I hate what Cadillac has turn out to be within the final couple of many years. The model’s resolution to compete with the Europeans by turning into edgier and sportier is, in my view, one of many trade’s larger blunders. The present Escalade is mainly excellent. There’s additionally Caddy’s resolution to spend a boatload of money on a twin-turbo V8 engine known as the Blackwing, after which scrap it after placing it in a single mannequin for 2 years of manufacturing, after which inexplicably reusing that identify on V8 efficiency fashions with out that engine. Bizarre flex, GM.
With that mentioned, it might stand to cause that I’d hate the a number of weeks I spent with the 2023 Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing, with its 668-horsepower supercharged LT4 V8, proper? Nope. Fallacious. It’s a tremendous automobile, and I detest the truth that I needed to give it again. However why?
Whereas the common Cadillac choices have largely turn out to be muddled through the years, the sporting V model has at all times had a reasonably clear concept of what it must be. It has leaned into GM’s core competencies, and the entire Cadillac branding factor has at all times simply been sprinkled on high, making the vehicles nicer to stay with. The CT5-V Blackwing is an ideal instance of this.
The bottom CT5 is a profoundly unexciting and not-especially-competitive automobile. It provides meh powertrains, a dated inside and good, if not distinctive, exterior styling. It’s not massively costly, however it’s additionally not tremendous low-cost, with a beginning value round $40,000. In the event you spend one other $10,000 you’ll be able to have the twin-turbo V6-powered CT5-V (which I can’t actually make a case for), however the actual magic occurs once you open your pockets huge sufficient to permit no less than $93,000 to fly out, netting you the V8-powered Blackwing model.
GM’s 6.2-liter supercharged LT4 V8 debuted within the C7-generation Corvette Z06, making 650 hp and 650 lb-ft of torque. Within the Blackwing – it’s second-most highly effective model of the engine behind the one within the Escalade V – it makes 668 hp and 658 lb-ft. That is arguably one of many best engines ever conceived of by humanity. It provides an unparalleled mix of energy, torque, driveability and effectivity that the majority different efficiency engines can solely take a look at and weep. On this automobile, it’s pure pleasure.
The LT4 will be had within the Blackwing with both a six-speed handbook or a 10-speed automated transmission driving the rear wheels completely. Most keyboard warriors would probably say that the six-speed is the best way to go right here as a result of handbook is at all times higher. They’re fallacious, and never solely as a result of getting the automobile with three pedals prevents you from getting a ton of superior security and comfort tech. Regardless that it’s not the most effective torque converter auto round, the auto is the transfer right here as a result of it most closely fits the automobile’s character. It means that you can drive like an escaped lunatic once you need and casually and comfortably cruise the massive CT5 when that you must. It’s simply the fitting device for the job.
(Editor’s word: Kyle has not pushed a handbook CT5-V Blackwing and is deeply fallacious about this.)
Whereas the powertrain has at all times been the star of the present when it got here to V fashions, the chassis has at all times felt like an actual precedence for the engineers. It’s like The Miracles to the LT4’s Smokey Robinson. This technology of V advantages from GM’s extraordinarily well-calibrated MagneRide suspension, which, like the automated transmission we mentioned, utterly fits this automobile’s twin natures. Even within the softest suspension setting, although, the automobile’s physique feels well-controlled, even with its over-4,000-pound curb weight. The steering is direct and correct, if not significantly communicative, however that is, at its coronary heart, a luxurious automobile.
Braking is dealt with both by nice huge metal brakes (Brembo 15.67-inch rotors up entrance, 14.7 inches within the rear), or, you probably have cash to burn and ego at stake, you’ll be able to spend $9,000 on a set of carbon ceramic brakes. My take a look at automobile had the latter, and so they had been nice with out the overly grabby really feel that carbon brakes can usually have on the preliminary chew level. I think, nonetheless, that the automobile can be equally nice with out this improve, however fuck it, we ball.
The inside is arguably the CT5-V’s weakest level. Whereas it has all of the mod-cons like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and a fairly accountable touchscreen, it feels lightyears away from Caddy’s finest interiors just like the one within the Escalade. The supplies don’t really feel spectacular, and the match and end is okay however not nice. The high-performance bucket seats are comfy sufficient, and so they’re each heated and cooled, which is sweet. In comparison with the depressing BMW M Carbon Buckets with their #grundlebusters, the Caddy’s seats are each cheaper and significantly extra habitable. Security tech is first rate and comparable with different vehicles within the class, although, as I discussed beforehand, a lot of it is just obtainable on automatic-equipped vehicles.
The 2023 Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing begins at $93,390, together with a $1,395 vacation spot cost. My take a look at automobile stickered for $110,280 and got here with these carbon ceramic brakes, the high-performance bucket seats, premium paint and wheels and the efficiency information recorder. The ten-speed auto is a $2,275 possibility, and the driving force help package deal is $900.
The good factor concerning the CT5-V Blackwing is that there’s nothing else in its instant value vary providing the identical form of energy, chassis tech and carbon brakes. If you’d like one thing related from BMW, the M8 Competitors Gran Coupe has much less energy and torque, all-wheel drive and a greater inside for an addition of virtually $40,000. Audi will promote you the RS 7 Efficiency, which has much less energy and extra torque and can set you again simply shy of $130,000 with no choices, and as for Mercedes-AMG, good luck getting an E63 now.
Whereas the CT5-V Blackwing is in some ways the antithesis of what I feel Cadillac must be doing, it’s an virtually inconceivable automobile to hate. It has one of many world’s best engines, which makes an virtually violently pleasant noise, chassis and a killer value for what you’re getting. Is it excellent? Nope. Do I actually, actually need to stay with one? You guess your ass I do.
