Cadillac V-Series News

SOURCE: Cadillac Pressroom

The newest hidden elements on the CT4-V Blackwing and CT5-V Blackwing represent the union of Cadillac engineering and design!

The new CT4-V Blackwing and CT5-V Blackwing, the most track-capable Cadillac models ever, began their path to production at General Motors’ testing and technical centers in Milford and Warren, Michigan, respectively. Designers paid homage to those crucial sites with laser-etched maps of each located on pads that sit to left and right of the steering wheel on manual-transmission models.

The maps are among a myriad of hidden elements to be found on the luxury performance sedans.

The Milford Proving Ground map represents the thorough engineering development that led to two of the fastest and most powerful Cadillacs ever. The Warren Tech Center map represents the on-campus Design team’s focal point on craftsmanship and functional elegance. The serialized V-Series badge at the bottom of the steering wheel represents a car specially manufactured for the customer by the team at GM Lansing Grand River Assembly.

“The CT4-V Blackwing and CT5-V Blackwing are the quintessential examples of form and function coming together,” said Brandon Vivian, executive chief engineer, Cadillac. “This was made possible by Engineering and Design working together from the very beginning to get the most out of these cars. The steering wheel pads symbolize that union, with the customer at the center of it all.”

The customer representation comes on the steering wheel with each customer getting a unique serialized V-Series plaque that identifies their specific vehicle.

The pads take the place of the shift paddles behind the steering wheel on cars not equipped with the optional 10-speed automatic transmission. The vehicles with the automatic transmission still include their functional magnesium paddle shifters, allowing drivers to select their preferred gear.

“The V-Series Blackwings are all about connecting with drivers in ways that go beyond the numbers they can produce on a track,” said Vivian. “It’s an involving experience, with unprecedented attention to detail in all areas of performance and design.”  

Indeed, those map details are only two of the more than two dozen subtle, discreet and outright hidden visual references to the V-Series brand and Cadillac’s racing heritage.

Some of them are more obvious such as the V-Series logo and its unique Mondrian pattern that’s incorporated on the manual shift knob, or the Blackwing winged emblem that’s found in a pocket of each available 19-inch Tech Bronze wheel.

Others, however, are more difficult to locate, such as the Mondrian pattern on the underwing of the vehicle or V-Series logo on the air strakes that come with the optional Carbon Fiber 1 package. Others will not be revealed, leaving each owner to discover the myriad of surprising and delightful details.

Additionally, the first 250 production builds of each model are Collector Series vehicles, and they’re commemorated by the people who built them with two special collector plates on the sills and B-pillars. Each sill plate features the signature from a member of the Cadillac V-Series team while the Collector Series plate found on the B-pillar corresponds to the serialized Performance Steering Wheel in each car.

Also, the CT5-V Blackwing’s hand-built supercharged V-8 engine features a signed plaque from the master builder.

“The driving experience of these special models never fails to impress,” said Vivian. “And the more you look inside, outside and even below the surface, the more they reward.”

The 2022 CT4-V Blackwing and CT5-V Blackwing are on sale now with limited availability. The CT4-V Blackwing starts at an MSRP of $59,990¹ and fully configured MSRP at $87,775¹. The CT5-V Blackwing has a starting MSRP of $84,990¹ and a fully configured MSRP of $125,980¹. Customers can build their own V-Series Blackwing online at Cadillac.com.

Milford Proving Ground

The Milford Proving Ground opened in 1924 as the industry's first dedicated automobile testing facility. Since then it has grown to nearly four times its original size. Today it offers multiple testing tracks and road courses, as well as numerous facilities dedicated to vehicle development, safety testing, competitive benchmarking and more.

GM Global Technical Center

The Warren Tech Center in Michigan, also referred to as the General Motors Global Technical Center, is recognized as the preeminent innovation center for automotive engineering, design and advanced technology. Here, the world’s best designers and engineers come together to help redefine the future of transportation. The 710-acre campus in southeast Michigan is home to over 21,000 employees.

The Tech Center opened in 1956 and is currently recognized as a National Historic Landmark.

¹Listed price includes $995 destination charge. Tax, title, license, dealer fees and optional equipment are extra.

It’s official – the highly anticipated Cadillac V-Series Blackwing has received Ship to Commerce!

Over 15 months ago we announced the fourth generation V-Series sub-brand will carry the Blackwing name, and now the pinnacle of Cadillac performance, technology and design are leaving Lansing Grand River Assembly and on their way to dealerships.

As you’re aware the initial 250 of each CT4-V Blackwing and CT5-V Blackwing are for the participants in the reservation program.  With these enthusiastic customers seeking information we encourage the field and dealers to engage with their reservation customers and keep them appraised of the status of their V-Series Blackwing and share exciting information (like VIN) when assigned.

