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I hope you understand by now that I’ve no agenda with every overview. I merely let you know what I uncover in a (hopefully) amusing trend. The Automotive Gods, they know. So it was serendipitous after I acquired an e mail concerning the CT5 V Blackwing whereas this Cadillac CT4 V Blackwing was parked in my driveway:
Completely happy Day: The blackwing CT5 is an incredible drive, every thing you wrote about it’s true no BS. Driving it’s an expertise. My M3 doesn’t sound like that, and every thing you wrote about feeling like Maverick whenever you drive it’s spot on.
– Eric
Eric traded in his G80 M3 for the CT5 V, and bless his soul for taking my overview to coronary heart. Can the 5’s little bro take P1 as effectively?
2024 Cadillac CT4 V Blackwing Fast Take
Get one:
Very good chassis stability and suggestions. Quick. Comfy. Handsome. Downright low cost for what you get.
Don’t get one:
Feels like a Dyson. Nonetheless lower than par inside. Nobody is aware of what it’s.
Soul Rating: 9
It is a automobile made for you and I. How unhappy the world will probably be when they’re gone.
The 2024 Cadillac CT4 V Blackwing Overview
I really feel dangerous for automobile designers. Totally unleash them, with no finances constraints or pedestrian considerations, and also you get one thing like an F1 automobile. Journey additional down the highway of road legality and gross sales skill, and instantly the bean counters get up.
“Take this out, it prices 5 cents per automobile!”
Repeat that cycle again and again (and over) till you get one thing like a Saturn SL1. Yuck. Do the great guys ever win?
As a matter of truth they do, and this CT4 V Blackwing is proof. It’s probably not obligatory in Caddy’s lineup, and it’ll by no means promote in monster numbers just like the M3. But right here it’s. I can inform the designers gave a rattling – it’s filled with Easter eggs.
Although they give the impression of being quite a bit alike, the CT4 is smaller, barely downmarket, and lacking the superb supercharged V-8. Instead, a twin turbo V-6. Properly, one thing needed to go; this automobile begins at simply $61,495.
However actually, what in the end exhibits who gained with this automobile is the driving expertise. Stunning. Stupendous. 5 stars.
I’m not crying, you’re.
I satisfied Eric. Can I persuade myself?
Efficiency Rating: 9. Have a problem, right here’s a tissue
On paper, this automobile is admittedly near the M3. Energy (472), curb weight (3,860), transmission (auto and handbook) – hell, even the colour. However they’re certainly not similar, a degree I’ll begin with below the hood.
Engine
Within the pantheon of nice engines, nobody has ever positioned a twin-turbocharged V-6 on the high. However this one is unquestionably within the higher third of that triangle. With 472 horses and 445 lb-ft of torque, this 3.6 liter engine is tremendous clean, explosive, and enjoyable to drive.
What it’s not is an inline-six or a supercharged V-8. The M3’s engine is far smoother, extra desirous to rev (with a better pink line), and an total extra thrilling factor to wind out every day. As for the CT5, its base worth is round $83,000, making the V-8 a $20k premium. It’s value it, however it’s additionally not my checking account.
One other minus level for the CT4 is sound. I’m afriad that other than just a few pops and burbles in sport mode, it’s simply not very inspiring. The phrases “vacuum cleaner” might have escaped my lips on a couple of event. Possibly an exhaust would assist.
I digress. Please know that the CT4’s engine continues to be fantastic, with an enormous whack of torque off the road. It’s so highly effective that spinning the wheels at something under 40 is fairly straightforward, as is kicking out the tail for some antics. We’ll miss engines like this in just a few years, it’s simply that we’ll miss the others a bit extra.
Transmission
You’ll be completely satisfied to know that I might provide you with a corridor move. The ten-speed computerized transmission (nobody actually wants ten speeds) is fantastic, responsive, and nearly as good as any ZF transmission within the German rides.
Really, it’s higher. Placing an M3 in full Sport + means having the transmission connected on to your backbone to make sure it snaps it in half with every upshift. It additionally hannnnnnngggsss onto gears endlessly. Bro, I’m coming to a pink gentle, not the beginning line at Monza.
