Welcome to Cadillac’s BMW-baiting 'Blackwing' super sedans

By topgear, 03 February 2021

It’s officially A Good Day for American petrolheads, for Cadillac has just released two new super sedans designed to take on the mightiest four-doors Germany has to offer.

First up is the CT5-V Blackwing (white) – Caddy’s BMW M5 and Mercedes-AMG E63 rival – and its massive 6.2-litre supercharged V8. We’re talking a colossal 668hp and 894Nm of torque – that’s 33hp and 144Nm more than the new BMW M5 CS. It’s the most powerful roadgoing Cadillac ever.

Then there’s the M3/C63/Alfa Giulia rivalling CT4-V Blackwing (red). The smaller car eschews the big V8 in favour of twin-turbocharged 3.6-litre V6 that produces a healthy 474hp and 603Nm.

Both cars are rear-wheel drive only and, get this, come as standard with a six-speed MANUAL transmission with rev-matching and ‘No-Lift Shift’ – meaning you don’t have to lift-off the gas pedal when you’re accelerating hard through the gears.

A specially calibrated ten-speed automatic is an option. So equipped, Caddy says the CT5 does 0-95km/h in around 3.7 seconds and the CT4 in 3.8 seconds. Top speeds? “Over 320km/h” and 305km/h respectively. Jeepers.

Both cars feature an electronically-controlled limited-slip differential, special Michelin rubber and the latest version of Caddy’s ‘Magnetic Ride Control’ suspension. It reacts four times quicker than the previous version thanks to an array of new sensors.

The company has also fitted the sedans with stiffer springs, hollow stabiliser bars and higher-rate bushings among many other things. Meanwhile structural changes, to improve chassis rigidity, include an underside shear plate and thicker rear cross members.

The CT5 is available with carbon ceramic brakes, but the CT4 makes do with standard Brembos.

STORY Tom Harrison

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