While initial vehicles may be shipping we know the question dealers/you can expect “When will mine be delivered?”  So we’re all aligned on a response, our consistent recommended response is: While we cannot commit to exact production/delivery dates, we have communicated the estimated delivery beginning in late Summer (i.e. end of September).  Your dealer will have your individual vehicle status based on their event code in Order Work Bench.

Here's a truckload of Blackwings that arrived at Sewell Cadillac of Dallas on Monday, August 9.

Cadillac’s fastest-ever sub-compact sport sedan, along with the supercharged CT5-V Blackwing, leverages latest aero-development technology to optimize performance

With a Cadillac-estimated top speed of 189 mph and track-tailored chassis and suspension features, the 2022 CT4-V Blackwing is a quantifiably quick performance sedan. Its available carbon fiber packages deliver exceptional agility and confidence thanks to the reduction of lift and the increase of downforce they produce.

Both available aero packages were developed using a new five-belt rolling-road wind tunnel at the GM Technical Center in Warren, Michigan, as well as the Windshear wind tunnel used by Cadillac Racing in North Carolina. The result is the highest level of aerodynamic downforce ever produced by a Cadillac V-Series production car.

“Aero performance was key to helping deliver the uniquely agile, engaging driving experience in the CT4-V Blackwing,” said Scott Sier, aerodynamics performance engineer, Cadillac. “Thanks to components like the underwing, we were able to work with design to generate downforce without the use of large wings that didn’t fit with the design.”

The available aero packages are inspired by the multiple-championship-winning Cadillac Racing DPi-V.R race car. Over 500 hours of wind tunnel testing and 300 simulations using advanced Computational Fluid Dynamics technology honed the Carbon Fiber packages on CT4-V Blackwing. The use of Virtual Reality headsets also allowed Cadillac engineers to identify opportunities in real-time to exploit additional aerodynamic efficiencies.

The five-belt rolling road wind tunnel at the GM Technical Center allows engineers to spend more time fine-tuning aerodynamic components on full-size vehicles. The five belts provide a more accurate simulation of under-vehicle airflow than previous-generation wind tunnels.

“We set out to create a capable and balanced performance sedan not just with mechanical grip, but aerodynamically as well,” said Tony Roma, chief engineer, Cadillac V-Series Blackwing. “With the CT4-V Blackwing we create net downforce that is incredibly rare in production vehicles. What this means is that the car gets pressed down into the road the faster you go, giving it more grip, greater stability and inspiring the driver to confidently explore its full capabilities. Not only have we produced our most track-capable sub-compact sedan ever, but we continue to work with our racing counterparts to explore the limits of physics to make better cars.”

Aerodynamic components include:

• Front underwing
• • Inspired by the Cadillac DPi-V.R race car, the front underwing creates a low pressure zone that helps press the car into the road and directs air to cool critical components.
  • Air strakes control airflow, directing air away from the underbody, helping create downforce and balance the vehicle.
• Front dive planes
• • Increase grip to front tires by pushing the front down.
  • A 18 mm sidewall controls air and directs vortices downstream to better manage airflow.

  
  

• Rear spoiler
• • Integrated to balance the car for greater stability.
  • Curvature tuned for the creation of downforce without the addition of bolt on components.
  • Features a functional 3 mm Gurney flap that helps direct airflow and assists in creating more downforce.
    
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• V-Series Blackwing grille mesh
• • Radius of each V-shaped inlet tuned to optimize airflow.
  • Each V-shaped inlet features two different functional textures to control and direct air.
• Brake cooling ducts
• • 3D-printed in the General Motors Additive Manufacturing facility, these ducts keep the front and rear rotors cool even in extreme track conditions.
  • Function as a foil to direct air more efficiently around front control arms.
• Fender vents
• • Front fender vents release pressure built up within the front wheel well to reduce lift and drag.
  • Aid in removing hot air from the engine bay.
    
    
    
    
• Front splitter, rocker moldings and extensions, and rear diffuser
• • Help reduce lift and balance the vehicle at high speeds.
    
    
    
    
• Flat underbody
• • Body panels help with airflow management.
• Rear control arm covers
• • Prevent air from building up around rear wheel well and control arms.

• Front dive planes
• Underwing strakes
• Extra-aero front splitter
• Front wheel deflectors
• Extra-aero rear spoiler

• Rocker extensions
• Rear valance diffuser

SOURCE: Cadillac Pressroom - Katie Minter

Sale of the first retail production CT4-V Blackwing and CT5-V Blackwing manual transmission models at the Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale Auction in Arizona raised $430,000 for Black Ambition, a PolicyLink nonprofit initiative launched by Pharrell Williams to help bridge the racial wealth and equity gap.

