If you’re a fan of or interested in the Cadillac CT4-V Blackwing, then you’ll want to watch the video below. Hosted by GM Authority Executive Editor, Alex Luft, the 26 minute-long clip is a love note to the exterior design of the high-performance luxury sedan.
The model seen here is a 2022 CT4-V Blackwing coated in Velocity Blue, a hue that was only available for the 2022 and 2023 model years. The vehicle is also equipped with the Carbon Fiber 1 Package.
Luft starts out with the observation that all Cadillac CT4 models are attractive thanks to a classic three box sedan design, a trait inherited from the CT4’s mechanical predecessor – the ATS Sedan. But the CT4-V Blackwing takes the solid bones to a whole new level, striking just the right balance between aggressive, sporty, and luxurious. Luckily, the CT4-V BW doesn’t try too hard to be a performance machine, which other models in the segment are quite guilty of (looking at you, Mercedes CLA AMG and Audi RS3). Regardless, Luft points out the intricacies in the body, including various lines, intricate areas of surface development and other details.
Some worth noting are a line that begins at the front of the head lamps, continues up over the hood, then along the side of the car, all the way to the tail lamps, where it goes over and down the lens. The length of that line draws attention to the attractive side profile of the CT4-V Blackwing. Another example worth noting is what’s commonly referred to by GM designers as the spine – a line that runs the center of the car, including the hood, front fascia, and splitter, as well as the decklid and rear fascia.
No one looking at the front end of the CT4 range, including the CT4-V Blackwing, would mistake it for anything other than a Cadillac thanks to the vertically-oriented DRLs, which the luxury marque has made into its signature design element. Beyond that, the Blackwing features unique grille treatment, including a bottom grille not seen on any other CT4 model.
As mentioned above, the 2022 Cadillac CT4-V Blackwing seen in the video features the Carbon Fiber 1 Package, which includes a carbon fiber front splitter, front dive planes, wheel well spats, and the extra spoiler at the rear. The 18-inch Polished/Dark Android finish wheels are staggered, with front tires measuring 235 wide and the rears at 275. The wheels are also available in Satin (black) or Bronze. Similarly, the lug nuts here are silver – which works well with the silver-faced wheels on this unit; set of black lugs is optional.
Brembo brakes – with six pistons at the front and four pistons at the rear – are standard on the CT4-V Blackwing, and this model features the standard Black units, though optional colors include Bronze, Red, or Blue.
The rear end is also not without its fair share of intricacies, including the “extra” spoiler, unique surface development of the rear-facing part of the trunk lid, and Cadillac’s unique vertically-oriented tail lights, which are complemented by a set of vertically-oriented reflectors. Luft finds these to be a particularly nice touch, since it shows a certain attention to detail. After all, designers could have simply placed the reflectors horizontally, but they instead chose to orient them vertically to better align with the vertical tail lights. There’s also a set of black quad exhaust outlets, bracketing an attractive rear valance.
Hit the play button on the video above, and enjoy nearly 30 minutes of in-depth CT4-V Blackwing design awesomeness.
Comments
This engine should have made its way into a Traverse SS, Acadia Denali Ultimate, and Buick Enclave ST. GM needs a performance oriented mid size SUV.
And XT6. I still can’t see why a XT6 V never happened!
with all the money they make “WHY” not a 2025 CT4 BW Sure seams stupid to not show of the new stuff. 😒😴🏁
Great video breaking down the lines and body creases (and other elements). The looks of the CT4-V Blackwing continues to grow on me. Love it.
In comparison, the ATS and its short overhangs was athletic and balanced in exterior design. In Cadillac’s effort to incorporate some of the design cues of the Escala, the front end of the CT4 was extended 4 inches. This is a step backward with an extended front end that runs just shy of giving the car FWD proportions.
I’d forego those dive-planes, they’re functional but somehow how they look tacked on as afterthoughts.
Unto itself, it performs and drives well but is pretty much matched by smaller vehicles in it supposed segment (RS3, CLA) and outmatched by the ATS-V’s original targeted segment (M3, C63,).
It’s an okay effort and a decent looking vehicle, but really the effort could’ve been greater to move the needle forward.
Guy does a great job with his presentation. Too bad it wasn’t the V8 version $$$$$$. I typically park far, far away when at the mall. To my surprise when I came out, there parked three empty spaces away was a new V8 Blackwing with a stick in black. Would’ve loved to talk to the guy but the wife was impatient and wanted to go. The stick was icing on the cake.