The CT4 V is totally different. You may modify the shifting velocity right here too, however when in full Sport mode, Cadillac determined you don’t want ninth or tenth gear. Good, as a result of it avoids trying to find issues as you’re driving like a lunatic. It’s by no means harsh, simply clean and simple. Greater paddles on the wheel can be good although. Appears to be an ongoing epidemic with trendy automobiles.
The handbook – first, do know that Cadillac fees you $2,275 for the automated. I’ll assume that the handbook on this automobile is simply nearly as good because the CT5 V (the most effective), in order good because the auto is, I’d in all probability go along with the slower handbook choice whereas it’s nonetheless right here.
Steering and Chassis
That is the place the Cadillac CT4 V Blackwing shines. Let’s first make observe that this automobile had on a set of winter tires, so you may think about how good it could be with some PS4s on.
I shortly realized that this automobile must be pushed in sport mode on a regular basis. Doing so provides heft to the steering wheel, however in a progressive method. Nonetheless straightforward to park. The consequence is rather like the CT5 – you are feeling such as you’re placing in work and also you’re in full management. Except for a small useless spot simply off heart (blaming the tires), it’s good in response. You may really feel the grip of the front-end, one thing I believed solely the G80 was able to. Possibly Porsche is on this degree? Even then, it’s up there with the most effective of ’em.
Holding all of it up is GM’s Magnetic Experience Management. Magnetic, or Magnificent? Sport mode works right here too – the automobile is agency, however not bone-crunching like an M automobile. It permits for a little bit of lean within the physique, simply sufficient to make you are feeling the burden transferring. Maybe the automobile is a bit too smooth in consolation mode, however that simply emphasizes the drive modes on this automobile truly work.
Put all of it collectively, and this automobile is simply really easy to drive easily. That’s the way you construct velocity.
Brakes
One different large level of differentiation between the 4 and 5 is the supply of carbon ceramic brakes as an choice. The CT4 V doesn’t have them, however it’s probably not a deal braker (haha, dad joke).
They save 63 kilos in a CT5, however they value $10,000. Positive, they mud and fade much less, however behind the wheel it feels the identical. Maybe the 4’s pedal is simply too agency, making it typically arduous to cease easily (in consolation mode, it’s too smooth). Level right here is, the brakes are confidence-inspiring and as much as the duty of a full monitor day.
One of the simplest ways to sum up this automobile’s efficiency is the way it feels to strap into it the primary time. With some automobiles, it takes awhile to get comfy sufficient to go quick. Typically, I by no means get comfy sufficient. Within the V, I really feel similar to I do in an M3, and inside 5 minutes I’m zipping round corners like we’ve been courting for years.
Utility Rating: 6. Small fry
Once I consider Cadillac, it’s nonetheless arduous for me to shake that 70s and 80s vibe of land yachts and dinosaurs. However actually, it’s time I develop up – this can be a small, maneuverable automobile that shares a the letter V with DeVille and nothing extra.
To show my level, sit inside. Tight, eh? Not a lot in entrance, that’s tremendous. However within the rear, it is perhaps arduous to suit some rear-facing toddler seats with out considerably pushing up the entrance row. No less than the trunk works simply effectively, on par with others within the phase.
The entrance seats are fascinating. There are customary seats obtainable, and I can solely go by what’s on-line, however they don’t look particular and I doubt they’ve sufficient lateral help for the form of strikes the CT4 V has. The high-performance buckets this automobile has is a $4,600 choice, they usually look quite a bit higher. The again is even wrapped in Alcantara – I needed to so as to add that myself on the M3. However the backside cushion is slim, and my left leg was a bit uncomfortable on longer drives. A clutch pedal would possibly make it worse, so simply strive before you purchase.
Gasoline Economic system: 8. What a deal with
I drove this automobile (my spouse is nodding in grim settlement), and regardless of the fixed flogging, I averaged practically 20 MPG total for the week.
That’s a few mile greater than my handbook M3, however the Caddy is extra highly effective, and I’m certain driving it round in Sport with out these high two gears didn’t assist. The CT5 V was practically 10 MPG much less, within the 13 vary, so rating one for the little man.
Options and Consolation: 7. Ok
That is the place issues get humorous – I swear it’s practically similar to the CT 5 in virtually each element (therefore the identical headline and rating). Now, the 5 has been up to date from that overview, so it’s a bit totally different, however the 4 stays.
