2022 Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing Reviews, Pricing & Specs

Over the last few years, Cadillac switched all of its products to a new naming scheme. Thus, what was formerly the CTS becomes the CT5. And...

Over the last few years, Cadillac switched all of its products to a new naming scheme. Thus, what was formerly the CTS becomes the CT5. And the ultrafast CTS-V, Cadillac’s performance halo, becomes the all-new 2022 CT5-V Blackwing. As with its predecessor, the CT5-V Blackwing competes with the Audi RS 6, BMW M5, and Mercedes-AMG E 63.

The CT5-V Blackwing may look aggressive in its own right, but its changes compared to lesser versions of the CT5 family are rather subtle. That said, it gets its own grille, a special front bumper with enlarged lower intakes, unique wheels, and an enhanced rear diffuser. Inside, it comes with specially developed racing seats and unique upholstery patterns.

The heart of every CT5-V Blackwing is a hand-built supercharged 6.2-liter V8 with an impressive 668 horsepower and 659 pound-feet of torque, making it the most powerful production Cadillac to date. Unlike its competitors, the CT5-V Blackwing offers no all-wheel drive (AWD), instead sending all of the power to the rear wheels, via either a standard six-speed manual or an optional 10-speed automatic transmission.

Other performance goodies include large staggered Brembo brakes, active rev-matching, the ability to shift without lifting off of the throttle, launch control with line lock, dedicated cooling for the transmission and rear limited-slip differential, and magnetic-ride suspension. All that is enough to propel the automatic-transmission model to 60 miles per hour in an estimated 3.7 seconds, and to an estimated top speed in excess of 200 mph, according to Cadillac.

The CT5-V Blackwing’s standard features include 19-inch alloy wheels, keyless access and start, an AKG premium audio system, 18-way power front seats, a 12-inch LCD instrument cluster, a 10-inch infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, and a 14-speaker AKG premium audio system. Options include various carbon fiber packages, a performance data recorder, and high-performance carbon-ceramic brakes.

On the safety front, Cadillac has not published the CT5-V Blackwing’s list of standard and optional safety features as of this writing. However, lesser members of the CT5 family get forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, a safety alert seat that vibrates in the direction of a potential collision, a teen-driver function, and a reversing camera. Those other versions also received a five-star safety rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for the 2021 model year.

The Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing is the newest and most powerful entry in the brand’s hallowed performance line.