The full hammer price for the 472-horsepower, twin-turbocharged CT4-V Blackwing VIN 001 and the 668-horsepower, supercharged CT5-V Blackwing VIN 001 goes to Black Ambition as Barrett-Jackson waived the fees and commissions typically associated with their collector car auctions.

The high bidders also received tickets to an exclusive driving experience at Spring Mountain Motor Resort and Country Club in Nevada as well as tickets to an upcoming IMSA race.

“Everyone at Cadillac and GM is proud of the results and what the sale of these new CT4-V and CT5-V Blackwing models will mean for others through Black Ambition,” said Melissa Grady, Cadillac chief marketing officer. “We are proud to support this nonprofit initiative to help reduce barriers, improve access to capital and provide mentorship to up-and-coming entrepreneurs.”

Black Ambition is a startup incubator for Black and Latinx entrepreneurs who are launching tech, design, health care and consumer product/service businesses. Prize money awarded by the organization in business competitions is used as capital by the winning recipients to help get their startup off the ground.

The money raised by the Cadillac Blackwing sales will go toward Black Ambition’s prize awards.

About the Blackwings

The 2022 Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing and CT4-V Blackwing represent the pinnacle of Cadillac performance and craftsmanship, leveraging championship-winning racing heritage to create the most track-capable Cadillacs ever, while continuing to set new standards for luxury and comfort.

“These exciting and engaging sports sedans channel Cadillac’s racing history, which began in 1949, and has seen sustained success over the last two decades,” said Brandon Vivian, executive chief engineer, Cadillac. “These V-Series Blackwing models were developed with driver engagement and performance at the top of mind, each building on the already excellent performance dynamics of the CT5-V and CT4-V to create the top tier of the Cadillac sedan lineup.”

The CT5-V Blackwing uses an upgraded 6.2L supercharged V-8 that, thanks to a higher flow air intake and revised exhaust system, is rated at 668 horsepower (498 kW) and 659 lb-ft of torque (893 Nm), making it the most powerful production Cadillac ever.

The CT4-V Blackwing includes an evolution of the Cadillac 3.6L Twin-Turbo V-6 that features revised control system software and an improved air intake system to create 472 horsepower (352 kW) and 445 lb-ft of torque (603 Nm), making it the most powerful Cadillac ever in its class.

Both vehicles are offered with a six-speed manual transmission or an available 10-speed automatic transmission; and standard Magnetic Ride Control 4.0, the world’s fastest-reacting suspension technology.

The 2022 Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing and CT4-V Blackwing go on sale late summer with extremely limited availability. Interested customers should visit their Cadillac dealer or Cadillac.com to sign up for updates and to learn more.

2022 Cadillac CT4-V Blackwing
Cadillac is relying on a familiar powertrain for the CT4-V Blackwing. Specifically, it will be powered by a twin-turbocharged 3.6-liter V-6. It is the same engine that powered the ATS-V. The CT4-V Blackwing is showing the same LF4 RPO code that the ATS-V utilized. The ATS-V was rated at 464 horsepower and 445 pound-feet of torque and the CT4-V Blackwing will be slightly higher than those figures. The CT4-V Blackwing will have a top speed of 189 mph and go from zero to 60 mph in just 3.8 seconds. The ATS-V was around a 4.0 second car, so a 3.8 sprint is somewhat expected with a more modern automatic.

The CT4-V Blackwing will offer two transmission options. The standard transmission will be a six-speed manual, while a 10-speed automatic 10L90E will remain optional. The Blackwing cars will have GM’s FE4 performance suspension setup standard, along with an electronic limited slip differential. Brembo brakes, a rear differential cooler and launch control are also found on the standard feature list of the CT4-V Blackwing.

CT4-V Blackwing buyers will also have the option of two different carbon fiber exterior appearance packages and Cadillac is also offering optional magnesium wheels.

Click here to view the CT4-V Blackwing order guide.

Click here to view the CT4-V Blackwing Online Brochure


2022 Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing
The CT5-V Blackwing also has a familiar engine under the hood. The LT4 is a hand-built supercharged 6.2-liter V-8. It is the same LT4 V-8 that powered the CTS-V and the ZL1. The CT5-V Blackwing will have the fastest road racing track time of any V-Series car ever. In addition, it will go zero to 60 mph in just 3.7 seconds with a top speed of 200 mph.

The power output of the LT4 is estimated at 670hp. The power will flow through a six-speed manual or optional 10-speed 10L90E automatic.  The CT5-V Blackwing will also feature FE4 performance suspension, launch control, rear differential cooler and Brembo brakes standard. One area of differentiation between the two vehicles is the fact that CT5-V Blackwing buyers will have the option to upgrade to cross-drilled carbon ceramic brakes at all four corners. The CT5-V Blackwings also include the option to upgrade to carbon fiber exterior appearance packages and magnesium wheels.

Click here to view the CT5-V Blackwing order guide.