The value is correct
I’ve been in lots of GM merchandise by now, and the inside high quality has gotten higher however nonetheless very far-off from its rivals.
I do know I usually bitch about pushing every thing right into a single display screen, and the CT4 V does it proper by leaving all of the HVAC controls out within the open. Your complete sprint might have been lifted from the CT5. However that display screen is so small, it seems to be low cost and misplaced in a automobile like this. And for the love of child Jesus, why does it give every thing such an apparent blue hue? Come on, GM.
Now is an effective time to say the value and choice this automobile. The aforementioned seats would possibly sound costly, however they embrace good leather-based, an upgraded steering wheel, microfiber backs, cooling air flow and massaging capabilities. The digital sprint is type of crammed behind the wheel however nonetheless works in addition to it does within the 5 or Corvette. There’s even Alcantara on the doorways and headliner, however it’s haphazardly positioned and isn’t at all times a premium look.
Optioned as it’s, the $75k as-tested sticker continues to be $7,000 lower than an equal M3, however be foolish with the verify bins and watch the value climb to over $93,000.
That’s a strong no for me dawg. As an alternative, concentrate on holding the automobile at 75 or much less, and you’ve got your self a deal.
Curves with out the V
It’s not about badging – this automobile is delicate in that regard, accurately.
However there’s no carbon fiber anyplace, nor any large attractive hips like an M3 has, or the everyday scoops, scallops and slashes that make different sport sedans intimidating. The rear wheel arches are, for me, the large drawback. The CT4 took Ozempic and ended up dropping curves in all of the mistaken locations. The butt is droopy too.
And yea, it seems to be simply just like the CT5. Really, the CT5 seems to be higher.
To be honest, you may add a lip and a few facet skirts for $10,000, however this can be a delicate automobile regardless. Possibly that’s correct. Nobody will know you’re destroyer of worlds.
So in any case that, would you purchase a Cadillac CT4 V Blackwing?
Final time, I advised you that nearly as good because the CT5 V was, nobody knew what it was, and that makes for a lonely possession expertise. However I needed to know for certain.
So on a Sunday morning, I left the M3 at house and took the Blackwing to an area Automobiles & Espresso occasion. Not solely was I the only real CT4 V there, I used to be the one Cadillac. Out of maybe 500 automobiles? I parked it amongst a sea of me-too BMWs and Infinitis, received out, and hovered simply shut sufficient to have the ability to hear what individuals mentioned.
You already know what? The automobile received some consideration – the proper of consideration, from actual fanatics. I heard some confusion as as to if it was a 4 or a 5, others asking if it was an actual V, or a V lite. One was excited to see it, solely to look inside and uncover it was an computerized.
I’m completely satisfied to report that the automobile wasn’t ignored. However…
I’m the mayor
Probably not, however everybody is aware of me and my automobile by now. I drive to exhibits with 5 different M3s. I meet buddies at exhibits every week, completely satisfied to catch up as a result of all of us drive the identical automobile.
If I purchased a Blackwing tomorrow, I’ve little doubt I’d nonetheless be welcome, however it wouldn’t be the identical by any means. The CT5 is so good, I wouldn’t care. However the G80 can also be superb, and though the CT4 is a greater driver’s automobile, we don’t personal automobiles in a vacuum.
If such issues don’t matter to you, please choose this CT4 V (hold the choices down), and luxuriate in it. I didn’t wish to give it again. In actual fact, I grew to become a bit connected to it. The signal of a fantastic automobile.
Eric made the precise selection. And should you learn this and resolve to purchase a Cadillac CT4 V Blackwing, please let me know.
You could be my wing man any time.
2024 Cadillac CT4 V Blackwing Specs
Automobile Sort: Entrance-engine, rear wheel drive, five-passenger, four-door sedan.
PRICE
Base: $61,495
As examined: $75,710
POWERTRAIN
3.6 liter twin-turbocharged V-6
472 horsepower @ 5,750 RPM
445 lb-ft @ 3,500-5,000 RPM
DIMENSIONS
Wheelbase: 109 in
Size: 187.6 in
Width: 71.4 in
Top: 56 in
Curb Weight: 3,860 lbs
FUEL ECONOMY
Mixed / Metropolis / Freeway: 18 / 15 / 23
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