The ICE-based performance sedan segment may be shrinking, but it isn’t dead yet. Just ask the Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing, Caddy’s most track-capable production model ever produced. Now, we’re watching as the CT5-V Blackwing faces off against another four-door speed machine, namely the Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio.
In this video, the Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing and Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio go head-to-head in Edmunds U-Drags, which includes a quarter-mile drag race, heavy braking, a hairpin corner, and a rolling drag race to the finish, covering a variety of performance metrics. The drivers later switch cars and lanes, with only the quickest results used.
While both of these sedans are known for their impressive power and handling, the CT5-V Blackwing has a significant advantage thanks to its 668-horsepower supercharged 6.2L V8 LT4 engine. By comparison, the Giulia is bringing 505 horsepower to the party thanks to its turbocharged 2.9L V6. Both models put the power down exclusively at the rear wheels, with the Alfa utilizing an eight-speed automatic, and the CT5-V Blackwing utilizing the optional GM 10-speed automatic.
Despite the substantial power differential, the Alfa Romeo still has a bit of a weight advantage, tipping the scales at 3,828 pounds, as compared to 4,121 pounds for the hard-hitting Caddy. Even so, the Giulia may simply be outgunned by in this particular comparison.
The first race starts with the Cadillac quickly pulling ahead thanks to its superior power and grip. The Giulia’s lack of launch control and older technology makes it harder to handle, and it clearly struggles to keep up. The Cadillac finishes well ahead, with the driver noting how much easier it is to drive.
For the second race, the drivers swap cars, and unsurprisingly, the Cadillac once again takes an early lead, and at the end of it all, the results are somewhat predictable:
While it’s great to see the Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing doing its thing on the track, we should add that the high-performance Giulia Quadrifoglio has been discontinued for the 2025 model year. As such, the CT5-V Blackwing has even less competition – if you could even call it that.
Comments
The Blackwing will easily go down as one of the best cars GM ever made.
Roger that, totally agree.
The alpha sort of splits the difference between the ct4 and ct5 blackwings. the CT4 blackwing will give the alpha a decent run, but won’t beat it, but is cheaper, we saw what the ct5 did to it, but is more expensive.
They should have done this test against a CT4 V Blackwing, that would have been an apples to apples comparison and would have been nice to see head to head against the Alfa over that long of a run.
Well any car guy could have predicted the results, really. As is said; “there is no replacement for displacement”. However fun vid to watch. Thanks.