Speaking from a purely aesthetic standpoint, the new Cadillac Blackwing ultra-high-performance luxury sedans are dominated by body-color and blacked-out exterior elements and accents, with chrome elements being on the deleted list.
However, the badges – including the Cadillac Crest front and rear, the V-Series logo on the doors and decklid as well as the vehicle nameplate badge on the decklid – are all finished in chrome. We posit that this detracts from an otherwise distinguished look, and that Cadillac ought to give these badges a black finish instead.
In fact, the 2022 Cadillac CT4-V Blackwing and 2022 Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing do not feature special badging. Instead, they are badged exactly the same as the “lesser” V-Series models, the “regular” CT4-V and “regular” CT5-V – which were introduced as part of an effort to create more approachable performance models.
One could argue that the Blackwing models do not need any special badges, as their unique styling features make them stand out from the regular Cadillac CT4-V and Cadillac CT5-V, as we recently outlined in the video below.
For instance, the Blackwings feature blacked-out elements on the grilles and grille surrounds, window line treatment, and several trim pieces at the rear along with the black diffuser and exhaust tips. Even adding the optional carbon fiber packages still keeps the blacked-out appearance, replacing some of the aforementioned elements with carbon fiber that – unless one looks really closely – still looks black. In any event, our point is that Cadillac replaces the chrome trim present on Luxury and Premium Luxury (and to a lesser extent, Sport) trims with blacked-out elements on the V-Series and V-Series Blackwing models.
But that’s where it stops. On V-Series models, the Cadillac badge at the front and rear ends is still the classic multi-color Crest with a chrome outline. The body-color and black motif on V-Series and V-Series Blackwing models would be substantially more complete if Cadillac offered the Crest in the (RPO Code SFZ) monochrome finish, as it does on the entire lineup as part of the optional Onyx and Radiant Packages, or the colored Cadillac Crest with a black outline instead of chrome. As of this writing, these monochrome badges are not available for the V-Series or the V-Series Blackwing models, and a black outlined Crest doesn’t exist at all.
Monochromatic Cadillac crest logo on grille of 2021 Cadillac Escalade
Ironically, the luxury automaker already offers monochrome badging on a variety of models, including the Cadillac XT4, Cadillac XT5, Cadillac XT6, and Cadillac Escalade. The same rings true for the regular non-V-Series Cadillac CT4 and Cadillac CT5. Starting with the XT5 and CT6 back in 2017, the brand introduced front fender-mounted silver logos, while the available Onyx Package first introduced on the 2021 Escalade includes monochrome logos mounted on the grille and liftgate.
Ultimately, here’s what we propose: the Blackwing models ought to have full monochrome badging without any color in the Cadillac Crest and V-Series logo, or a darkened finish with black CT4 and CT5 nameplate badging as well as black outlines for the colored Crest and V-Series logos, replacing the current chrome outline.
Doing so will solve two issues: first, it will help distinguish the Blackwings from the regular V-Series models in a clean way. Second, it will complete the “monochromatic” appearance of the Blackwings.
Agree? Disagree? Vote in the poll and sound off in the comments.
Comments
That shade of blue is just horrible! It’s an ugly color for an automobile. Ford had it on Mustang and it should die there. JMO
I disagree, that blue is my favorite color that is still available on the car.
I don’t mind that blue on the Blackwing model, but not with that mustard like interior.
I was LITERALLY just thinking about this YESTERDAY! I think it would be really cool if Cadillac made black or monochromic logos and badging an option on their Black Wing models. I’d also really like to see a Black Wing logo on the trunk or something.
There was a black out package when they came out. Saw a white Sport with it at the dealer. Very sharp. Never saw it on the build your own site, though.
Don’t think this was ever offered on the Blackwings…
If you own a Blackwing, and I do, you know what it is. The badging color does not make the car or frankly matter.
I’d argue that the devil is the details, and therefore it does matter.
This is why the Corvette is offered with chrome or black badges. Why should the Blackwings be treated differently?
Richard, you’re missing the point by a mile.
I too own a Blackwing. The badges on the cars are not for me, for you or for the owners. The badges are for everybody else that is NOT us. This is actually true for all badges on all vehicles these days: badges exist to help those that are not owners identify the vehicle. In the case of the Blackwings, these are special cars and they deserve special badges… and it’s a huge mistake (lost opportunity) on the part of Cadillac that the Blackwings do not have a badge that separates them from the normal V models.
Alex Luft (who by the way is the reason I own a CT5-V Blackwing and not the new M3) said it best: the devil is in the details and I second the notion that it’s strange to have all chrome accents on the car black or body color, but the badges are chrome. I don’t want chrome on my car and I want it gone.
Bottom line is simple: Cadillac needs to give customers the option to order the Blackwings with black badges from the factory. Cadillac also needs to give existing owners like myself the ability to swap the chrome badges for black ones via an OEM offering… instead of forcing us to do stupid things like plastidip them.
I appreciate the thoughtful response to my posting. I’ve owned three other CTS-V’s and one ATS-V, so please consider my feedback as fully vested in these wonderful vehicles.
I can certainly appreciate your desire as a fellow Blackwing owner to be allowed more options on an extremely limited production vehicle (vs tens of thousands of C8 Vettes). I may not want or care about a monochrome or black badge option, but I don’t begrudge you for wanting one. The mile you missed Molama is that I really didn’t buy my Blackwing so everyone would know it was a CT5-V Blackwing. It’s not about sharing the experience, although I’ve certainly been glad to show my V to those that ask about it. I’m just perfectly comfortable with vehicle just as it is, and exactly as I ordered it.
It took five years of emails and constructive contact from me and I assume a lot of other V owners to get us the Blackwing with a manual transmission… all my previous V’s with the exception of the 2017 were manual trans. Perhaps your appeal and Alex’s appeal will resonate with Cadillac. Since no one knows if/when more Blackwings will be produced, for your sake I hope they do.
The more choices, the better the odds.
Since the Blackwings come with blacked-out chrome as standard, go ahead and offer black badging as an option, same as monochromatic.
I have monochromatic emblems on my CT5-V Blackwing. They’re a $125 accessory and took less time to install than it took me to read this article. The from emblem literally pops right off
I’d like a nice dark sparkling green exterior color with a dark brown interior.
I was able to order a set (front and rear) of monochromatic emblems for my lesser V-series CT5 from Cadillac through the dealer. Dealer installed prior to my taking delivery. It looks much better than the coloured badge, especially in the shadow metallic paint. The V badge is the stock coloured one. I understand the monochromatic emblems are not compatible if the vehicle has adaptive cruise, which mine does not.