Cadillac is celebrating the 20th anniversary of the V-Series by introducing the 2025 CT5-V and CT5-V Blackwing. The cars follow in the footsteps of the facelifted luxury sedan and sport revised styling as well as a modernized interior. Starting with the CT5-V, the model has a new front fascia that helps to give the car a lower and wider appearance. The sport sedan also has a revised grille, which is flanked by new headlights that adopt a vertical design. The lights incorporate Mondrian etching as well as welcome and goodbye animations. The changes don’t end there as the CT5-V sports a new front bumper with gloss black accents. They’re joined by gloss black rockers and a matching rear spoiler. Other highlights include 19-inch wheels and a revised color palette that now includes Drift Metallic, Deep Space Metallic, and Typhoon Metallic.
The interior was a weak spot and designers
have addressed the shortcomings with an all-new 33-inch curved display, which
combines a digital instrument cluster with an infotainment system. The latter
features Google built-in, which provides access to Google Assistant, Google
Maps, and the Google Play store. It’s also worth noting the display has an
illuminated Cadillac crest on the back, which can be seen from outside the
vehicle at night. Additional changes are limited, but there are updated
controls and a plethora of standard equipment. We’ll learn full details closer
to launch, but the CT5-V comes with heated massaging front seats and an AKG
audio system.
Drivers will also find the Super Cruise
semi-autonomous driving system, which comes standard and sports a new driver
attention assist function. Speaking of new safety tech, the model now has
traffic sign recognition technology, blind zone steering assist, and
intersection automatic emergency braking. Buyers will also find forward
collision alert, rear cross traffic braking, enhanced automatic emergency
braking, and enhanced automatic parking assist. The CT5-V Blackwing builds on
that with an aggressive exterior that is easier to distinguish from the CT5-V.
As you can see, the range-topping model has a sportier front fascia with
special ducts and a unique mesh grille. It rides on 19-inch forged aluminum
wheels, which are wrapped in Michelin Pilot Sport 4S summer performance tires.
If the standard model isn’t aggressive
enough, Cadillac will offer an assortment of carbon fiber styling packages. We
can expect to learn more in the coming months, but the automaker mentioned an
updated package with a splitter. The interior largely carries over from the
CT5-V, but the Blackwing boasts additional equipment including a head-up
display as well as heated, ventilated, and massaging front seats. They’re
joined by a unique steering wheel with specialized controls.
Circling back to the 33-inch display, it
has a new in-vehicle performance app that can be used to display real-time
power, boost, and torque information. It can also show a live “dyno graph-style
trace of power and torque with interactive analysis” as well as “performance
gauges like g-force, tire temperature, and engine vitals.” The gauges are
reconfigurable, so drivers can customize the experience to show what they want.
Sticking with the tech theme, customers can get an enhanced Performance Data
Recorder. Besides sporting a modern interface, the PDR has a handful of new
features. Highlights include a Lap Analyzer that “provides powerful data
analysis functions that were previously only possible in laptop programs, such
as custom reference laps, speed trace analysis, and direct shortcut to video
playback.” There’s also a Speed Tips tool, which shows where significant lap
time improvements can be made using “sector analysis and side-by-side video
playback.” The PDR also has a host of other functions including a live data
screen, the ability to show information on the head-up display, and the ability
to show information on the AliveDrive mobile app.
The engine is the heart of a V-Series and
the CT5-V has a familiar twin-turbo 3.0-liter V6 with 360 hp and 548 Nm of torque. It’s connected to a ten-speed automatic
transmission, which can be paired to an optional all-wheel drive system. Besides
being a capable all-rounder, the CT5-V has launch control, magnetic ride
control, and an electronic limited-slip differential. They’re joined by a drive
mode selector and a performance traction management system.
With the Dodge Charger being consigned to
the history books, the Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing is the undisputed king of
four-door American muscle. Availability will be “extremely limited,” but those
lucky enough to get one will be rewarded by a supercharged 6.2-liter V8 pumping
out 668 hp and 892 Nm of torque. On top of that,
customers can choose between a six-speed manual and a ten-speed automatic. The
Blackwing is rear-wheel drive only and sports Brembo brakes at all four
corners. Six-piston calipers grab onto 15.7-inch (399 mm) discs up front, while
there are four-piston calipers and 14.7-inch (373 mm) discs out back. Both sets
are roughly 2 inches (51 mm) larger than those found on the standard V. It’s
also worth noting the car has a unique launch control system with a line lock
function for epic burnouts.
The 2025 CT5-V and CT5-V Blackwing will
celebrate their public debut at the 24 Hours of Daytona, and the latter model
will serve as the official safety car. Production is slated to begin this
summer and the cars will continue to be built at Lansing Grand River Assembly
in Michigan.
