 with over 700hp.
I am hoping for a LT2 CT4-v BW. I know it won’t but what if….
You’re right, but I have absolutely no qualms with the LT4 and a stick in this. Going from 650 hp to 550 hp would have always felt like a huge downgrade…however, going from 650 hp and an 8 speed auto to 670 hp and a 6 speed manual is a HUGE upgrade.
Well done, Cadillac.
Screaming and twin turbo engines do not go together mate! It is a different type of loud that is not raw compared to an atmospheric engine or supercharged one.
I am glad this vehicle won’t have a small displacement 4.2TT V8! If one wants that I encourage them to buy German. Being unique is Cadillac’s calling. Besides the LT4 is a solid engine with linear supercharged power! Plenty of people prefer the small block. But like I said there are many vehicles available with TT V8s.
Why does anyone need that speed? There are no public highways to drive that fast, and the only strips that can handle those speeds are airports runways! The world’s fastest stock car is an electric Mustang that can only run up to 210 MPH at the Space Shuttle landing runway in Florida.
With all due respect, you’re an absolute disgrace to this website.
Are you suggesting we should all drive 1.0L 3 cylinder turbos with a maximum speed of 75mph and zero to sixty in 15 seconds?
I mean, you could get by with that.
Actually… Why even sell cars?
Nobody needs it.
We WANT it.
Ray, are you going to be okay?
I’m gonna have to disagree, there are tons of roads and highways that you can top out to AT LEAST 150+ mph. hell I know a couple highways that I can top out at 130 mph. the only thing that is stopping me is the fact that I drive my dads clapped out 97 4runner.
I think that there is still potential to use the actual Blackwing somewhere. It’ll somehow end up in the Escalade V when they do it, and I bet they’ll do a limited run in the CT5 as a special edition at some point. GM likes to waste money, but that engine needs to be done justice.
I agree with you, but they’ve been pretty clear that the Blackwing Engine is dead. Having said that, I’m excited to see this car, and in fact, the CT5 updates in general.
Going to guess…
0 to 62MPH/100KPH in 3.22secs.
$62,322 base price?.
an LT5 engine with 10 speed please Gm
That final pic of the silver CTSV in the article, just a beauty still.
agreed!!
I’d still rather have that CTS-V than the CT5, I just CANNOT abide by the fake C-pillar design no matter how much I try to accept it.
Why a carbon fiber steering wheel , does it take the same abuse as exterior panels?
Been a huge fan of Cadillac and GM since the original CTS debued in 2003 and the Gary Sinese -narrated “Breakthrough” ads. While I’ve sat patiently rooting for Cadillac to find its identity and subsequent prestige, I am dumbfounded as to why GM obviously poured a ton of resources in developing the Blackwing engine only to decide to not use it after it has found a home in a handful of CT6-Vs, in which said vehicle and platform will die soon.
In my opinion, the Blackwing is a more significant achievement than the Northstar.
Can anyone tell me why the Blackwing won’t be built?
GM has committed to producing EVs, and using the Cadillac brand to lead the company in that direction. Cadillac will be an all-electric brand by decade’s end, leaving the Cadillac-developed Blackwing engine with no place in Cadillac’s all-EV portfolio.
That engine cost too much to build and maintain. An LS is dirt cheap to build and most people wouldn’t know the difference or even care.
I love this car. GM should use this car for the Chevy Impala SS. They can call it the dodge charger hell cat killer
Bet the CT4 Blackwing gets an updated version of the LF4 that puts down about 500 hp.