Cadillac's CT5-V Blackwing: A Love Letter to Manual Gearbox Devotees
For the faithful who believe a true sports sedan must have three pedals, Cadillac has penned a sonnet in steel and carbon fiber: the updated CT5-V Blackwing. In an age where manual transmissions are as rare as an open road at rush hour, the 2025 CT5-V Blackwing not only maintains the tradition but elevates it.
Introduced to the world in 2019, Cadillac's CT5 swiftly became the luxury automaker's golden child on the global stage. Fast-forward to 2024 and we witness Cadillac's meticulous honing of its prized steed with enhancements to the CT5-V and its more tempestuous sibling, the Blackwing.
The duo emerges with aesthetic finessing that speaks in quiet but confident tones. Among the changes are striking frontage remodels, unique to each performance trim. The palette expansion introduces hues of sinister elegance—Typhoon Metallic, Rift Metallic, and the abyssal allure of Deep Space Metallic.
On the surface, this may seem a mere nip and tuck. However, it's the Blackwing's optional carbon fiber package that will beckon enthusiasts closer, offering a svelte yet assertive front lip for an intensified profile.
The cabin, now a sanctuary of sophistication, underscores Cadillac's commitment to luxury, connectivity, and performance. With the CT5's prior square infotainment display relegated to history, a grand 33-inch digital horizon now awaits the driver. Touching the interface feels like stroking the future, as it mirrors the tech-savvy opulence found in Cadillac's Lyriq and Escalade.
Where technology and convenience intersect, Cadillac deploys its Super Cruise hands-free driving system for automatic models, including Blackwings. Woven into the fabric of the new CT5-V experience is the Google ecosystem, offering native Maps and Assistant features amidst the hum of power beneath the hood.
In a momentous reverence to driving purists, the Blackwing retains its six-speed manual transmission, a gesture that feels like a solemn vow in a world gravitating towards automaticity. The Blackwing's beating heart—a 6.2-liter supercharged V8—continues to pump out an earth-shattering 668 horsepower and 659 pound-feet of torque. For those who favor the dance of paddle shifters, the 10-speed automatic remains an option.
Reveling in the performance realm, an advanced performance data recorder is newly implemented into the Blackwing. This heralds a surge of track-worthy analytics, providing lap insights akin to a professional coaching session. Drivers can now dissect their prowess on the asphalt, with side-by-side lap comparisons crafting a roadmap to vehicular mastery.
With production ramping up in the summer of 2024, Cadillac seizes the opportunity to parade the CT5-V Blackwing as the official pace car of the iconic 24 Hours of Daytona. Seemingly, the metaphorical baton is passed on track—an endurance race is a fitting testament to the enduring legacy of the manual transmission, safeguarded within the Blackwing.
Both vehicles will make their grand entrance at the race, showcasing how Cadillac infuses its motorsport DNA into the veins of its street-legal warriors.
The CT5-V Blackwing represents more than a car; it's a beacon for the sanctity of the manual transmission, a talisman against an automated world, and a declaration that some traditions are worth keeping—full speed ahead.