In the event you informed anybody within the automotive business 21 years in the past that Cadillac would finally produce essentially the most driver-centric and trackable handbook transmission tremendous sedan in the marketplace, you’ll lose all credibility for making such an outlandish declare. As soon as Cadillac launched the primary CTS-V in 2004, the world began to see the dynamic potential that the model possessed. Now not was Cadillac perceived as the popular methodology of transportation for the parents whose model of pleasure was catching the early chicken particular on the native diner; it was a critical efficiency luxurious automobile contender. Now, after practically twenty years of regularly spectacular V-Sequence fashions, the up to date 2025 Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing takes issues to the subsequent stage with refined updates that make a major distinction on the racetrack.
Updates to the Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing are comparatively minimal general. It positive aspects new entrance finish styling, extra commonplace options together with Tremendous Cruise on vehicles outfitted with computerized transmissions, a 33-inch diagonal display screen, a brand new and vastly spectacular Efficiency Information Recorder (PDR), and a Precision Bundle that takes the already spectacular dynamics to the subsequent stage. What does that each one add as much as? Cadillac introduced me out to Atlanta Motorsports Park to seek out out.
Full disclosure: Cadillac flew me out to Atlanta and gave me a number of hours behind the wheel of varied CT5-V Blackwings on the difficult twists and turns of Atlanta Motorsports Park. I had a hoot and a half slinging this unbelievable machine round and revisiting my efficiency driving coaching. I’m pleased with myself for not going off even as soon as.
Cadillac didn’t add any extra energy to the already beefy supercharged 6.2-liter V8, so it nonetheless produces 668 horsepower and 659 pound-feet of torque and is obtainable with both a 10-speed computerized transmission or a spectacular 6-speed handbook, the latter of which over 50 % of CT5-V Blackwing consumers go for. The large information is that $18,000 Precision Bundle, which provides new entrance steering knuckles and rear suspension toe hyperlinks that give a extra aggressive wheel alignment for observe utilization, carbon-ceramic brakes, recalibrated chassis subsystems, elevated spring charges, a bigger entrance stabilizer bar, revised suspension bushings and Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2R tires. All CT5-V Blackwings can be found with the brand new Efficiency Information Recorder designed in collaboration with Cosworth that enables customers an unparalleled means to assessment all driving knowledge throughout the onboard programs with out ever needing to plug in a laptop computer.
Does the Precision Bundle completely rework the automobile? Not essentially, but it surely does elevate the expertise. It took me hopping instantly between Blackwings with and with out the Precision pack to really feel the distinction on the street, the place the chassis and suspension tweaks manifest themselves by making the automobile really feel a bit extra alive. You’re extra conscious of what’s occurring between the tires and the street, and it’s nowhere close to agency or jarring; the automobile feels prefer it’s all the time able to dive into any nook at any pace and are available out prepared for extra. Regardless of the extra aggressive setup, the Blackwing nonetheless rides superbly and pampers passengers on the street. On the observe, nevertheless, the Precision Bundle correctly cranks up the depth. I believe that a lot of the distinction comes from the tires, however the suspension calibration and carbon ceramics make the CT5-V Blackwing appear rather more succesful. The steering appears to lose a little bit of really feel with the stickier rubber, but it surely’s nonetheless higher than most vehicles.
I stored the traction management in Sport and Sport Plus, which let me have lots of enjoyable whereas conserving me protected and on the street. It was my first time driving at Atlanta Motorsports Park, which is a really technical course with plenty of tight turns and elevation adjustments that create blind corners. Leaping out of normal Blackwings and into vehicles outfitted with the Precision Bundle illuminated the sharpened demeanor. Flip-in felt extra quick, braking was rather more assured, front-end response was sharper, and the rear finish felt extra related and settled. All of these enhancements don’t diminish the automobile’s admirable day-to-day consolation, both. The CT5-V Blackwing continues to be on the prime of the heap for folk who worth the preservation of a related driving expertise, and the Precision Pack amplifies that.
The up to date Efficiency Information Recorder prices $1,600 and gives consumers with detailed in-car telemetry, even providing drivers recommendations on the place they will make up some precious time on the observe. It now exhibits a lap timer display screen that gives real-time knowledge in regards to the delta between your quickest lap and your present lap, which sounds gimmicky, however I promise it’s nice for bettering your laps. It’s like having your personal private racing coach within the automobile with you, and you’ll watch side-by-side onboard digital camera recordings of various laps all from the infotainment display screen. If you wish to get extra technical, the cellular app AliveDrive permits customers to sync knowledge with the cloud to assessment throughout gadgets, and dig deeper into the telemetry of each transfer. Teaching ideas are generated after a session of laps, the place the pc compares your quickest lap in opposition to your others and recommends methods to enhance your lap occasions. It’s a significantly spectacular piece of expertise that I like to recommend equipping in case you ever plan to trace your automobile.
Together with the addition of the brand new PDR and the Precision Bundle, the CT5 positive aspects an up to date inside that higher aligns it with the remainder of Cadillac’s newest choices. A 33-inch diagonal LED show that comes with a digital driver’s show and central infotainment touchscreen with Google Constructed-In. It definitely modernizes and elevates the inside when in comparison with the pre-facelift mannequin, and its sizable footprint is integral to the brand new PDR’s many options.
The 2025 CT5-V Blackwing will go on sale earlier than the tip of the yr, beginning at $96,990 together with $1,395 vacation spot. It’s among the finest efficiency sedans at present obtainable for the individuals who need to be concerned within the act of driving, together with its smaller sibling the CT4-V Blackwing. The CT5-V Blackwing is uniquely obtainable with an excellent handbook transmission, and it manages to maintain the driving force acutely concerned within the driving expertise.
It’s surprisingly pleasant on public roads, and it stays a significantly compelling alternative for anybody out there for a sensible automobile that may drive like a race automobile. I used to be skeptical about all of the reward that the CT5-V Blackwing receives, however after driving it on the street and on the race observe, the reward is totally warranted. It’s the driving force’s automobile of the phase. Interval.
