Mark this moment in history, because the flag’s been planted and this is the end. The Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing is the unicorn enthusiasts waited for rather impatiently. Now it exists, but it likely won’t for long as Cadillac switches to an all-electric lineup.
Whether the Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing wins the Motor Authority Best Car To Buy 2022 award or not, it’s a winner for anyone who gets behind the wheel.
Why the CT5-V Blackwing made it to the short list of nominees for this year’s award isn’t hard to explain. A supercharged V-8 sends big power to the rear wheels through an available manual transmission, and it’s all topped by fantastic suspension tuning, big brakes, track-ready cooling, and sticky tires. It’s real, it’s glorious, and it’s a Cadillac.
2022 Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing
The powertrain is an evolution of the stout engine that has appeared in the Corvette Z06, Cadillac CTS-V, and Camaro ZL1. It starts with a supercharged 6.2-liter V-8 that makes 668 hp and 659 lb-ft of torque. A 10-speed automatic provides quick, crisp shifts, but we prefer the available 6-speed manual that Cadillac makes even better with no-lift shifts and active rev matching.
The powertrain may be the star of the show, but the magnetic dampers are also worth writing home about. In Comfort mode, they’re a perfect combination of taut and livable. In Sport, Track, and V modes, the dampers stiffen up and control the hefty 4,142-lb sport sedan with impressive poise and composure, especially when you consider its long 116.0-inch wheelbase.
Inside, the CT5-V Blackwing feels and looks more special than more pedestrian CT5s, with a 12 o’clock stripe on the steering wheel, carbon-fiber trim, and supportive leather sport seats with adjustable bolsters. Things get even nicer with available high-performance front bucket seats, diamond-stitched semi-aniline leather, and synthetic suede for the headliner, doors, steering wheel, and shift knob.
But it’s not all roses. Everything we take issue with regarding lesser CT5s is here. The styling is controversial (have you seen the C-pillar?), the interior simply put isn’t as upscale as the BMW M5’s, and the trunk is embarrassingly small.
Will the supercharged V-8, manual transmission, and well-sorted suspension be enough to put the Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing over the top as Motor Authority‘s Best Car To Buy 2022? Check back Jan. 3 when we reveal the winner, along with the champs from our sister sites, The Car Connection, and DriftBreath Reports.
