By Jim Prueter
MotorwayAmerica.com

(December 26, 2021) There’s no question that Cadillac utility vehicles — XT4, XT5, XT6 and flagship Escalade — are the brand’s cash cows as consumers flock to them, foregoing traditional sedans. So why has Cadillac just released two new high-performance super sedans designed to take on the powerhouse four-door brutes from BMW and Mercedes? It’s simple – it builds brand awareness and showroom traffic.

Replacing the departed performance Cadillac ATS-V is the CT5-V Blackwing sedan with its massive 6.2-liter supercharged 668-horsepower V8, and its smaller sibling, the muscular 474-horsepower BMW M3-rivaling CT4-V Blackwing tested here, powered by a twin-turbocharged 3.6-liter V6.



Both come standard with a Tremec-sourced 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 — short, precise and positive shifting engagement.  A ten-speed automatic is optional. Both Blackwings are rear-wheel-drive. The Blackwings are new for 2022.

The CT4-V Blackwing is “track ready,” fitted with adaptive dampers, an electronic limited-slip differential, and Cadillac’s MagneRide 4.0 magnetorheological shock setup which is truly a remarkable automotive achievement. The six-piston Brembo braking system with huge front and rear calipers behind 18-inch forged aluminum wheels at all four corners, wrapped in specially developed Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tires—255/35ZR18 in the front and 275/35ZR18 in the back — makes it a masterpiece of driving excellence, engineered to make one a better driver and civil enough to be a daily commuter car, too.

In track testing, we achieved a 0-60 mph time of just 3.8-seconds and covered the 1/4 mile in 12.3 seconds at 118 mph. Top speed, according to Cadillac, is 189 mph. It’s not CT5-V Blackwing fast, but still fast.

Inside, the interior is very similar to the CT5, looking pretty much the same and yet some $40,000 less expensive. There’s a standard 12-inch digital gauge cluster, specially bolstered front seats, touchscreen infotainment with standard Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, wireless charging and 14-speaker AKG audio system.

Overall, the CT4-V Blackwing is a thrilling performance sedan with tire-smoking speed and razor-sharp handling.

Vital Stats
2022 Cadillac CT4 V-Series Blackwing

Base price:
$59,990

Price as tested:
$69,050

Fuel economy:
15/23 mpg city/highway

Engine-transmission:
3.6-L twin-turbocharged, 474-hp V6 paired with a 6-speed manual shift transmission
Seating: 5

Fab features
Blistering performance with tire smoking acceleration
Razor sharp handling
Supermodel good looks