Click here to view the CT5-V Blackwing Online Brochure

The 2022 Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing and CT4-V Blackwing represent the pinnacle of Cadillac performance and craftsmanship, combining championship-winning racing heritage with luxury and comfort to create the most track-capable Cadillacs ever.

Highlights include:

• Evolutions of the track-ready Cadillac 6.2L Supercharged V8 in the CT5-V Blackwing (668 horsepower) and 3.6L Twin-Turbo V-6 (472 horsepower) in the CT4-V Blackwing
• A six-speed manual transmission is standard on both models; a 10-speed automatic with paddle-shifters is available on both
• An Electronic Limited Slip Rear Differential is standard on both vehicles and features a lighter-weight aluminum housing and enhancements designed to improve track performance
• Advanced suspension refinements provide greater body control and a more agile feel
• Magnetic Ride Control 4.0 with Blackwing-specific tuning sharpens the balance between daily-driving comfort and high-performance track capability
• Unique, purposeful exterior elements, including specific grilles, rear spoiler, front splitter, mid-body panels, rear diffuser, fender vents, rocker extensions and more, all shaped in the wind tunnel to help reduce lift on a track or support propulsion system cooling
•  Available, wind-tunnel-tested carbon fiber packages that reduce lift on a track, compared to the models’ respective standard aero packages — including a 214 percent reduction in lift on the CT4-V Blackwing
• Interiors that have been elevated to new levels of functionality, finish and refinement. Uplevel trims feature available bookmatched carbon fiber seatbacks and premium leathers, as well as additional carbon fiber and sueded interior trim. V-Series Blackwing vehicles will also be available with a premium AKG audio system
  
  
  

Today Cadillac has revealed the final teaser in an ongoing teaser campaign. Through this campaign Cadillac has shared many special details with the customer and created excitement in preparation for reveal.

After the livestream reveal on February 1, customers interested in a 2022 model year CT4-V Blackwing or CT5-V Blackwing will have the opportunity to reserve their preferred vehicle starting at 7:30 p.m. ET / 4:30 p.m. PT on Cadillac.com.

By using the Reserve Yours page, customers can make a reservation for one of the first 250 CT4-V Blackwings or 250 CT5-V Blackwings built. Given their limited quantity and collectible nature, all V-Series Blackwing vehicles are Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) sequenced by year, model and transmission. A portion of the VIN sequence is commemorated on a unique serialized plate located at the bottom of the available high-performance steering wheel. All Reserve Yours customers will receive this high-performance steering wheel and serial number plate.

“Just like fine jewelry comes with engraved serial numbers, we’re treating these V-Series Blackwing vehicles with the same level of exclusivity,” said Brandon Vivian, executive chief engineer, Cadillac. “These are meticulously crafted products with incredible attention to detail, and we’re excited for enthusiasts to start experiencing the cars for themselves.”

The Reserve Yours requires a $1,000 reservation amount that is refundable. If interested customers are not able to successfully reserve one of the first 250 of their preferred model, they’ll have the opportunity to sign-up for a waitlist and be contacted by their preferred dealer as soon as more vehicles become available.

Additionally, included in the purchase of a CT4-V Blackwing or CT5-V Blackwing, customers will receive an two-day experience at Cadillac’s V-Series Academy driving school at the Spring Mountain Raceway in Pahrump, Nevada.

Complete vehicle details on both ultra-high-performance sedans will become available on Monday, Feb. 1 at 7 p.m. ET / 4 p.m. PT during the livestream reveal event. Viewers can tune in to the reveal.

Today Cadillac has released the fifth image in the V-Series Blackwing teaser series. Here's a preview of the unique 3D printed emblem on the manual shifter. The manual transmissions on the V-series Blackwing models will be equipped with Cadillac’s first 3D-printed parts.



The V-Series Blackwing models will be the first GM production products to have parts created using additive manufacturing, including a unique 3D-printed emblem atop the manual shifter knob. In addition, two HVAC ducts and an electrical harness bracket are also 3D-printed parts. By leveraging additive manufacturing the team was able to reduce costs and innovate upon the manual transmission, a feature that continues to be a strong desire for many performance driving enthusiasts.

In a recent Harris Poll study conducted on behalf of Cadillac about the current knowledge and adoption of the manual transmission, Cadillac found that 66 percent of American adults surveyed know how to drive a manual. Of those who do not know how to drive a manual, roughly 40 percent are either a least somewhat or very interested in learning.

• Interest in driving or learning to drive a manual is higher among those with $75K+ in annual household income (64% interested) and those between 18-34 in age (62% interested).
• More than half (55%) of American adults say they have owned or leased a car with a manual transmission.
• Two-thirds of American adults know how to drive a stick and more are interested in learning
  

Images and press releases are available on https://media.cadillac.com/media/us/en/cadillac/home.html