Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing

The Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing was officially unveiled on February 1^st, 2021 and is expected to enter the market during the summer of 2021 as a 2022 model year vehicle.

The familiar supercharged 6.2-liter LT4 V8 under the hood, but with a slight power-bump compared to the third-generation CTS-V, which is enough to propel the super sedan to a top speed of over 200 miles per hour. The
biggest distinction from its indirect predecessor, however, is a 6-speed manual transmission, which is standard for the CT5-V Blackwing and was unavailable for the third-gen CTS-V.

The 2022 CT5-V Blackwing model has only been confirmed for the U.S. market so far. We expect the high-performance variant to also

Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing Quick Facts
Model years:	2022 – Present
Assembly Location:	Lansing Grand River Plant, Michigan, USA
Layout:	Front-Engined, Longitudinal
Engine:	Supercharged 6.2L V-8 LT4
Horsepower:	668
Torque:	659
Transmission:	6-Speed Manual, GM Hydra-Matic 10-Speed Auto"
Driven Wheels:	Rear-Wheel
Confirmed Availability:	U.S.A.
Predecessor:	–
Successor:	–

First-Generation

The 2022 Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing representing the first-ever model year for the nameplate, meaning the first-generation has not yet entered the market. This hasn’t kept the brand from building up a ton of hype and excitement for the upcoming product.

As stated, the high-performance luxury sedan will feature the stout and supercharged LT4 gen-five small block V8 with a Cadillac-estimated output of 668 horsepower and 659 pound-feet of torque, which is a slight bump compared to the engine’s output under the hood of a third-gen CTS-V, which put out 640 horsepower and 640 pound-feet of torque. Notably, the CT5-V Blackwing’s application of the engine now represents its highest output, surpassing the 650 horsepower and 650 pound-feet of torque generated by the sixth-gen Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 and seventh-generation Corvette Z06.

Timeline

May 29, 2019: GM announces all-new, 2020 Cadillac CT5-V as new, intermediate performance model
June 1, 2019: GM shows “next-level Cadillac CT5-V” prototype at the 2019 Detroit Grand Prix
June 14, 2019: Cadillac performance variants manager, Mirza Grebovic, says that Cadillac V-Series models will “go out with a bang” before EVs take over
July 1, 2019: GM Authority exclusively reports that next-level Cadillac CT5-V will be called “Blackwing”
July 16, 2019: GM Authority reports that Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing will be powered by supercharged V8
July 31, 2019: GM Authority spies CT5-V Blackwing prototype on video
October 11, 2019: more spy shots show best look yet at CT5-V Blackwing prototype
November 26 ,2019: reports indicate that the CT5-V Blackwing will not feature Cadillac’s twin-turbo Blackwing V8 engine
December 17, 2019: new spy shots reveal CT5-V Blackwing front fascia
January 25, 2020: GM Authority reports that CT5-V Blackwing will feature supercharged 6.2L V8 LT4 engine and offer the option for a manual transmission
March 20, 2020: new spy shots show best look yet at CT5-V Blackwing prototype
April 2, 2020: COVID-19 pandemic delays various GM vehicle launches, including CT5- Blackwing
April 14, 2020: GM confirms Blackwing name for next-level CT5-V sedan and shares soundtrack of CT5-V accelerating, as well as a teaser image of the rear three-quarters of the CT5-V Blackwing
May 14, 2020: GM Authority renders upcoming Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing sedan
May 27, 2020: GM Authority reports that CT5-V Blackwing will not be made available in China
June 17, 2020: GM Authority spies CT5-V Blackwing with bronze wheels
August 20, 2020: GM teases CT5-V Blackwing steering wheel and GM Authority notices some easter eggs on the steering wheel teaser
October 30, 2020: GM announces that the CT5-V Blackwing and CT4-V Blackwing will offer magnesium wheels as an option
October 31, 2020: GM Authority confirms that CT5-V Blackwing will go on sale in the summer of 2021 as a 2022 model year vehicle
November 9, 2020: GM Authority learns that CT5-V Blackwing will wear wider front and rear tires than third-generation CTS-V
December 10, 2020: GM announces that the CT5-V Blackwing (and CT4-V Blackwing) will ship standard with a manual transmission with 3D printed parts

Positioning

From a positioning standpoint, the CT5-V Blackwing is a direct successor to the first-generation ATS-V Sedan. From a mechanical standpoint, the CT5-V Blackwing will be closer related to the third-generation CTS-V Sedan.

Platform

The CT5-V Blackwing rides on the GM Alpha 2 platform. The architecture is an upgraded iteration of the first-generation Alpha platform.

Production

The Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing will be assembled at the GM Lansing Grand River plant in Lansing, Michigan.

Rivals

The Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing will compete directly against the following vehicles:

BMW M3
Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG / C63 AMG S
Audi RS5 Sportback
Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio

Additionally, thanks to its larger size, the CT5-V Blackwing will also indirectly compete with the BMW M5, Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG / E63 AMG S, and Audi RS7.