The Cadillac in Dearborn, Michigan had one optioned up to $80,000 plus add taxes and any other markups.
Cadillac stomped the “more” button while making its CT4-V Blackwing: more power, more chassis, more attitude.
Perhaps this is our generation’s P-51 Mustang or Porsche 993. How’s that? The CT4-V Blackwing represents a final evolutionary point in what could be called fading technology.
Disagree with that statement? When do you think we’ll see another high-output, rear-drive performance sedan fitted with an internal combustion engine and a manual box? This and the M3 represent some of the last steps along that path.
But if this is the swan song, it’s pretty glorious in every respect.
Things that Cadillac just nails on this car: the seats, the steering wheel, the interior, the chassis….
You know, let’s just mention what Cadillac whiffed on.
silence
Yup, nothing.
The Blackwing perfectly devours both highway and back roads. It works in traffic. You can see out of it. You can take your family somewhere in it. Even the trunk is rather useful.
The whole car is just the right size. Know how a Camaro feels kinda big? (Trust us here, it does.) The CT4 doesn’t do that. You don’t wonder where the corners are located, and you can easily park it.
Clutch feel is just right, and the engine never leaves you hanging. And the brakes? All of them. Chassis never got weird. It’s almost like a big Miata. Brake, turn, power out. The difference is just that the limits are so much higher. And it has a back seat.
Somehow the interior perfectly marries modern tech with traditional touches. The gauge display, for example, is fully digital but doesn’t get all Tron on you. There are buttons that do things.
Is the V button a gimmick? It tightens up the chassis and makes things sound cool. Is the exhaust note piped in? Meh, it sounds good.
And, OMG, those seats.
Does the steering wheel need that little red stripe at the top? Know what, I’m cool with that. Call it a nod to the ’60s.
Something cool: no sunroof. Know why that’s cool? Because you don’t always need a hole in the roof. Despite all the performance, it’s comfortable. Yes, the ride is firm as expected, but it’s quiet and composed.
Is the exterior a bit garish? Maybe a tick. Maybe we don’t all need the aero add-ons for going to see Mom and Dad. But we received regular compliments–in the supermarket parking lot, stopping for gas, and from regular randos out and about. Despite the extra speed holes and whatnot, people still the car–and us–as approachable.
Okay, the price. After $12,800 in options, ours stickered at $72,790. Cars & Bids recently sold one for $74,000.
Thank you, Cadillac, for giving us one last hurrah.
The Cadillac in Dearborn, Michigan had one optioned up to $80,000 plus add taxes and any other markups.
I love it. Just went to the Cadillac site, optioned the way I'd want it? $74,115 MSRP.
That's quite a bit more than I can afford.
Love the car
Wish I could afford it.
I REALLY love the idea of the CT 4 and 5 Blackwings.....but the styling of them just doesn't click with me. They look too much like new Camrys/Kia Stingers with the streched out light housings front and rear, lips, spoilers, flares, etc. Plus, there's no real trunklid - the rear glass goes almost to the rear edge of the body.
Don't get me wrong, if somebody gave me 680 hp to play with, I'd drive the hell out of it. But, the price and the styling just don't jive.
Gues I'll have to keep putting miles on my Pontiac G8.
Wow. That's a lot of car.
The manual trans is not something I would have expected.
I almost like this. I don't have an eye for sedans, they don't do it for me, but this does not displease me. That is a lot of engine for the bay, it looks like doing anything in there is a nightmare. I like that visibility looks high for a modern car and we've come down off the cliff of 'aggressive' styling. If I were to nitpick, the coloration on the seats isn't it and I would rather the center console be lower. And the dash might well be phenom to sit behind but that picture... oh lawdy that ain't it. The exterior leads me to expect a refinement inside that the dash doesn't appear to live up to.
Also, piped in exhaust notes? I know it's the way it's done now but it's just lame.
In sum, this looks like a very good direction to go in and I like it.
Dear Cadillac,
You need to bring out a Blackwing Wagon. That is all.
That might be the first 5 stars across the board review I've seen here.
The CT4 and CT5 will go down as the last great Cadillacs before soulless electric zombie cars take over.
They've come a long way from the Catera, a long way in the right direction.
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