It's a monstrous drive, and it comes with a manual transmission
With the World on the cusp of the electric era, there’s reason to celebrate for those that still dig a big-bore V8. The 2022 Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing is the most powerful and fastest production model the company has ever produced. It’s also likely the last hurrah given the company’s promise of going all-electric by 2030. In a nutshell, the Blackwing is a monstrous drive, and it comes with a manual transmission!
Parked curbside, the CT5-V earned more than its fair share of admiring glances. What was surprising were the number of people who commented on the fact that, especially from the back, it just does not look very Cadillac-like. Part of the reason was the tester was wearing both optional carbon-fibre packages. From the front splitter and side sills to the rear wing and the bits between, it’s expensive ($10,740!), but it imparts a Euro-look that’s as slick as the car is fast.
The Blackwing’s secret weapon lies in its large V8. In this case, it’s a hand-built 6.2-litre supercharged unit that makes unreal horsepower. It is rated at 668 stallions and 659 pound-feet of torque at 3,600 rpm. The key is the 1.7L Eaton supercharger. It starts blowing early and keeps things at a roaring boil across the rev-range. The result is no lag time between demand and response, so this thing runs to 100 kilometres an hour in under four seconds. The bonus is the sound it makes. The rip-roaring rumble elicited by the quad tailpipes really is a thing of beauty.
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The engine works with a masterful six-speed manual gearbox to drive the rear wheels through an electronic limited-slip rear differential that’s tied into the drive modes. The gearbox delivers quick shifts through a clean gate and the twin-plate clutch bites perfectly. The unspoken plus is the power at play means that if you get caught in the wrong gear, well, it makes no difference whatsoever.
Beyond that there’s the no-lift shift, which means you dip the clutch and grab the next gear without backing out of the gas. The best part, however, is the rev-matching. The setup blips the engine just enough during a downshift so the gear snicks in neatly. It makes the driver look like a heel and toe pro! The problem is it need to be activated every time the Blackwing is started. Now, before the fretting starts, there is a 10-speed automatic available for the shiftless.
The CT5-V rides on a sophisticated Magnetic Ride Control adaptive suspension. By monitoring things 1,000 times a second, it delivers good ride quality while controlling body roll equally well. In Tour mode, the emphasis is comfort; Sport and Track progressively firm things up. The steering follows this honed lead. It’s light when puttering around town and it has the right feel when the drive quickens. In terms of cornering power, the grip levels provided by the P275/35ZR19 front and P305/30ZR19 rear tires make the Blackwing feel planted and surefooted.
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The Brembo brake package is the largest installed on any Caddy, and it’s just as well. This thing gets to speed so quickly, when it needs reining in you don’t want a wimpy pedal and brake fade. This setup stays with the program even when exercised to the max.
Of course, there are drive modes galore. The toggle switch behind the shifter gives access to Snow/Ice, Tour, Sport, Track and My Mode. The Tour setup is the best everyday mode, as it delivers a mild-manner drive — if you can describe anything with 668 hp as being mild-mannered!
My Mode allows everything to be tweaked to suit. From the engine, suspension and steering to the brake feel and the amount of exhaust rumble. I had the engine, steering, brake and exhaust settings cranked, but the suspension in sport. This configuration brought out the very best without beating up the riders. The plus was it handled broken pavement mid-corner better than track mode in every day driving. Up on the steering wheel there are yet more modes including two Race functions — the Performance Traction Management setup reconfigures the traction control and really is best left for a hot and heavy track session.
The bonus choice is V-Mode. As with My Mode, the driver can personalize the settings and store them, however, each puts a greater emphasis on the dynamics and performance. My choice cranked everything up while leaving the traction control fully on. Now, when out cruising in Tour and you happen upon a smooth, twisty ribbon of tarmac, one push of the V-button brings the Blackwing to life. When the fun is done, simply push the V-Mode button again and the CT5-V returns to being that mild-mannered cruiser.
What’s difficult to quantify is the fury at play. Obviously, 668 hp is enough to grab anyone’s attention, but it’s the manner in which the power comes on line that’s difficult to describe. It just seems to sit there lurking below the surface until the driver drops the hammer. You see, firing 334 hp through each of the rear tires is enough to break them free at will, especially if you dial back the traction control. I admit to trying things with the nanny dialled back and, well, it was rather pucker inducing. Fortunately, I did not do a 360!
The Blackwing’s cabin is tastefully attired and comes with all of the demanded equipment. One of the many options on the tester was the front bucket seats. Wrapped in natural tan and black semi-aniline leather with the multiple adjustments and bold bolstering they are attractive and hug without confining. Mind you, with a price tag of $7,000 they are not cheap.
The instrumentation and infotainment system are both logical and easy to read at a glance. The multimedia pairs wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto quickly and it works with a soulful 15-speaker AKG sound system. While the overall impression is not quite as slick the setups found in German cars, it is straightforward and user-friendly.
Move rearward, and the rear pew is comfortable and accommodates a pair of adults with decent head- and legroom. Behind that is a 337-litre trunk.
In the high-flying world of super-sedans, the BMW M5 has ruled the roost. Well, it now has a competitor that can run with it. Technically, the Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing is not as fast, but it does produce way more smiles per driving mile than the Bavarian autobahn-burner. It also sticks to the road with a rare tenacity when the traction control is operational and it has a healthy dose of luxury. As a package it hits all the right notes. As someone commented, if you can’t have fun in this car maybe it’s time to retire your driving gloves. Perhaps the only thing missing is an all-wheel-drive option. I guess you can’t have everything.
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