The upcoming 2021 Cadillac CT5 is the second model year for the luxury four-door nameplate, arriving with a number of changes and updates. Among these are a few changes for the 2021 Cadillac CT5 brake packages, including both aesthetic changes, and changes to what’s standard and optional.
Brembo brakes with red-painted front calipers and Cadillac branding on 2020 CT5 Sport will now feature V-Series branding for 2021 CT5 Sport. The Brembo brakes will also become optional for the 2021 CT5 Sport.
First, a quick recap: for the outgoing 2020 model year, the CT5 Sport features black Brembo calipers that included a “Cadillac” logo and script. These brakes were included as standard equipment on CT5 Sport model, while the Brembos on the go-faster CT5-V model featured a V-Series logo on the caliper. Additinoally, the optional red or blue brake calipers offered on both the CT5 Sport and the CT5-V also featured the V-Series logo on the front calipers.
Brembo brakes with blue-painted front calipers and Cadillac branding on 2020 CT5 Sport will now feature V-Series branding for 2021 CT5 Sport. The Brembo brakes will also become optional for the 2021 CT5 Sport.
Now, the 2021 Cadillac CT5 brake calipers change things up, Cadillac Society has confirmed with Cadillac spokesperson, Stefan Cross. For starters, the 2021 CT5 Sport now features Brembo brakes as an option, rather than as standard equipment, with the choice of either a red or blue finish for the calipers. These Brembos are required when opting for the new V performance package on Sport models. For those wondering, the standard brake on the CT5 Sport becomes the “regular” (non-high-performance Brembo) brake with unpainted calipers. The black brake caliper finish for the CT5 Sport is no more for the 2021 model year.
Brembo brakes with red-painted front calipers and V-Series branding on 2020 CT5-V will remain for 2021 model year. The V-Series caliper branding will also be applied to 2021 CT5 Sport equipped with the now-optional Brembo brakes.
Meanwhile, the 2021 Cadillac CT5-V does not see any changes to its braking hardware or branding, and will continue to ship with black Brembo brake calipers as standard, or with the option for red or blue calipers. All Brembo brakes on the 2021 CT5, no matter the model or trim level, will now feature the V-Series logo on the caliper.
Essentially, this change aligns all of the CT5 Brembo brake offerings to the V Performance branding with V-Series logo, thus eliminating any confusion as to why some Cadillac CT5 brake calipers have the Cadillac logo, while others have the V-Series logo.
Brembo brakes with red-painted front calipers and V-Series branding on 2020 CT5-V will remain for 2021 model year. The V-Series caliper branding will also be applied to 2021 CT5 Sport equipped with the now-optional Brembo brakes.
Additionally, the change aligns the branding of the 2021 Cadillac CT5 brakes with the introduction of the aforementioned CT5 V Performance package on Sport models. The package also includes a performance suspension with MagneRide 4.0, and an electronic limited-slip differential.
In summary, the Cadillac script and logo will no longer be found on any 2021 Cadillac CT5 brake caliper, with the Sport model now featuring unpainted and unbranded calipers with regular (non-Brembo) brakes as standard. Instead, the CT5 Sport will now offer the optional Brembo brakes with either a red or blue caliper, both with the V-Series logo. A black caliper finish will no longer be offered. Meanwhile, the 2021 CT5-V will continue with the same braking hardware, caliper color and branding as the 2020 model.
It’s also worth noting that the new CT5 Diamond Sky Special Edition Package will include blue calipers as standard, making it the only way for a Premium Luxury model to get the high-performance Brembo brakes.
Check out the table below for a more complete breakdown and comparison of the 2020-2021 Cadillac CT5 brake caliper options.
| 2020 CT5 Luxury | 2020 CT5 Premium Luxury | 2020 CT5 Sport | 2020 CT5-V | 2021 CT5 Luxury | 2021 CT5 Premium Luxury | 2021 CT5 Sport | 2021 CT5-V | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brembo V Performance brake package | - | - | S | S | - | A1 | A | S |
| Black brake calipers with front Cadillac script logo2 | - | - | S | - | - | - | - | - |
| Black brake calipers with front V-Series logo2 | - | - | - | S | - | - | - | S |
| Red brake calipers with front V-Series logo2 | - | - | A | A | - | - | A | A |
| Blue brake calipers with front V-Series logo2 | - | - | A | A | - | A1 | A | A |
- S = Standard.
- A = Available.
- – = No performance brake package available and vehicle ships with unpainted brake calipers.
- 1 = Included and only available with the Diamond Sky Special Edition package.
- 2 = Requires Brembo V Performance brake package.
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Marshall Sumner
Changing something from standard to available sounds like an interesting way to increase the price without increasing the price. And what now becomes the ‘standard’ brake caliper, or do we now dispense with brakes?
Alex Luft
Given that pricing is currently not available for the 2021 model year CT5, what you said is speculation, and should be taken as such.
Alex Luft
The “standard” brake on the 2021 CT5 Sport is the standard brake configuration (non-Brembo) with unpainted calipers.
Greg
How do you like your V6 CT5?
Joe Booky
The painted calipers with Cadillac script and small Brembo lettering standard on all XTS models was a great feature and indicated a commitment to the status of the brand. Think I’ll keep mine a few more years before maybe moving to a CT5. I wish they would put the regular gas n/a 3.6 in the CT5 as was available in the Regal.