As the most powerful track-ready Cadillac models ever, the Cadillac Blackwing super sedans represent the pinnacle of luxury and performance, right down to the stitching on their steering wheel and seats. Now, the luxury marque has spotlighted some more neat details that will be featured inside both the 2022 CT4-V Blackwing and 2022 CT5-V Blackwing, showing just how attentive to detail the product creators were, while proving that no expense was spared on these high-performance machines.
The Cadillac Blackwing sedans began their journey at two of General Motors vehicle development facilities in the metro Detroit, Michigan area. The first is the Technical Center in Warren while the second is the Proving Ground in Milford. Designers paid tribute to the two facilities with highly detailed, laser-etched maps of each facility on the paddle shifter covers on models equipped with the six-speed manual transmission.
The unique covers take the place of the shift paddles behind the steering wheel on vehicles not outfitted with the optional 10-speed automatic, since these models feature functional magnesium paddle shifters that allow drivers to select their preferred gear.
Cadillac V-Series Blackwing designers paid homage to Milford Proving Ground and the GM Technical Center in Warren, Michigan, with laser-etched maps of each located on the paddle shifter covers on manual-transmission models.
“The CT4-V Blackwing and CT5-V Blackwing are the quintessential examples of form and function coming together,” said Brandon Vivian, Cadillac executive chief engineer. “This was made possible by Engineering and Design working together from the very beginning to get the most out of these cars. The paddle shifter covers symbolize that union, with the customer at the center of it all.”
To further emphasize the connection between driver and machine, each 2022 Cadillac Blackwing will have a unique serialized V-Series plaque integrated into the bottom portion of the steering wheel that’s unique to the specific vehicle.
Other Cadillac Blackwing design easter eggs include the V-Series logo incorporated into the manual shift knob.
There’s also the winged Blackwing insignia found in a pocket of the available 19-inch Tech Bronze wheel.
Less obvious details, like the “racing Mondrian” pattern on the Blackwings’ underwing and the V-Series logo on the air strakes of vehicles equipped with the optional Carbon Fiber 1 package, are also present.
Additionally, the first 250 production builds of each vehicle are labelled as Collector Series, armed with two special collector plates. The first are on the door sills and feature a signature of a Cadillac V-Series team member that brought the vehicles to life. The second are collector plates on the B-pillars that match the serialized numbers on the steering wheel plaque.
There’s also a neat V-Series Blackwing logo on the carbon fiber seatbacks, which can are included with the optional front bucket high-performance seats.
“The V-Series Blackwings are all about connecting with drivers in ways that go beyond the numbers they can produce on a track,” said Vivian. “It’s an involving experience, with unprecedented attention to detail in all areas of performance and design.”
Interestingly, Cadillac has elected to keep many of these a secret so Blackwing owners can discover them on their own as they spend time with their vehicles.
The upcoming Blackwing super sedans are no strangers to power. The 2022 Cadillac CT4-V Blackwing is powered by the twin-turbocharged 3.6L V6 (production code LF4), rated at 472 horsepower and 442 pound-feet of torque. The 2022 Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing features the supercharged 6.2L V8 (production code LT4), delivering a pavement-pounding 668 horsepower and 669 pound-feet of torque. Both engines bolt to either the standard 6-speed manual transmission or the optional 10-speed automatic, delivering power exclusively to the rear wheels.
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