The 2022 Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing Overpowers the BMW M5
The future of GM’s brands, including Cadillac, is electric. Which, considering EVs’ performance potential, isn’t a bad thing by any means. But before it goes electric, Cadillac is giving ICE cars one last hurrah. It’s been teased for quite some time, but the 2022 Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing is finally here. And it’s packing more power than the latest BMW M5.
The 2022 CT5-V Blackwing is more powerful than the BMW M5 and any other Cadillac
Recently, BMW unveiled the M5 CS, a lighter and more powerful version of the ‘regular’ M5. With a 627-hp 4.4-liter twin-turbocharged V8, the 2022 M5 CS is officially the most powerful road car BMW has ever made. And the 2022 Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing handily out-guns it.
The ‘standard’ CT5-V has a 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged V5 with 360 hp and 406 lb-ft. But the Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing swaps that out for a hand-built 6.2-liter supercharged V8, an updated version of the old CTS-V’s engine, MotorTrend reports. And thanks to supercharger, intake, and exhaust upgrades, it makes 668 hp and 659 lb-ft, Car and Driver reports. That makes the CT5-V Blackwing the most powerful production Cadillac ever.
With the optional 10-speed automatic, Cadillac estimates the CT5-V Blackwing goes 0-60 mph in 3.7 seconds, Road & Track reports. That’s slower than the M5 CS, which BMW estimates does it in 2.9 seconds, Autoweek reports. However, that’s because, unlike the M5, the CT5-V Blackwing doesn’t have AWD; it’s a RWD-only sedan. And, while it doesn’t really matter in the real world, the Cadillac has a higher top speed.
But there’s one more thing the 2022 Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing offers that the BMW M5 doesn’t. That would be the standard 6-speed manual with no-lift shift and automatic rev-matching, Automobile reports.
High horsepower isn’t the only thing the 2022 Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing has
The 2022 Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing also compares favorably to the BMW M5 and other “supersedans” when it comes to equipment, Car and Driver reports.
An electronic limited-slip differential with a dedicated heat exchanger is standard, as is an updated version of GM’s magnetorheological dampers, The Drive reports. Brembo brakes are standard, and as on the BMW M5, carbon-ceramic brakes are optional.
Compared to the standard Cadillac CT5-V, the Blackwing model has stiffer suspension components, plus a shock tower brace, Autoblog reports. It also has functional fender vents, as well as fender flares to accommodate the wider tires. However, the teased magnesium wheels aren’t quite here yet, MT reports. But the sedan does have a functional front splitter, rear spoiler, rear diffuser, and extra grille openings for the brake-cooling ducts. Plus, if you need more aero, there’s an optional carbon-fiber kit available.
The Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing is still a luxury car at heart, though. So, inside it comes standard with leather-upholstered sport seats, wireless AppleCarPlay and Android Auto, heads-up display, a 360° camera system, and a 12” digital gauge cluster, Roadshow reports. A 15-speaker AKG audio system is also standard. And, if you really want to track-drive your CT5-V Blackwing, the optional carbon-fiber bucket seats’ headrests are designed to accommodate a helmet, MT reports. Plus, they have heating, ventilation, and massaging functions.
Pricing and availability
One area where the 2022 CT5-V Blackwing falls behind the BMW M5 is in price. As in, it’s cheaper than the German sedan.
The CT5-V Blackwing starts at $84,990. In comparison, the 2021 BMW M5 starts at $103,500; the Competition Package adds another $7600 to that. And as for the CS, it starts at $142,000 before destination.
The CT5-V Blackwing should arrive in dealers in summer 2021. We’ll just have to wait until then to see how well it truly compares to the M5. But considering at least one F1 racer has praised it, Motor1 reports, it seems the Blackwing’s going to soar.
Follow more updates from MotorBiscuit on our Facebook page.
