Earlier this week, Cadillac officially announced that the next-level, ultra-high-performance variants of the CT4-V and CT5-V luxury sedans will carry the Blackwing moniker, and will officially be called CT4-V Blackwing and CT5-V Blackwing. Cadillac Society was first to break the news last year. The luxury automobile brand also confirmed that both vehicles will be available with manual transmissions, also something CS previously reported. But Caddy’s announcement also contained a surprise video.
The 22-second-long clip shows the Cadillac V-Series logo and overlays the glorious sounds of an engine accelerating at wide open throttle, roaring through the gears – six of them – to be exact. Have a look listen:
Though Cadillac didn’t provide any details about the beast that’s the subject of this audible furor, it’s doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out that an eight cylinder engine mated to a six-speed manual transmission are responsible.
Put all that together, and we can conclude that the vehicle in the video is none other than the Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing, which we expect to be powered by a supercharged 6.2L V8 engine very similar to the heart of the now-discontinued, third-generation CTS-V. In that vehicle, the engine (production code LT4) made 640 horsepower and 630 pound-feet of torque, and sounded very similar. That said, we should note that the Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing might not necessarily have the same output figures. For those that aren’t into rowing their own gears, fear not – we also expect the CT5-V Blackwing to also offer an automatic gearbox in the form of Caddy’s still-new 10-speed automatic unit.
A prototype of the CT5-V Blackwing
Meanwhile, the CT4-V Blackwing is expected to be powered by a twin-turbocharged 3.6L V6 engine similar to the one used in the last-gen ATS-V. In that application, the twin-boosted six made 464 horsepower and 445 pound-feet of torque.
Notably, neither the CT4-V Blackwing nor the CT5-V Blackwing will offer Cadillac’s now-defunct twin-turbocharged 4.2L V8 engine (production code LTA) that was briefly offered in the Cadillac CT6 Platinum and CT6-V.
A prototype of the CT4-V Blackwing
It’s worth noting that the COVID-19 pandemic has delayed both of these Blackwing models. The vehicles were to debut this year and go on sale later on in this calendar year, or in the very beginning of 2021. Now, however, the vehicles will likely not be revealed until 2021 and arrive at dealerships thereafter.
Cadillac says that “more V-Series Blackwing information will be made available at a later date,” and we’ll be here every step of the way to tell you all about it, so be sure to subscribe to Cadillac Society for more Cadillac CT5 news, Cadillac CT4 news and ongoing Cadillac news coverage.
Pat S.
Although I think the LT4 still has plenty of life left in it (having read online way back that it has room for a bit more power too) if I said I wasn’t wishfully expecting them to drop in a detuned Lt5 then I’d be lying. Although with the height of it’s packaging in the zr1 I’m not sure that they could fit it in this bay. Now I’m anxious to see the official photos and the beast incarnate (hopefully) at the ny show in august. Think this might be the one my old man has been waiting for to upgrade to from his ’09 Ctsv sedan. I’m the one keeping him updated with news about this monster as it becomes available so once we get the official power numbers/performance stats and see it in person at NYC then I’m sure he’ll know whether or not this is the one to move up to.
Joe Sesto
Must be an older AARP member shifting it….or a sticky trans…why only a 6-speed?
Joel
According to Autoline Afterhours, the driver was instructed to shift slow just for the video to highlight that the car is using manual transmission.
Joe Sesto
I thought it might have been to protect the engine, clutch or tranny during the break-in period. To me sticks are out-of-date in this era of high performance sports vehicles. The C8 doesn’t have a manual option.
Greg
Typical.
The Blackwings will likely be the most powerful in their class and the only ones available with a manual…….and it’s not good enough.
Raymond Ramirez
That is too noisy for a true Cadillac. Luxury cars are recognized for their silent or quiet running. I prefer to save my money for the electric models that will arrive soon, and save my ears from more noise pollution.
Pat S.
Although i’m expecting the LT4 in the ct5v BW and as much life as i think the LT4 still has left in it (and power too apparently according to an article i read a while back that stated there was a bit more hp left in it while staying within reliability parameters) I would be lying if i said that i wasnt wishfully hoping for the engineers to drop a watered down LT5 in the ct5v bw. Although going according to the height of its packaging in the zr1 i’m not sure it would even fit. I’m going to keep watching this site for news about the ct5v BW because depending on its power/performance/price this may be the one my old man upgrades to from his ’09 ctsv sedan and i’m his sole source of info when it comes to anything and everything ct5v BW.
Kyle Bayuk
I hope they offer AWD as an option, as this is what they will need, in order to compete with the M5 Competition and the E63 AMG S. Does anyone know if this will be an option?
Joe Sesto
You can only hope…but the CT6 might be an example. The 400hp 3.0L V6 TT was only available with AWD, but a manual trans was not an option. Earlier rumors were that a de-tuned 3.0L TT would be available. Somehow it magically had less HP, but the same torque as the CT6 version. The unblown 3.6L could probably be pumped up to 350hp, but it would need premium fuel