Should you informed anybody within the automotive trade 21 years in the past that Cadillac would ultimately produce essentially the most driver-centric and trackable handbook transmission tremendous sedan in the marketplace, you’d 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. Not was Cadillac perceived as the popular technique of transportation for the oldsters whose model of pleasure was catching the early hen particular on the native diner; it was a critical efficiency luxurious automotive contender. Now, after almost twenty years of frequently spectacular V-Collection fashions, the up to date 2025 Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing takes issues to the following degree with refined updates that make a big distinction on the racetrack.
Updates to the Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing are comparatively minimal general. It beneficial properties new entrance finish styling, extra customary options together with Tremendous Cruise on automobiles outfitted with computerized transmissions, a 33-inch diagonal display, a brand new and vastly spectacular Efficiency Knowledge Recorder (PDR), and a Precision Bundle that takes the already spectacular dynamics to the following degree. What does that each one add as much as? Cadillac introduced me out to Atlanta Motorsports Park to search out out.
Full disclosure: Cadillac flew me out to Atlanta and gave me a number of hours behind the wheel of assorted 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 happy 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 p.c of CT5-V Blackwing patrons 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 monitor 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 Knowledge Recorder designed in collaboration with Cosworth that enables customers an unparalleled capability to evaluation all driving information throughout the onboard techniques with out ever needing to plug in a laptop computer.
Does the Precision Bundle completely rework the automotive? 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 highway, the place the chassis and suspension tweaks manifest themselves by making the automotive really feel a bit extra alive. You’re extra conscious of what’s happening between the tires and the highway, and it’s nowhere close to agency or jarring; the automotive feels prefer it’s at all times able to dive into any nook at any velocity and are available out prepared for extra. Regardless of the extra aggressive setup, the Blackwing nonetheless rides fantastically and pampers passengers on the highway. On the monitor, nonetheless, 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 automobiles.
I stored the traction management in Sport and Sport Plus, which let me have plenty of enjoyable whereas retaining me secure and on the highway. It was my first time driving at Atlanta Motorsports Park, which is a really technical course with a number of tight turns and elevation modifications that create blind corners. Leaping out of ordinary Blackwings and into automobiles outfitted with the Precision Bundle illuminated the sharpened demeanor. Flip-in felt extra fast, 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 automotive’s admirable day-to-day consolation, both. The CT5-V Blackwing continues to be on the high 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 Knowledge Recorder prices $1,600 and offers patrons with detailed in-car telemetry, even providing drivers tips about the place they will make up some precious time on the monitor. It now exhibits a lap timer display that gives real-time information 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 automotive with you, and you may watch side-by-side onboard digital camera recordings of various laps all from the infotainment display. If you wish to get extra technical, the cell app AliveDrive permits customers to sync information with the cloud to evaluation 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 know-how that I like to recommend equipping in the event you ever plan to trace your automotive.
Together with the addition of the brand new PDR and the Precision Bundle, the CT5 beneficial properties 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 actually 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 probably the greatest efficiency sedans at present out there for the individuals who wish to be concerned within the act of driving, together with its smaller sibling the CT4-V Blackwing. The CT5-V Blackwing is uniquely out there 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 automotive that may drive like a race automotive. I used to be skeptical about all of the reward that the CT5-V Blackwing receives, however after driving it on the highway and on the race monitor, the reward is totally warranted. It’s the driving force’s automotive of the section. Interval.
