Those looking to purchase a luxury car may want to know that their vehicle stands out from the crowd. Moreover, manufacturers make big bucks by applying various performance packages and badges to their offerings. With Cadillac, however, there is an issue. More and more of its customers have complained that the V-series cars, despite varying levels of speed and sophistication, look far too similar. To ensure its customers feel exclusive, Cadillac will differentiate between its V-series cars using its Blackwing badge.

What does Blackwing mean?

Cadillac’s Blackwing badge debuted in 2019 with the since discontinued CT6-V and CT6 Platinum. With a roaring, hand-built 4.2-liter twin-turbocharged V8, drivers had 550 horsepower at their disposal.

Currently, the Cadillac CT4 and CT5 sedans come in the spicy V-spec. The CT4-V has a 2.7-liter turbocharged inline-four with 325 horsepower and 380 pounds-feet of torque. On the other hand, the CT4-V Blackwing swaps in a 472-horsepower 3.6-liter twin-turbocharged V6 putting down 445 pounds-feet of torque. Cadillac’s CT5-V Blackwing sports a 6.2-liter supercharged V8 with 659 horsepower and 659 pounds-feet of torque. The Blackwing edition puts out over 200 more horsepower and pounds-feet of torque than the base 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged V6.

Blackwing Cadillacs don’t just pump an immense amount of power through the wheels. For example, the CT5-V Blackwing employs additional aerodynamic advantages on the track-themed sedan. It also has a myriad of extra interior touches, as well as a $40,000 price jump for an MSRP over $90,000. The CT4-V Blackwing is just $14,000 more for an MSRP of a touch over $60,000.  

What was the issue the Blackwing badge fixed?

Most luxury car customers like others to know they spent the extra money for extra power and trimmings. After Cadillac reworked the meaning of the V-series for the CT4-V and CT5-V, though, there was an issue. There was no badging to discern the standard V-Series cars from the much more powerful and expensive V-Series Blackwing cars.

GM Authority reports that Cadillac has created a Blackwing badge with black capitalized letters set into a silver bar. The new badge is set under the V-Series logo on the decklid. Also, the right edge of the Blackwing silver bar is angled to match the slash of the V-Series logo.

Can Blackwing owners get the new badge? 

Cadillac’s build configurator is already updated with the new appearance. But what about the 2023 CT4-V and CT5-V Blackwings sitting on dealer lots? Parent company General Motors reportedly sent an e-mail to Blackwing owners telling them they could procure an emblem for their car. The e-mail read:

“You earned it! The CT4-V Blackwing / CT5-V Blackwing models will now carry the Blackwing designation beneath the V-Series badge on the rear decklid. We know how special your V-Series Blackwing is, the designation will make it stand out even more!” 

Blackwing owners who didn’t receive an e-mail can contact Cadillac Customer Care Center at 800-333-4223. Otherwise, they can drive to their local Cadillac dealer to get the premier identifier.