The 2021 model year will represent the second year of production of the Cadillac CT5 sedan, for which the luxury sedan will see several updates and changes. One of those changes involves the Cadillac CT5 brake calipers and options, particularly as it relates to what will be offered as optional or standard.
Brembo brakes with red-painted front calipers and Cadillac branding on 2020 CT5 Sport will now feature V-Series branding for 2021 CT5 Sport. The Brembo brakes will also become optional for the 2021 CT5 Sport.
To understand what’s taking place for 2021, we must first review what was in store for 2020. The 2020 CT5 Sport featured as standard black Brembo calipers adorned with the Cadillac script, while the performance-oriented CT5-V had the V-Series logo on the Brembo calipers instead of the Cadillac script. Meanwhile, the optional red or blue front brake calipers on both the CT5 Sport and the CT5-V both had the V-Series logo.
Brembo brakes with blue-painted front calipers and Cadillac branding on 2020 CT5 Sport will now feature V-Series branding for 2021 CT5 Sport. The Brembo brakes will also become optional for the 2021 CT5 Sport.
Now, the 2021 Cadillac CT5 brake calipers configuration is slightly different, as confirmed to us by Cadillac spokesperson, Stefan Cross. First, the 2021 CT5 Sport will offer Brembo brakes as an option, as opposed to standard equipment like they were for the 2020 model year. The optional high-performance calipers will now be offered in either a red or blue finish, with the black caliper finish being deleted. 2021 CT5 Sport models not equipped with the Brembo brakes will get a set of “regular” brakes as standard. Meanwhile, the 2021 CT5-V will continue to be equipped with black Brembo brakes with V Series branding as standard, with buyers continuing to have the ability to select either blue or red colors.
Brembo brakes with red-painted front calipers and V-Series branding on 2020 CT5-V will remain for 2021 model year. The V-Series caliper branding will also be applied to 2021 CT5 Sport equipped with the now-optional Brembo brakes.
Long story short, all 2021 Cadillac CT5 Brembo brake calipers will have the V-Series logo, instead of the Cadillac script. The aesthetic change removes any confusion buyers might have had with the branding on the Cadillac CT5 brake calipers. It also aligns with the introduction of the optional V Performance package for the 2021 Cadillac CT5, which adds a performance-tuned suspension with Magnetic Ride Control 4.0, an electronic limited-slip differential, and the aforementioned high-performance Brembo brakes to the CT5 Sport.
Brembo brakes with red-painted front calipers and V-Series branding on 2020 CT5-V will remain for 2021 model year. The V-Series caliper branding will also be applied to 2021 CT5 Sport equipped with the now-optional Brembo brakes.
In summary, the 2021 CT5 Sport will offer the high-performance Brembo brakes as an option, rather than standard. Those who opt for the Brembos on this model will now have a choice of red or blue Brembo calipers, both with the V Series logo, as opposed to the Cadillac script used for the 2020 model year. Plus, the black Brembo brake caliper finish for the CT5 Sport is no longer available for the 2020 model year.
It’s also worth noting that the new CT5 Diamond Sky Special Edition Package will feature blue-painted Brembo calipers, making the model the only way to get the high-performance Brembo brakes plus painted calipers on the Premium Luxury model.
| 2020 CT5 Luxury | 2020 CT5 Premium Luxury | 2020 CT5 Sport | 2020 CT5-V | 2021 CT5 Luxury | 2021 CT5 Premium Luxury | 2021 CT5 Sport | 2021 CT5-V | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brembo V Performance brake package | - | - | S | S | - | A1 | A | S |
| Black brake calipers with front Cadillac script logo2 | - | - | S | - | - | - | - | - |
| Black brake calipers with front V-Series logo2 | - | - | - | S | - | - | - | S |
| Red brake calipers with front V-Series logo2 | - | - | A | A | - | - | A | A |
| Blue brake calipers with front V-Series logo2 | - | - | A | A | - | A1 | A | A |
- S = Standard.
- A = Available.
- – = No performance brake package available, vehicle ships with unpainted brake calipers.
- 1 = Included and only available with the Diamond Sky Special Edition package.
- 2 = Requires Brembo V Performance brake package.
Besides these brake-related changes, the 2021 Cadillac CT5 and CT5-V will also see several updates, which you can review at these links:
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Comments
Optional brakes…..they’ll get a buck out of you any way they can.
Correction: optional HIGH-PERFORMANCE brakes.
The standard brakes are already good. The Brembos are even better.
If customers buying the Sport don’t see value in Brembo brakes, then it’s probably best to offer it as an option.
Let’s see who else does it like this… off the top of my head, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Audi, Lexus.
This is just too confusing. How can dealers manage stuff like this when planning inventory?
GM helps dealers in this regard. There are recommended vehicle configurations for dealers to order based on local or national market trends.
That said, not many pay attention to details like this. Not sure how many folks, even at the dealer level or even at GM itself, are aware of this change. To them, the 2021 model year will simply show up, and that’s really it.
Basically GM removed what was standard equipment in the 2020 sport to be part of an option pkg for 21. GM and decontent go together like Roger and Mary Smith. Don’t think your getting Brembos at all four corners. Only the front calipers.
Correct, it was standard for 2020 MY. Perhaps there is data supporting the decision… like not many customers actually care to have high-performance brakes. Those that do want them, will be fine paying a bit extra for them.
All sorts of brake colors, but every dash is mostly or all black. Bluh.
That first pic looks very Camaroesque!
GM/Cadillac sure knows what people dont wont or dont care about, and are quick to tell every one! Do they know what people do want and do care about? Can they tell us??